This therapist directory is offered in partnership with BetterHelp. If you sign up for therapy after clicking through from this site, HelpGuide will earn a commission. This helps us continue our nonprofit mission and continue to be there as a free mental health resource for everyone.
Need to talk to someone now? Find a crisis helpline
If you're a BetterHelp therapist with questions about your directory listing, please contact therapists@betterhelp.com
Looking for the best online therapy services? HelpGuide’s staff surveyed real users and personally tested and reviewed the top platforms to rate them on therapist quality, affordability, privacy and security, user experience, and effectiveness.
Looking for the best online therapy services? HelpGuide’s staff surveyed real users and personally tested and reviewed the top platforms to rate them on therapist quality, affordability, privacy and security, user experience, and effectiveness.
We independently test and review all of the services we recommend. When you sign up through our links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our nonprofit mission.
Online therapy makes it easy to seek mental health care from the comfort of your own home. But with more and more companies providing therapy online, it can be difficult to know which ones to trust. To help you find the service that’s right for you, HelpGuide’s editorial team researched 87 online therapy platforms, surveyed over 1,300 online therapy users, and then narrowed down our results to 13 platforms, which we personally tested. Here’s what we recommend.
For over 25 years, HelpGuide has been a trusted nonprofit helping millions of people each year improve their mental health and wellness. Our mission has always been to empower people with well-researched, accurate information that they can use to strengthen their mental health and well-being—and we bring those same values and principles to our online therapy reviews.
HelpGuide’s editors, writers, and support staff spent 300+ hours conducting user surveys, researching and analyzing 87 online therapy services, and then personally testing platforms for at least one month each.
Our analysis began by researching 87 reputable online therapy platforms (as well as numerous directories). Among other factors, our team analyzed pricing models, cancellation policies, platform certifications, and privacy and security measures to help identify which services offer the best value and safest user experience.
We also examined each platform to establish factors such as how widely available it was across the United States, the different types of therapy offered (teen therapy, couples counseling, substance use disorder therapy, for example), and the inclusivity of care offered (are there therapists catering to people with ADHD or autism, for example, or from the LGBTQ+ community?). We weighted each feature, totaled up the scores, and then hand-tested the highest rated.
Since HelpGuide staff members are based in just three different U.S. states, we wanted to broaden our net to gauge the opinions of users from all across the country. So, in addition to our hands-on testing, we also collected extensive surveys from over 1,300 real online therapy users to measure factors such as satisfaction, therapist responsiveness, value for money, and platform usability.
We asked users everything from the type of technical problems they encountered to how their experiences on specific platforms compared to in-person therapy, whether they’d recommend a service to others, and how much a platform had helped them make progress towards their personal goals. All this large-scale, detailed user feedback played an important part of our online therapy scoring methodology and helped us ensure that our recommendations are suitable for a broad and diverse group of users.
To validate our testing methodology, we consulted with licensed therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, including members of our Professional Advisory Council. These mental health professionals reviewed our evaluation criteria and helped us refine how we scored platforms for therapist quality, care structure, and ethical standards. Their input ensured our rankings reflect what truly matters in a therapeutic setting, like emotional safety, professional integrity, and clinical effectiveness.
To validate our testing methodology, we consulted with licensed therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, including members of our Professional Advisory Council. These mental health professionals reviewed our evaluation criteria and helped us refine how we scored platforms for therapist quality, care structure, and ethical standards. Their input ensured our rankings reflect what truly matters in a therapeutic setting, like emotional safety, professional integrity, and clinical effectiveness.
There’s no substitute for hands-on testing to really understand the benefits and drawbacks of an online therapy service. After narrowing down all the platforms we researched to 13 options that met our scoring qualifications, HelpGuide staff members used each platform for a minimum of four weeks as regular users, without disclosing who we worked for or what our aims were. We simply wanted to experience each platform as any other users would.
We went through the intake and matching process and booked and attended regular therapy sessions, assessing the platform functionality, crisis protocols, and therapist quality. We messaged our therapists between sessions, contacted customer support to gauge their helpfulness and response times, and took every step necessary to protect the privacy of our health information. If a platform offered extra features, such as worksheets, journals, or meditations, we tested them all.
Since finding the right therapist can often involve some shopping around, we also went through the process of switching providers, something that many people find is much easier online than in-person. Finally, we closed our accounts, noting any billing and refund issues.
