Let’s face it: therapy—even when it’s online—can be pricey. Session prices can range from $100 to $200 per session on average,which is why in ourCost of Therapy Survey, half of respondents worried about whether or not they could afford long-term therapy and more than a third of respondents told us they actually did have to discontinue treatment because of financial concerns. And even though insurance can help reduce therapy costs significantly, it’s not always easy to find a provider who’s in-network since only an estimated 40% of therapists and 56% of psychiatrists in the U.S. accept insurance plans.The good news is that there are a growing number ofquality online therapy companies that accept health insuranceso you can reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Plus, virtual therapy can also help you cut back on some secondary associated costs too, like the hours of pay you lose for taking time off work, the money you have to spend on public transportation or gas, or child care costs. So to help you find the best online therapy companies that are in-network, weevaluated over 80 companies, surveyed over 8,000 users, and tested the services ourselves. We also consulted three licensed therapists when compiling this list. Here, we recommend the eight best online therapy companies that accept insurance.8 Best Online Therapy Platforms that Take InsuranceMost Comprehensive:TeladocBest for Psychiatry:TalkiatryBest for Anxiety and Depression:BrightsideBest for Communication Choices:TalkspaceBest for Alcohol Use Disorder:MonumentBest for Kids and Teens:ThriveworksBest for Ease of Use:Doctor on DemandMost Insurance Plans Accepted:Amwell82Companies reviewed8,400Total users surveyed350Data points analyzedWe surveyed 100 users from 55 online therapy companies and 27 therapist directories to understand their experiences with these services. Then, we tested the services ourselves across multiple states, conducted comprehensive data collection research, and evaluated our results with the help of a licensed therapist.Our Online Therapy MethodologyCurious about the extensive work we did to research and evaluate online therapy companies? Take a look at ouronline therapy methodology.
Let’s face it: therapy—even when it’s online—can be pricey. Session prices can range from $100 to $200 per session on average,which is why in ourCost of Therapy Survey, half of respondents worried about whether or not they could afford long-term therapy and more than a third of respondents told us they actually did have to discontinue treatment because of financial concerns. And even though insurance can help reduce therapy costs significantly, it’s not always easy to find a provider who’s in-network since only an estimated 40% of therapists and 56% of psychiatrists in the U.S. accept insurance plans.The good news is that there are a growing number ofquality online therapy companies that accept health insuranceso you can reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Plus, virtual therapy can also help you cut back on some secondary associated costs too, like the hours of pay you lose for taking time off work, the money you have to spend on public transportation or gas, or child care costs. So to help you find the best online therapy companies that are in-network, weevaluated over 80 companies, surveyed over 8,000 users, and tested the services ourselves. We also consulted three licensed therapists when compiling this list. Here, we recommend the eight best online therapy companies that accept insurance.
Let’s face it: therapy—even when it’s online—can be pricey. Session prices can range from $100 to $200 per session on average,which is why in ourCost of Therapy Survey, half of respondents worried about whether or not they could afford long-term therapy and more than a third of respondents told us they actually did have to discontinue treatment because of financial concerns. And even though insurance can help reduce therapy costs significantly, it’s not always easy to find a provider who’s in-network since only an estimated 40% of therapists and 56% of psychiatrists in the U.S. accept insurance plans.
The good news is that there are a growing number ofquality online therapy companies that accept health insuranceso you can reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Plus, virtual therapy can also help you cut back on some secondary associated costs too, like the hours of pay you lose for taking time off work, the money you have to spend on public transportation or gas, or child care costs. So to help you find the best online therapy companies that are in-network, weevaluated over 80 companies, surveyed over 8,000 users, and tested the services ourselves. We also consulted three licensed therapists when compiling this list. Here, we recommend the eight best online therapy companies that accept insurance.
8 Best Online Therapy Platforms that Take InsuranceMost Comprehensive:TeladocBest for Psychiatry:TalkiatryBest for Anxiety and Depression:BrightsideBest for Communication Choices:TalkspaceBest for Alcohol Use Disorder:MonumentBest for Kids and Teens:ThriveworksBest for Ease of Use:Doctor on DemandMost Insurance Plans Accepted:Amwell
82Companies reviewed8,400Total users surveyed350Data points analyzedWe surveyed 100 users from 55 online therapy companies and 27 therapist directories to understand their experiences with these services. Then, we tested the services ourselves across multiple states, conducted comprehensive data collection research, and evaluated our results with the help of a licensed therapist.
82Companies reviewed8,400Total users surveyed350Data points analyzed
82Companies reviewed
Companies reviewed
8,400Total users surveyed
Total users surveyed
350Data points analyzed
Data points analyzed
Our Online Therapy MethodologyCurious about the extensive work we did to research and evaluate online therapy companies? Take a look at ouronline therapy methodology.
Our Online Therapy Methodology
Curious about the extensive work we did to research and evaluate online therapy companies? Take a look at ouronline therapy methodology.
The 8 Best Online Therapy Services that Accept Insurance, Tried and TestedView AllThe 8 Best Online Therapy Services that Accept Insurance, Tried and TestedOur Top PicksTeladocTalkiatryBrightsideTalkspaceMonumentThriveworksDoctor on DemandAmwellSee More (5)Compare ProvidersGuide to Choosing an Online Therapy Company That Accepts InsuranceIs Online Therapy that Takes Insurance Right For You?FAQsHow We Tested and Reviewed
The 8 Best Online Therapy Services that Accept Insurance, Tried and TestedView All
View All
The 8 Best Online Therapy Services that Accept Insurance, Tried and Tested
Guide to Choosing an Online Therapy Company That Accepts Insurance
Is Online Therapy that Takes Insurance Right For You?
