Best Online Counseling for Families, Kids, and Teens

Best Parents Counseling: Talkspace

Key Specs  

• Price: $276 - $436 per month
• Insurance Accepted?: Yes
• Types of Counseling: Individual, couples, teens, medication management

Why We Chose It

Talkspace is our pick for best parents counseling thanks to its convenience, versatility in services, and wide range of providers.  

Pros & Cons 

Overview 

Parenting is a process that ebbs and flows over time, and getting support when you need it the most can ensure that you, your children, and any person or people you’re parenting with are cared for. Talkspace can do just that. The telehealth giant, known for popularizing text messaging-based therapy, offers counseling services for individual adults, couples, and teens, plus medication management. 

Signing up for Talkspace is super easy—you’ll answer a series of intake questions, choose your monthly plan, and then you’ll be matched with a counselor. The matching process typically takes a few days. If you’re not satisfied with the provider you’re matched with, you can change at any time. Convenience is the major win for this platform. It offers three different plans, ranging from solely text messaging-based counseling to 30-minute weekly sessions. Not so sure about using an app for counseling? If you're in a relationship, know that there is evidence that behavioral intervention apps can help support couples develop greater partner cohesion, and even result in enhanced well-being in children. (But heads up: 30-minute sessions are short for couples work, so if you're pursuing this be sure to communicate with your partner beforehand on what you’d like to accomplish in each session.)

Plans & Pricing 

Talkspace offers a variety of plans:

• Unlimited messaging with a licensed counselor for $69 per week
• Unlimited messaging and weekly 30-minute individual sessions for $99 per week
• Unlimited messaging, weekly 30-minute individual sessions, and access to mental health workshops for $109 per week
• Weekly couples counseling beginning at $396 per month
• An initial psychiatric evaluation for $249; follow-up sessions $125 each

Talkspace is in-network with some insurance plans, including Cigna, Optum, Aetna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. You can also pay with a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA). 

User Satisfaction  

Talkspace has a great user satisfaction rating, with 90% of users surveyed giving it a positive score. Seventy-eight percent of clients stated they were able to find a provider that met most, if not all, of their needs, and 83% were satisfied or very satisfied with the therapist options provided. Talkspace users were so pleased with their experience with the platform, 82% would recommend it to a friend.

Best Family Counseling: Little Otter

Key Specs  

• Price: $90 for initial consultation, $540 for an assessment bundle, $2,040 for a 12-session bundle, $500 assessment with psychiatrist, and $250 per session with a psychiatrist
• Insurance Accepted?: Yes
• Types of Counseling: Individual, couples, family, children, medication management

Why We Chose It

Little Otter is an innovative platform offering high-quality therapy for families, plus children’s medication management and parenting support. 

Pros & Cons 

Overview

Growing your family is a big adjustment for everyone in the house, so an integrative mental health care team dedicated to supporting parents and kids can be key. Little Otter offers individual and couples therapy, parenting support, child therapy, and medication management for kids up to 14 years old.

What we especially appreciate about Little Otter is its thoughtful, data-driven approach that is evident from the sign-up process onward. You’ll begin by completing an intake questionnaire; then, you’ll receive an analysis your family’s mental health (including growth points and what's going well), detailed down to each family member. From there, you book a 30-minute assessment call to go over your specific goals. You’ll receive a care plan which can include everything from parent coaching sessions and couples therapy to teletherapy and medication management for kids.

Little Otter’s services are currently only available in California, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, Illinois, and Utah. It is expanding its services to other states and you can join an early access list to be notified as soon as it is available in your state. 

Plans & Pricing 

The initial intake session is $90 and lasts 90 minutes. From there, you can select one of the bundle options:

• $540 for the assessment bundle, which consists of the initial 90-minute assessment and one 45-minute therapy session. 
• $2,040 for a bundle of 12 therapy sessions

Psychiatry services are priced as follows:

• $500 for an initial psychiatric assessment
• $250 for subsequent psychiatry sessions

Little Otter is only in-network with Kaiser Permanente and you’ll need to get pre-authorization from your local clinic first. You can opt to receive a superbill and seek reimbursement from your insurance if you’re out of network. You can also pay using an HSA or FSA account. 

User Satisfaction  

Little Otter had a 75% overall satisfaction rating from users we surveyed. A big sticking point with this platform is the lack of affordability—just over half (54%) found the platform financially accessible. An additional 22% of users would love to see more therapists from a similar background or culture as them. However, 72% of users found Little Otter to have a great value for the money. And 91% said their counselor met most or all of their needs. 