During our testing, we each kept a weekly journal recording our experiences and completed detailed questionnaires so we could accurately compare and contrast the different platforms. At the end of testing, we matched notes and shared experiences to help inform our choices for the best online therapy platforms.
Therapist quality and matching accuracy
Pricing and value for money
Session types and communication options
Ease of use and platform navigation
Insurance coverage and payment options
Privacy and security
Customer service experience
| BetterHelp is most suitable for: | People looking for a broad selection of therapists without using insurance |
| Starting price: | $65-$100 per week (billed monthly) |
| Insurance accepted? | No |
| Financial aid: | Available (25% of users) |
| Therapy types: | Individual, couples, teens |
| Session formats: | Video, audio, text messaging |
| Time to first session with therapist: | 1-2 days |
| Psychiatry services: | No |
We surveyed 100 BetterHelp users across the United States and had two of our in-house staff test BetterHelp. In our survey results we found that the biggest strength was accessibility. Regardless of location, users were able to schedule timely sessions, including during evenings and weekends.
“I was more aware of my emotions, could cope better with things that were stressing me, and I became more confident.”
Survey respondent
“My therapist helped me get through serious anxiety. I wish I could’ve continued, but it became too expensive.”
Survey respondent
Overall satisfaction:
Value for cost:
Empathy rating:
Privacy and security rating:
Platform navigation rating:
“Prior to this, I was skeptical that I’d be a good fit for telehealth therapy. Now I feel much more comfortable with it.”
Sheldon Reid, Staff Writer
“I wish I wasn’t auto-matched with a therapist at the start. I would’ve preferred and expected at least two options. More options appeared when I decided to switch therapists.”
Sheldon Reid, Staff Writer
BetterHelp’s sign-up takes 10 to 20 minutes for most people (77 percent), but nearly 40 percent wanted more transparency on therapist qualifications and pricing upfront. Here’s what happens:
Complete a questionnaire about your mental health needs and preferences.
Get matched (typically within 1–2 days).
Choose communication format: video, phone, or messaging.
Start your first session, often within 3 days of sign-up.
Tested by: Sheldon Reid, Staff Writer
Tested by: Chris Saranchock, Director of Operations & Multimedia
BetterHelp is one of the largest online therapy platforms, with more than 30,000 licensed therapists in its network. It covers all 50 states in the U.S. and is also available in many countries internationally, including the UK, Canada, Australia, and India.
One of our team members tested BetterHelp in May 2025 for the purposes of this review. Another staff member tested it in 2023. On both occasions, our staff appreciated not only the wide selection and quality of therapists, but also the level of diversity, the thoroughness of the intake questionnaire, the extra features offered on the platform, and the ease of switching between providers.
The size of BetterHelp’s network meant that our testers were offered lots of choices when making their therapist matching preferences. As well as being able to select a provider by age and gender, they were able to choose from therapist specialties such as depression, anxiety, addictions, ADHD, anger management, sleeping disorders, grief and loss, and relationship or career issues. They were also able to choose a therapist who shared their racial, cultural, or religious background, with options such as Christian-based, non-religious, therapist of color, or LGBTQ+ therapist. Having recorded all of his preferences, our most recent tester was matched the following day and offered a good selection of dates and times for his first session.
Our testing revealed both benefits and drawbacks to initially being matched with a therapist on BetterHelp. If you’re experienced with online therapy and have a clear idea of the qualities you’re looking for in a therapist, it may be frustrating not to be able to choose a provider from a list of potential matches. However, for those new to therapy or unsure what they should be looking for, being matched can be a useful way to get started quickly and easily. If your first therapist isn’t a good match, switching is a very simple process. On making a change, our tester was presented with a list of 10 therapists to choose from.
Our May 2025 survey respondents were also able to find a good match quickly. 59 percent of the BetterHelp users we surveyed found the right therapist with their first match, 91 percent by the second.
Once matched, our staff members appreciated the quality of therapy they were provided on BetterHelp, although not every delivery method works well. BetterHelp offers online therapy via live video, phone, and messaging. Our most recent tester tried the latter to start, expecting it to be like texting a friend. However, he found the feature confusing and clunky, serving only to slow down the conversation and disrupt the session. The therapist seemed a little confused by it himself and acknowledged that few people use this feature. Phone and video proved far superior methods, with most users and therapists finding that live video offers the closest match to traditional, in-person therapy.