FAQs
How We Tested and Reviewed
Most Comprehensive:Teladoc
Price:$119 - $299Is Insurance Accepted?:YesType Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Individual Therapy, Psychiatry, Teen CounselingLearn More
Learn More
Why We Chose It
Of the 80 companies we evaluated,Teladoc Healthwas one of the most popular with users we surveyed for its convenience, flexible scheduling, and full-service offerings, which include individual therapy, couples therapy, teen therapy, psychiatry, and primary care services. It also accepts many insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare in some cases.
Pros & Cons
ProsYou choose your provider(s) and continue to see the same therapistVirtual medical care also offeredSimple scheduling systemAppointments available 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (EST) seven days a weekCan participate in video appointments via app or websiteMedication management availableConsCannot see if your specific insurance plan is accepted before sign-upCannot see therapist bios before sign-upSame-day or next-day appointments may not be available
ProsYou choose your provider(s) and continue to see the same therapistVirtual medical care also offeredSimple scheduling systemAppointments available 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (EST) seven days a weekCan participate in video appointments via app or websiteMedication management available
You choose your provider(s) and continue to see the same therapist
Virtual medical care also offered
Simple scheduling system
Appointments available 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (EST) seven days a week
Can participate in video appointments via app or website
Medication management available
ConsCannot see if your specific insurance plan is accepted before sign-upCannot see therapist bios before sign-upSame-day or next-day appointments may not be available
Cannot see if your specific insurance plan is accepted before sign-up
Cannot see therapist bios before sign-up
Same-day or next-day appointments may not be available
Our Testing
We had five people sign up for therapy services atTeladocfrom Missouri, California, New York, and Texas to see how well the service could serve different needs, such as accommodating a parent of four kids’ requirement for flexible scheduling options. And across the board, Teladoc delivered. As one of the oldest telehealth services in the country, Teledoc also provides reliable primary care, dermatology, sexual health, nutrition, and pediatric medical services in addition to its individual, couples, and teen therapy, as well as psychiatry services.We found Teladoc’s network of licensed therapists to be knowledgeable, congenial, professional, and helpful both in the live video sessions we scheduled and when we messaged them with questions. We had an overall impression that all the therapists we met with were well-prepared, attentive, and understanding.“Overall, I felt like the more [the therapist] got to know me, the easier it felt talking with her and the more personalized her ‘advice’ became. I ended up applying tips in real-life situations, and each time I did, it helped with my anxiety."-Teledoc Health tester, who had never tried online therapy beforeWe also felt Teladoc’s scheduling system was much more flexible than other online therapy providers we assessed. Every therapist had many open appointment slots, and we could schedule in advance if needed.One thing we found a bit disappointing was that one of the therapists we selected kept the camera off for video sessions. But despite feeling awkward about this at first, the conversation was comfortable, and there were good observations that helped us to look at a situation differently. While Teladoc can’t assist with eating disorders, psychosis, and other more severe conditions, our experience and research show it’s a great place to start if you’re looking for a pay-per-appointment telehealth service for mental and medical health needs.
We had five people sign up for therapy services atTeladocfrom Missouri, California, New York, and Texas to see how well the service could serve different needs, such as accommodating a parent of four kids’ requirement for flexible scheduling options. And across the board, Teladoc delivered. As one of the oldest telehealth services in the country, Teledoc also provides reliable primary care, dermatology, sexual health, nutrition, and pediatric medical services in addition to its individual, couples, and teen therapy, as well as psychiatry services.
We found Teladoc’s network of licensed therapists to be knowledgeable, congenial, professional, and helpful both in the live video sessions we scheduled and when we messaged them with questions. We had an overall impression that all the therapists we met with were well-prepared, attentive, and understanding.
“Overall, I felt like the more [the therapist] got to know me, the easier it felt talking with her and the more personalized her ‘advice’ became. I ended up applying tips in real-life situations, and each time I did, it helped with my anxiety."-Teledoc Health tester, who had never tried online therapy before
“Overall, I felt like the more [the therapist] got to know me, the easier it felt talking with her and the more personalized her ‘advice’ became. I ended up applying tips in real-life situations, and each time I did, it helped with my anxiety.”
-Teledoc Health tester, who had never tried online therapy before
We also felt Teladoc’s scheduling system was much more flexible than other online therapy providers we assessed. Every therapist had many open appointment slots, and we could schedule in advance if needed.
One thing we found a bit disappointing was that one of the therapists we selected kept the camera off for video sessions. But despite feeling awkward about this at first, the conversation was comfortable, and there were good observations that helped us to look at a situation differently. While Teladoc can’t assist with eating disorders, psychosis, and other more severe conditions, our experience and research show it’s a great place to start if you’re looking for a pay-per-appointment telehealth service for mental and medical health needs.
