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Let’s face it: therapy—even when it’s online—can be pricey. Session prices can range from $100 to $200 per session on average, which is why in our Cost of Therapy Survey, half of respondents worried about whether or not they could afford long-term therapy and more than a third of respondents told us they actually did have to discontinue treatment because of financial concerns. And even though insurance can help reduce therapy costs significantly, it’s not always easy to find a provider who's in-network since only an estimated 40% of therapists and 56% of psychiatrists in the U.S. accept insurance plans.
The good news is that there are a growing number of quality online therapy companies that accept health insurance so you can reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Plus, virtual therapy can also help you cut back on some secondary associated costs too, like the hours of pay you lose for taking time off work, the money you have to spend on public transportation or gas, or child care costs. So to help you find the best online therapy companies that are in-network, we evaluated over 80 companies, surveyed over 8,000 users, and tested the services ourselves. We also consulted three licensed therapists when compiling this list. Here, we recommend the eight best online therapy companies that accept insurance.
We 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.
Curious about the extensive work we did to research and evaluate online therapy companies? Take a look at our online therapy methodology.
The 8 Best Online Therapy Services that Accept Insurance, Tried and Tested The 8 Best Online Therapy Services that Accept Insurance, Tried and TestedOf the 80 companies we evaluated, Teladoc Health was one of the most popular with users we surveyed for its convenience, flexible scheduling, and full-service offerings, which include individual therapy, couples therapy, teen therapy, psychiatry, and primary care services. It also accepts many insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare in some cases.
Pros & ConsWe had five people sign up for therapy services at Teladoc from Missouri, California, New York, and Texas to see how well the service could serve different needs, such as accommodating a parent of four kids’ need for flexible scheduling options. And across the board, Teladoc delivered. As one of the oldest telehealth services in the country, Teledoc also provides reliable primary care, dermatology, sexual health, nutrition, and pediatric medical services in addition to its individual, couples, and teen therapy, as well as psychiatry services.
We found Teladoc’s network of licensed therapists to be knowledgeable, congenial, professional, and helpful both in the live video sessions we scheduled and when we messaged them with questions. We had an overall impression that all the therapists we met with were well-prepared, attentive, and understanding.
"Overall, I felt like the more [the therapist] got to know me, the easier it felt talking with her and the more personalized her 'advice' became. I ended up applying tips in real-life situations, and each time I did, it helped with my anxiety."
-Teledoc Health tester, who had never tried online therapy before
We also felt Teladoc’s scheduling system was much more flexible than other online therapy providers we assessed. Every therapist had many open appointment slots, and we could schedule in advance if needed.
One thing we found a bit disappointing was that one of the therapists we selected kept the camera off for video sessions. But despite feeling awkward about this at first, the conversation was comfortable, and there were good observations that helped us to look at a situation differently. While Teladoc can’t assist with eating disorders, psychosis, and other more severe conditions, our experience and research show it’s a great place to start if you’re looking for a pay-per-appointment telehealth service for mental and medical health needs.
Plans & PricingWe surveyed 100 users of Teladoc:
With roughly half of U.S. counties lacking a qualified psychiatrist and only a little over half of psychiatrists accepting insurance, the availability of online psychiatry is vital to increasing accessibility and participation. That’s why Talkiatry stood out to us: It's one of the only companies among the 80 we assessed that specializes in psychiatry, and it does it well. Talkiatry’s comprehensive, compassionate online psychiatric care provides patients (ages five and up) with the monitoring needed to safely and effectively treat a wide range of mental health conditions.
Pros & ConsWe tested Talkiatry twice from New York and had a fantastic experience from signing up to working with a provider. From the very beginning of the registration process, the company was very clear about what it can and can’t treat. Talkiatry asserts its providers specialize in anxiety, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What stood out to us most about Talkiatry, though, was that its sessions were thorough and longer than at any other company we reviewed. For example, our intake appointments were an hour—twice as long as other online psychiatry services we tested—and our follow-ups were 30 minutes, also twice as long as the norm for online psychiatry.
We found our psychiatrists friendly and never felt rushed to wrap up before we’d finished asking questions. Scheduling follow-up appointments was also easy, as was switching providers if needed. The company operates like a brick-and-mortar psychiatry practice in many ways, which means that it doesn’t have blanket policies around which medications it can prescribe. If your provider deems it necessary, they may prescribe a controlled substance, such as stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or benzodiazepines for anxiety, but only after careful psychiatric evaluation and responsible prescribing practices are followed. This means that the company can help you with more complex mental health conditions.
