Online Therapy Resources
Everything you need to know about online therapy, teletherapy, and virtual mental health care.
Online therapy (also called teletherapy, virtual therapy, or e-therapy) allows you to connect with licensed therapists via video calls, phone, or messaging. Research shows online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for most mental health conditions, with added benefits of convenience, accessibility, and often lower cost.
This resource hub brings together our comprehensive online therapy content: platform reviews, how it works, choosing communication formats, insurance coverage, and effectiveness research.
Essential Resources
Best Online Therapy Platforms
Compare top online therapy platforms—BetterHelp, Talkspace, Brightside, Cerebral, and more.
Platform Finder Tool
Interactive tool to find the online therapy platform that matches your needs, budget, and preferences.
Online Therapy & Insurance
How insurance coverage works for online therapy and which platforms accept insurance.
Best for Video Therapy
Top platforms for live video sessions with licensed therapists—closest experience to in-person.
Best for Text/Messaging Therapy
Platforms offering unlimited messaging with therapists—write anytime, get responses throughout the week.
Finding Online Therapists
How to find and vet online therapists, including credential verification and match quality.
How Online Therapy Works
Video Therapy
Format: Live video sessions via secure platform (similar to Zoom)
Best for: Those who want face-to-face interaction and closest experience to in-person therapy
Scheduling: Weekly or bi-weekly appointments at fixed times
Text/Messaging Therapy
Format: Write to your therapist anytime; they respond throughout the week
Best for: Those who prefer writing, have unpredictable schedules, or want asynchronous support
Scheduling: No fixed appointments; message when needed
Phone Therapy
Format: Voice-only phone or audio calls with therapist
Best for: Those without reliable video, prefer audio-only, or want privacy without video
Scheduling: Weekly or bi-weekly appointments at fixed times
Benefits & Limitations of Online Therapy
Benefits
- • Convenience: No commute; therapy from home, work, or anywhere
- • Accessibility: Access therapists in other cities/states; great for rural areas
- • Flexibility: More scheduling options, including evenings and weekends
- • Lower cost: Often 20-30% less expensive than in-person therapy
- • Reduced stigma: More privacy; no one sees you entering therapy office
- • Comfort: Be in your own space during vulnerable conversations
- • Equally effective: Research shows similar outcomes to in-person for most conditions
Limitations
- • Technology requirements: Needs stable internet and private space
- • Crisis care: Not appropriate for severe crises or hospitalization needs
- • Limited non-verbal cues: Especially with text therapy
- • Licensure restrictions: Therapist must be licensed in your state
- • Insurance coverage: Some insurers don't cover online therapy (but improving)
- • Certain conditions: Severe mental illness may need in-person care
- • Distractions: Home environment may have more interruptions
Online Therapy Blog Articles
We're building a comprehensive library of online therapy articles. Future posts will cover topics like:
- • Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
- • Video vs text therapy: which format is right for you?
- • Setting up your space for online therapy sessions
- • How to handle technical difficulties during online therapy
- • Privacy and security in online therapy platforms
- • Online therapy for couples and families: does it work?
In the meantime, explore our existing online therapy resources above, or browse related tags below.