Plans & Pricing
What Users Say
We surveyed 100 users of Teladoc:94% rated Teladoc as very good or excellent overall89% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent94% said that most or all of their needs were met at Teladoc98% are likely or very likely to recommend Teladoc to a friend or someone like them79% said their health insurance covered the entire cost of therapy
We surveyed 100 users of Teladoc:
Best for Psychiatry:Talkiatry
Price:Depends on your insuranceIs Insurance Accepted?:Yes. BCBS, Optum, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Medicare, and othersType Of Therapy:Individual Therapy, Medication Management, PsychiatryLearn More
With roughly half of U.S. counties lacking a qualified psychiatrist and only a little over half of psychiatrists accepting insurance, the availability of online psychiatry is vital to increasing accessibility and participation.That’s whyTalkiatrystood out to us: It’s one of the only companies among the 80 we assessed that specializes in psychiatry, and it does it well. Talkiatry’s comprehensive, compassionate online psychiatric care provides patients (ages five and up) with the monitoring needed to safely and effectively treat a wide range of mental health conditions.
ProsAccepts most major insurersCan see if your insurance is accepted before registeringCan treat children as young as age 5Can prescribe controlled substancesEasy to change providersAppointments longer than at most other servicesConsNot available in AK, DE, HI, ID, NM, ND, SD, or WYMedications sent to local pharmacy rather than delivered to homeService not available without insurance
ProsAccepts most major insurersCan see if your insurance is accepted before registeringCan treat children as young as age 5Can prescribe controlled substancesEasy to change providersAppointments longer than at most other services
Accepts most major insurers
Can see if your insurance is accepted before registering
Can treat children as young as age 5
Can prescribe controlled substances
Easy to change providers
Appointments longer than at most other services
ConsNot available in AK, DE, HI, ID, NM, ND, SD, or WYMedications sent to local pharmacy rather than delivered to homeService not available without insurance
Not available in AK, DE, HI, ID, NM, ND, SD, or WY
Medications sent to local pharmacy rather than delivered to home
Service not available without insurance
We testedTalkiatrytwice from New York and had a fantastic experience from signing up to working with a provider. From the very beginning of the registration process, the company was very clear about what it can and can’t treat. Talkiatry asserts its providers specialize inanxiety,depression,attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD),bipolar disorder,obsessive-compulsive disorder,insomnia, andpost-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD).What stood out to us most about Talkiatry, though, was that its sessions were thorough and longer than at any other company we reviewed. For example, our intake appointments were an hour—twice as long as other online psychiatry services we tested—and our follow-ups were 30 minutes, also twice as long as the norm for online psychiatry.We found our psychiatrists friendly and never felt rushed to wrap up before we’d finished asking questions. Scheduling follow-up appointments was also easy, as was switching providers if needed. The company operates like a brick-and-mortar psychiatry practice in many ways, which means that it doesn’t have blanket policies around which medications it can prescribe. If your provider deems it necessary, they may prescribe a controlled substance, such asstimulantsfor attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) orbenzodiazepinesfor anxiety, but only after careful psychiatric evaluation and responsible prescribing practices are followed. This means that the company can help you with more complex mental health conditions.The biggest drawback with Talkiatry is that it is not yet nationwide: services are not available to residents of Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wyoming. Given Talkiatry’s dedication to quality care, it is the ideal online psychiatric provider if you live in one of the states it serves. One caveat is that the first available appointment was a full week away for all three provider options we were offered. Still, this is likely much sooner than the wait time to see an in-person provider, depending on your location.
We testedTalkiatrytwice from New York and had a fantastic experience from signing up to working with a provider. From the very beginning of the registration process, the company was very clear about what it can and can’t treat. Talkiatry asserts its providers specialize inanxiety,depression,attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD),bipolar disorder,obsessive-compulsive disorder,insomnia, andpost-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD).
What stood out to us most about Talkiatry, though, was that its sessions were thorough and longer than at any other company we reviewed. For example, our intake appointments were an hour—twice as long as other online psychiatry services we tested—and our follow-ups were 30 minutes, also twice as long as the norm for online psychiatry.
We found our psychiatrists friendly and never felt rushed to wrap up before we’d finished asking questions. Scheduling follow-up appointments was also easy, as was switching providers if needed. The company operates like a brick-and-mortar psychiatry practice in many ways, which means that it doesn’t have blanket policies around which medications it can prescribe. If your provider deems it necessary, they may prescribe a controlled substance, such asstimulantsfor attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) orbenzodiazepinesfor anxiety, but only after careful psychiatric evaluation and responsible prescribing practices are followed. This means that the company can help you with more complex mental health conditions.
The biggest drawback with Talkiatry is that it is not yet nationwide: services are not available to residents of Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wyoming. Given Talkiatry’s dedication to quality care, it is the ideal online psychiatric provider if you live in one of the states it serves. One caveat is that the first available appointment was a full week away for all three provider options we were offered. Still, this is likely much sooner than the wait time to see an in-person provider, depending on your location.