In addition to therapy sessions, BetterHelp membership includes a lot of extra features. These include:
Perhaps the biggest downside to BetterHelp is that it doesn’t currently accept insurance. In fact, in our survey, financial limitations and no insurance coverage were the most common reasons for users cancelling the service. However, they often offer discounts. Our tester was able to reduce the per-session cost from $90 to $72 for the first month of therapy using HelpGuide’s discount code. One in four of our survey respondents were also able to receive discounted pricing or financial aid from BetterHelp.
Since BetterHelp doesn’t yet work with insurance companies, they don’t need to share any of your health information with them, which may be an important consideration if you’re concerned about privacy issues. BetterHelp is certified by the Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST), meaning its security and privacy practices have been independently audited and verified against a widely recognized set of controls for protecting sensitive health information. That said, it’s still important to review BetterHelp’s privacy policy to understand how your information may be used and manage advertising tracking preferences.
Our total score
Based on expert testing and real user feedback
BetterHelp has widespread availability, high quality therapists, and lots of useful extra features to supplement your therapy experience. Being automatically matched with a therapist isn’t ideal for everyone. But those new to therapy, living in underserved areas where in-person care is difficult, or wanting to get started in therapy quickly may appreciate this platform the most. Our testing and survey responses revealed mixed opinions about pricing and a negative verdict on the text therapy feature.
Bottom line:
It’s a solid starting point for many, but not a perfect fit for all.
| Online-Therapy.com is most suitable for: | People looking for cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) without using insurance |
| Starting price: | $60-$120 per week (billed monthly) |
| Insurance accepted? | No |
| Financial aid: | Available (19% of users) |
| Therapy types: | Individual, couples |
| Session formats: | Video, audio, and text messaging |
| Time to first session with therapist: | 1-3 days |
| Psychiatry services: | No |
We surveyed 100 Online-Therapy.com users across the United States and had one of our in-house staff test Online-Therapy.com. In our survey, users described the platform as reliable, private, effective, flexible, and user-friendly. Both the users and our tester appreciated the quality of therapy and the tools included on the platform, such as worksheets.
“Online-Therapy.com helped me go from stuck to thriving.”
Survey respondent
“My confidence skyrocketed—I felt more in control of my emotions.”
Survey respondent
Overall satisfaction:
Value for cost:
Empathy rating:
Privacy and security rating:
Platform navigation rating:
“I enjoyed my experience with Online-Therapy.com. Worksheets, tools, and yoga were helpful.”
Chris Saranchock, Director of Operations & Multimedia
“I may go back to her as my therapist, and I would have gone back to my BetterHelp therapist at the time as well, so the quality of the therapy was excellent on both platforms.”
Chris Saranchock, Director of Operations & Multimedia
Online-Therapy.com’s sign-up takes under 20 minutes for most people (78 percent), but 34 percent wanted more information on therapist qualifications upfront. Here’s what happens:
Complete a questionnaire about your mental health needs and preferences.
Get matched (typically within 1–3 days).
Choose communication format: video, phone, or messaging.
Start your first session, within 3 days of sign-up for 65 percent of users.
Tested by: Chris Saranchock, Director of Operations & Multimedia
Available in all 50 states as well as the UK, Ireland, Australia, and Canada, Online-Therapy.com specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), one of the most widely used and tested forms of therapy. CBT focuses on the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behavior. By identifying and reframing negative thoughts, CBT can help you change how you’re feeling, stop unhelpful behaviors, and develop new, more productive ways of dealing with challenges. CBT can be effective in dealing with issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, eating disorders, grief and loss, and the stresses of daily life. All the therapists on this platform are experienced in CBT techniques.
Both our staff member who tested the platform and our May 2025 survey respondents appreciated the quality of Online-Therapy.com’s therapists, as well as the “therapy toolbox,” which offers extra support through worksheets, learning modules, and activity plans, among other features. As with 63 percent of our survey respondents, our tester’s therapy sessions were a mix of a structured goals and exercises and more casual, supportive conversation. He found his first therapist to be open and empathetic, and also felt she clearly explained how the CBT process works.
The first session lasted for the full 45 minutes allocated, and was completed without any technical glitches. By the end of the session, our tester felt the therapist was fully invested in working with him. She developed a plan with goals and targets, and even offered to meet his spouse in order to understand him better. As our staff member noted, being able to meet other people in the household for just part of a session is something that’s much more easily done with online rather than in-person therapy.
