These Are the Best Online Therapy Services for Kids, Teens, and Adults

Best Overall: Talkspace

Key Specs

Cost: $276–$516 per month 

Types of Therapy Offered: Individual therapy, couples therapy, teen therapy, psychiatry

Insurance Accepted? Yes 

Why We Chose It

Talkspace makes it easy and affordable for families to connect with a licensed mental health professional via text, audio, live chat, and text message whether you have insurance or are paying out of pocket. 

Pros & Cons 

Overview 

With options for individual, couples (including parents), and teen therapy, Talkspace has services available that cater to nearly everyone. Talkspace also gives you the option to choose your own therapist by browsing a directory of clinicians based on state, treatment modality, and specialty, or to be matched with a therapist based on a short survey that asks about current health habits, therapy goals, and how you’re interested in paying. 

Talkspace is known for its text messaging service that lets clients get in touch with their therapist at any time, from anywhere—which is especially useful for teens who are used to that type of communication. While you may not receive an instant response, texting helps you express thoughts, feelings, and emotions at times when you need to get them out, and have the comfort of knowing the therapist will respond when they are able. Talkspace also offers psychiatric care and medication management so you can get the best of both worlds if that’s part of your treatment plan. 

While Talkspace may be the best virtual therapy service on this list, there are some drawbacks worth noting. For example, if you cancel your subscription during the middle of the month, you may be charged for the entire month. Also, certain insurance plans like Medicare and Medicaid don’t cover mental health services provided through Talkspace, so make sure your provider is covered if you’re not paying out of pocket.

Overall, 90% of the users we surveyed rated Talkspace as good to excellent. In addition, 78% of users said their providers met all or most of their needs. As for Talkspace’s website, 82% of users found it easy or very easy to navigate. 

Talkspace’s tiered plans break down as follows: 

Messaging Therapy: Includes private chat rooms where you can message your therapist asynchronously during the week from Monday through Friday; $276 per month

Live Therapy: Includes four 45-minute live virtual sessions and text messaging capability; $396 per month

Live Messaging + Therapy: Includes all of the above; $516 per month

Couples Therapy: $436 per month for both people

Psychiatry: $249 for an initial evaluation and $125 for follow-up sessions

Best for Kids Under 12: Little Otter

Key Specs

Cost: $200 per session

Types of Therapy Offered: Teletherapy for children aged 0 to 14, parent training and support, parent coaching sessions, couples therapy, individual adult therapy, family therapy, psychiatric care

Insurance Accepted? Yes 

Why We Chose It

Little Otter provides evidence-based treatments to children under 14 years old. There’s also the option to see a child psychiatrist if medication is a part of the treatment plan. 

Pros & Cons 

Overview 

Little Otter is one of the few online therapy options for kids—most companies don’t allow kids to receive treatment unless they are over 12 years old and have the consent of a parent or guardian. The therapists at Little Otter are trained to tackle a variety of issues that kids under the age of 14 tend to face, including, but not limited to, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma, aggression, anxiety, attention difficulties, and more. 

To start using Little Otter, you’ll fill out a short quiz to provide some insight into what you’re looking to gain from treatment. The quiz also provides some tips you can implement with your family right away. The first session will be a welcome session, or an intake, where the therapist will go over what therapy includes, goals, treatment plans, etc. After the initial appointment, you can schedule more regular sessions. 

It’s important to note that Little Otter is focused on the entire family, not just the individual child. That’s why, while you can use the service for your child to seek therapy or psychiatry, it also offers parent coaching and support, couples therapy (with a focus on parenting), and family therapy (but only for couples and families whose kids are Little Otter patients). 

Seventy-five percent of users reported a good, very good, or excellent experience overall with Little Otter, and 70% said their therapist met all or most of their needs. In addition, 65% of users were satisfied with the therapist options provided on Little Otter, and 58% said they’d recommend the company to a friend.

Here’s how the pricing structure works at Little Otter.