We surveyed 100 users of Talkiatry:86% rated Talkiatry as very good or excellent overall87% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent96% said that most or all of their needs were met at Talkiatry95% are likely or very likely to recommend Talkiatry to a friend or someone like them56% said their health insurance covered the entire cost of therapy
We surveyed 100 users of Talkiatry:
The 8 Best Online Psychiatry Services That Take Insurance, Tried and Tested
Best for Anxiety and Depression:Brightside
Price:$95-$349 per monthIs Insurance Accepted?:YesType Of Therapy:Individual Therapy, Medication Management, PsychiatryLearn More
ProsCovers 130 million Americans via health insuranceSpecialized treatment for anxiety and depressionHighly data-drivenCan message therapists at any timeOffers talk therapy and psychiatric medication managementAvailable in all 50 statesCrisis Care program for people with elevated suicide riskConsDifficult to switch providersCustomer service not as responsive as it could beSessions are short
ProsCovers 130 million Americans via health insuranceSpecialized treatment for anxiety and depressionHighly data-drivenCan message therapists at any timeOffers talk therapy and psychiatric medication managementAvailable in all 50 statesCrisis Care program for people with elevated suicide risk
Covers 130 million Americans via health insurance
Specialized treatment for anxiety and depression
Highly data-driven
Can message therapists at any time
Offers talk therapy and psychiatric medication management
Available in all 50 states
Crisis Care program for people with elevated suicide risk
ConsDifficult to switch providersCustomer service not as responsive as it could beSessions are short
Difficult to switch providers
Customer service not as responsive as it could be
Sessions are short
What stood out most about Brightside was the outstanding quality of care. The therapists who treated us had at least a decade of experience, and we found them to be talented counselors who were the perfect balance of warm yet professional. We also had the ability to pick a therapist who met specific cultural and gender preferences, which is important when establishing a therapeutic rapport.
In addition, Brightside usescognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), a treatment approach that helps you identify and reframe negative thoughts and behavior patterns. This approach has been proveneffective at treating anxiety and depressionboth in person and virtually.We appreciate this practical, science-backed method.
“Overall, I feel I’ve gained new approaches to tackling certain situations and thought processes. I’ve also learned new breathing techniques to help with anxiety rather than relying on medication. So far, therapy has been helpful and I’m glad I gave it a shot."-Brightside Health tester, who was seeking help for anxiety and panic attacks
“Overall, I feel I’ve gained new approaches to tackling certain situations and thought processes. I’ve also learned new breathing techniques to help with anxiety rather than relying on medication. So far, therapy has been helpful and I’m glad I gave it a shot.”
-Brightside Health tester, who was seeking help for anxiety and panic attacks
However, it’s worth noting that therapy sessions are shorter than average. Our therapy sessions lasted only 30 minutes, and psychiatry appointments only 15 minutes. Additionally, in one case, the person who conducted our intake appointment seemed dismissive, with a cold and off-putting tone. Thankfully, this was not our experience with the actual therapist.
We surveyed 100 users of Brightside:88% rated Brightside as very good or excellent overall94% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent93% said that most or all of their needs were met at Brightside99% are likely or very likely to recommend Brightside to a friend or someone like them50% said their health insurance covered the entire cost of therapy
We surveyed 100 users of Brightside:
Best for Communication Choices:Talkspace
Price:$276 to $436 per month for therapy subscriptionsIs Insurance Accepted?:YesType Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen CounselingLearn More
ProsCovers 100 million Americans via insuranceMessaging-only plan availableSpecialized LGBTQIA+ and veterans treatment availableCan check insurance coverage before signing upBudget-priced therapy, even without insuranceEasy to switch therapistsAvailable nationwideConsDoesn’t accept MedicaidExact pricing not clear until during sign-upPsychiatric services not included in any therapy bundles
ProsCovers 100 million Americans via insuranceMessaging-only plan availableSpecialized LGBTQIA+ and veterans treatment availableCan check insurance coverage before signing upBudget-priced therapy, even without insuranceEasy to switch therapistsAvailable nationwide
Covers 100 million Americans via insurance
Messaging-only plan available
Specialized LGBTQIA+ and veterans treatment available
Can check insurance coverage before signing up
Budget-priced therapy, even without insurance
Easy to switch therapists
Available nationwide
ConsDoesn’t accept MedicaidExact pricing not clear until during sign-upPsychiatric services not included in any therapy bundles
Doesn’t accept Medicaid
Exact pricing not clear until during sign-up
Psychiatric services not included in any therapy bundles
We had 11 people (including three therapists) sign up forTalkspaceso that we could test its various service options and communication methods from all over the country—California, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, New York, North Carolina, Minnesota, Missouri, and South Dakota. By allowing us to choose how we communicated with our therapists—messaging, live chat, phone call, or video—Talkspace made therapy much more accessible to us.Across the board, our testing experience was positive: All the therapists we met were compassionate and professional, and we enjoyed our live phone and video sessions."[My therapist] was an excellent listener and could tell when I was in a place to hear a suggestion and when I clearly just needed to keep talking through it. I’ve found it extremely helpful. I have a place to work through hard relationships, process emotions, and break some unhealthy coping habits I hadn’t been aware of."-Talkspace tester, who was seeking support after experiencing traumaThat said, our experience showed that therapy quality varied with different communication types because not all therapists were as responsive or thoughtful over messaging services, and some took a very long time to respond or gave responses that felt scripted. But while the asynchronous text-based therapy may vary in quality depending on the therapist and be best for people with milder conditions, we liked having the option to live chat or message with our therapist.One of the biggest drawbacks of our Talkspace experience was the short session length. At only 30 minutes long, we often felt like we were just getting started when our time was up. We also made a strange discovery that whether we were matched with a therapist or were allowed to choose our own therapist depended on which device we used to sign up for service. When signing up on a desktop computer, we were matched with a therapist, but when signing up using the Talkspace app, we got to pick between a curated list of three therapists. However, we loved how user-friendly the Talkspace patient portal was in general.
