Best Online Therapy Sites – Top Programs October 2021 – Counseling at Home
In a world where time is becoming our most valuable commodity, anything we can do to avoid wasting time driving to the grocery store, restaurants, malls and healthcare providers is a big win. Understanding this demand, the market trend is for goods to delivered to your front door and services to be conducted online.
Fortunately, the online therapy market has grown exponentially over the last decade. This means there are a number of online therapy sites to choose from.
To simplify the task of choosing which site is optimum for you, we will review the best sites listed below:
1: BetterHelp
- All BetterHelp therapists have at least three years *and* 2000 hours of training.
- All BetterHelp therapists have a Master’s degree and many of their therapists have a Doctorate degree.
- BetterHelp has over 11,000 therapists to match your needs.
- BetterHelp offers a 10% discount to new customers
- BetterHelp offers financial assistance if one is unable to pay for therapy
To begin the BetterHelp sign up process, you can use a nickname to remain anonymous if you wish.
After an assessment you are matched with a therapist. If you are not happy with your therapist, you can switch therapists at any time.
After you have been be given a therapist, you will be given a secure chat room which only you and your therapist can enter. Within this room you can chat with your therapist. Most discussions are not in real time but rather you leave a message and your therapist responds in a prompt manner.
The cost of BetterHelp is $65 a week for the first month. After the first month the cost ranges from $60 to $80 per week depending on the length of the subscription you signed up for.
As with all things, there are some factors which may not ideally suit your needs. For starters, there is basically only one pricing plan. You will likely be assigned “homework.” Of course doing your homework means you will make faster progress, but keep this in mind if you are pressed for time. Also, be aware the response times from the various therapists were not consistent. Some replied extremely rapidly, while others took a bit more time.
2: Calmerry.com
- Compliant with HIPAA
- A wide variety of professional and licensed therapists
- Affordable and manageable pricing plans
- Ability to switch therapists for free and cancel at any time
Calmerry may be one of the newest online therapy platforms but their performance matches up easily with their top competitors. Motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic, a team of American and European entrepreneurs came together to offer an affordable, secure and convenient way to connect with mental health professionals.
They provide you with unlimited access to a variety of specialized and certified professionals through various forms of communication. Some of the topics they offer guidance on are anxiety, grief, stress, depression, life transitions, and more.
Their plans start from $45/month which includes unlimited text messaging and video sessions. You will be connected with a therapist within 48 hours and can switch therapists at any time until you find the right person for you.
3: Regain.us
- There is not an extra cost for Regain’s two person counseling sessions versus their one person sessions
- Both people can get the benefits of the therapy session even if they are not physically together at the same time.
- All of Regain’s therapists specialize in couples therapy
- All of Regain’s therapists have at least three years and 2,000 hours of experience.
Regain’s prime focus is on couples therapy. So, marriage counseling, infidelity issues, dealing with your child’s other parent after a separation and/or trying to get through any rough patches with your boyfriend/girlfriend can all be addressed with a Regain therapist.
Signing up for Regain is easy. Simply go to the website and fill out the registration form. You will then be matched to an appropriate therapist. You and your partner will be assigned a private “room” where you can write about your issues and concerns. Your therapist will respond and the three of you will be well prepared to talk during your weekly 30 minute live call.
Regain costs between $60 and $80 per week depending on your plan.
A potential downside to Regain is there isn’t a live customer service agent to help you with the sign up process. Also, we have found the therapists’ response times can sometimes take longer than a day.
4: TeenCounseling
- A counseling service focused on teens between the age of 13 to 19.
- Either a parent or the teen himself/herself can initiate the sign up process.
- Teen Counseling offers a staff of more than 3600 licensed therapists.
TeenCounseling focuses on a plethora of issues the modern teen faces like bullying, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, peer pressure and stress management. In contrast to the glare of modern social media, Teen Counseling offers teens an online safe zone free of shame and retribution.
To sign up: go to the website and fill out the required questionnaire. On the questionnaire they will ask you to specify your needs. After a counselor is assigned, the teen can communicate by video conferencing, phone, ChatLive and/or messages.
The cost for Teen Counseling is between $60 and $80. Included in the plans is unlimited access to a counselor.
Be aware that Teen Counseling does not fulfill court orders and it does not provide official diagnosis. So, if the teen has been mandated to receive counseling by the court or you need an official diagnosis for ADHD, Teen Counseling will not fill that role.
5: PrideCounseling
- Each counselor has at least 2,000 hours of experience
- All counselors have either a Master’s or Doctorate degree
- If you choose you can remain anonymous
PrideCounseling offers the best LGBTQ counseling available online. Their counselors specialize in many issues including, but not limited to, anxiety, stress, depression, self esteem, relationships, trauma, family and religious concerns.
Signing up is quick and easy. After filling out a questionnaire, you will be assigned a therapist within the next 24 hours. Though great effort is made to match you with a therapist who meets your needs, you can switch therapists if you want.
After being paired with a LGBTQ therapist you will be assigned a chat room where you can communicate with your therapist around the clock. You will receive a notification when your therapist responds. Also, you may talk with your therapist by phone, real time messages and video chat. Note that you can have as many of these chats as you want.
The cost of Pride Counseling ranges between $60 and $80. You will be billed monthly and you can cancel at anytime with no questions asked.
Sources:
https://mycharlestontherapist.com/blog/online-counseling/top-online-therapy-reviewed/
