Therapy is an excellent way to maintain and support your mental health. However, it is a rather expensive endeavour; first, you must find a suitable therapist, then create time for your sessions, and you still have to fund it. So when people think of these many steps and commitments to get the care they need, they are often discouraged and give up on their quest for a better life.
You can change this narrative by exploring our list of affordable online therapy services in this guide; they offer you an opportunity to get help at a very affordable rate from the comfort of your home or wherever you are. So here are the best affordable online therapy services.
See also: Top 10 Proven Stress-Relief Tips
Affordable Online Therapy Service
Talkspace
Talkspace is undoubtedly one of the best and most affordable online therapy services you can think of; with more than 3000 counsellors, they have the expertise needed to handle different conditions and needs of their clients, from depression to addiction to anxiety and so on, Talkspace can give you the help you need.
The price starts from $65, depending on your condition and the subscription plan you opt for; they offer video, text, live sessions, and messaging, so you can choose what you are comfortable with. To ensure affordability, Talkspace also works with insurance providers to allow people with health insurance to benefit from their services.
Pros
- Talkspace chatrooms are available 24/7.
- Accepts a wide variety of insurance providers.
- Easy-to-use platform.
- You can choose to connect with your online therapist in real time.
- It is easy to switch therapists if you want to.
Cons
- Therapists are available only 5 days a week.
- Pricey initial appointments
- Their psychiatrists cannot prescribe controlled medications.
BetterHelp
This affordable and efficient online therapy platform provides 24/7 mental health support with highly trained professionals. They have an app that is easily accessible, and you can have therapy appointments via phone calls, texts, live chats, and video calls. The cost of therapy on this platform ranges from $60 to $90 per week, depending on the plan you choose; however, BetterHelp doesn’t accept insurance coverage.
You can apply for financial aid that will help you adjust your pricing based on economic situation and your income, but you will be required to answer some questions to check your eligibility.
Pros
- There are multiple options to choose from: text, live chat, phone call, or video appointments.
- Financial aid is available.
- Exemplary customer service.
- Extensive network of therapists.
Cons
- Does not accept insurance.
LiveHealth Online
LiveHealth Online provides a platform for people to easily access licensed therapists and psychologists at a very affordable rate. You can get support and treatment for mental health conditions such as trauma, anxiety, stress, depression, relationship issues and many more. With LiveHealth Online, you can choose the therapist that best suits your needs and schedule your sessions; each session is about 45 minutes long.
The platform also offers psychiatric care and individual medication management. Each session costs $80, but a session with a psychologist costs $95. LiveHealth accepts insurance coverage from a wide variety of insurance providers.
Pros
- You can see a therapist a few days after signing up.
- The therapists are also available on weekends and nights.
- Offers treatment for children who are 10 years and older.
Cons
- No additional services other than video chats with a therapist are offered.
- No text messaging.
Open Path
This non-profit organisation is specifically designed to support people without health insurance or whose health insurance does not cover the cost of mental health treatment. Open Path is the best place for people of all races, sexual orientations, religions, and gender identities and people who are uninsured or underinsured; the platform is open to everyone.
They also have some of the best licensed mental health professionals for users to select from. To enjoy their services, you will need a one-time membership fee of $65, then $40 to $70 per session. Open Path does not work with insurance.
Pros
- Each session is 60 minutes.
- Affordable and flexible pricing.
- Sessions with student interns are available for $30.
Cons
- Users must pay a one-time membership fee on top of their session fees.
Calmerry
Calmerry is very affordable yet still offers some of the best therapy services you could ever request; they have many amazing and licenced professionals readily available to support your mental health needs. Calmerry has two subscription plans for as low as $50 per week; the text plan costs $50 for the first week and $57 upon renewal, and the live video costs $67 for the first week and $80 upon renewal. The discount is only available for the first week in both plans.
After signing up, you will be matched with a suitable therapist, and rest assured, your information will be protected by HIPAA. The therapists on Calmerry can deal with depression, anger management, anxiety, grief, stress, relationship, marriage and pregnancy concerns, neurodiversity-affirming care, etc.
Pros
- The therapists are available for many different needs.
- You can send unlimited text and audio messages to your therapist.
- Their self-care chatbot can help you understand your emotions and prioritise your needs.
- You can track your progress using the online therapy journal.
Cons
- Insurance is not accepted.
- Does not support video messages.
- Limited availability on weekends.
- Offers only two subscription models.
Brightside
Brightside offers budget-friendly psychiatric treatment plus therapy services, with up to 70% of satisfied users from different locations. The subscription plan has many valuable features, such as a symptom checker, unlimited messaging and self-guided lessons.
You can get your diagnosis and learn more about your condition on Brightside, and everything will be done at your own pace. They also offer medication management services, and to make it more affordable, they accept insurance payments for those with health insurance.
Pros
- Accepts health insurance.
- Medication management is available.
- The therapy plan includes monthly video sessions and unlimited messaging with your therapist.
Cons
- No phone or live chat sessions.
- The option to switch therapists isn’t guaranteed.
- No Android app.
Online-Therapy.com
This platform is designed based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a form of talking therapy that can help you change how you think and behave. This pattern of therapy can treat depression, anxiety attacks, grief, anger and so on.
Online-Therapy.com gives you access to mental health professionals via teletherapy sessions and also provides resources like online journals, worksheets, and messaging with your preferred therapist. The subscription plan ranges from $39.95 to $79.95 per week, but as a new subscriber, you will get a 20% discount on your first month.
Pros
- Offers supplemental resources
- Great for CBT
- Offers new clients 20% off their first month
Cons
- You may have to pay out of pocket.
Crisis Text Line
This is not a specialised therapy platform; instead, it is a free service for people experiencing mental health crises. If you ever feel like you urgently need someone to talk to about issues that are causing you stress, depression, anxiety or discomfort, Crisis Text Line is readily available to help.
This platform is very beneficial for people who have suicidal thoughts or are attempting self-harm. Crisis Text Line has many volunteers who can offer urgent medical advice and mental health support. They will make you feel calmer and comforted in no time, and you can easily access them via texting or chatting online.
Pros
- You have the option to chat online or text.
- It is entirely free.
- Provide swift response to mental health crises.
Cons
- It is only designed to be used in emergencies.
See also: What Are The Causes Of Anxiety
Modern technology has indeed made life a lot better; many things are now more accessible, including healthcare. So, if you ever need mental health support, therapy, or treatment, distance or cost should stop you from getting the best care available.
Thanks to these online therapy platforms, you can now receive therapy without meeting anyone in person, and some of them even offer medication management, so they have virtually everything you need to care for your mental health, all from the comfort of your home. Hopefully, from now on, you can enjoy the best mental healthcare at affordable prices.
