Not all therapists have the training or cultural sensitivity to help all patients. This can result in microaggressions or further harm.“If someone cannot trust their therapist to be affirming of their experiences or to not bring their own subconscious biases to the session, it can be difficult or even impossible to establish a trust and rapport with that therapist,” saysHannah Owens, LMSW, a subject matter expert we consulted on this project. However, there aretherapists who specialize in working with survivors of racial trauma, people experiencing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, people who are immigrants,children of immigrants, and people who speak a language other than English.
11 Most Inclusive Online Therapy PlatformsBest for Flexibility:TalkspaceBest for Psychiatry:TalkiatryBest With Insurance:AmwellBest for Latinx Community:Aguirre Center for Inclusive PsychotherapyBest for LGBTQ+ Community:National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color NetworkBest for Cis Gay Men:Gay Therapy CenterBest for Trans-Affirming:TherapyDenBest for Affordability:Open Path CollectiveBest for Black Community:Therapy For Black GirlsBest for Addiction Recovery:Mindful CareBest for Asian Community:Octave
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 Most Inclusive Online Therapy Platforms We Tried and TestedView AllThe Most Inclusive Online Therapy Platforms We Tried and TestedOur Top PicksTalkspaceTalkiatryAmwellAguirre Center for Inclusive PsychotherapyNational Queer and Trans Therapists of Color NetworkGay Therapy CenterTherapyDenOpen Path CollectiveTherapy For Black GirlsMindful CareOctaveSee More (8)Compare ProvidersGuide to ChoosingIs Inclusive Online Therapy Right For You?Frequently Asked QuestionsMethodology
The Most Inclusive Online Therapy Platforms We Tried and TestedView All
View All
The Most Inclusive Online Therapy Platforms We Tried and Tested
Guide to Choosing
Is Inclusive Online Therapy Right For You?
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
Best for Flexibility: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
Learn More
Why We Chose It
With video, phone, and messaging options plus subscriptions at different price points, you can find a format and price that works for you more easily. In addition, in our user survey, Talkspace scores high overall in terms of both user satisfaction and diversity.
Pros & Cons
ProsSubscription plans with different price pointsAccepts insuranceUsers rated it positively for diversityConsExpensive without insuranceYou can’t choose your therapist
ProsSubscription plans with different price pointsAccepts insuranceUsers rated it positively for diversity
Subscription plans with different price points
Accepts insurance
Users rated it positively for diversity
ConsExpensive without insuranceYou can’t choose your therapist
Expensive without insurance
You can’t choose your therapist
Our Testing
Talkspace’sflexibility is unmatched: It offers individual, couples, and teen counseling and psychiatry services in all 50 states, with three different tiers of therapy services available in a subscription format, including unlimited messaging with your therapist and weekly virtual live video sessions. We tested Talkspace 11 times in Indiana, South Dakota, California, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Florida, New York, North Carolina, Minnesota, and New York, and were overall impressed with the quality of services we received. Although we were not specifically focused on diversity when we tried Talkspace’s services, we as testers did have a variety of different ethnic and racial identities, and in nearly every circumstance we were able to find a therapist with whom we connected.
“I did establish a rapport immediately, and I think that is because [my therapist] let me set the scene and just go. I had seen her experience, training, and qualifications and felt good going into it. I felt she aligned with what I was expecting."—Talkspace tester, who sought therapy after experiencing trauma
“I did establish a rapport immediately, and I think that is because [my therapist] let me set the scene and just go. I had seen her experience, training, and qualifications and felt good going into it. I felt she aligned with what I was expecting.”
—Talkspace tester, who sought therapy after experiencing trauma
Overall, we felt as though we were able to quickly develop a rapport with our therapists, and this made it easier for us to feel comfortable opening up to our providers—something that is especially important when you are looking for culturally sensitive care. We appreciated that many of our providers were solution-focused and gave us helpful advice right off the bat. We also liked when our therapist ended sessions with reminders, and let us know that we could chat between sessions if things come up. We found this style helped to build trust and made us feel more connected despite having all therapy sessions online.
Plans & Pricing
What Users Say
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 them73% rated Talkspace as very good or excellent for diversity of therapists
We surveyed 100 users of Talkspace:
Read the FullTalkspace Online Therapy Review
I’m a Licensed Therapist Who Tried Talkspace to See if Its Care Met My Standards
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
Talkiatry is an online psychiatry company that has excellent user satisfaction rates, and its diversity scores are well above average, according to the users we surveyed.
ProsScores high for user satisfactionPerforms well for diversityLonger than average visitsConsYou need insurance to use itNo option for psychotherapy without psychiatry
ProsScores high for user satisfactionPerforms well for diversityLonger than average visits
Scores high for user satisfaction
Performs well for diversity
Longer than average visits
ConsYou need insurance to use itNo option for psychotherapy without psychiatry
You need insurance to use it
No option for psychotherapy without psychiatry
Talkiatryis an online psychiatry company that serves anyone age 5 and above who needs treatment for conditions includingADHD,anxiety,depression, andPTSD. Talkiatry prides itself on the diversity and cultural humility of its psychiatrists, with providers who specialize in treating different races and ethnicities, various age groups, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
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 them76% rated Talkiatry as very good or excellent for diversity of therapists
We surveyed 100 users of Talkiatry:
I Struggled to Find a Psychiatrist That Took Insurance, So I Tried Talkiatry
Best With Insurance:Amwell
Price:Up to $99Is Insurance Accepted?:YesType Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen CounselingLearn More
Amwell ranks positively overall in terms of user satisfaction in our survey and has higher than average scores for diversity. It accepts a number of insurance plans and can treat a range of concerns, from LGBTQ-specific issues to OCD, and it has providers who are able to speak multiple languages besides English.
