Online Therapy Overview
In today’s increasingly virtual world, many people are turning to online therapy over in-person therapy for their mental health care regimen. With online therapy, users can communicate with their therapist via email, live chat, messaging, phone calls or video conferencing (often a combination of all of the above), and it’s transforming the way we think about traditional counseling and psychology.
One reason online therapy has become so popular is that it's extremely flexible – rather than being dependent on standard office hours, clients can schedule sessions for a time that suits their schedule. It's convenient, can take place within the comfort of the client’s home and significantly reduces the costs associated with seeing a therapist, making therapy accessible to many people who might otherwise be hesitant to seek help.
In-Person vs. Online Therapy Costs
In-Person Therapy:
The running expenses associated with online therapy practices are less than those of a brick and mortar office. The overhead of a physical building includes utilities, office staffing, office rent and other expenses which are passed on to the patient in the cost per session. Online therapy side-steps these expenses.
In addition, the cost of traditional therapy is more than monetary. There are opportunity costs associated with the time spent commuting to a therapist’s office. Furthermore, people may be less comfortable speaking openly when face-to-face with their therapist. They may withhold information, leading not only to more sessions (and thus more fees) but also to less effective therapy. Or worse, they may choose not to seek therapy altogether, resulting in further issues down the road.
People with more serious mental health issues may need closer attention and monitoring, especially if they pose a danger to themselves and or others. And while online therapy may make some aspects of this more difficult — since the therapist may not be able to read subtle cues such as body language if the client isn’t connected through video — online therapy does allow the therapist to keep in closer, more continuing contact through messaging.
Online Therapy:
From an accessibility standpoint, online therapy requires little more than a good internet connection and a charged device. Because it lacks the overhead associated with a brick-and-mortar location, online therapy is considerably less expensive. Furthermore, clients aren't limited to the therapists available in their geographic area due to the decentralized nature of selecting a therapist from an online platform. This opens up a much broader range of specialties, and clients can be matched with a therapist who focuses on their area of need, regardless of location.
In addition, online therapy allows clients and therapists multiple mediums of communication, including messaging, live chat, phone calls and video calls. A typical online therapy plan will include 1-2 video or phone sessions per week but will also often include virtually daily access to your therapist via live chat or messaging options. This provides a level of accessibility and reinforcement in between sessions that typically is not possible with in-person therapy, and at a much lower price point.
How Much Does Online Therapy Cost?
Online therapy prices are competitive in comparison to traditional therapy. Prices will differ based several factors, including the type of treatment, number and length of sessions and medication management plans. There may also be different rates for messaging, emailing, video conferencing, and phone calls.
Sample pricing for some of the leading online therapy platforms:
Talkspace
Talkspace provides a variety of services including teen counseling, couples therapy, and psychiatry. You can choose to pay monthly, quarterly, or biannually; prices range from $260 per month for Talkspace Teens to $396 per month for the Unlimited Messaging Therapy Ultimate plan. Paying quarterly or biannually will also help reduce rates.
BetterHelp
BetterHelp offers couples counseling, teen counseling, and individual counseling. Like most online therapy providers, BetterHelp offers several options that typically range from $40 - $70 per week, billed monthly.
ReGain
ReGain specializes in couples therapy and can also help enrich the lives of individuals. Like BetterHelp they also charge $40 - $70 per week depending on your plan, billed monthly.
MD Live
MD Live provides both therapy and urgent-care type medical services. A counseling appointment is $108 if you pay out of pocket but may be considerably less depending on your insurance. For psychiatry, your first visit is $284, and subsequent sessions are $108. As with counseling, the price may be considerably lower depending on your insurance coverage.
Pride Counseling
Pride Counseling specialize in counseling for the LGBTQ+ community but welcomes all identities. Prices range from $40 to $70 per week, billed monthly, and just like BetterHelp and ReGain, the cost per week is dependent on which options you select.
How Much Can You Save With Online Therapy?
While traditional in-person therapy sessions can range from $100 - $300, online therapy is typically even below the lower end of this spectrum. In fact, many online therapy platforms are priced at $40 - $70 per week, with multiple touchpoints with your therapist over the course of your week. This results in significant savings for users with more flexibility and accessibility than in-person therapy.
As mentioned earlier, it’s important to remember that prices will vary based on your needs and your specific plan. A psychiatrist, for example, will charge a higher rate than a licensed family counselor. How much you may save also depends on whether you have insurance and if so, what your insurance plan covers.
Does Online Therapy Really Work?
In short: yes, and it's particularly effective for people suffering from depression or anxiety. Clients report being very satisfied with the online therapy experience, and studies back their testimonials up. A study in the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare found that people attending online psychiatry sessions both were satisfied with the experience and showed improvement in their mental health. A 2018 meta-study published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders showed online therapy to be as effective as in-person therapy for people with depressive or anxiety disorders.
More Accessible Mental Health Care
During these challenging times, mental health support is more important than ever. Online therapy is flexible, private, secure and more affordable than the alternatives. Whether you're battling depression or anxiety, or you just need a listening ear, there's an online therapy package that suits your needs and budget. And best of all, you don’t have to travel any further than the comfort of your home.