The biggest drawback with Talkiatry is that it is not yet nationwide: services are not available to residents of Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wyoming. Given Talkiatry’s dedication to quality care, it is the ideal online psychiatric provider if you live in one of the states it serves. One caveat is that the first available appointment was a full week away for all three provider options we were offered. Still, this is likely much sooner than the wait time to see an in-person provider, depending on your location.
Plans & PricingWe surveyed 100 users of Talkiatry:
Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health conditions in America. Yet barriers to care mean that only 37% of those with anxiety and 61% of those with depression receive treatment. That’s why Brightside Health stands out: It specializes in treating anxiety and depression and makes treatment more accessible by offering services online and accepting most major insurance plans.
Pros & ConsWe had four people from three different states—North Carolina, California, and New York—test Brightside Health, including one person working as a therapist themselves and three people who disclosed they had depression or anxiety. We were very pleased that Brightside makes it easier to afford mental health treatment for anxiety and depression by accepting health insurance since worries about affording care can create even more stress and exacerbate existing symptoms.
What stood out most about Brightside was the outstanding quality of care. The therapists who treated us had at least a decade of experience, and we found them to be talented counselors who were the perfect balance of warm yet professional. We also had the ability to pick a therapist who met specific cultural and gender preferences, which is important when establishing a therapeutic rapport.
In addition, Brightside uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a treatment approach that helps you identify and reframe negative thoughts and behavior patterns. This approach has been proven effective at treating anxiety and depression both in person and virtually. We appreciate this practical, science-backed method.
"Overall, I feel I've gained new approaches to tackling certain situations and thought processes. I've also learned new breathing techniques to help with anxiety rather than relying on medication. So far, therapy has been helpful and I'm glad I gave it a shot."
-Brightside Health tester, who was seeking help for anxiety and panic attacks
However, it's worth noting that therapy sessions are shorter than average. Our therapy sessions lasted only 30 minutes, and psychiatry appointments only 15 minutes. Additionally, in one case, the person who conducted our intake appointment seemed dismissive, with a cold and off-putting tone. Thankfully, this was not our experience with the actual therapist.
Plans & PricingWe surveyed 100 users of Brightside:
Talkspace stood out to us for being one of the only online therapy providers out of the 80 we reviewed that checks all the boxes: It offers multiple communication options for therapy sessions, is available nationwide, provides both therapy and psychiatric medication management, and accepts most major insurance plans. Plus, users can not only choose the form of communication that works best for them but also do so without paying for services they do not need. It's one of the only services that combines convenient communication options with truly specialized care covered by insurance.
Pros & ConsWe had 11 people (including three therapists) sign up for Talkspace so that we could test its various service options and communication methods from all over the country—California, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, New York, North Carolina, Minnesota, Missouri, and South Dakota. By allowing us to choose how we communicated with our therapists—messaging, live chat, phone call, or video—Talkspace made therapy much more accessible to us.
Across the board, our testing experience was positive: All the therapists we met were compassionate and professional, and we enjoyed our live phone and video sessions.
"[My therapist] was an excellent listener and could tell when I was in a place to hear a suggestion and when I clearly just needed to keep talking through it. I’ve found it extremely helpful. I have a place to work through hard relationships, process emotions, and break some unhealthy coping habits I hadn’t been aware of."
-Talkspace tester, who was seeking support after experiencing trauma
That said, our experience showed therapy quality varied with different communication types because not all therapists were as responsive or thoughtful over messaging services, and some took a very long time to respond or gave responses that felt scripted. But while the asynchronous text-based therapy may vary in quality depending on the therapist and be best for people with milder conditions, we liked having the option to live chat or message with a therapist.
One of the biggest drawbacks of our Talkspace experience was the short session length. At only 30 minutes long, we often felt like we were just getting started when our time was up. We also made a strange discovery that whether we were matched with a therapist or were allowed to choose our own therapist depended on which device we used to sign up for service. When signing up on a desktop computer, we were matched with a therapist, but when signing up using the Talkspace app, we got to pick between a curated list of three therapists. However, we loved how user-friendly the Talkspace patient portal was in general.