ProsAccepts a wide range of insurance plansOffers psychiatry and medication managementCulturally informed, diverse therapistsConsYou need to sign up to view clinician biosNo phone or text therapy available
ProsAccepts a wide range of insurance plansOffers psychiatry and medication managementCulturally informed, diverse therapists
Accepts a wide range of insurance plans
Offers psychiatry and medication management
Culturally informed, diverse therapists
ConsYou need to sign up to view clinician biosNo phone or text therapy available
You need to sign up to view clinician bios
No phone or text therapy available
We triedAmwellnine times in New York, Mississippi, California, Missouri, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Florida, with a diverse array of testers who identify as Black and Indian as well as white. We especially liked that Amwell accepts a wide range of insurance plans, making it an affordable and accessible option for insured therapy seekers looking for experienced, culturally informed clinicians. And not only are its providers diverse when it comes to racial and ethnic identities, but Amwell also explicitly states that it offers LGBTQ counseling.Amwell let us choose our own provider rather than matching us with one, which could be especially helpful for those who are looking for a therapist who shares their cultural, sexual, or gender identity.“To sign up for an account, you provide your ZIP code and your insurance. You then get a ‘good news’ result with several telehealth options based on your insurance."—Amwell tester, who was looking for postpartum supportWe felt like our therapists truly took the time to listen to our concerns and didn’t try to provide general “Band-aid” solutions to our problems. They often referred to issues we’d brought up in previous sessions, which made us feel like they were engaged and actively listening, and their advice always felt tailored to our situations (like being a busy mom of two or a young, disorganized teenager).We did have some technical issues at times, such as the screen suddenly going black and encountering the spinning wheel of death, but for the most part, our sessions went off without a hitch and we were able to get the care we needed from our attentive, warm, and informed therapists. It’s worth also noting that in certain cases we only saw nighttime appointment times, which may not be a good fit for some schedules.
We triedAmwellnine times in New York, Mississippi, California, Missouri, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Florida, with a diverse array of testers who identify as Black and Indian as well as white. We especially liked that Amwell accepts a wide range of insurance plans, making it an affordable and accessible option for insured therapy seekers looking for experienced, culturally informed clinicians. And not only are its providers diverse when it comes to racial and ethnic identities, but Amwell also explicitly states that it offers LGBTQ counseling.
Amwell let us choose our own provider rather than matching us with one, which could be especially helpful for those who are looking for a therapist who shares their cultural, sexual, or gender identity.
“To sign up for an account, you provide your ZIP code and your insurance. You then get a ‘good news’ result with several telehealth options based on your insurance."—Amwell tester, who was looking for postpartum support
“To sign up for an account, you provide your ZIP code and your insurance. You then get a ‘good news’ result with several telehealth options based on your insurance.”
—Amwell tester, who was looking for postpartum support
We felt like our therapists truly took the time to listen to our concerns and didn’t try to provide general “Band-aid” solutions to our problems. They often referred to issues we’d brought up in previous sessions, which made us feel like they were engaged and actively listening, and their advice always felt tailored to our situations (like being a busy mom of two or a young, disorganized teenager).
We did have some technical issues at times, such as the screen suddenly going black and encountering the spinning wheel of death, but for the most part, our sessions went off without a hitch and we were able to get the care we needed from our attentive, warm, and informed therapists. It’s worth also noting that in certain cases we only saw nighttime appointment times, which may not be a good fit for some schedules.
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 them79% rated Amwell as very good or excellent for diversity of therapists
We surveyed 100 users of Amwell:
Amwell Review
Best for Latinx Community:Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy
Price:$60-$250 per sessionIs Insurance Accepted?:NoType Of Therapy:Individual TherapyLearn More
The Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy is culturally affirming, trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and sex-positive. Many of its practitioners are Latinx and can speak to issues like being a first-generation immigrant and living in a multicultural home.
ProsCommitted to inclusivityClinicians come from various countriesLatinx-owned businessConsDoesn’t accept insuranceMost clinicians are only licensed in one or two states
ProsCommitted to inclusivityClinicians come from various countriesLatinx-owned business
Committed to inclusivity
Clinicians come from various countries
Latinx-owned business
ConsDoesn’t accept insuranceMost clinicians are only licensed in one or two states
Doesn’t accept insurance
Most clinicians are only licensed in one or two states
It’s clear that theAguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapyaspires to eliminate all types of cultural barriers to mental health care. Itscore valuesinclude being anti-oppressive,anti-racist, weight-inclusive, feminist-informed, and affirming ofethical non-monogamyand kink communities.