$90 for a 30-minute welcome session with your care lead, the clinician coordinating your Little Otter care team

$200 for one 45-minute session with your assigned therapist

$680 for a bundle of four 45-minute sessions

$1,920 for a bundle of 12 45-minute sessions

$500 for an initial child psychiatry evaluation

Additionally, users can sign up for the Kelp on-demand chatline with mental health experts for $30/month, which includes emotional and behavior guidance and support during business hours.

Best for Teens: Teen Counseling

Key Specs

Cost: $240–$400 per month 

Types of Therapy Offered: Individual counseling, teen therapy

Insurance Accepted? No 

Why We Chose It

Teen Counseling provides teenagers with a safe space to speak with a licensed mental health professional at an affordable price point. Communication is through text, phone, or video, making it even more accessible for teens. 

Pros & Cons 

Overview 

Teen Counseling is owned and operated by BetterHelp, and provides the best counseling services for teenagers. The platform gives teens the opportunity to work with psychologists, clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists on issues ranging from anxiety and depression to bullying to friendship or relationship conflicts. Outside of the four monthly sessions, users can message their therapist 24/7. This could be particularly helpful for teens who are used to being on their phones and texting about their problems. 

Parents also have the ability to schedule sessions with the therapist either individually or alongside their teen. If a teen or parent doesn’t like the therapist they’ve been matched with, there is a “switch therapist” button that easily lets you pick which type of therapist you’d prefer to work with based on age, gender, etc. and make the swap.

It’s worth noting that the platform charges you each week even if you didn’t schedule a session. Also, Teen Counseling doesn’t take insurance, so you’ll be paying out of pocket. Another important thing to note is that live sessions are only 30 minutes long—significantly shorter than the typical 45 minutes found at a majority of other online therapy platforms. 

Overall, 85% of users surveyed reported a positive experience with Teen Counseling. What’s more, 76% of users found a therapist who met all or most of their needs, and 66% were satisfied with the therapist options available. Finally, 64% of users found navigating Teen Counseling’s website to be easy or very easy.

There’s only one therapy plan available at Teen Counseling and it includes four live virtual sessions a month as well as unlimited messaging. There’s no specific price point, but it usually falls somewhere between $240 and $400 per month. This has been shown to vary based on location and need for services in the area. 

Best for LGTBQIA+ Affirming: National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network

Key Specs

Cost: Directory is free to use, therapy costs vary by provider

Types of Therapy Offered: Varies by provider

Insurance Accepted? Varies by provider

Why We Chose It

When it comes to finding a therapist that you really connect with, it can be important to have someone who is either of the same background, identity, or both. The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network is a great directory filled with therapists of varying cultures and identities so kids and parents alike will be more likely to find one who they connect with.

Pros & Cons

Overview 

For many BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ people—especially kids and teens—it can be hard to find an affirming therapist who understands and validates their experiences. That’s why the National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN) directory is such an important resource.

Unlike the other online therapy options mentioned so far, the NQTTCN isn’t a company that provides therapy services. Rather, it’s a directory that can be used to find practitioners licensed to practice in your state. On the website,  you find a provider by first entering in a city, state, or zip code. That will bring you to a list of therapist bios. You can then filter the results by whether the therapists are accepting new clients, provide teletherapy, or offer sliding scale/low fees. 

Therapist bios include highly detailed information about the therapist, such as their contact info, credentials, payment methods accepted, insurance coverage, therapeutic approach, areas of expertise, race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The NQTTCN website also features resources for community members and practitioners.

Forty-two percent of surveyed users said they went to NQTTCN to find a therapist with a similar identity or cultural background to themselves, and 74% found it easy or very easy to find a therapist that met their needs. Seventy-six percent of users are still seeing a therapist they found on the directory.

The directory is free to access and the cost of therapy sessions varies depending on which provider you choose. Some providers accept insurance.

Best for BIPOC Communities: Therapy for Black Girls

Key Specs

Cost: Directory is free; online community membership is $10 monthly or $100 annually

Types of Therapy Offered: Varies by therapist

Insurance Accepted? Varies by therapist

Why We Chose It

Therapy for Black Girls provides a community for BIPOC people, specifically young Black women, to learn and grow together, with access to a therapy directory, Q&A sessions, and deep dives into important subjects regarding mental health and well-being.