We had 11 people (including three therapists) sign up forTalkspaceso that we could test its various service options and communication methods from all over the country—California, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, New York, North Carolina, Minnesota, Missouri, and South Dakota. By allowing us to choose how we communicated with our therapists—messaging, live chat, phone call, or video—Talkspace made therapy much more accessible to us.
Across the board, our testing experience was positive: All the therapists we met were compassionate and professional, and we enjoyed our live phone and video sessions.
“[My therapist] was an excellent listener and could tell when I was in a place to hear a suggestion and when I clearly just needed to keep talking through it. I’ve found it extremely helpful. I have a place to work through hard relationships, process emotions, and break some unhealthy coping habits I hadn’t been aware of."-Talkspace tester, who was seeking support after experiencing trauma
“[My therapist] was an excellent listener and could tell when I was in a place to hear a suggestion and when I clearly just needed to keep talking through it. I’ve found it extremely helpful. I have a place to work through hard relationships, process emotions, and break some unhealthy coping habits I hadn’t been aware of.”
-Talkspace tester, who was seeking support after experiencing trauma
That said, our experience showed that therapy quality varied with different communication types because not all therapists were as responsive or thoughtful over messaging services, and some took a very long time to respond or gave responses that felt scripted. But while the asynchronous text-based therapy may vary in quality depending on the therapist and be best for people with milder conditions, we liked having the option to live chat or message with our therapist.
One of the biggest drawbacks of our Talkspace experience was the short session length. At only 30 minutes long, we often felt like we were just getting started when our time was up. We also made a strange discovery that whether we were matched with a therapist or were allowed to choose our own therapist depended on which device we used to sign up for service. When signing up on a desktop computer, we were matched with a therapist, but when signing up using the Talkspace app, we got to pick between a curated list of three therapists. However, we loved how user-friendly the Talkspace patient portal was in general.
We surveyed 100 users of Talkspace:92% rated Talkspace as very good or excellent overall89% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent95% said that most or all of their needs were met at Talkspace97% are likely or very likely to recommend Talkspace to a friend or someone like them57% said their health insurance covered the entire cost of therapy
We surveyed 100 users of Talkspace:
Read the FullTalkspace Online Therapy Review
The Best Online Therapy Services for Depression We Tried and Tested
Best for Alcohol Use Disorder:Monument
Price:Starts at $15+ per monthIs Insurance Accepted?:YesType Of Therapy:Group Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Peer SupportLearn More
ProsAccepts many major insurance plans, including MedicareUnlimited messaging with your doctor availableProvides highly specialized care for AUDAdditional medical appointments can be purchased as neededAll therapists experienced in treating substance use disordersAnonymous 24/7 community forumTherapist-moderated support groups available
Accepts many major insurance plans, including Medicare
Unlimited messaging with your doctor available
Provides highly specialized care for AUD
Additional medical appointments can be purchased as needed
All therapists experienced in treating substance use disorders
Anonymous 24/7 community forum
Therapist-moderated support groups available
Psychiatrists can only prescribe two medications to treat AUD
Not available in every state
Monumentspecializes in a highly specific service: treatment for alcohol use disorder. However, because its comprehensive approach includes treating AUD with medication, we could not ethically ask someone to test it. We did, however, test out the sign-up process, survey 100 Monument users, extensively research the program, and get expert insight on the company and its service model, so we feel confident recommending it. Plus, you can check your insurance details online before signing up to find out if your specific plan is accepted.Pharmacotherapy is considered a first-line treatment for moderate to severe AUD because it’s been proven to be highly effective.Yet in 2022, only 2.2% of adults with alcohol use disorder used these evidence-based medications.Monument understands that medication can be an important part of addressing the disorder, so in addition to providing individual and group talk therapy, it also offersnaltrexone(which diminishes alcohol cravings) anddisulfiram(which causes you to feel hung over very shortly after drinking).One of our favorite aspects of Monument is its community-centric approach. Peer support can be a key component of AUD treatment, and Monument offers bothanonymous support forumsand therapist-moderatedonline support groups. Groups provide a much-needed judgment-free zone where people can openly share wins and setbacks while also holding each other accountable and learning from others’ experiences, and they cater to certain identities, such as women, men, BIPOC people, LBGTQIA+ people, parents, partners, couples, veterans, ages 50+, young adults, and healthcare professionals.Although Monument’s therapists can address co-existing disorders (such as anxiety), its physicians do not prescribe medication to treat these conditions, and it’s unclear whether any of its therapists specialize in them. That means if you’re looking for medication or therapy to specifically treat an underlying mental health condition that’s causing or greatly contributing to your AUD, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), you should seek out a different service. Furthermore, Monument is only available in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington state, and Washington, D.C.
Monumentspecializes in a highly specific service: treatment for alcohol use disorder. However, because its comprehensive approach includes treating AUD with medication, we could not ethically ask someone to test it. We did, however, test out the sign-up process, survey 100 Monument users, extensively research the program, and get expert insight on the company and its service model, so we feel confident recommending it. Plus, you can check your insurance details online before signing up to find out if your specific plan is accepted.
Pharmacotherapy is considered a first-line treatment for moderate to severe AUD because it’s been proven to be highly effective.Yet in 2022, only 2.2% of adults with alcohol use disorder used these evidence-based medications.Monument understands that medication can be an important part of addressing the disorder, so in addition to providing individual and group talk therapy, it also offersnaltrexone(which diminishes alcohol cravings) anddisulfiram(which causes you to feel hung over very shortly after drinking).
