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Finding a therapist is a huge step in managing your mental health. But unlike a cold or the flu, mental health conditions — such as anxiety and depression — can take time to heal.
This means that finding treatment via support groups or talk therapy can be a commitment. Depending on your budget and health insurance coverage, it can also be costly.
4.8 (32.2k+) from App Store Cost: starts at $0 copay with insurance; otherwise subscriptions start at $69 per week Therapy formats: live video sessions, text messaging, and audio calls or messages Services offered: talk therapy, psychiatry, couples therapy, individual therapy, and more Use code "HEALTHLINE85" for $85 off .
Editor's take “Talkspace is a platform that has been in our slots for ‘best appointment variety’ and ‘best for insurance’ in most of our roundups. The different methods of communications they offer cater to a number of different people. And the fact that the copay for some folks may be $0 is a pretty big draw.”
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Even with health insurance, you may still need to pay up front for therapy. Plans with high deductibles won’t cover any medical costs until the deductible has been met. Until that time, you’ll need to pay out of pocket for your appointments.
Unlike a $10 to $30 insurance copay, many therapists may charge between $65 and $150 per session. In most areas, the cost of therapy is $100 to $200 per session.
Luckily, cost-effective mental health services are available.
To help you get started, we’ve provided a list of affordable mental health care options.
*Some names have been changed at the request of testers.
Best overall 4.8 (3.2k+) from online-therapy.com Services offered: individual therapy, couples therapy Cost: from $50 per week Healthline visitors get 20% off the first month. Discount is applied automatically.
Healthline's review
Not only can you meet with mental health professionals via teletherapy appointments, but you can also use the site’s array of resources, including worksheets, an online journal, and messaging with your therapist.
There are different subscription plans available, with a price range of $80–$110 per week for plans including live sessions. There is also a self-guided Basic Plan for $40 a week with unlimited messaging and a therapy program, but no live sessions. New subscribers in all plans receive 20% off their first month.
Students, veterans, or low-income persons can apply for financial aid during checkout and get immediate response.
What our tester says This was the first experience of therapy for our tester, John Murray, an SEO analyst at RVO Health. He recalls feeling tentative and unsure of what to expect. “I imagined a bit of cliche advice and a whole bunch of random mantras,” he said.
John was overall satisfied with the service, but not until after the onboarding process. “As soon as you set up your account and submit payment, they start you down the onboarding experience,” he recalled. He felt pressured by the onboarding videos and worksheets, which he found over-hyped and “conveyor belt-esque.”
“I didn’t think positively on the experience until my actual interactions with my therapist,” he said. “I’d urge them to make that onboarding a bit more personal if possible.”
After onboarding, his experience rapidly improved. He was pleased at how quickly he found a therapist who who made him feel understood and comfortable and who was aligned with his life experience, desired specializations, and gender preference.
“My therapist demonstrated a high level of knowledge and care, making me feel supported and understood. The flexibility to change therapists and meeting times whenever needed was awesome, allowing me to tailor my therapy to evolving needs. Moreover, the consistent communication and availability of my therapist throughout the week provided a sense of ongoing support and guidance.”
After a little experience with the worksheets, he found them to be helpful. “The preparatory worksheets helped me delve deeper into my thoughts and feelings, making each session more productive. As soon as we began live sessions, my therapist was able to immediately refer to some self-assessments and self-diagnosis.”
For John, the service averaged about $80 a week. He said the cost was a bit high for him because Online-Therapy.com doesn’t take insurance.
John says he would definitely recommend the service. He said Online-therapy.com helped him progress toward his therapy goals to improve his routines and challenge himself to be more social, in order to address his professional and social anxieties.
“Each session left me pondering my life in a constructive way, which definitely increased the accountability on me throughout the week,” he said. “Overall, my therapy experience was empowering and facilitated significant growth and healing (once I made it through onboarding)!”
— John Murray, SEO analyst, RVO Health
This was the first experience of therapy for our tester, John Murray, an SEO analyst at RVO Health. He recalls feeling tentative and unsure of what to expect. “I imagined a bit of cliche advice and a whole bunch of random mantras,” he said.
John was overall satisfied with the service, but not until after the onboarding process. “As soon as you set up your account and submit payment, they start you down the onboarding experience,” he recalled. He felt pressured by the onboarding videos and worksheets, which he found over-hyped and “conveyor belt-esque.”
“I didn’t think positively on the experience until my actual interactions with my therapist,” he said. “I’d urge them to make that onboarding a bit more personal if possible.”