Best Teen Counseling: Teen Counseling

Key Specs  

• Price: $60 to $90 per week, varying based on location, preferences, and counselor availability
• Insurance Accepted?: No
• Types of Counseling: Individual and family therapy for parents and teens

Why We Chose It

The transition to the teenage years can be hard for parents and kids alike. We love that Teen Counseling provides affordable mental health support to teens and their parents.

Pros & Cons 

Overview 

Teen Counseling, owned by mental health mega-company BetterHelp, fulfills the need for mental health care for teens and parents of teens. Specializing in supporting individuals ages 13 to 19 in all 50 states, the company focuses on a group of young people that is often challenged by social, hormonal, and relational changes. If you’re a parent, you can receive individual therapy focused on challenges you may experience as you care for your teen. If you’re a teen, you will be matched with a counselor who has specific training to work with your age group and the issues you might face. There is also an option to have joint sessions between parents and teens to iron out any issues coming up in the relationship.

Teen Counseling has a subscription-based model, meaning you are billed monthly for four 30-minute sessions a month. Fees vary from $60 to $90 a week, based on location, preferences, and counselor availability, resulting in higher fees for those in areas that have a higher demand for counselors. This practice is often referred to as surge pricing and can be unfair to clients seeking support; it isn’t a client’s fault that there is a huge demand for mental health care, and they shouldn’t pay more as a result. 

Teen Counseling is owned by BetterHelp, one of the companies that has been at the center of questions around privacy with telehealth and teletherapy. That said, our testers, reviewers, and surveyed users all had excellent experiences with Teen Counseling overall, and we did not receive any direct reports of any privacy breaches from the users and testers we worked with.

Plans & Pricing 

One membership plan is available, offering unlimited messaging with a counselor and four 30-minute sessions a month. Pricing ranges from $60 to $90 per week. It is billed monthly, so you can expect to pay $240 to $360 every four weeks. 

Teen Counseling does not take insurance and doesn’t offer superbills. No free consultations or assessments are available. 

User Satisfaction  

Seventy-one percent of users surveyed would recommend Teen Counseling to a friend and the same number found Teen Counseling counselors' qualifications to be generally positive. The majority (76%) of users were also satisfied with the diversity of counselors at Teen Counseling. 

Best for Children Under 10: Thriveworks

Key Specs  

• Price: Cost per session starts at $99
• Insurance Accepted?: Yes
• Types of Counseling: Individual, couples, children, teens, medication management

Why We Chose It

Thriveworks is in-network with most major insurance plans, doesn’t have any waitlists, and features a strong roster of providers trained in child therapy.

Pros & Cons 

Overview 

Online therapy for kids under the age of 10 can be difficult simply due to the interactions of their developmental limitations and the reality of teletherapy. However, Thriveworks has counselors on staff who have robust training in supporting children virtually, making it our pick for the best online therapy for children. Medication management is also available, but only in a limited number of locations and specifically for adults.

Many online counseling options aren’t in-network with insurance plans and have sessions that are quite short. Thriveworks, on the other hand, accepts most major insurance plans and its sessions are 50 to 60 minutes long. Accepting insurance may make this platform more accessible to families who have limited resources—but it remains inaccessible for those who don't have insurance or the ability to self-pay.

While we appreciate the length of sessions, which are a great value for the money, some kids may have challenges staying engaged for 50 to 60 minutes. Rest assured, though: Thriveworks’ counselors are skilled in meeting these challenges and can help give your child the care they need. Keep in mind: Some areas may have limited provider options; the website can be overwhelming due to the various pages of information; and the cancellation process can be difficult. Pro tip: Reach out to the live customer service chat on the Thriveworks website for quick support.

Plans & Pricing 

Prices per session start at $99 and can go up to $349 depending on the type of service you need. Medication management services will be on the pricier end of the spectrum and psychotherapy sessions a pre-licensed professional will be closer to the $99 range.

Thriveworks accepts many major insurance providers, with the exact details varying based on location and plan. Some insurance plans include Blue Cross, Anthem, Optum, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, and Humana. Most Thriveworks providers do not accept Medicaid or Medicare, though there a very limited number do. Payments can be made using an HSA or FSA account. 

If you’re finding the process of signing up online challenging, you can call Thriveworks directly to get started.

User Satisfaction  

Thriveworks has a fantastic user rating, with 90% of users surveyed giving it a positive rating. Despite the overwhelming nature of its website, 69% of users found it generally easy to navigate. Sixty-eight of providers found the process of looking for a therapist easy, and another 19% found the process to be neither easy nor difficult.