One of our favorite aspects of Monument is its community-centric approach. Peer support can be a key component of AUD treatment, and Monument offers bothanonymous support forumsand therapist-moderatedonline support groups. Groups provide a much-needed judgment-free zone where people can openly share wins and setbacks while also holding each other accountable and learning from others’ experiences, and they cater to certain identities, such as women, men, BIPOC people, LBGTQIA+ people, parents, partners, couples, veterans, ages 50+, young adults, and healthcare professionals.
Although Monument’s therapists can address co-existing disorders (such as anxiety), its physicians do not prescribe medication to treat these conditions, and it’s unclear whether any of its therapists specialize in them. That means if you’re looking for medication or therapy to specifically treat an underlying mental health condition that’s causing or greatly contributing to your AUD, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), you should seek out a different service. Furthermore, Monument is only available in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington state, and Washington, D.C.
We surveyed 100 users of Monument:84% rated Monument as very good or excellent overall94% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent98% said that most or all of their needs were met at Monument95% are likely or very likely to recommend Monument to a friend or someone like them55% said their health insurance covered the entire cost of therapy
We surveyed 100 users of Monument:
Best for Kids and Teens:Thriveworks
Approximately one in five children have a mental or behavioral disorder, yet only 20% of them receive mental healthcare.A big reason for this gap is too much demand and not enough providers—and even fewer providers that accept insurance in order to keep out-of-pocket costs down. In fact, it’s gotten so bad that the American Academy of Pediatrics declared child and adolescent mental health a national emergency in 2021.Thriveworks, in our opinion, can help make it easier to find a therapist or psychiatrist for your child because it is in-network with most major insurance companies, is available in 49 states and Washington D.C., treats all ages (from toddlerhood through teenage years, and beyond) and offers night and weekend appointments, addressing many of the barriers to accessing mental healthcare that families often face.
ProsTherapy sessions available via your choice of live chat, phone call, or videoMedication management availableChildren’s and family therapy availableCan choose your own therapist using several filtersFlexible appointment timesAvailable in 49 states and Washington D.C. (not available in Vermont)Sessions are 50-60 minutes long; can see same provider each time
Therapy sessions available via your choice of live chat, phone call, or video
Children’s and family therapy available
Can choose your own therapist using several filters
Flexible appointment times
Available in 49 states and Washington D.C. (not available in Vermont)
Sessions are 50-60 minutes long; can see same provider each time
No messaging option
We asked five people to test out Thriveworks’ services, from Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Massachusetts, and New York. Of those, one tested out the children’s therapy services with their child, while the others tested the adult therapy and couples therapy. We found Thriveworks to be a great option for busy parents who need to use their insurance to cover therapy for themselves and/or their kids thanks to the wide range of insurance plans its therapists are in-network with, flexible scheduling, and high-quality therapists.
We appreciated that we were able to choose our own therapist. Using the search filters, we could look for providers based on specialty, distance, insurance, and age of the patient. That said, in some states, we found that options were limited. For example, in Missouri, we had planned to seek treatment for a 7-year-old but discovered that 11 was the youngest age Thriveworks providers in the state could treat at the time. Having fewer choices than other large online therapy companies could be because Thriveworks only hires the top 4% of providers so it can offer a quality experience.
Indeed, we found this ethos of quality over quantity reflected in most of our experiences. Limited choices didn’t end up being too much of an issue overall since we were still impressed with most of our therapists (though in one case, we had a therapist who was pushy and dismissive).
In general, we found Thriveworks’ teletherapy sessions similar to the in-person therapy we’ve participated in previously, only without having to drive across town.
We surveyed 100 users of Thriveworks:88% rated Thriveworks as very good or excellent overall90% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent96% said that most or all of their needs were met at Thriveworks96% are likely or very likely to recommend Thriveworks to a friend or someone like them61% said their health insurance covered the entire cost of therapy
We surveyed 100 users of Thriveworks:
Online Therapy Services for Kids and Families, Tried and Tested
Best for Ease of Use:Doctor on Demand
Price:$129 - $299 per sessionIs Insurance Accepted?:YesType Of Therapy:Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen CounselingLearn More
ProsAccepts most major insurance plansOffers live video appointmentsAdult and teen mental health services availableProvides research-backed mental health screeningsCan choose your therapist or have the system match you with oneSimple sign up and easy user interfaceCan participate in sessions via website or appConsNo way to contact provider between sessionsHow soon you can get an appointment may depend on your state and scheduleExpensive without insurance
ProsAccepts most major insurance plansOffers live video appointmentsAdult and teen mental health services availableProvides research-backed mental health screeningsCan choose your therapist or have the system match you with oneSimple sign up and easy user interfaceCan participate in sessions via website or app
Accepts most major insurance plans
Offers live video appointments
Adult and teen mental health services available
Provides research-backed mental health screenings
Can choose your therapist or have the system match you with one
Simple sign up and easy user interface
Can participate in sessions via website or app
ConsNo way to contact provider between sessionsHow soon you can get an appointment may depend on your state and scheduleExpensive without insurance
No way to contact provider between sessions
How soon you can get an appointment may depend on your state and schedule
Expensive without insurance
To create an account, all we had to do was enter our personal and insurance information, a payment method, and reason for seeking care; we then clicked “Mental Health” and took a brief assessment (which was basically a depression and anxiety screening tool) that showed us where we fell on the spectrum from minimal to severe for both depression and anxiety. We loved that we could choose to either pick a therapist ourselves or have the system match us with a therapist, meaning if we didn’t want to sift through the long list of providers, we didn’t have to, but if we preferred to read over therapist bios and decide for ourselves, we could do so.