After onboarding, his experience rapidly improved. He was pleased at how quickly he found a therapist who who made him feel understood and comfortable and who was aligned with his life experience, desired specializations, and gender preference.
“My therapist demonstrated a high level of knowledge and care, making me feel supported and understood. The flexibility to change therapists and meeting times whenever needed was awesome, allowing me to tailor my therapy to evolving needs. Moreover, the consistent communication and availability of my therapist throughout the week provided a sense of ongoing support and guidance.”
After a little experience with the worksheets, he found them to be helpful. “The preparatory worksheets helped me delve deeper into my thoughts and feelings, making each session more productive. As soon as we began live sessions, my therapist was able to immediately refer to some self-assessments and self-diagnosis.”
For John, the service averaged about $80 a week. He said the cost was a bit high for him because Online-Therapy.com doesn’t take insurance.
John says he would definitely recommend the service. He said Online-therapy.com helped him progress toward his therapy goals to improve his routines and challenge himself to be more social, in order to address his professional and social anxieties.
“Each session left me pondering my life in a constructive way, which definitely increased the accountability on me throughout the week,” he said. “Overall, my therapy experience was empowering and facilitated significant growth and healing (once I made it through onboarding)!”
— John Murray, SEO analyst, RVO Health
Pros & cons great for CBT offers supplemental resources offers new clients 20% off their first month can be pricey depending on your budget it's likely that you'll have to pay out of pocket great for CBT offers supplemental resources offers new clients 20% off their first month can be pricey depending on your budget it's likely that you'll have to pay out of pocket Product details Therapy formats: live sessions via video, audio, text chat, plus texts and worksheets Privacy: HIPAA compliant App availability: not available Therapy formats: live sessions via video, audio, text chat, plus texts and worksheets Privacy: HIPAA compliant App availability: not available Best for insurance coverage 4.8 (32.2k+) from App Store Services offered: talk therapy, couples therapy, individual therapy, psychiatry, teen therapy, LGBTQIA+ therapy, therapy for veterans Cost: $25 copay or less; starts at $69 per week for messaging; $99 per week for video and messaging; and $109 for video, messaging, and workshops Insurance coverage: Premera, Optum, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, and more; FSA/HSA also accepted Use code "HEALTHLINE85" for $85 off .
Healthline's review
Talkspace is one of our top picks for online therapy apps, thanks to its array of subscription plans and payment plans. There are more than 3,000 counselors available with expertise in conditions and concerns, such as depression, anxiety, and addiction.
Talkspace offers therapy for individuals, couples therapy, and psychiatry with medication management.
According to our 2022 online therapy survey, 49% of Talkspace users would recommend the platform and their therapist to others.
With insurance, Talkspace says copays for individual therapy averages about $25. Plans without insurance range from $69 to $109 per week, depending on what subscription you opt for. Plans include text, video, audio messaging, and live sessions. Couples therapy starts at $436 per month.
Psychiatric services average a $30 copay for insured members. Those without insurance pay $299 for the initial appointment, diagnosis, and medication, and $175 for follow-ups and prescription renewals every 3 months.
What our tester says “This was the first online mental health platform that I tried, other than telehealth with my traditional therapist and psychiatrist via the [discreet] app they use (Blue Jeans). Overall, I liked the flexibility of Talkspace, but because I am so used to a more traditional model, some of the features were not to my liking.
“The sign-up process was quick and easy. The survey asked the right questions about my mental health history, and the therapist I was matched with was in touch pretty quickly. She was helpful in discussing the situation at hand; however, many messages she sent me sounded automated, which made me feel a little bit like a number rather than her patient.
“I also found the service to be pretty pricey, even compared to using mental health services with insurance.
“With traditional therapy you can schedule on your preferred frequency and pay as you go, such as one session every other week. With Talkspace, you do have scheduling freedom, but you’ll pay weekly for services.
“That’s not my preference (and it adds up quickly!), though it is great that you can have weekly sessions or daily messaging for when a deeper level of support is needed.”
— Christy Snyder, Healthline editor
“This was the first online mental health platform that I tried, other than telehealth with my traditional therapist and psychiatrist via the [discreet] app they use (Blue Jeans). Overall, I liked the flexibility of Talkspace, but because I am so used to a more traditional model, some of the features were not to my liking.
“The sign-up process was quick and easy. The survey asked the right questions about my mental health history, and the therapist I was matched with was in touch pretty quickly. She was helpful in discussing the situation at hand; however, many messages she sent me sounded automated, which made me feel a little bit like a number rather than her patient.