Best With Insurance: Amwell

Key Specs  

• Price: $109 to $279 per session
• Insurance Accepted?: Yes
• Types of Counseling: Individual, couples, children, teen, family, medication management

Why We Chose It

Amwell offers a wide range of services for the whole family, is in-network with more than 40 insurance plans, and makes it easier than ever to switch counselors.

Pros & Cons 

Overview 

Amwell prides itself as being one of the largest telehealth companies in the marketplace, providing a wide range of physical and mental health services. It has a solid reputation, accepts over 40 insurance plans, and offers care for the whole family. From family and couples therapy to individual counseling for children, teens, and adults, plus medication management, consider this platform a one-stop shop for your family’s mental health needs. 

Sometimes, having access to so many services can feel overwhelming and it isn’t uncommon to need to switch providers. Amwell makes this process super simple. Rather than scheduling again with your provider, you can simply choose a new one when virtually booking your next appointment. That said, a caveat—the website can be confusing to navigate. 

As soon as you make it to the homepage, navigate to the upper righthand corner and click on the tab that says “For Patients.” From there, you will be able to begin the sign-up process, which is super quick and easy. You can also opt to install the app, which is available on iOS and Android, to receive your care on the go. 

Plans & Pricing 

Amwell counseling services range from $109 for a session with a master's-level counselor to $129 for one with a counselor with a doctorate degree. The pricing does not differ for couples or family therapy, making it a great value (usually, those services are more expensive than individual counseling). An initial psychiatry session costs $279 and follow-up sessions are $109.

Amwell is in-network with over 40 insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Tricare, Oscar Health, Aetna, and more. That said, it does not accept Medicaid or Medicare. Payments can be made using an FSA or HSA account. Free consultations and assessments are not available. 

User Satisfaction  

Twenty-six percent of Amwell users surveyed identified insurance acceptance as a key need in their therapy search and 61% were able to use insurance to fund their therapy. Eighty-eight percent of users found Amwell to be of great value for the money. Overall, 88% of Amwell users gave the platform a positive rating. 

Best Marriage Counseling: ReGain

Key Specs  

• Price: $240 - $360 per month
• Insurance Accepted?: No
• Types of Counseling: Individual, couples

Why We Chose It

Parenting can take a toll on relationships, including marriages. ReGain offers therapy specifically focused on relationships, meaning you can get support on strengthening your bond alone or with your partner.

Pros & Cons 

Overview 

ReGain is our pick for the best online marriage, couples, and relationship counseling company thanks to its unique focus, convenient virtual platform, and ease of scheduling.

Parenting, despite the often wonderful experiences involved, can be draining on even the most solid relationships. And when you're in the midst of relationship woes, having to choose a counselor and navigate extensive intake paperwork can cause even more stress. ReGain simplifies the process; signing up takes less than 10 minutes, you’re matched with a counselor (who you can change at any time), and scheduling sessions is easy. Regain’s counselors can help you address most relationship issues, from navigating changes in intimacy and sex to differences in parenting.

Despite our positive impressions of the specific platform, however, it is important to acknowledge that it is owned by BetterHelp, which has come under fire for its privacy practices in the past. Specifically, there have been allegations that the company didn't do enough to protect clients' personal data from third parties.

Plans & Pricing 

ReGain offers one plan for $60 to $90 per week, billed on a monthly basis. Pricing varies based on location and demand for counselors in your area. ReGain does not accept any insurance plans, though most insurance plans do not reimburse couples therapy to begin with. Additionally, it does not provide superbills for services and doesn’t accept HSA or FSA payments. 

No free assessments or consultations are offered at this time.

User Satisfaction  

Seventy-two percent of surveyed users were satisfied with the counselor options provided on the platform. Overall, the majority of ReGain users (77%) we surveyed are satisfied with their experience using the platform, giving it a rating of good, very good, or excellent. 

Best Grief Counseling: Circles

Key Specs  

• Price: $49 per month for four weekly sessions
• Insurance Accepted?: No
• Types of Counseling: Support group

Why We Chose It

Group support can be an integral part of healing from grief. Circles support groups invite participants to foster connections with one another, encouraging them to build coping tools while reminding them they aren’t alone.

Pros & Cons 

Overview 

Grief can be an isolating and lonely experience. A recent study shows group therapy can be effective in reducing symptoms of grief, even resulting in diminished symptoms after treatment has ended.