“The sessions helped me realize that speaking to someone about personal situations and issues is tough but not impossible for me to do."-Doctor on Demand tester, who tried individual adult therapy
“The sessions helped me realize that speaking to someone about personal situations and issues is tough but not impossible for me to do.”
-Doctor on Demand tester, who tried individual adult therapy
However, although the app was easy to use and the booking process was easy to navigate, the limited doctor options and lack of appointments were disappointing. The company’s stated availability of 24/7 appointments made it sound like we could get an appointment quickly, but we actually found limited therapist options with availability that matched our schedule. In one case, we had to wait two to three weeks for a first appointment with our preferred therapist and up to three weeks for a second appointment. Perhaps the best therapists book up quickly. Still, the more flexible you are with scheduling, the quicker you can get an appointment.
We surveyed 100 users of Doctor on Demand:88% rated Doctor on Demand as very good or excellent overall91% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent95% said that most or all of their needs were met at Doctor on Demand97% are likely or very likely to recommend Doctor on Demand to a friend or someone like them60% said their health insurance covered the entire cost of therapy
We surveyed 100 users of Doctor on Demand:
Read the FullDoctor on Demand Online Therapy Review
Most Insurance Plans Accepted:Amwell
Price:Up to $99Is Insurance Accepted?:YesType Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen CounselingLearn More
ProsCouples and family therapy availableFlexible scheduling with same-day servicesAccepts the most insurance plans of any company assessedCan message provider in portalPsychiatric medication management for children and adultsCan access portal and appointments via website or appAll therapy session types cost the same (individual, couples, etc.)ConsCannot view provider bios without signing upVirtual video sessions onlyLimited providers in certain locations
ProsCouples and family therapy availableFlexible scheduling with same-day servicesAccepts the most insurance plans of any company assessedCan message provider in portalPsychiatric medication management for children and adultsCan access portal and appointments via website or appAll therapy session types cost the same (individual, couples, etc.)
Couples and family therapy available
Flexible scheduling with same-day services
Accepts the most insurance plans of any company assessed
Can message provider in portal
Psychiatric medication management for children and adults
Can access portal and appointments via website or app
All therapy session types cost the same (individual, couples, etc.)
ConsCannot view provider bios without signing upVirtual video sessions onlyLimited providers in certain locations
Cannot view provider bios without signing up
Virtual video sessions only
Limited providers in certain locations
We asked six people hailing from New York, Mississippi, California, Missouri, and Kentucky—a great mix of bigger and smaller markets—to testAmwell’s individual adult therapy, adolescent therapy, and couples therapy. One person was also a working therapist themselves. Overall, our therapy experiences with Amwell were quite positive; we were most impressed with the fact that the company accepts a wider range of insurance plans than any other company we tested.
We worked with at least two therapists in each state (so we met with over ten different Amwell therapists in total) to see how smoothly the switching process went and how therapist quality and availability varied. We were thoroughly impressed with the high caliber of Amwell’s therapists; specifically, how communicative and professional they were and how they made us feel heard, understood, and validated.
“In the first appointment, [the therapist] offered up some ideas for vitamins to take, books to read, and breathing techniques, which was nice to have in the toolkit."-Amwell tester, who was looking for postpartum support
“In the first appointment, [the therapist] offered up some ideas for vitamins to take, books to read, and breathing techniques, which was nice to have in the toolkit.”
-Amwell tester, who was looking for postpartum support
Scheduling is pretty flexible, with same-day or next-day appointments offered in many larger states. For example, in California, we were able to schedule a next-day appointment with ease. However, in smaller states or with different service types, such as adolescent therapy or postpartum therapy, we found far fewer therapist choices and available appointment times.
We surveyed 100 users of Amwell:88% rated Amwell as very good or excellent overall93% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent98% said that most or all of their needs were met at Amwell95% are likely or very likely to recommend Amwell to a friend or someone like them63% said their health insurance covered the entire cost of therapy
We surveyed 100 users of Amwell:
Hide, not for me
Insurance companies cover ”medically necessary” treatment. Thanks to theAffordable Care Act(ACA) and theMental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, the definition of “medically necessary” treatment includes individual therapy as long as there is a diagnosis. This is why most online therapy companies accept insurance if they offer individual talk therapy for a diagnosed mental health condition (such as depression, generalized anxiety disorder, etc.), psychiatric treatment, addiction treatment, or medication management.