“I also found the service to be pretty pricey, even compared to using mental health services with insurance.
“With traditional therapy you can schedule on your preferred frequency and pay as you go, such as one session every other week. With Talkspace, you do have scheduling freedom, but you’ll pay weekly for services.
“That’s not my preference (and it adds up quickly!), though it is great that you can have weekly sessions or daily messaging for when a deeper level of support is needed.”
— Christy Snyder, Healthline editor
Pros & cons easy-to-use platform accepts a wide variety of insurance networks easy to switch therapists if you want to pricey initial appointments easy-to-use platform accepts a wide variety of insurance networks easy to switch therapists if you want to pricey initial appointments Product details Therapy formats: text messaging, video chat, and audio messaging Privacy: HIPAA compliant and NCQA accredited App availability: iOS and Google Play
Therapy formats: text messaging, video chat, and audio messaging Privacy: HIPAA compliant and NCQA accredited App availability: iOS and Google Play
Best for 24/7 access 4.8 (374k+) from BetterHelp Cost: $70 to $100 per week, billed every 4 weeks, depending on your location, preferences, and available therapists Insurance coverage: doesn’t accept insurance directly, but you may be eligible for reimbursement depending on your plan Services offered: individual; couples and teen therapy available through sister sites Healthline visitors get 20% off the first month.
Healthline's review
BetterHelp is an online teletherapy platform and app that offers 24/7 access to your mental health professional. You can have therapy appointments via texts, live chat, phone calls, and video calls. Insurance doesn’t cover the cost of BetterHelp, which can be $70 to $100 per week, depending on which plan you choose.
From our survey, we found that 67% of BetterHelp users felt they were getting the best value from their service.
You can also apply for financial aid, which will adjust your pricing based on your income and economic situation. You’ll be asked to fill out a questionnaire to check your eligibility.
Learn more with our hands on BetterHelp review .
What our tester says Our two testers had a good experience with BetterHelp. Laramy Applekamp, Healthline content project manager, said, “Signing up for BetterHelp was fairly straightforward (I can’t speak to selecting a subscription or financial setup, as I used a code directly from BetterHelp, but the rest was easy).
“In under 20 minutes I was able to answer a detailed questionnaire to match me with a relevant therapist. I felt the questions did a good job being thorough … I was matched in about 18 hours, and was prompted to schedule my first session.”
Parisa Syed, Healthline editor, also had a seamless onboarding for BetterHelp but found the process “a bit tedious because it was pretty detailed, but it helped me match with a pretty good therapist.”
Syed stayed with her therapist for 3 months and thought she was good overall, but “there were definitely times where she was not 100% present. She seemed distracted though she chimed in and said insightful things when it felt right.”
Applekamp switched therapists about four sessions in, citing that she “wasn’t meshing with them on a personal level. “Being able to switch therapists quickly and easily was very convenient, and reduced any anxiety that surrounded having to ‘fire’ my first therapist . After the initial session you’re then free to schedule up to three sessions at a time.”
Our two testers had a good experience with BetterHelp. Laramy Applekamp, Healthline content project manager, said, “Signing up for BetterHelp was fairly straightforward (I can’t speak to selecting a subscription or financial setup, as I used a code directly from BetterHelp, but the rest was easy).
“In under 20 minutes I was able to answer a detailed questionnaire to match me with a relevant therapist. I felt the questions did a good job being thorough … I was matched in about 18 hours, and was prompted to schedule my first session.”
Parisa Syed, Healthline editor, also had a seamless onboarding for BetterHelp but found the process “a bit tedious because it was pretty detailed, but it helped me match with a pretty good therapist.”
Syed stayed with her therapist for 3 months and thought she was good overall, but “there were definitely times where she was not 100% present. She seemed distracted though she chimed in and said insightful things when it felt right.”
Applekamp switched therapists about four sessions in, citing that she “wasn’t meshing with them on a personal level. “Being able to switch therapists quickly and easily was very convenient, and reduced any anxiety that surrounded having to ‘fire’ my first therapist . After the initial session you’re then free to schedule up to three sessions at a time.”