The Aguirre Center’s website states that a few of its therapists offer services in 43 states (due to legislation that allows certain providers to operate across state lines), but most clinicians only offer therapy in one or two states, such as Georgia, Oregon, Florida, Massachusetts, and New York (but primarily in Georgia, as that’s the state where the office is based). There are also only 11 clinicians available. We look forward to seeing Aguirre grow to support the Latinx community even more.
Insurance Accepted:NoSubscription Required:NoOut-of-Pocket Costs:Fees vary, but in general, individual therapy is $200 to $275 for assessment, then $150 to $225 per session; couples counseling is $185 to $230 per session; sliding-scale rates are also available
We surveyed 100 users of the Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy:83% rated the Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy as very good or excellent overall81% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent94% said that most or all of their needs were met at the Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy93% are likely or very likely to recommend the Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy to a friend or someone like them77% rated the Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy as very good or excellent for diversity of therapists
We surveyed 100 users of the Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy:
Best for LGBTQ+ Community:National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
ProsLGBTQIA-friendly therapists across the countryRegistered nonprofit with a clear missionDiverse, culturally affirming therapists
LGBTQIA-friendly therapists across the country
Registered nonprofit with a clear mission
Diverse, culturally affirming therapists
Not all therapists accept insurance
National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN)is an online therapy directory created specifically so that LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals can find a mental health provider with the same or similar ethnic, cultural, racial, gender, and sexual identities. Rather than directly providing online therapy, NQTTCN functions more like a phone book of providers, listing the names and bios of therapists and psychiatrists who identify as LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC whom you can contact individually. This makes it an excellent option for queer and trans people of color. You’ll find practitioners with diverse specialties and backgrounds across the country on the network. This is essential for therapy seekers who faceintersectional discriminationand its subsequent mental health effects.When we tested NQTTCN from Kentucky, we were overwhelmingly impressed with the service and the sheer number of options for us. As a member of both the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities, we have had issues in the past finding a therapist who understood all our identities—but through NQTTCN, it was easy. Not only was the site simple and clear to use, but we immediately found a therapist who checked all our boxes. We had a 75-minute intake session—far longer than any other session we’d had with an online therapist—and our provider was compassionate and engaged throughout. We felt like she was genuinely interested in us and dedicated to getting us the help we needed. She approached our sessions with curiosity, rather than assuming she knew us based on our intersecting identities, and we have never received more affirming care.In our most recent testing, we were especially impressed with how clear pricing was on NQTTCN. Because cost is a huge barrier to care, especially for people with marginalized identities, the fact that we knew what we would be paying for each possible provider was extremely helpful. What’s more, NQTTCN provides resources for those in crisis, as well as a Mental Health Fund for those in the QTPOC (queer and trans people of color) community who cannot afford therapy. The only downside of this directory? NQTTCN currently only serves 29 states and Washington, D.C., as well as British Columbia and Ontario in Canada.
National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN)is an online therapy directory created specifically so that LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals can find a mental health provider with the same or similar ethnic, cultural, racial, gender, and sexual identities. Rather than directly providing online therapy, NQTTCN functions more like a phone book of providers, listing the names and bios of therapists and psychiatrists who identify as LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC whom you can contact individually. This makes it an excellent option for queer and trans people of color. You’ll find practitioners with diverse specialties and backgrounds across the country on the network. This is essential for therapy seekers who faceintersectional discriminationand its subsequent mental health effects.
When we tested NQTTCN from Kentucky, we were overwhelmingly impressed with the service and the sheer number of options for us. As a member of both the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities, we have had issues in the past finding a therapist who understood all our identities—but through NQTTCN, it was easy. Not only was the site simple and clear to use, but we immediately found a therapist who checked all our boxes. We had a 75-minute intake session—far longer than any other session we’d had with an online therapist—and our provider was compassionate and engaged throughout. We felt like she was genuinely interested in us and dedicated to getting us the help we needed. She approached our sessions with curiosity, rather than assuming she knew us based on our intersecting identities, and we have never received more affirming care.
In our most recent testing, we were especially impressed with how clear pricing was on NQTTCN. Because cost is a huge barrier to care, especially for people with marginalized identities, the fact that we knew what we would be paying for each possible provider was extremely helpful. What’s more, NQTTCN provides resources for those in crisis, as well as a Mental Health Fund for those in the QTPOC (queer and trans people of color) community who cannot afford therapy. The only downside of this directory? NQTTCN currently only serves 29 states and Washington, D.C., as well as British Columbia and Ontario in Canada.