Frequently Asked QuestionsOnline therapyis shown to be just as effective as in-person care.Research shows telepsychology interventions are effective for many conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD,adjustment disorder,and even substance use and eating disorders.Online therapy also offersmore flexibility and better accessibilitythan in-person appointments.This convenience can help reduce the stress of finding care. “With online therapy, you no longer have to worry about fitting in commuting time or finding childcare for when you’re away in a session,” explains Owens. “This makes therapy more accessible for those who might otherwise not seek mental health support.”To find out if an online therapy provider accepts your insurance, check the provider’s website or call its customer service number. Most online therapy platforms’ websites will display a list of insurance plans accepted. You’ll also want to contact your insurance company to find out what specific requirements need to be met in order for insurance to cover your online therapy costs, determine your copayments for specific services, or see a list of in-network teletherapy providers. Some employers also work with specific online therapy providers. Contact your human resources or benefits department to check if your company has an online therapy partner.Insurance coverage for online therapyis a complicated issue since a patient’s location, provider, diagnosis, and specific treatment plan can all influence what is covered. These considerations can all affect an online therapy company’s ability to accept insurance. Dealing with insurance companies takes a lot of time and effort, so some therapy platforms find it simpler and even cheaper to avoid working with them altogether and instead offer customers subscriptions or service bundles. So, again, it’s important to check with your insurance company and verify coverage.Online therapy and psychiatry sessions can range from as low as $0 to as high as $299 or more, depending on your insurance plan, state, treatment plan, and the online therapy company or therapist. If your employer or insurance company offers a telehealth benefit, patients usually just pay a copay. Lower costs don’t always mean a better deal: Therapy may be cheaper at some companies because the sessions are shorter than average or the therapists have less experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Online therapyis shown to be just as effective as in-person care.Research shows telepsychology interventions are effective for many conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD,adjustment disorder,and even substance use and eating disorders.Online therapy also offersmore flexibility and better accessibilitythan in-person appointments.This convenience can help reduce the stress of finding care. “With online therapy, you no longer have to worry about fitting in commuting time or finding childcare for when you’re away in a session,” explains Owens. “This makes therapy more accessible for those who might otherwise not seek mental health support.”
To find out if an online therapy provider accepts your insurance, check the provider’s website or call its customer service number. Most online therapy platforms’ websites will display a list of insurance plans accepted. You’ll also want to contact your insurance company to find out what specific requirements need to be met in order for insurance to cover your online therapy costs, determine your copayments for specific services, or see a list of in-network teletherapy providers. Some employers also work with specific online therapy providers. Contact your human resources or benefits department to check if your company has an online therapy partner.
Insurance coverage for online therapyis a complicated issue since a patient’s location, provider, diagnosis, and specific treatment plan can all influence what is covered. These considerations can all affect an online therapy company’s ability to accept insurance. Dealing with insurance companies takes a lot of time and effort, so some therapy platforms find it simpler and even cheaper to avoid working with them altogether and instead offer customers subscriptions or service bundles. So, again, it’s important to check with your insurance company and verify coverage.
Online therapy and psychiatry sessions can range from as low as $0 to as high as $299 or more, depending on your insurance plan, state, treatment plan, and the online therapy company or therapist. If your employer or insurance company offers a telehealth benefit, patients usually just pay a copay. Lower costs don’t always mean a better deal: Therapy may be cheaper at some companies because the sessions are shorter than average or the therapists have less experience.
How We Tested and Reviewed Online Therapy Services
We evaluated 80 onlinetherapy companiesandtherapist directoriesin order to compile this list.
Firsthand Experience
As part of our research, we signed up for talk therapy at all 55 online therapy companies we reviewed. We tested each company’s therapy services, and if the company offered other services (such as couples therapy and kid or teen therapy), we tested those, too. Our testers are located all across the United States and abroad, meaning we have extensive information about each company’s services in a variety of areas.
User and Brand Surveys
In addition, we surveyed more than 8,000 therapy users: 100 at each of the 55 online therapy companies and 25 therapist directories. We collected over 100 different data points in which we asked users to evaluate each company’s services, from their therapist’s qualifications to whether they found a therapist who met all their needs to how they’d rate the company overall. We also sent questionnaires to each company we considered, asking for their perspectives on the services they provide, and we interviewed former patients and therapists at the companies where possible.
Research
Expert Recommendations
Once we completed this testing and these surveys, we evaluated our findings with the help of three licensed therapists—Amy Marschall, PsyD;Nic Hardy, PhD, LCSW; andHannah Owens, LMSW—in order to make our recommendations. These therapists provided extensive insight into the ethics and efficacy of online therapy as well as information about relevant therapeutic modalities and approaches.
Article Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.Alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the United States: age groups and demographic characteristics.
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Mintz, C. M., Hartz, S. M., Fisher, S. L., Ramsey, A. T., Geng, E. H., Grucza, R. A., & Bierut, L. J. (2021).A cascade of care for alcohol use disorder: using 2015–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data to identify gaps in past 12-month care.Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research, 45(6), 1276. doi:10.1111/acer.14609
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Luo C, Sanger N, Singhal N, et al.A comparison of electronically-delivered and face to face cognitive behavioural therapies in depressive disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.eClinicalMedicine. 2020;24:100442. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100442
Varker T, Brand RM, Ward J, Terhaag S, Phelps A.Efficacy of synchronous telepsychology interventions for people with anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and adjustment disorder: a rapid evidence assessment. Psychol Serv. 2019;16(4):621–635. doi:10.1037/ser0000239
Slone NC, Reese RJ, McClellan, MJ.Telepsychology outcome research with children and adolescents: a review of the literature.Psychol Serv.2012;9(3):272–292. doi:10.1037/a0027607
American Psychological Association.2021 trends report: Online therapy is here to stay.
Hannah Owens, LMSW
Amanda Tust
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