Pros & cons financial aid available option to choose text, live chat, phone, or video appointments financial aid available option to choose text, live chat, phone, or video appointments Product details Therapy formats: messaging, live chat, audio, and video sessions App availability: iOS and Google Play Privacy: BetterHelp's privacy practices have been subject to controversy; the company has been working with the FTC to implement policy changes. Therapy formats: messaging, live chat, audio, and video sessions App availability: iOS and Google Play Privacy: BetterHelp's privacy practices have been subject to controversy; the company has been working with the FTC to implement policy changes. Best for people new to therapy Cost: from $57 per week Insurance coverage: not accepted Services offered: online therapy for a wide variety of mental health concerns Healthline's review
Calmerry offers four subscription plans from as low as $50 per week. The plans range from a text therapy plan ($50 per week for the first month, and $57 per week after that) to a live video therapy plan with four 30-minute sessions each month and unlimited texting ($74 per week for the first month, and $90 per week after that).
After signing up for the platform, you’ll be assigned to a licensed therapist. All your information is protected by HIPAA.
According to Calmerry, the mental health professionals available can address a myriad of mental health concerns or needs, including:
What our tester says “Compared to Lyra and SimplePractice (my only other online therapy experiences), Calmerry was similar. The user interface was a tad clunky and took a couple more clicks to navigate.
“However, I really liked the option to keep a therapy journal and choose to share each entry with my therapist (or not). I found that useful for tracking my progress and completing therapist-assigned ‘homework.’
“I also liked the additional resources/handouts available. There seemed to be wide availability of therapists for specific needs.”
— Crystal Hoshaw, Healthline editor
“Compared to Lyra and SimplePractice (my only other online therapy experiences), Calmerry was similar. The user interface was a tad clunky and took a couple more clicks to navigate.
“However, I really liked the option to keep a therapy journal and choose to share each entry with my therapist (or not). I found that useful for tracking my progress and completing therapist-assigned ‘homework.’
“I also liked the additional resources/handouts available. There seemed to be wide availability of therapists for specific needs.”
— Crystal Hoshaw, Healthline editor
Pros & cons therapists available for many different needs affordable subscription pricing option to track your progress using the online therapy journal doesn't accept insurance offers only two subscription models therapists available for many different needs affordable subscription pricing option to track your progress using the online therapy journal doesn't accept insurance offers only two subscription models Product details Privacy: HIPAA compliant App availability: iOS and Google Play Therapy formats: text, live video Privacy: HIPAA compliant App availability: iOS and Google Play Therapy formats: text, live video Best for in-person and online therapy 4.1 (1.7k+) from Trustpilot Cost: starts at $24 with insurance Insurance coverage: accepts most major insurances; working on expanding list Services offered: talk therapy, medication management Healthline's review
Grow Therapy offers a wide search database so you can be as specific as you want when you’re trying to find a good therapist match, or a person for medication management. Their platform allows you to search for a therapist by specialization, identity, location, and whether you’d like the session in-person, virtual, or both.
Once you find a therapist you think matches your criteria, the profile shows you how much that therapist charges per session without insurance. No digging around for prices here.
Though insurance is accepted, Grow Therapy also allows payments from health savings account (HSA), Medicare , Medicaid, and Employee Assistance programs .
You can learn more about Grow Therapy in our brand review.
What our tester says Our tester, “Lee,” was satisfied with Grow Therapy. He especially liked the quick and easy therapist search process and the fact that he could find a therapist he felt comfortable with and who aligned with his LGBTQIA+ identity.
“It was pretty easy to find a therapist that matched my needs,” Lee said. “At first, I wasn’t going to filter beyond location, insurance, and LGBTQIA+. But there were so many results that I went ahead and filtered by gender and identities. I had assumed that ‘Identities’ referred to my own identities, but in fact it’s a filter to find therapists with the selected identities. That minor misunderstanding was the only part of the search that was confusing.”
Lee was at first disappointed that there were not separate filters for each of the communities under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella, but then he discovered a few tips for finding a provider aligned with your particular community.
Lee found that constructing your search combining the LGBTQIA+ community member filter, a gender filter, and a treatment method was sufficient for him to find the right clinician.
He also found the signup process quick and painless. “You have the option to sign up using Google, which is the option I chose, so it was super quick (probably 30 seconds),” he said. “However, when it comes to scheduling a session, you do have to enter payment info (insurance and credit card).”
Lee found the cost reasonable. Since he was able to use his health insurance to cover much of the fee, his copay was estimated to range from $15 to $25 per session.
He said he would recommend Grow Therapy to others, and he would use it again himself. “You can find an online provider very quickly, you can filter by availability, and the filters make it very easy for LGBTQIA+ individuals to find a therapist,” he said.