Plans & PricingWe surveyed 100 users of Talkspace:
As many as 28.6 million American adults are dealing with alcohol use disorder (AUD), yet fewer than 10% of them seek treatment. The reasons for this gap are many, but include a lack of insurance coverage for treatment programs and a stigma around the disorder. By offering treatment virtually and accepting insurance, Monument aims to bridge this massive gap by making treatment more accessible. Monument’s one-of-a-kind treatment model takes the biological, neurological, and social underpinnings of alcohol use disorder all into consideration, allowing the company to provide highly effective care.
Pros & ConsMonument specializes in a highly specific service: treatment for alcohol use disorder. However, because its comprehensive approach includes treating AUD with medication, we could not ethically ask someone to test it. We did, however, test out the sign-up process, survey 100 Monument users, extensively research the program, and get expert insight on the company and its service model, so we feel confident recommending it. Plus, you can check your insurance details online before signing up to find out if your specific plan is accepted.
Pharmacotherapy is considered a first-line treatment for moderate to severe AUD because it’s been proven to be highly effective. Yet in 2022, only 2.2% of adults with alcohol use disorder used these evidence-based medications. Monument understands that medication can be an important part of addressing the disorder, so in addition to providing individual and group talk therapy, it also offers naltrexone (which diminishes alcohol cravings) and disulfiram (which causes you to feel hung over very shortly after drinking).
One of our favorite aspects of Monument is its community-centric approach. Peer support can be a key component of AUD treatment, and Monument offers both anonymous support forums and therapist-moderated online support groups. Groups provide a much-needed judgment-free zone where people can openly share wins and setbacks while also holding each other accountable and learning from others’ experiences, and they cater to certain identities, such as women, men, BIPOC people, LBGTQIA+ people, parents, partners, couples, veterans, ages 50+, young adults, and healthcare professionals.
Although Monument’s therapists can address co-existing disorders (such as anxiety), its physicians do not prescribe medication to treat these conditions, and it's unclear whether any of its therapists specialize in them. That means if you’re looking for medication or therapy to specifically treat an underlying mental health condition that’s causing or greatly contributing to your AUD, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), you should seek out a different service. Furthermore, Monument is only available in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington state, and Washington, D.C.
Plans & PricingWe surveyed 100 users of Monument:
Approximately one in five children have a mental or behavioral disorder, yet only 20% of them receive mental healthcare. A big reason for this gap is too much demand and not enough providers—and even fewer providers that accept insurance in order to keep out-of-pocket costs down. In fact, it’s gotten so bad that the American Academy of Pediatrics declared child and adolescent mental health a national emergency in 2021. Thriveworks, in our opinion, can help make it easier to find a therapist or psychiatrist for your child because it is in-network with most major insurance companies, is available in 49 states and Washington D.C., treats all ages (from toddlerhood through teenage years, and beyond) and offers night and weekend appointments, addressing many of the barriers to accessing mental healthcare that families often face.
Pros & ConsWe asked five people to test out Thriveworks’ services, from Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Massachusetts, and New York. Of those, one tested out the therapy for children services with their children, while the others tested the adult therapy and couples therapy. We found Thriveworks to be a great option for busy parents who need to use their insurance to cover therapy for themselves and/or their kids thanks to the wide range of insurance plans its therapists are in-network with, flexible scheduling, and high-quality therapists.
We appreciated that we were able to choose our own therapist. Using the search filters, we could look for providers based on specialty, distance, insurance, and age of the patient. That said, in some states, we found that options were limited. For example, in Missouri, we had planned to seek treatment for a 7-year-old but discovered that 11 was the youngest age Thriveworks providers in the state could treat at the time. Having fewer choices than other large online therapy companies could be because Thriveworks only hires the top 4% of providers so it can offer a quality experience.
Indeed, we found this ethos of quality over quantity reflected in most of our experiences. Limited choices didn’t end up being too much of an issue overall since we were still impressed with most of our therapists (though in one case, we had a therapist who was pushy and dismissive).
In general, we found Thriveworks’ teletherapy sessions similar to the in-person therapy we’ve participated in previously, only without having to drive across town.
One issue we ran into, however, was that not every therapist had the credentialing required for some insurance plans to cover the cost of their services—this means that some insurance plans will only cover therapy services if they are provided by a certain type of mental health care provider, such as a psychologist or a psychiatrist. In all cases of seeking insurance coverage for therapy services, we advise checking with your insurance provider to find out what requirements must be met in order for services to be covered—such as an official diagnosis and/or certain therapist licensure—before signing up for treatment.