We surveyed 100 users of National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network:93% rated National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network as very good or excellent overall94% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent99% said that most or all of their needs were met at National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network96% are likely or very likely to recommend National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network to a friend or someone like them90% rated National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network as very good or excellent for diversity of therapists
We surveyed 100 users of National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network:
National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network Review
Best for Cis Gay Men:Gay Therapy CenterPrice:$120+ per sessionIs Insurance Accepted?:No. But out-of-network reimbursement is possible.Type Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Group Therapy, Individual TherapyLearn MoreWhy We Chose ItAll therapists at Gay Therapy Center are part of the LGBTQ community and can treat a range of issues, from OCD to addiction; in addition, its services and resources seem to be especially geared towards cis gay men. It also provides culturally affirming couples counseling for issues like communication and jealousy in open relationships.Pros & ConsProsTherapists are LGBTQIA+Personalized matching servicesClinicians have a range of specialtiesConsDoesn’t accept insuranceMay be too expensive for someOur TestingGay Therapy Centeroffers individual and couples therapy for LGBTQIA+-identifying folks. All clinicians are from the LGBTQIA+ community and can treat a wide spectrum of issues along with culturally specific ones, such as experiencing internalized shame around sexual orientation. However, when we tested the Gay Therapy Center from California, we found that most of the therapists in this company identify as white, cisgender, gay men, and most of its additional resources are geared towards this community as well, so it may not be the best choice for every LGBTQIA+ person. Still, Gay Therapy Center is absolutely a solid resource forcis gay menseeking mental health support.The company’s individual services focus on “LGBTQ+ Anxiety and Depression,” “LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy for Low Self-Esteem,” and “LGBTQ+ Gay Sex Therapy;” its couples therapy services include “LGBTQ+ Couples Counseling,” “LGBTQ+ Therapy for Cheating, Infidelity, Affairs, and Betrayal,” and “LGBTQ+ Open Relationship Counseling.” It also offers in-person sessions in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.However, as a non-binary person with a trans partner, we did not feel as though the Gay Therapy Center was able to meet our needs. We requested a therapist who had experience with trans issues, but in the curated list of providers we received (including the person with whom we eventually had sessions), no one even mentioned the word “trans,” and our therapist actually repeatedly used incorrect pronouns to refer to our trans partner. In addition, the company never provided its therapists’ surnames, so we could not do any outside research on its clinicians. This made us uneasy.Plans & PricingInsurance Accepted:Gay Therapy Center isn’t in-network with any insurance, but residents of California, New York, and Washington, D.C., may get out-of-network coverage if they provide a bill for reimbursement.Subscription Required:NoOut-of-Pocket Costs:50-minute sessions start at $185 and reach up to $250 depending on the providerWhat Users SayWe surveyed 100 users of Gay Therapy Center:87% rated Gay Therapy Center as very good or excellent overall89% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent92% said that most or all of their needs were met at Gay Therapy Center99% are likely or very likely to recommend Gay Therapy Center to a friend or someone like them86% rated Gay Therapy Center as very good or excellent for diversity of therapists
Best for Cis Gay Men:Gay Therapy Center
Price:$120+ per sessionIs Insurance Accepted?:No. But out-of-network reimbursement is possible.Type Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Group Therapy, Individual TherapyLearn MoreWhy We Chose ItAll therapists at Gay Therapy Center are part of the LGBTQ community and can treat a range of issues, from OCD to addiction; in addition, its services and resources seem to be especially geared towards cis gay men. It also provides culturally affirming couples counseling for issues like communication and jealousy in open relationships.Pros & ConsProsTherapists are LGBTQIA+Personalized matching servicesClinicians have a range of specialtiesConsDoesn’t accept insuranceMay be too expensive for someOur TestingGay Therapy Centeroffers individual and couples therapy for LGBTQIA+-identifying folks. All clinicians are from the LGBTQIA+ community and can treat a wide spectrum of issues along with culturally specific ones, such as experiencing internalized shame around sexual orientation. However, when we tested the Gay Therapy Center from California, we found that most of the therapists in this company identify as white, cisgender, gay men, and most of its additional resources are geared towards this community as well, so it may not be the best choice for every LGBTQIA+ person. Still, Gay Therapy Center is absolutely a solid resource forcis gay menseeking mental health support.The company’s individual services focus on “LGBTQ+ Anxiety and Depression,” “LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy for Low Self-Esteem,” and “LGBTQ+ Gay Sex Therapy;” its couples therapy services include “LGBTQ+ Couples Counseling,” “LGBTQ+ Therapy for Cheating, Infidelity, Affairs, and Betrayal,” and “LGBTQ+ Open Relationship Counseling.” It also offers in-person sessions in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.However, as a non-binary person with a trans partner, we did not feel as though the Gay Therapy Center was able to meet our needs. We requested a therapist who had experience with trans issues, but in the curated list of providers we received (including the person with whom we eventually had sessions), no one even mentioned the word “trans,” and our therapist actually repeatedly used incorrect pronouns to refer to our trans partner. In addition, the company never provided its therapists’ surnames, so we could not do any outside research on its clinicians. This made us uneasy.Plans & PricingInsurance Accepted:Gay Therapy Center isn’t in-network with any insurance, but residents of California, New York, and Washington, D.C., may get out-of-network coverage if they provide a bill for reimbursement.Subscription Required:NoOut-of-Pocket Costs:50-minute sessions start at $185 and reach up to $250 depending on the providerWhat Users SayWe surveyed 100 users of Gay Therapy Center:87% rated Gay Therapy Center as very good or excellent overall89% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent92% said that most or all of their needs were met at Gay Therapy Center99% are likely or very likely to recommend Gay Therapy Center to a friend or someone like them86% rated Gay Therapy Center as very good or excellent for diversity of therapists