— “Lee”
Our tester, “Lee,” was satisfied with Grow Therapy. He especially liked the quick and easy therapist search process and the fact that he could find a therapist he felt comfortable with and who aligned with his LGBTQIA+ identity.
“It was pretty easy to find a therapist that matched my needs,” Lee said. “At first, I wasn’t going to filter beyond location, insurance, and LGBTQIA+. But there were so many results that I went ahead and filtered by gender and identities. I had assumed that ‘Identities’ referred to my own identities, but in fact it’s a filter to find therapists with the selected identities. That minor misunderstanding was the only part of the search that was confusing.”
Lee was at first disappointed that there were not separate filters for each of the communities under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella, but then he discovered a few tips for finding a provider aligned with your particular community.
Lee found that constructing your search combining the LGBTQIA+ community member filter, a gender filter, and a treatment method was sufficient for him to find the right clinician.
He also found the signup process quick and painless. “You have the option to sign up using Google, which is the option I chose, so it was super quick (probably 30 seconds),” he said. “However, when it comes to scheduling a session, you do have to enter payment info (insurance and credit card).”
Lee found the cost reasonable. Since he was able to use his health insurance to cover much of the fee, his copay was estimated to range from $15 to $25 per session.
He said he would recommend Grow Therapy to others, and he would use it again himself. “You can find an online provider very quickly, you can filter by availability, and the filters make it very easy for LGBTQIA+ individuals to find a therapist,” he said.
— “Lee”
Pros & cons can filter by the LGBTQIA+ identity of the therapist themself a diverse search platform talk therapy and medication management is available in-person and online therapy options available no sliding scale options since they're newer, not all insurances are accepted yet no app or text therapy option can filter by the LGBTQIA+ identity of the therapist themself a diverse search platform talk therapy and medication management is available in-person and online therapy options available no sliding scale options since they're newer, not all insurances are accepted yet no app or text therapy option Product details App availability: no Privacy: HIPAA compliant; encryption and secure patient portals are used Therapy formats: in person, virtual App availability: no Privacy: HIPAA compliant; encryption and secure patient portals are used Therapy formats: in person, virtual Best for affordable therapy Cost: $40 to $70, depending on the type of session Insurance coverage: not accepted Services offered: in-person or online psychotherapy Healthline's review
This nationwide network of mental health professionals provides mental health assistance for $40 to $70 per session for individual counseling, and from $40 to $80 per session for couples and family counseling, plus a one-time $65 membership fee. Unlike more extensive mental health directories, this website includes only sliding-scale therapists in its searchable database.
You can choose to see a counselor in person or online. When using the database, you can narrow your search down by filtering for:
specialty modality treatment orientation race or ethnicity age language
Pros & cons offers the option to see someone online or in person affordable price offers lower cost services with student interns offers the option to see someone online or in person affordable price offers lower cost services with student interns Product details Privacy: HIPAA compliant App availability: none available Therapy formats: in-person or online Privacy: HIPAA compliant App availability: none available Therapy formats: in-person or online Best 'pay what you can afford' therapy Cost: free Insurance coverage: not needed or accepted Services offered: matches you with therapists and treatment centers Healthline's review
Part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), FindTreatment.gov is a website that allows you to search for sliding-scale therapists and addiction treatment options in cities across the United States.
The resource is free to use, and rates will be determined by your income. There’s also an option to search for free services.
You can also call SAMHSA’s helpline any time at 800-662-HELP (4357).
Pros & cons completely free can search for free resources available both online and via phone doesn't provide therapy; instead, it helps users find mental health professionals within their budget completely free can search for free resources available both online and via phone doesn't provide therapy; instead, it helps users find mental health professionals within their budget Product details Privacy: N/A App availability: none Therapy formats: N/A — connects users with mental health professionals, support groups, and treatment options Privacy: N/A App availability: none Therapy formats: N/A — connects users with mental health professionals, support groups, and treatment options Cost: free Insurance coverage: not needed Services offered: connection to support groups and other mental health resources Healthline's review
Mental Health America lists specialized support group resources on its webpage. If you or a loved one has recently received a diagnosis of a health condition such as cancer or diabetes, hospital social workers can also provide a list of support groups in the community.
Specialized support groups available on the Mental Health America website cover a wide range of experiences and conditions, including caretaking and living with ADHD.
What else to know about mental health support groups
People experiencing eating disorders, postpartum depression, alcohol and substance use disorders, and grief or loss may benefit from attending a support group.