At the end of all of his therapy sessions, our tester was assigned “homework,” a key aspect of CBT. These assignments are extensions of the therapy sessions, designed to help you incorporate the strategies discussed into your daily life. The first therapist directed our user to some of the resources included on the platform, as well as some of her own via the platform’s messaging system. These in-app features included worksheets for tracking moods, problems, and behavior, journaling that you can choose to share with your therapist, an activity tracker to monitor your progress, video lessons, and guided yoga. An arm injury prevented our staff tester from trying the yoga lessons, but he found the other features to be helpful.
Our Online-Therapy.com staff tester has also used BetterHelp, and in a match up between the two, he felt that the supporting content was marginally superior on BetterHelp, thanks to their live classes and group therapy sessions. But when it came to the therapist matching process, he gave the edge to Online-Therapy.com. The two platforms are comparable in many respects. Like BetterHelp, Online-Therapy.com doesn’t accept insurance, although you may be able to get reimbursed by your insurance provider. Our staff tester selected a standard monthly subscription (one live session and unlimited texting each week) with a list price of $360—the same list price as BetterHelp. As with BetterHelp, he was able to use HelpGuide’s discount code to get a 20 percent discount off the first month of therapy. 19 percent of our survey respondents also managed to secure a discount or financial aid to reduce the cost.
The process to switch therapists is equally straightforward on this platform. After completing three sessions with his first therapist, our tester would have been happy continuing with her (84 percent of our survey respondents were also happy with their first Online-Therapy.com therapist). For the purposes of testing, though, he switched, a process that required just a few clicks. This time, he was offered a list of therapists to choose from.
Cancelling the account was also a simple process. The platform allows you to choose when they should scrub your information—in case you plan to continue therapy at a future date. However, the platform is not certified by any third-party organization that evaluates data security, such as HITRUST.
Overall, our member of staff enjoyed his experience using Online-Therapy.com and, like the majority of our survey respondents (84 percent), he’d be very likely to recommend the platform to friends or family.
Our total score
Based on expert testing and real user feedback
Online-Therapy.com has high quality therapists specializing in CBT, excellent navigation and user experience ratings, and some useful extra features. However, it lacks the live group sessions offered by BetterHelp. 58 percent of the users we surveyed found the right therapist for them with their first match, as did our tester. Financial limitations were cited as the most common reason for stopping therapy on Online-Therapy.com, so not accepting insurance may count against the platform for some users.
Bottom line:
Similar pricing structure and approval ratings as BetterHelp, tailored to those looking for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) without using insurance.
| Brightside Health is most suitable for: | People wanting to use insurance for depression or anxiety treatment |
| Starting price: | $75 per week (billed monthly at $299) |
| Insurance accepted? | Yes |
| Financial aid: | Available (24 percent received) |
| Therapy types: | Individual, teen |
| Session formats: | Video with unlimited messaging between sessions |
| Time to first session with therapist: | 1-2 days |
| Psychiatry services: | Yes |
We surveyed 100 Brightside users across the United States and had one of our in-house staff test the platform. In our survey results we found that the biggest strength was value for money, therapy experience, and security ratings. The length of the questionnaire was the primary source of frustration for both our tester and surveyed users, but 81 percent still completed the sign-up in under 20 minutes.
“Brightside helped me reframe my thoughts and take better care of myself.”
Survey respondent
“Brightside changed my perspective on therapy. I felt heard.”
Survey respondent
Overall satisfaction:
Value for cost:
Empathy rating:
Privacy and security rating:
Platform navigation rating:
“Very good experience, the platform was easy to navigate and the therapists were knowledgeable and goal driven.”
Joseph Collerain, Production Coordinator
“Besides some camera glitches with my second therapist, I noticed no problems with the site.”
Joseph Collerain, Production Coordinator
Brightside’s sign-up takes under 20 minutes for most people (81 percent), but nearly 43 percent complained about the length and lack of clarity of questions in the questionnaires, and the lack of pricing transparency. Here’s what happens:
Complete questionnaires about your mental health needs and preferences.
See list of appointment times for matching providers.
Choose an appointment then view provider bio.
Start your first session, often within 1-3 days of sign-up (68 percent).
Tested by: Joseph Collerain, Production Coordinator
Brightside Health specializes in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders (including panic attacks and social anxiety), along with related conditions, such as bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and insomnia. The platform is available in all 50 states and Washington D.C., but is not currently available in any countries outside the U.S.