Price:$120+ per sessionIs Insurance Accepted?:No. But out-of-network reimbursement is possible.Type Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Group Therapy, Individual TherapyLearn More
Why We Chose ItAll therapists at Gay Therapy Center are part of the LGBTQ community and can treat a range of issues, from OCD to addiction; in addition, its services and resources seem to be especially geared towards cis gay men. It also provides culturally affirming couples counseling for issues like communication and jealousy in open relationships.Pros & ConsProsTherapists are LGBTQIA+Personalized matching servicesClinicians have a range of specialtiesConsDoesn’t accept insuranceMay be too expensive for someOur TestingGay Therapy Centeroffers individual and couples therapy for LGBTQIA+-identifying folks. All clinicians are from the LGBTQIA+ community and can treat a wide spectrum of issues along with culturally specific ones, such as experiencing internalized shame around sexual orientation. However, when we tested the Gay Therapy Center from California, we found that most of the therapists in this company identify as white, cisgender, gay men, and most of its additional resources are geared towards this community as well, so it may not be the best choice for every LGBTQIA+ person. Still, Gay Therapy Center is absolutely a solid resource forcis gay menseeking mental health support.The company’s individual services focus on “LGBTQ+ Anxiety and Depression,” “LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy for Low Self-Esteem,” and “LGBTQ+ Gay Sex Therapy;” its couples therapy services include “LGBTQ+ Couples Counseling,” “LGBTQ+ Therapy for Cheating, Infidelity, Affairs, and Betrayal,” and “LGBTQ+ Open Relationship Counseling.” It also offers in-person sessions in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.However, as a non-binary person with a trans partner, we did not feel as though the Gay Therapy Center was able to meet our needs. We requested a therapist who had experience with trans issues, but in the curated list of providers we received (including the person with whom we eventually had sessions), no one even mentioned the word “trans,” and our therapist actually repeatedly used incorrect pronouns to refer to our trans partner. In addition, the company never provided its therapists’ surnames, so we could not do any outside research on its clinicians. This made us uneasy.Plans & PricingInsurance Accepted:Gay Therapy Center isn’t in-network with any insurance, but residents of California, New York, and Washington, D.C., may get out-of-network coverage if they provide a bill for reimbursement.Subscription Required:NoOut-of-Pocket Costs:50-minute sessions start at $185 and reach up to $250 depending on the providerWhat Users SayWe surveyed 100 users of Gay Therapy Center:87% rated Gay Therapy Center as very good or excellent overall89% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent92% said that most or all of their needs were met at Gay Therapy Center99% are likely or very likely to recommend Gay Therapy Center to a friend or someone like them86% rated Gay Therapy Center as very good or excellent for diversity of therapists
All therapists at Gay Therapy Center are part of the LGBTQ community and can treat a range of issues, from OCD to addiction; in addition, its services and resources seem to be especially geared towards cis gay men. It also provides culturally affirming couples counseling for issues like communication and jealousy in open relationships.
ProsTherapists are LGBTQIA+Personalized matching servicesClinicians have a range of specialtiesConsDoesn’t accept insuranceMay be too expensive for some
ProsTherapists are LGBTQIA+Personalized matching servicesClinicians have a range of specialties
Therapists are LGBTQIA+
Personalized matching services
Clinicians have a range of specialties
ConsDoesn’t accept insuranceMay be too expensive for some
May be too expensive for some
Gay Therapy Centeroffers individual and couples therapy for LGBTQIA+-identifying folks. All clinicians are from the LGBTQIA+ community and can treat a wide spectrum of issues along with culturally specific ones, such as experiencing internalized shame around sexual orientation. However, when we tested the Gay Therapy Center from California, we found that most of the therapists in this company identify as white, cisgender, gay men, and most of its additional resources are geared towards this community as well, so it may not be the best choice for every LGBTQIA+ person. Still, Gay Therapy Center is absolutely a solid resource forcis gay menseeking mental health support.The company’s individual services focus on “LGBTQ+ Anxiety and Depression,” “LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy for Low Self-Esteem,” and “LGBTQ+ Gay Sex Therapy;” its couples therapy services include “LGBTQ+ Couples Counseling,” “LGBTQ+ Therapy for Cheating, Infidelity, Affairs, and Betrayal,” and “LGBTQ+ Open Relationship Counseling.” It also offers in-person sessions in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.However, as a non-binary person with a trans partner, we did not feel as though the Gay Therapy Center was able to meet our needs. We requested a therapist who had experience with trans issues, but in the curated list of providers we received (including the person with whom we eventually had sessions), no one even mentioned the word “trans,” and our therapist actually repeatedly used incorrect pronouns to refer to our trans partner. In addition, the company never provided its therapists’ surnames, so we could not do any outside research on its clinicians. This made us uneasy.
Gay Therapy Centeroffers individual and couples therapy for LGBTQIA+-identifying folks. All clinicians are from the LGBTQIA+ community and can treat a wide spectrum of issues along with culturally specific ones, such as experiencing internalized shame around sexual orientation. However, when we tested the Gay Therapy Center from California, we found that most of the therapists in this company identify as white, cisgender, gay men, and most of its additional resources are geared towards this community as well, so it may not be the best choice for every LGBTQIA+ person. Still, Gay Therapy Center is absolutely a solid resource forcis gay menseeking mental health support.