We chose Circles, which offers group therapy centered around specific life challenges, including grief, as our pick for best online grief counseling because it includes 12-week groups that are facilitated by trained mental health professionals, offering the opportunity to connect with peers, learn coping tools, and build a support network. We love that a group chat is available, so you can reach out to the group facilitator and group members between sessions.

Getting started is easy. After you click on one of the many “get started” buttons on the homepage, you’ll be asked questions about who you are grieving, how recently the loss occurred, if you know anyone else experiencing something similar, if there is anyone in your life you open up to, and your goals for the group. After that, you are matched with a group that aligns with your unique situation and intentions. 

Plans & Pricing 

Circles offers one monthly plan that features four weekly sessions for just $49 per month. Your first session is free and you can cancel your membership at any time. 

Circles is not in-network with any insurance companies, is not eligible for FSA or HSA payments, and cannot provide a superbill. 

User Satisfaction  

Ten percent of Circles users surveyed identified multiple service options (i.e. virtual sessions, chat functions) as a key need in their counseling journey and 63% were pleased with the resources included in their Circles plan. Eighty-six percent of users said Circles was better than platforms they’ve used in the past—33% said this is because it is easy to use, 14% said it has more flexible session times than other services, and 10% said it offers great additional resources. Overall, 70% would recommend it to a friend.

Best Divorce Counseling: Growing Self

Key Specs  

• Price: $65 to $160 per individual session, $40 per group session
• Insurance Accepted?: No
• Types of Counseling: Individual, couples, support group

Why We Chose It

Divorce is never easy, and being a parent only complicates the process and all its emotions. Growing Self is a great option, offering individual therapy, couples therapy, discernment counseling, and a divorce support group.

Pros & Cons 

Overview 

Growing Self offers a range of services that can help you navigate the many emotional and psychological challenges of divorce. Whether you and your partner are in the early stages of deciding if divorce is right for you, are in the midst of figuring out custody, or just need group support as you move on from your relationship, Growing Self has something for you. 

Each session is about 45 minutes long, with the exception of the divorce and breakup recovery group that runs 75 minutes. Growing Self has a variety of therapists on staff, from pre-licensed associates to doctorate-level clinicians, and pricing ranges accordingly. Individual therapy may help you find yourself again after divorce, while couples therapy can help you discern if it is time to end your marriage and move through uncoupling amicably. 

The support group option is an opportunity to be reminded that you aren’t alone, and that healing is possible. It runs about eight weeks and is facilitated by a divorce counselor and a breakup recovery coach. Keep in mind that the group will be more focused on peer support rather than in-depth emotional processing. If that feels like it may not be enough support for you, consider individual therapy in addition. 

Just a heads up: The website can be a bit overwhelming due to the wealth of information presented, and you have to dig a bit to find pricing information. 

Plans & Pricing 

Fees range from $65 to $160 per session, depending upon experience of the counselor selected. Each support group session is $40. 

Growing Self is not in-network with insurance, but can provide you with a superbill to present for reimbursement. But know that couples therapy typically isn’t covered by insurance, and a support group isn’t considered therapy; therefore, it won’t qualify for reimbursement either. Growing Self does accept FSA and HSA payments.

User Satisfaction  

Of all Growing Self users we surveyed, 90% gave it a rating of good, very good, or excellent. Thirty-six percent of those surveyed were experiencing family issues or relationship issues. Sixty-eight percent stated they felt most, if not all, of their needs were met. Eighty-six percent of users found Growing Self to be better than other services they’ve used in the past, with over half (53%) stating the site is easier to use than others and 35% saying the therapists have better qualifications and training than on other platforms. 

Best Postpartum Counseling: LifeStance Health

Key Specs  

• Price: Out-of-pocket fees range from $75 to $300
• Insurance Accepted?: Yes
• Types of Counseling: Individual, couples, children, adolescent, group therapy, psychiatry

Why We Chose It

LifeStance Health offers a wide range of services and modalities, and puts an emphasis on postpartum mental health.

Pros & Cons 

Overview 

LifeStance Health offers a wide spectrum of services in over 30 states, ranging from individual therapy for all ages to psychiatry and neurological testing. It is our pick for best online postpartum counseling due to its emphasis on women’s mental health. This means it has counselors and psychiatrists on staff who specialize in supporting women navigating mental health stressors, including postpartum mental health concerns. 

We love the variety of therapy modalities available on this platform, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, family therapy, group therapy, and even play therapy. LifeStance providers include psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and licensed counselors. The length of session and fee varies based on the provider chosen and insurance coverage. This lack of clarity may be frustrating for some. Another major drawback is that LifeStance isn’t available in all 50 states—you can see a complete list of the states serviced here.  