Brightside accepts insurance from major carriers, although—unlike Talkspace—you’ll need to create an account before you can see if you’re covered and what your copay will be. If you elect to pay out of pocket, Brightside charges a monthly subscription fee of $299 that includes weekly, 45-minute video therapy sessions and unlimited messaging with your therapist.
Our staff member who tested the platform found that the assessment during the sign-up process was thorough to say the least. Questions covered identity, relationships, home life, health history, employment status, along with a mental health evaluation. Our tester noted that he answered a total of 93 questions. While such an in-depth evaluation can help in matching you with a provider with the right expertise, if you’re already feeling restless and anxious, or depression has drained your energy and focus, this could feel overwhelming. About a quarter of our May 2025 survey respondents felt that onboarding could be improved by reducing the number of questions or providing the option to skip or revisit certain questions. That said, our staff member and 81 percent of our survey respondents completed the sign-up process in less than 20 minutes.
What our staff tester found far more frustrating was the process of selecting a therapist. He was offered a list of available appointments rather than available therapists. By clicking on an appointment time, he could then see the therapist’s name and their type of license. But he was unable to read anything more about them until he booked the appointment. Instead, he was forced to copy the therapist’s name and run a search on Google to find their bio and decide if they’d be a suitable match. We appreciate that many people want to find help as quickly as possible, but the most important factor in successful therapy is finding a therapist who’s a good fit for you.
Once matched, though, our staff member described his therapy sessions as a “great experience.” Both therapists he tried were caring and kind, went out of their way to hold the same time slot for him each week, and really seemed to care about the issues he talked about. He did experience some technical hiccups with the second therapist when her video froze very briefly multiple times throughout the session. Fortunately, this didn’t interfere with his session, as the audio wasn’t interrupted so he was still able to follow the conversation. The therapist noted that this has happened a few times but is an issue with her equipment rather than with the platform.
Both his therapists on Brightside assigned our tester homework assignments, ranging from completing a daily journal to watching Brightside’s informational videos. He found the journaling exercises more helpful than the video content. Both therapists were extremely responsive to messages sent between sessions, replying to his queries within a few hours.
When it comes to privacy, Brightside is certified for information security by HITRUST. The platform also allows you to request restrictions on the use and disclosure of your personal information, although this isn’t an easy process. Directions are buried in the notice of privacy practices and simply tell you to contact Brightside’s Member Support team, making you hunt for how to do that. That said, once they got through the process, our staff tester and survey respondents felt confident that Brightside would protect their personal information.
In one of our surveys, we asked Brightside users why they chose the platform for online therapy. The most common response was that Brightside was recommended to them by friends, family members, colleagues, or medical professionals. Having used the platform, 82 percent of respondents were likely or very likely to recommend Brightside to people they cared about. We think a lot of this high satisfaction can be attributed to the platform’s ease of use and the quality of the therapists. Our staff member summed it up by saying: “The platform was easy to navigate and the therapists were knowledgeable and goal driven.”
Our total score
Based on expert testing and real user feedback
Brightside is focused on treatment for anxiety, depression, and related conditions. The platform accepts insurance and the blend of structured and conversational therapeutic approaches is considered effective by the majority of users. The sign-up and therapist selection process, though, can be frustrating with no provider bios accessible to review.
Bottom line:
It’s a focused solution if you’re suffering from anxiety or depression, especially if you have insurance.
| Talkspace is most suitable for: | People looking for fast insurance approval and therapist matching |
| Starting price: | $69 – $109 per week (billed monthly) without insurance; average copay with insurance $15-30 |
| Insurance accepted? | Yes |
| Financial aid: | No |
| Therapy types: | Individual, teen, couples |
| Session formats: | Video, audio, and text messaging |
| Time to first session with therapist: | 1-3 days |
| Psychiatry services: | Yes |
We surveyed 100 Talkspace users across the United States and had one of our in-house staff test Talkspace. In our survey results we found that the biggest strengths were insurance coverage and satisfaction with the quality of therapy. Users described the platform as professional, convenient, effective, and life-improving.
“Talkspace made me a better person. I applied what I learned and saw real improvement.”
Survey respondent
“I loved it, but I stopped when I couldn’t afford it anymore.”
Survey respondent
Overall satisfaction:
Value for cost:
Empathy rating:
Privacy and security rating:
Platform navigation rating:
“I could verify if therapy would be covered by insurance before having to create an account, which I really appreciated. And instantly told me what my copay would be ($15).”