Pros & cons free resource helps users find support groups doesn't offer direct therapy free resource helps users find support groups doesn't offer direct therapy Product details Privacy: N/A App availability: none Therapy formats: N/A Privacy: N/A App availability: none Therapy formats: N/A Services offered: individual therapy Cost: free Healthline's review
The Crisis Text Line is a free service available to anyone who is experiencing a mental health crisis. You can use this service if you’re feeling like you need or want to talk with someone about something that’s causing you stress, anxiety, or discomfort or if you’re considering self-harm or having suicidal thoughts.
Crisis Text Line responders are all volunteers, which means they’re not mental health professionals. They can’t offer medical advice, but they are trained to listen, support you, and possibly provide advice and help you feel calmer.
People in the United States, Canada, and Ireland can access it in a few ways:
texting HOME to 741741 using the chat on the website using WhatsApp to chat online or on your phone If you’re in the United Kingdom, text SHOUT to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
Pros & cons completely free designed to be used in emergencies best for a mental health crisis option to text or chat online, depending on what you're most comfortable with available in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Ireland not for therapy or psychiatry completely free designed to be used in emergencies best for a mental health crisis option to text or chat online, depending on what you're most comfortable with available in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Ireland not for therapy or psychiatry Product details Therapy formats: virtual Privacy: HIPAA compliant App availability: not available Therapy formats: virtual Privacy: HIPAA compliant App availability: not available Best for therapy and psychiatry 4.9 (43.1k+) from App Store Insurance coverage: Academic Health Plan, Aetna, Anthem, APWU, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and 40 more Services offered: therapy, psychiatry, nutrition counseling, women’s health, breastfeeding support, pediatrics Cost: starts at $99 for therapy; starts at $199 for psychiatry, plus $109 follow-up visits Healthline's review
With Amwell, you can meet with a therapist for talk therapy, or a psychiatrist for psychiatry. The site provides counseling for many mental health concerns, including:
anxiety depression post-traumatic stress disorder or trauma life transitions couples therapy Visits start at $112, and insurance may cover some of the costs.
What our tester says Our tester, Steven Rowe, former Healthline editor, was impressed with the ease of signing up, choosing a therapist, and booking a session. He was also overall satisfied with the therapy experience.
Setup time was almost instantaneous, he said: “Less than 5 minutes start to finish, not counting the time I spent reading bios and choosing the right therapist. If someone weren’t picky about their therapist, they could book an appointment in minutes.
“After making an Amwell account, in just a few clicks I was able to see a list of available therapists (15 in my area) along with bios and availability calendars,” he said. “After choosing a therapist, it only took a few more minutes to book the appointment.”
He thought the search function for finding therapists could be improved by including more filter options. “Inside each bio you can read about their specialties, like parenting, trauma, anger management, but those elements aren’t able to be targeted and filtered directly,” he pointed out.
He also would have liked to have more psychologist choices. There were many therapists available — for appointments as quickly as the next day — but all the psychologists were booked at least a month ahead.
Steven said he went into therapy with the goal of getting help with his daily life. He wanted a therapist who could understand his experience as a husband and a father, and he wanted to gain “a better understanding of why I was feeling a certain way each week, or to better understand my reactions to the stressors in my life.”
He felt his therapy sessions met these expectations. “I liked that I always felt the space to talk about whatever I wanted – even if it was random or off-topic,” he said. “I didn’t feel like I was forced to swerve back on topic or that I was ever irritating with my sometimes scattered thoughts.”
Though the cost of the therapy worked in the short term for Steven, he said the $112 per-session cost would be a financial hardship every week. He tried to cover the cost with his health insurance, but it wasn’t accepted. Amwell does accept many insurance plans, and this can lessen the cost.
Steven said he would recommend Amwell, especially to those wanting to explore their life issues. “I would recommend this service if you’d like to have someone to talk to and to bounce ideas off of,” he said. “My therapist asked great questions that would encourage me to take a deep look at the topics I wanted to discuss.
“Given the format, I’m not sure if it’s a good fit for someone going through an extremely difficult time or someone who needs specialized care, but for a random dad just looking for help working through conflicts in his daily life, it was a pleasant experience.”
— Steven Rowe, Healthline editor
Our tester, Steven Rowe, former Healthline editor, was impressed with the ease of signing up, choosing a therapist, and booking a session. He was also overall satisfied with the therapy experience.
Setup time was almost instantaneous, he said: “Less than 5 minutes start to finish, not counting the time I spent reading bios and choosing the right therapist. If someone weren’t picky about their therapist, they could book an appointment in minutes.