Pros & Cons 

Overview 

Therapy for Black Girls is a platform where Black women and girls can access a community of like-minded individuals and just be themselves. While it is mainly a directory to connect with therapists of the same background, it’s also a place where you can read blog articles on topics like toxic positivity, mental fitness, and grief, or listen to podcast episodes about issues impacting communities of color. Such resources might be a great comfort for Black girls who are feeling overwhelmed by social and cultural stressors. 

Similar to the NQTTCN, Therapy for Black Girls isn’t a platform where therapy can be conducted, but a free directory that lists therapists across the country. You can access a list of therapists with in-person and virtual offerings available (although most listed are virtual) and view therapists’ bios, payment options, insurance providers, locations, and specialties. Per-session therapy rates vary by provider and insurance coverage. 

Seventy-six percent of surveyed users said they thought they were likely or very likely to still be seeing a therapist from Therapy for Black Girls six months from now, and 83% said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the therapist options available. Seventy six percent also felt like the therapist diversity on the directory was good or very good. 

Plans & Pricing 

The directory is free to access and the cost of therapy sessions varies depending on which provider you choose. Some providers accept insurance.

To become a member of the online community, called Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle, you must pay for a monthly or yearly subscription. With membership comes extra features, like access to expert-driven Q&As, member-only events, deep dives into relevant topics, and more. Membership to the online community is $10 monthly or $100 annually.

Best for Behavioral: Brightside Health

Key Specs

Cost: $95–$349 per month

Types of Therapy Offered: Individual therapy, psychiatry

Insurance Accepted? Yes

Why We Chose It 

Brightside Health specializes in the treatment of anxiety and depression with online therapy and psychiatry services provided by licensed mental health professionals. Since anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health conditions in teens (and adults), it’s a service everyone in the family can benefit from. 

Pros & Cons 

Overview 

Brightside Health is specifically designed for those looking for therapy to treat anxiety and depression, two mental health conditions commonly found in teens and young adults. Unlike other online counseling services, Brightside is very clear about the conditions it does not treat, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), substance use disorders, bipolar disorder (BPD), and schizophrenia (or any issues for which in-person care is more appropriate). However, psychiatric appointments are available for medication management (but not for controlled substances, which might be prescribed for the conditions listed previously).

Brightside has its own system of matching people to therapists, so it does not offer therapist bios and other information traditionally found with other online therapy services. All therapy sessions are remote, held over Zoom, and are 30 minutes long. Between sessions, you can message your therapist in the portal, and therapists may send you additional information such as worksheets there too. If you miss a session, you’ll be charged a $20 fee. 

It’s important to note that if you’ve recently been hospitalized for a mental health condition, then Brightside may be hesitant to work with you. Also, psychiatrists and doctors cannot prescribe controlled substances, but rather more standard antidepressant medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). 

Ninety percent of users reported a good to excellent experience overall with Brightside, and 79% said their provider met all or most of their needs. In addition, 86% of users rated therapist qualifications positively and 69% of users found navigating Brightside’s website to be easy or very easy.

Brightside offers three subscription plans:

Medication only plan: $95/month; includes one 15-minute remote psychiatric evaluation a month, medication delivered monthly, and ongoing provider support and monitoring of your care

Therapy only plan: $299/month; includes unlimited messaging and four monthly video sessions with a therapist. Additional video appointments can be purchased for $59 per session.

Therapy and medication plan: $349/month; includes everything in the medication-only and therapy-only plans.

Best for Couples Therapy: Octave

Key Specs

Cost: $170–$275 per session

Types of Therapy Offered: Couples therapy, group therapy, family therapy, individual therapy

Insurance Accepted? Yes

Why We Chose It 

Octave prides itself on providing quality care for individuals, couples, and groups, and is known for accepting employer-sponsored insurance plans to make therapy more accessible. Its couples therapy may be especially helpful for parents working through issues that can come with having kids.

Pros & Cons

Overview

Octave is an online counseling service that offers a number of treatment modalities, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), for a wide variety of mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and self-harm. Its couples therapy is provided by therapists who specialize in relationship issues, and can help with everything from communication to parenting stress. 