Lawrence Robinson, Managing Editor
“Therapist seemed very understanding and empathetic, with a good sense of humor. Provided some interesting insights I hadn’t considered before.”
Lawrence Robinson, Managing Editor
Talkspace’s sign-up takes 10 to 20 minutes for most people (80 percent), but 33 percent were frustrated by the length of the questionnaires. Here’s what happens:
Complete questionnaires about your mental health needs and preferences.
Get matched (usually within 1–2 days).
Choose communication format: video, phone, or messaging
Start your first session, 65 percent within 3 days of sign-up.
Tested by: Lawrence Robinson, Managing Editor
While many people start to feel better after just a few online therapy sessions, achieving long-term, positive changes can often require 12 to 20 sessions or more, depending on the nature and severity of your symptoms. If you’re paying out of pocket, the cost of therapy can start to mount up, but using insurance to pay for your online therapy can help to make those costs more manageable.
Talkspace is an online therapy platform that accepts insurance from major providers such as Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Optum, Regence, TRICARE, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Depending on your plan, you could pay as little as a $15 copay per online therapy session (25 percent of our survey respondents had a copay of $0). Talkspace allows you to check your insurance coverage without having to first create an account. The process takes just moments and, if covered, the site clearly displays what your copay per session will be. You can then decide whether to begin the sign-up process.
The majority of our May 2025 survey respondents were either still using Talkspace or had used the platform for at least four months. 87 percent said they were likely to recommend the platform to a friend, and only two percent reported any dissatisfaction with their therapist. These results reflect well on the quality of care offered, something that was confirmed by our hands-on testing. Our staff member felt that the first therapist he was matched with was an excellent fit and would have been comfortable continuing care with her after the testing period was over.
His first session lasted for longer than the allotted hour and the therapist went beyond the usual intake questions and setting of goals for treatment. She delved deeply into our tester’s background and provided some interesting insights and helpful CBT techniques. These were all delivered with an empathetic, nonjudgmental attitude, and a welcome sprinkling of humor. The following sessions continued in a similar vein, proving helpful and productive.
While 80 percent of our survey respondents completed the sign-up process in less than 20 minutes, one of the chief frustrations reported about Talkspace was the length of the intake questionnaire. Our staff tester felt differently, describing the questionnaire as merely “sufficient.” Anything shorter would likely result in less accurate therapist matching.
If you aren’t happy with your therapist match, or want to switch therapists for any other reason, we found the process to be quick and simple. You can keep the same preferences as before, or revise any—opting for a different gender of therapist, for example, or one with experience treating a different condition. The platform then gives you a list of therapists to choose from.
On the Talkspace app, users can access mental health exercises and tools, as well as free live workshops conducted by licensed therapists. These workshops take place over Zoom and cover relationships, parenting, and individual issues such as depression, anxiety, and work stress. Our tester found the exercises, assessment, and tracking tools to be basic, but felt they may provide some benefit to first-time therapy users. He was surprised that neither of his providers made use of any of the tools, nor suggested any of the workshops. If you conduct your therapy sessions via the Talkspace website rather than the app, you’re likely to overlook a lot of these extra features.
TalkSpace allows you to request restrictions on the use and disclosure of your personal information, although, like Brightside, it isn’t an easy process. Still, while it took some form-filling to achieve, our staff tester was able to limit disclosure of his personal health information (some information still went to his insurance company for billing purposes). At the end of testing, he was also able to ensure that Talkspace deleted all data and personal information from their records. When you’re feeling overwhelmed by a mental health problem, the steps needed to protect your information may feel challenging—and we question why Talkspace can’t make the process easier. But ultimately, our tester felt that his personal information was probably better protected on Talkspace than some other platforms he tested.
Our total score
Based on expert testing and real user feedback
Talkspace has a wide selection of therapists, accepts insurance plans from major providers, and offers a useful app with extra features and workshops to support therapy. Financial aid is not available and the most common reasons for cancelling Talkspace were financial, such as insurance running out.
Bottom line:
It’s a good choice if you have insurance, and take the steps to ensure your privacy is protected.
| Platform | BetterHelp | Online-Therapy .com | Brightside | Talkspace |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Known for | Large therapist selection | Specializing in CBT | Focus on anxiety and depression | Fast and easy insurance check |
| Price | $65+ | $60+ | $75+ | $69+ |
| Insurance acceptance | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Session types | Video, Phone, Chat | Video, Phone, Chat | Video, Messaging | Video, Phone, Messaging |
| Satisfaction score |