The company’s individual services focus on “LGBTQ+ Anxiety and Depression,” “LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy for Low Self-Esteem,” and “LGBTQ+ Gay Sex Therapy;” its couples therapy services include “LGBTQ+ Couples Counseling,” “LGBTQ+ Therapy for Cheating, Infidelity, Affairs, and Betrayal,” and “LGBTQ+ Open Relationship Counseling.” It also offers in-person sessions in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
However, as a non-binary person with a trans partner, we did not feel as though the Gay Therapy Center was able to meet our needs. We requested a therapist who had experience with trans issues, but in the curated list of providers we received (including the person with whom we eventually had sessions), no one even mentioned the word “trans,” and our therapist actually repeatedly used incorrect pronouns to refer to our trans partner. In addition, the company never provided its therapists’ surnames, so we could not do any outside research on its clinicians. This made us uneasy.
Insurance Accepted:Gay Therapy Center isn’t in-network with any insurance, but residents of California, New York, and Washington, D.C., may get out-of-network coverage if they provide a bill for reimbursement.Subscription Required:NoOut-of-Pocket Costs:50-minute sessions start at $185 and reach up to $250 depending on the provider
We surveyed 100 users of Gay Therapy Center:87% rated Gay Therapy Center as very good or excellent overall89% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent92% said that most or all of their needs were met at Gay Therapy Center99% are likely or very likely to recommend Gay Therapy Center to a friend or someone like them86% rated Gay Therapy Center as very good or excellent for diversity of therapists
We surveyed 100 users of Gay Therapy Center:
Best for Trans-Affirming:TherapyDen
Price:Free to use, session fees vary based on the providerIs Insurance Accepted?:YesType Of Therapy:Children’s Therapy, Couples Therapy, Group Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication ManagementLearn More
TherapyDen is an online therapy directory welcoming to transgender therapy seekers that connects them to informed and affirming practitioners across the country.
ProsHas trans therapistsHas practitioners nationwideProvides a wide range of servicesConsSome areas have fewer or no trans therapistsIt’s unclear if some credentials are verified
ProsHas trans therapistsHas practitioners nationwideProvides a wide range of services
Has trans therapists
Has practitioners nationwide
Provides a wide range of services
ConsSome areas have fewer or no trans therapistsIt’s unclear if some credentials are verified
Some areas have fewer or no trans therapists
It’s unclear if some credentials are verified
TherapyDenis an online therapy directory dedicated to inclusivity and diversity in the mental health care system, providing affirming care for therapy seekers of any gender, ethnicity, and financial situation. Most notably, TherapyDen’s homepage has a carousel of listings for trans therapists, which immediately indicates it’s a safe space for the community. Trans clinicians across the country are easy to find via search filters, though some areas have fewer trans clinicians than others (and some have none at all).
One thing to note is that not all practitioner’s credentials appear to have been verified. Many therapists don’t have a green “verified” button near their profile picture that states the directory has ensured their licensing information is correct and up to date. Keep this in mind when searching for practitioners, and consider verifying independently.
We surveyed 100 users of TherapyDen:87% rated TherapyDen as very good or excellent overall87% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent93% said that most or all of their needs were met at TherapyDen96% are likely or very likely to recommend TherapyDen to a friend or someone like them72% rated TherapyDen as very good or excellent for diversity of therapists
We surveyed 100 users of TherapyDen:
TherapyDen Review
Best for Affordability:Open Path Collective
Price:$30 to $80 per session, one-time membership fee of $65Is Insurance Accepted?:NoType Of Therapy:Children’s Therapy, Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Individual Therapy, Teen CounselingLearn More
Open Path Collective offers affordable sessions that make inclusive, culturally informed therapy accessible to more people, especially those who are uninsured or underinsured.
ProsAll therapists have a similar rateCulturally inclusive search criteriaOffers additional resourcesConsMany are student practitionersDoesn’t accept insurance
ProsAll therapists have a similar rateCulturally inclusive search criteriaOffers additional resources
All therapists have a similar rate
Culturally inclusive search criteria
Offers additional resources
ConsMany are student practitionersDoesn’t accept insurance
Many are student practitioners
In addition to the low cost of therapy, Open Path made it easy to find a provider—not always the case on a therapy directory, which functions more like a phone book of therapists than an online therapy company that matches you with someone. There were tons of filters to use when searching, from cost to specialties to identities like race or LGBTQIA+. We quickly found a therapist whom we could not only afford but with whom we immediately clicked—meaning we didn’t have to sacrifice quality for price.
We surveyed 100 users of Open Path Collective:97% rated Open Path Collective as very good or excellent overall92% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent98% said that most or all of their needs were met at Open Path Collective99% are likely or very likely to recommend Open Path Collective to a friend or someone like them77% rated Open Path Collective as very good or excellent for diversity of therapists
We surveyed 100 users of Open Path Collective:
Open Path Collective Review
Best for Black Community:Therapy For Black Girls
Price:Free to useIs Insurance Accepted?:YesType Of Therapy:Children’s Therapy, Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Individual TherapyLearn More
The Therapy for Black Girls directory destigmatizes mental health and fosters connection between Black people, especially Black women.