Plans & Pricing

Unfortunately, LifeStance isn’t the most transparent when it comes to pricing. Its website simply states that out-of-pocket session fees range from $75 to $300, depending on location and provider. For those paying out-of-pocket, this lack of clarity can lead to time wasted. 

LifeStance Health accepts a variety of insurance plans, including from Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and Optum. It also accepts some Medicare plans. You can also use FSA or HSA accounts. 

User Satisfaction  

Half (51%) of surveyed users expected to be seeing their therapist at least six months from when they were surveyed and 46% believed they will be with their therapist after a year. This positive retention rate speaks to the satisfaction of LifeStance clients. Seventy-five percent of users would recommend the platform to a friend, and 88% found it better than other services used in the past. 

Best LGBTQIA+ Counseling: National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network

Key Specs  

• Price: Free
• Insurance Accepted?: N/A
• Types of Counseling: Individual, couples, group, children/adolescents, medication management

Why We Chose It

The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network is a directory filled with providers prioritizing meeting the needs of LGBTQIA+ folks of color. 

Pros & Cons 

Overview 

The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network is a queer and trans-affirming therapy and counseling directory prioritizing the needs of LGBTQIA+ folks of color. Founded in 2016, this directory has since expanded to include a mental health fund, where those who are experiencing financial hardship can apply to receive $100 towards eight therapy sessions. We appreciate this directory’s thoughtfulness in expanding access for the LGBTQIA+ community to receive non-stigmatizing counseling. Plus, the providers on this directory offer a wide range of services, including individual, couples, children/adolescent, and group counseling. Additionally, there are providers specializing in medication management listed. This free resource is an excellent way to find the perfect therapist for the whole family.

Searching for a counselor is simple. You’ll first enter your location; then, you're shown a list of providers near you. From here, you can filter your options, noting if you want to see counselors who are currently accepting new clients, those who offer telehealth, and those with a sliding scale rate.

This simplicity, however, can also be an issue. There aren’t options to filter by insurance or a specific price range. You also can’t specify therapist specialty or gender identity, which may result in needing to dig extensively through search results to find a provider who meets your needs.

Plans & Pricing 

This directory is a free resource. The fees and insurance plans accepted will vary by provider. Some providers, though not all, list their fees and insurance offerings in their bio. Some counselors may offer a free consultation.

User Satisfaction  

Eighty-two percent of therapy seekers surveyed are satisfied with their experience using this directory. Forty-two percent of users were specifically seeking a counselor with a similar identity or cultural background, and another 32% hoped to find an affirming counselor. Sixty-eight percent of users stated they were able to find a counselor who met all of their needs, and another 31% said their provider met some of their needs, but they had to compromise a bit.

Best for BIPOC Counseling: Inclusive Therapists

Key Specs  

• Price: Free
• Insurance Accepted?: N/A
• Types of Counseling: Individual, couples, family, children, teen, group, medication management

Why We Chose It

The Inclusive Therapists directory is committed to providing affirming, culturally diverse counselors who are equipped to tackle a range of issues.

Pros & Cons 

Overview 

Having a provider who shares a similar identity to you can provide comfort in counseling. You don’t have to worry about spending your session time explaining certain cultural nuances or expectations. While no provider can understand every aspect of your experience, the idea of working with someone who is committed to culturally affirming care is key, especially for members of BIPOC communities. This is why Inclusive Therapists is our vote for best online counseling for BIPOC folks. 

After ongoing exhaustion due to time spent educating her own psychotherapists about white supremacy and systemic oppression, psychotherapist Melody Li, LMFT, founded Inclusive Therapists in 2018. It has since grown to include therapists across 46 states, Canada, and Hong Kong. The directory features a wealth of search filters, from specialty and fee to identity and accessibility information. We love its attention to detail, though some people may get decision fatigue from the wide range of options. Providers on this directory include counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, holistic practitioners, and more. 

Plans & Pricing 

This directory is free for all therapy seekers. The price for services and health insurance plans accepted varies across providers, ranging anywhere from $35 to well over $200 per session.

User Satisfaction  

Users love their experience with Inclusive Therapists, with 89% of therapy seekers surveyed giving it a positive rating. Sixty-eight percent found the process of finding a counselor easy or very easy. Don’t be discouraged if it takes a few counselors to find one who is available; over half (63%) of users had to reach out to multiple counselors to confirm their availability.