For couples therapy, sessions are typically 45 minutes long and you’re matched with a therapist who specializes in relationships. Octave does typically offer in-person sessions, but right now they are all held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Seventy-one percent of users reported a good to excellent overall experience with Octave, and 82% of users said their provider met all or most of their needs. In addition, 74% of users rated therapist qualifications positively, and 54% of users found Octave’s website easy or very easy to navigate. 

Octave costs a little more than some of the other services listed here, but if you’re looking for a platform that specializes in couples therapy, then it may be worth the investment.

Octave has an a la carte model where you pay for individual sessions instead of a monthly subscription. Individual therapy ranges from $170 to $250 per session, couples or family therapy ranges from $190 to $275 per session, and group therapy averages about $75 per session. 

With this format, you can create a schedule that works for you and is in alignment with your individualized treatment plan—especially helpful for parents with busy schedules. 

Best for Medication Management: Talkiatry

Key Specs

Cost: Depends on insurance

Types of Therapy Offered: Medication management, psychiatry

Insurance Accepted? Yes

Why We Chose It

Talkiatry specializes in offering psychiatry and medication management for a number of conditions that aren’t often treated by online therapy services, including ADHD, OCD, and bipolar disorder. Child and adolescent psychiatrists are available who can prescribe and help treat these conditions. 

Pros & Cons 

Overview

Psychiatry is a type of online mental health care that’s often overlooked. However, Talkiatry is working to change that. Talkiatry specializes in the treatment of ADHD, anxiety, depression, OCD, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and adults. Unlike traditional psychiatry appointments, this service offers a full 60-minute intake session, followed by 30-minute follow-up sessions with a doctor who knows you and your medical history. And yes, children can have medication prescribed, if their psychiatrist deems it necessary.

To find the right provider, you’ll be asked to take an assessment, which will then provide you with a list of psychiatrists who best fit your needs. The company has an accompanying digital app, Healow, where you can message your doctor between sessions if you have any questions or experience adverse side effects. 

The Talkiatry users we surveyed reported overwhelmingly positive experiences: 95% rated it good, very good, or excellent overall, and 87% said they’d recommend the service to a friend. What’s more, 85% of users said the service was better than others they’d tried, and 73% of users found Talkiatry’s website easy or very easy to navigate. 

It’s important to note that you have to pay per-session (price depends on your insurance) and the company does not offer general talk therapy. Instead you’ll need to get a referral or find a practitioner outside of Talkiatry. Talkiatry doesn’t see patients who don’t have insurance, so you are unable to pay out of pocket for services.

Best Directory: LifeStance Health

Key Specs

Cost: $150–$300 per session

Types of Therapy Offered: Group therapy, individual therapy, psychiatry

Insurance Accepted? Yes

Why We Chose It

Lifestance Health offers in-person and virtual sessions to people of all ages and has a directory available to search for providers based on location, insurance, treatment modality, etc. It also provides family therapy to treat mental health concerns that affect the whole household. 

Pros & Cons 

Overview 

LifeStance Health is one of the best online therapy services with a wide variety of practitioners (over 5,200) including therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and nurse practitioners. It also has family therapists on staff ready to help your family work together to address mental health concerns. The therapists available are trained in various modalities including CBT, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and EMDR. So whether you need general talk therapy, group therapy, or even psychiatry and medication management, LifeStance has you covered.

Keep in mind that Lifestance Health doesn’t offer services for people in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut. Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

In our survey, users reported high satisfaction with LifeStance Health; 88% rated their overall experience as good, very good, or excellent. In addition, 73% of users said Lifestance Health’s therapists met all or most of their needs, and 70% said they were satisfied with the therapist options. Finally, 60% of users found the process of looking for a therapist easy or very easy with Lifestance Health, and 58% of users found Lifestance Health’s website easy or very easy to navigate. 

Out-of-pocket rates for therapy at LifeStance Health vary by practitioner, but between $75 and $300 is standard for a 45-minute session. It’s important to note that the number of sessions you can do varies based on each individual therapist.