ProsServes all 50 statesFree to use the directoryIncludes both psychiatrists and therapistsConsSister Circle online community has a feeMinimal search functions
ProsServes all 50 statesFree to use the directoryIncludes both psychiatrists and therapists
Serves all 50 states
Free to use the directory
Includes both psychiatrists and therapists
ConsSister Circle online community has a feeMinimal search functions
Sister Circle online community has a fee
Minimal search functions
Therapy for Black Girlsis an online therapy directory that focuses specifically on connecting Black girls and women to Black woman-identifying therapists and psychiatrists (although anyone can use the directory to find a provider). This serves an important purpose as therapy stigma, accessibility, and a lack of cultural sensitivity among providers hold back many Black people from seeking out therapy or receiving affirming, effective therapy. Since Therapy for Black Girls exclusively offers therapists who are Black women, therapy seekers can count on the fact that they’ll have a practitioner who relates—at least in some way—to their experience as a Black person in America.When we tried Therapy for Black Girls, we had a tall order—we were looking for a female Black therapist who had children, was a Christian, and was a caretaker to her parents. Incredibly, not only did we connect with a provider who ticked almost all of our boxes, but the process of actually finding her was surprisingly simple. The specialty search filters were extensive, meaning we could narrow down our choices quickly (although there were no filters for spirituality, which would have helped us) and contact them through the directory. The therapist we ended up choosing got back to us in a matter of hours and gave us a free consultation, which left us assured that she would be a good match for us.Our sessions were productive and tailored to our needs—we especially appreciated the way she incorporated our faith into each appointment. We felt supported and understood in a way that directly related to the fact that our therapist was also a Black woman; we were able to reference experiences, both in and out of therapy, that she understood implicitly as someone with the same racial, cultural, and spiritual identities. This sets Therapy for Black Girls and its providers apart from most other online therapy companies and directories.
Therapy for Black Girlsis an online therapy directory that focuses specifically on connecting Black girls and women to Black woman-identifying therapists and psychiatrists (although anyone can use the directory to find a provider). This serves an important purpose as therapy stigma, accessibility, and a lack of cultural sensitivity among providers hold back many Black people from seeking out therapy or receiving affirming, effective therapy. Since Therapy for Black Girls exclusively offers therapists who are Black women, therapy seekers can count on the fact that they’ll have a practitioner who relates—at least in some way—to their experience as a Black person in America.
When we tried Therapy for Black Girls, we had a tall order—we were looking for a female Black therapist who had children, was a Christian, and was a caretaker to her parents. Incredibly, not only did we connect with a provider who ticked almost all of our boxes, but the process of actually finding her was surprisingly simple. The specialty search filters were extensive, meaning we could narrow down our choices quickly (although there were no filters for spirituality, which would have helped us) and contact them through the directory. The therapist we ended up choosing got back to us in a matter of hours and gave us a free consultation, which left us assured that she would be a good match for us.
Our sessions were productive and tailored to our needs—we especially appreciated the way she incorporated our faith into each appointment. We felt supported and understood in a way that directly related to the fact that our therapist was also a Black woman; we were able to reference experiences, both in and out of therapy, that she understood implicitly as someone with the same racial, cultural, and spiritual identities. This sets Therapy for Black Girls and its providers apart from most other online therapy companies and directories.
We surveyed 100 users of Therapy for Black Girls:94% rated Therapy for Black Girls as very good or excellent overall91% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent94% said that most or all of their needs were met at Therapy for Black Girls98% are likely or very likely to recommend Therapy for Black Girls to a friend or someone like them85% rated Therapy for Black Girls as very good or excellent for diversity of therapists
We surveyed 100 users of Therapy for Black Girls:
Therapy for Black Girls Review
Best for Addiction Recovery:Mindful Care
Price:$50-$175 for substance use; Individual therapy: $50 for 20-minute sessions, $100 for 40-minute sessions; $35 per group session; $75-$175 for psychiatry sessionIs Insurance Accepted?:YesType Of Therapy:Group Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen CounselingLearn More
Mindful Care is one of few online services specializing in addiction recovery, and it also performs well in terms of diversity.
ProsTreats opioid, cannabis, and alcohol addictionAbove average ratings for diversityAffordable alternative to rehabLimited to six statesDoesn’t treat all addictions
ProsTreats opioid, cannabis, and alcohol addictionAbove average ratings for diversityAffordable alternative to rehab
Treats opioid, cannabis, and alcohol addiction
Above average ratings for diversity
Affordable alternative to rehab
Limited to six statesDoesn’t treat all addictions
Limited to six states
Doesn’t treat all addictions
Mindful Careis an online therapy company that provides individual and group therapy, plus addiction recovery through its medication-assisted program Mindful Recovery. As a harm reduction program, Mindful Recovery doesn’t require abstinence.It focuses on supporting those considering or in the process of reducing or quitting substances including alcohol, cannabis, and opioids. Substance-use coaches at Mindful Care have advanced alcoholism and substance-use coaching certifications, plus master’s degrees in mental health disciplines. In addition, there seems to be diversity amongst Mindful Care’s providers, with featured clinicians representing many facets of the BIPOC community.