“After making an Amwell account, in just a few clicks I was able to see a list of available therapists (15 in my area) along with bios and availability calendars,” he said. “After choosing a therapist, it only took a few more minutes to book the appointment.”
He thought the search function for finding therapists could be improved by including more filter options. “Inside each bio you can read about their specialties, like parenting, trauma, anger management, but those elements aren’t able to be targeted and filtered directly,” he pointed out.
He also would have liked to have more psychologist choices. There were many therapists available — for appointments as quickly as the next day — but all the psychologists were booked at least a month ahead.
Steven said he went into therapy with the goal of getting help with his daily life. He wanted a therapist who could understand his experience as a husband and a father, and he wanted to gain “a better understanding of why I was feeling a certain way each week, or to better understand my reactions to the stressors in my life.”
He felt his therapy sessions met these expectations. “I liked that I always felt the space to talk about whatever I wanted – even if it was random or off-topic,” he said. “I didn’t feel like I was forced to swerve back on topic or that I was ever irritating with my sometimes scattered thoughts.”
Though the cost of the therapy worked in the short term for Steven, he said the $112 per-session cost would be a financial hardship every week. He tried to cover the cost with his health insurance, but it wasn’t accepted. Amwell does accept many insurance plans, and this can lessen the cost.
Steven said he would recommend Amwell, especially to those wanting to explore their life issues. “I would recommend this service if you’d like to have someone to talk to and to bounce ideas off of,” he said. “My therapist asked great questions that would encourage me to take a deep look at the topics I wanted to discuss.
“Given the format, I’m not sure if it’s a good fit for someone going through an extremely difficult time or someone who needs specialized care, but for a random dad just looking for help working through conflicts in his daily life, it was a pleasant experience.”
— Steven Rowe, Healthline editor
Pros & cons option to see both a therapist and a psychiatrist through the platform possible insurance coverage for some costs but not all doesn't offer a subscription, so you'll have to pay per appointment option to see both a therapist and a psychiatrist through the platform possible insurance coverage for some costs but not all doesn't offer a subscription, so you'll have to pay per appointment Product details Privacy: HIPAA compliant App availability: iOS and Google Play Therapy formats: video Privacy: HIPAA compliant App availability: iOS and Google Play Therapy formats: video i = insurance acceptedreimb = no insurance taken, but may be eligible for reimbursement | FSA/HSA = FSA/HSA also accepted
To narrow down our list of the best affordable therapy options, we took a few factors into account:
Accessibility Some affordable therapy platforms are available online, allowing users to talk with their counselor from the comfort of their home. However, this isn’t the most accessible option for everyone, so we made sure to include an array of directories, apps, support groups, and more.
Mental health expertise Each platform, site, and app on our list is guided by folks who are well-versed and trained to offer mental health assistance.
In 2022, we conducted an online therapy study to find out how and which platforms were most used and what factors drew them to those particular online therapy services.
Medical review Our team of medical experts carefully vetted each option in our roundup, and a mental health professional from Healthline’s Medical Network reviewed this article to provide insights, offer advice, and verify that all information is correct.
Even if you find a platform or mental health professional in your budget, they might not be the best fit for you .
It’s important to know this is completely OK and actually quite typical. It can take some time to find someone who is a match for you , whether that means they’re culturally competent , are a person of color, are familiar with specific traumas, or have different specialties.
You’ll know your therapist is a good match when they consistently make you feel comfortable and welcomed.
If you don’t think they’re a good match, communicate that to them by asking them not to schedule another appointment. This can be done face-to-face or over a text, call, or email.
You can find free or low cost therapy in a number of different places. The following list includes resources for one-on-one appointments, group therapy, online offerings, and more.
Community clinics and resources: Free therapy may be available in your local community. To find a clinic in your local area, contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine or go to MentalHealth.gov Sliding-scale therapists: These professionals adjust their hourly fee to make therapy more affordable for the client. Finding this therapist may be a good option if you need to pay out of pocket, but make sure to check if the therapist is accepting sliding-scale clients. If you need help for a specific condition, search for a specialist who is trained in the area you’re looking for and is able to slide their scale.Local colleges and universities: Many colleges and universities with mental health practitioner programs may have clinicians in training who offer reduced rates. These clinics are usually open to the public, and they offer sliding-scale fees that can be as low as $1. These clinicians in training typically work under the supervision of experienced professionals. In-network mental health professionals: If you have health insurance, call your insurance to find out whether they cover mental health service. If they do, ask for the contact information of local professionals who accept your insurance plan. Many online therapy services take insurance , but it’s important to double-check if everything is covered, or if there are copays or deductible amounts.Employee assistance programs: Your employer may offer therapy services for free through an employee assistance program. This voluntary program is set up by a workplace to provide a number of confidential services. These are intended to help with any issue that affects your mental or emotional health that may also affect your work performance. To find out what services are available, contact your human resources department.How can I afford to see a therapist?