Plans & PricingWe surveyed 100 users of Thriveworks:
Doctor on Demand is all about making care easy to access by giving you choices. You can sign up for service on the website or app, you can either search for a provider using the filters or have the service match you with one, and you can participate in video telehealth appointments via either the app or the website. Plus, with appointments available seven days a week, Doctor on Demand makes getting personalized care from anywhere at your choice of time incredibly convenient. We also liked that both psychiatry/medication management and therapy are available in addition to the core offerings of urgent care, chronic care, and preventative health. Most importantly, Doctor on Demand accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare.
Pros & ConsWe tested Doctor On Demand three times from North Carolina and Pennsylvania, trying its individual therapy services as well as its psychiatry services for our teenage son, and each time we got access to specialized care without any hassle. We found that Doctor on Demand accepts most major insurers—including Medicare—and we were impressed by how easy it was to sign up for services, with appointments available seven days a week.
To create an account, all we had to do was enter our personal and insurance information, a payment method, and reason for seeking care; we then clicked “Mental Health” and took a brief assessment (which was basically a depression and anxiety screening tool) that showed us where we fell on the spectrum from minimal to severe for both depression and anxiety. We loved that we could choose to either pick a therapist ourselves or have the system match us with a therapist, meaning if we didn’t want to sift through the long list of providers, we didn’t have to, but if we preferred to read over therapist bios and decide for ourselves, we could do so.
"The sessions helped me realize that speaking to someone about personal situations and issues is tough but not impossible for me to do."
-Doctor on Demand tester, who tried individual adult therapy
However, although the app was easy to use and the booking process was easy to navigate, the limited doctor options and lack of appointments were disappointing. The company’s stated availability of 24/7 appointments made it sound like we could get an appointment quickly, but we actually found limited therapist options with availability that matched our schedule. In one case, we had to wait two to three weeks for a first appointment with our preferred therapist and up to three weeks for a second appointment. Perhaps the best therapists book up quickly. Still, the more flexible you are with scheduling, the quicker you can get an appointment.
We surveyed 100 users of Doctor on Demand:
Amwell stood out to us because it accepts the most insurance plans out of all 80 online therapy companies we researched: The website lists 40 plans specifically and states that it is in-network with even more. It also offers a much wider array of therapy types than most other large telehealth companies. In addition to individual adult and adolescent therapy (ages 10 and up) and psychiatry/medication management, the service provides couples therapy and family therapy—both rarities at nationwide telehealth platforms. With Amwell, finding high-quality care covered by insurance is quick and easy since it has an impressive selection of provider options, same-day or next-day appointments in many locations, flexible scheduling, and the ability to attend sessions via its app or website.
Pros & ConsWe asked six people hailing from New York, Mississippi, California, Missouri, and Kentucky—a great mix of bigger and smaller markets—to test Amwell's individual adult therapy, adolescent therapy, and couples therapy. One person was also a working therapist themselves. Overall, our therapy experiences with Amwell were quite positive; we were most impressed with the fact that the company accepts a wider range of insurance plans than any other company we tested.
We worked with at least two therapists in each state (so we met with over ten different Amwell therapists in total) to see how smoothly the switching process went and how therapist quality and availability varied. We were thoroughly impressed with the high caliber of Amwell’s therapists. Specifically, how communicative and professional they were and how they made us feel heard, understood, and validated.
"In the first appointment, [the therapist] offered up some ideas for vitamins to take, books to read, and breathing techniques, which was nice to have in the toolkit."
-Amwell tester for Verywell Mind, who was looking for postpartum support
Scheduling is pretty flexible, with same-day or next-day appointments offered in many larger states. For example, in California, we were able to schedule a next-day appointment with ease. However, in smaller states or with different service types, such as adolescent therapy or postpartum therapy, we found far fewer therapist choices and appointment times were available.
A downside is that we experienced some technical issues with the platform, including call drops. In one instance, our first appointment was canceled by a system crash; then, at our rebooked appointment, the therapist said they could not help us with our stated issue; and finally, several subsequent therapists had repeated technical difficulties with the video platform that meant our appointments had to be rescheduled several times. The platform also has a strict 40-minute session limit that cuts off abruptly.
Plans & PricingWe surveyed 100 users of Amwell:
Insurance companies cover ”medically necessary” treatment. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, the definition of “medically necessary” treatment includes individual therapy as long as there is a diagnosis. This is why most online therapy companies accept insurance if they offer individual talk therapy for a diagnosed mental health condition (such as depression, generalized anxiety disorder, etc.), psychiatric treatment, addiction treatment, or medication management.