Unfortunately, Mindful Care doesn’t treat all addictions, and its services are limited to a handful of states: Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and Michigan.
We surveyed 100 users of Mindful Care:83% rated Mindful Care as very good or excellent overall86% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent90% said that most or all of their needs were met at Mindful Care96% are likely or very likely to recommend Mindful Care to a friend or someone like them72% rated Mindful Care as very good or excellent for diversity of therapists
We surveyed 100 users of Mindful Care:
Mindful Care Review
Best for Asian Community:Octave
Price:$170 - $275Is Insurance Accepted?:YesType Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Individual TherapyLearn More
Octave has therapists from a range of Asian backgrounds who specialize in cultural issues and racial trauma.
ProsTherapists from a variety of Asian backgroundsWide range of languages spokenSpecializes in racial and cultural issuesConsFinal fee information only available after a matchLimited to 16 states and Washington, D.C.
ProsTherapists from a variety of Asian backgroundsWide range of languages spokenSpecializes in racial and cultural issues
Therapists from a variety of Asian backgrounds
Wide range of languages spoken
Specializes in racial and cultural issues
ConsFinal fee information only available after a matchLimited to 16 states and Washington, D.C.
Final fee information only available after a match
Limited to 16 states and Washington, D.C.
One of the things that most impressed us was Octave’s sign-up process. Not only was it thorough, but if the company determined that it didn’t receive enough information from us initially, it would have offered us a free consultation phone call to make sure we were assigned the best therapist for our needs (and to determine that we were not in crisis, which would have disqualified us from using Octave—a distinction most online therapy companies do not bother to make). We could request a therapist who shared our ethnic or racial identity, and we could choose “racial stress” as something we’d like to focus on in our therapy.
Unfortunately, Octave only serves Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Washington, D.C.
We surveyed 100 users of Octave:92% rated Octave as very good or excellent overall92% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent100% said that most or all of their needs were met at Octave100% are likely or very likely to recommend Octave to a friend or someone like them70% rated Octave as very good or excellent for diversity of therapists
We surveyed 100 users of Octave:
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Guide to Choosing the Best Inclusive Online Therapy
When vetting therapists, you’ll need to consider the criteria you’d use for any therapist, plus culturally specific ones. These criteria could be:
Some barriers to mental health care for marginalized communities include:
Online therapy with culturally informed and affirming clinicians can break down these barriers and make mental health care more affordable and accessible. A culturally informed therapist can share your background or not. Regardless, they must besensitive and awareof how your identity factors into the origins of your mental health issues, which treatment approaches would work best for you, and what behaviors are truly an indication of something wrong rather than simply being cultural or identity-based differences between yourself and your provider. For example, trans people of color facehigher rates of depressionthan others and may need therapy that speaks directly to issues like shame and dysphoria around gender and self-image. They also need therapists who affirm their identity instead of pathologizing it.
If you’ve ever felt like therapistsdon’t understand you, seem judgmental of you, or simply aren’t able to relate to you and truly meet your needs, consider finding a more culturally informed therapist.
What If I Am Considering Self-Harm?
If you’re at risk for self-harm or suicide, don’t delay reaching out to a crisis line:
Be aware that the police might be the first responders if you call 988; this might be especially concerning for BIPOC folks.
An inclusive, culturally informed online therapist is affirming of and sensitive to your race, nationality, immigration status, religion, gender identity, relationship modes, and sexual orientation. Often, a culturally informed therapist comes from your background and has experienced many of the same issues you have. Culturally informed therapists strive to make patients from all backgrounds feel welcome and safe in therapy.
Much like any therapist, inclusive or culturally informed online therapists may or may not take insurance. And, just because a therapist takes insurance doesn’t mean you will be covered. Check with your plan to ensure a specific therapy service is covered and whether in-network providers are available.
The cost of sessions with inclusive, culturally informed therapists falls on a wide spectrum. However, many offer sliding-scale or low-cost services to help accommodate low-income and middle-income individuals. As with any therapist, price varies according to location and insurance coverage. Fees will also depend on the experience of the therapist—student therapists or those working under supervision will be less expensive.
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Article SourcesVerywell 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.Owen J, Tao KW, Imel ZE, Wampold BE, Rodolfa E.Addressing racial and ethnic microaggressions in therapy.Prof Psychol Res Pract. 2014;45(4):283-290. doi:10.1037/a0037420Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Harm reduction.
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.Owen J, Tao KW, Imel ZE, Wampold BE, Rodolfa E.Addressing racial and ethnic microaggressions in therapy.Prof Psychol Res Pract. 2014;45(4):283-290. doi:10.1037/a0037420Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Harm reduction.
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.
Owen J, Tao KW, Imel ZE, Wampold BE, Rodolfa E.Addressing racial and ethnic microaggressions in therapy.Prof Psychol Res Pract. 2014;45(4):283-290. doi:10.1037/a0037420Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Harm reduction.
Owen J, Tao KW, Imel ZE, Wampold BE, Rodolfa E.Addressing racial and ethnic microaggressions in therapy.Prof Psychol Res Pract. 2014;45(4):283-290. doi:10.1037/a0037420
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Harm reduction.
Hannah Owens, LMSW
Amanda Tust
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