If you want or need to talk with a mental health professional but are worried about being able to afford it, you do have options.
Low cost therapy may be available through social services, nonprofits, and universities, while some platforms offer financial aid or sliding scales.
If you’ve found a therapist you’d like to start seeing, you can contact them to see whether they accept your health insurance. Some of these costs may be covered through your insurance.
If you want or need to talk with a mental health professional but are worried about being able to afford it, you do have options.
Low cost therapy may be available through social services, nonprofits, and universities, while some platforms offer financial aid or sliding scales.
If you’ve found a therapist you’d like to start seeing, you can contact them to see whether they accept your health insurance. Some of these costs may be covered through your insurance.
How do I know if my insurance covers therapy? If you have health insurance, there’s a chance your plan may cover some or all therapy costs.
To find out if your insurance covers therapy or mental health care , you can log into your plan’s website, which should contain information about your coverage. You can also call your insurance company or even chat with your company’s HR department.
If you find a therapist you want to talk with, you can also ask if they accept your insurance.
If you have health insurance, there’s a chance your plan may cover some or all therapy costs.
To find out if your insurance covers therapy or mental health care , you can log into your plan’s website, which should contain information about your coverage. You can also call your insurance company or even chat with your company’s HR department.
If you find a therapist you want to talk with, you can also ask if they accept your insurance.
How often should you see a therapist?
The frequency of your therapy appointments depends on your goals, why you’re in counseling, and what your therapist thinks.
You may see your therapist once a week, biweekly, or even once a month, but you can always talk with them about increasing or decreasing the frequency of your appointments.
The frequency of your therapy appointments depends on your goals, why you’re in counseling, and what your therapist thinks.
You may see your therapist once a week, biweekly, or even once a month, but you can always talk with them about increasing or decreasing the frequency of your appointments.
What are alternatives to therapy when you can't afford it? If you can’t afford traditional therapy, there are other low or zero-cost options available in many communities. For example:
Sliding scale therapists are psychotherapists, psychologists, and social workers who change their hourly rate according to what their clients can afford.Post-secondary institutions that offer mental health practitioner programs may offer reduced rates to the public to see their clinicians-in-training.Community mental health clinics are often low cost or free.If you can’t afford traditional therapy, there are other low or zero-cost options available in many communities. For example:
Sliding scale therapists are psychotherapists, psychologists, and social workers who change their hourly rate according to what their clients can afford.Post-secondary institutions that offer mental health practitioner programs may offer reduced rates to the public to see their clinicians-in-training.Community mental health clinics are often low cost or free.Why does therapy cost so much? Therapy can be expensive for many. The main reason for this is the fact that therapists must have a master’s or a PhD , which requires years of costly education and training. The out-of-pocket costs that often go into running a practice add up quickly. For example:
office space licensing fees insurance fees professional association fees marketing continued education administration and prep time vacation, sick, and parental leave Therapy can be expensive for many. The main reason for this is the fact that therapists must have a master’s or a PhD , which requires years of costly education and training. The out-of-pocket costs that often go into running a practice add up quickly. For example:
office space licensing fees insurance fees professional association fees marketing continued education administration and prep time vacation, sick, and parental leave Are online therapists cheaper than seeing one in person? Online therapy has various meanings. Sometimes, it refers to traditional therapy in which the therapist offers either online access. This type of therapy usually costs the same online as in person, and is often referred to as “teletherapy” or “telepsychology” services.
Online therapy has various meanings. Sometimes, it refers to traditional therapy in which the therapist offers either online access. This type of therapy usually costs the same online as in person, and is often referred to as “teletherapy” or “telepsychology” services.
Finding low cost mental health professionals can be a challenge at first, but there are plenty of resources available. Remember that your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and it shouldn’t have to take a toll on your finances.
If you need help right away, consider looking for a support group or calling your local university. If you have a digital device and an internet connection, telehealth services may also be available to you.
Choosing the right mental health professional doesn’t have to be expensive, and the benefits of having support will be well worth it in the long run.
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