The ACA ensures that mental healthcare is more likely to be covered by insurance. Nonetheless, not all therapists and psychiatrists accept insurance. Online therapy makes it easier for you to check your coverage and find a therapist who accepts your plan; some companies even check your plan and give you an idea of your copay before you sign up. Luckily, every company on this list accepts several insurance plans. Still, even with insurance, online therapy isn't suitable for all mental health conditions (more serious conditions, like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, usually require a higher level of care than online therapy can provide). Most online providers will screen you to ensure they can treat you online.
Online therapy is shown to be just as effective as in-person care. Research shows telepsychology interventions are effective for many conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, adjustment disorder, and even substance use and eating disorders. Online therapy also offers more flexibility and better accessibility than in-person appointments. This convenience can help reduce the stress of finding care. “With online therapy, you no longer have to worry about fitting in commuting time or finding childcare for when you’re away in a session,” explains Owens. “This makes therapy more accessible for those who might otherwise not seek mental health support.”
To find out if an online therapy provider accepts your insurance, check the provider’s website or call its customer service number. Most online therapy platforms’ websites will display a list of insurance plans accepted. You’ll also want to contact your insurance company to find out what specific requirements need to be met in order for insurance to cover your online therapy costs, determine your copayments for specific services, or see a list of in-network teletherapy providers. Some employers also work with specific online therapy providers. Contact your human resources or benefits department to check if your company has an online therapy partner.
Insurance coverage for online therapy is a complicated issue since a patient’s location, provider, diagnosis, and specific treatment plan can all influence what is covered. These considerations can all affect an online therapy company's ability to accept insurance. Dealing with insurance companies takes a lot of time and effort, so some therapy platforms find it simpler and even cheaper to avoid working with them altogether and instead offer customers subscriptions or service bundles. So, again, it’s important to check with your insurance company and verify coverage.
Online therapy and psychiatry sessions can range from as low as $0 to as high as $299 or more, depending on your insurance plan, state, treatment plan, and the online therapy company or therapist. If your employer or insurance company offers a telehealth benefit, patients usually just pay a copay. Lower costs don’t always mean a better deal: Therapy may be cheaper at some companies because the sessions are shorter than average or the therapists have less experience.
We evaluated 80 online therapy companies and therapist directories in order to compile this list.
As part of our research, we signed up for talk therapy at all 55 online therapy companies we reviewed. We tested each company's therapy services, and if the company offered other services (such as couples therapy and kid or teen therapy), we tested those, too. Our testers are located all across the United States and abroad, meaning we have extensive information about each company's services in a variety of areas.
In addition, we surveyed more than 8,000 therapy users: 100 at each of the 55 online therapy companies and the 25 therapist directories. We collected over 100 different data points in which we asked users to evaluate each company's services, from their therapist's qualifications to whether they found a therapist who met all their needs to how they'd rate the company overall. We also sent questionnaires to each company we considered, asking for their perspectives on the services they provide, and we interviewed former patients and therapists at the companies where possible.
In addition to the extensive research we performed on each of the 55 online therapy companies we reviewed, we also researched dozens of therapy directories. We tested each by searching for appropriate therapists for 37 hypothetical scenarios that might lead someone to search for a mental health provider across 18 zip codes. We then rated the results by how well the therapists we found in each directory could address each scenario, looking into whether it had competent, licensed therapists who were qualified to treat these issues.
Once we completed this testing and these surveys, we evaluated our findings with the help of three licensed therapists—Amy Marschall, PsyD; Nic Hardy, PhD, LCSW; and Hannah Owens, LMSW—in order to make our recommendations. These therapists provided extensive insight into the ethics and efficacy of online therapy as well as information about relevant therapeutic modalities and approaches.
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By Olivia Campbell
Olivia Campbell is a health and parenting editor at Dotdash Meredith. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine.” Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, New York Magazine, The Guardian, The Washington Post, SELF, Scientific American, and Good Housekeeping.
Simone is the health editorial director for performance marketing at Verywell. She has over a decade of experience as a professional journalist covering mental health, chronic conditions, medicine, and science.
Ally is a senior editor for Verywell, who covers topics in the health, wellness, and lifestyle spaces. She has written for The Washington Post, The Guardian, BBC Future, and more.