Cost: $160-$240 per session | Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: Same-day appointments available | States available: All states except Vermont, as well as Washington, D.C. | Types of therapy: Individual, couples, teen, children, family, groups, psychiatry 

It can take a lot of courage to start therapy. When you decide to get help, you likely want to get started as soon as possible. Thriveworks offers same-day and next-day appointments in all states except Vermont. Researchers say access to timely services is a key component of quality care, and Thriveworks excels in that category.

Thriveworks offers a wide range of services, including psychiatry with medication management. You can get support for a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, grief, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, addiction and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Its therapists are also well versed in popular treatment modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy.

If you decide online therapy isn’t a fit for you, in-person services are available in many states through Thriveworks. Of our 750 survey respondents, 58% said they preferred online therapy or really had no preference between online and in-person sessions, while 43% preferred to stick to in-person therapy. 

 Thriveworks also offers in-person children’s therapy centers in select states.

Cost: $95-$349 per session | Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: Within 24 hours | States available: All states | Types of therapy: Individual therapy and psychiatry for adults

Psychiatry services can be cost-prohibitive, with sessions often costing $300 or more. However, Brightside offers affordable medication management not only for the insured, but also for those who are underinsured or uninsured. Its plan is just $95 a month after the initial intake appointment. The process is simple, and you may be able to book an appointment within 24 hours. You’ll fill out a brief questionnaire, get matched with a provider, have an intake appointment, monitor your symptoms once you receive your medication and then have follow-up appointments. The length of the initial intake session isn’t specified, but follow-ups are generally about 15 minutes. If you’d like more support, you can add weekly 30-minute therapy sessions for an additional $254 a month.

Of our survey respondents, 54.4% said having the ability to be prescribed medicine was important, with 53.3% reporting they were prescribed medicine – 1.7% preferred not to disclose the information. 

Cost: Free | Insurance accepted: N/A | Time until first appointment: Less than 24 hours | States available: All states | Types of therapy: Emotional support groups for a wide range of topics including divorce, grief, codependency and depression

Let’s be real: Therapy is expensive. According to a recent study, a single session of cognitive behavioral therapy costs more than $100, and if you need weekly sessions, that adds up. Circles offers free 24/7 support groups for a wide range of needs. You can expect access to groups led by peers and mental health clinicians that focus on topics including addiction, grief, divorce, depression, anxiety, trauma and codependency. While this isn’t individual therapy, you can also access educational seminars to learn actionable tools that will help support your mental health goals. We especially appreciate that you can tap into support regardless of the time or your location — groups are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Three percent of our respondents said they specifically sought out group therapy. The same percentage ultimately chose to use Circles. 

Cost: $109-$279 per session (out of pocket) | Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: Varies based on location, provider and service needed | States available: All states | Types of therapy: Individual, couples, children, teens, psychiatry

If you’re paying for insurance, you probably want to use it. Unfortunately, many mental health providers don’t accept insurance, and that’s often the case for online therapy. However, Amwell accepts over 125 insurance plans, providing a level of accessibility that’s nearly unheard of. 

Amwell’s therapists and psychiatrists are available to treat a multitude of conditions, including anxiety, depression, stress management, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, trauma, panic attacks and insomnia. They can also provide LGBTQ counseling, grief counseling, couples therapy, and help those going through major life transitions.

The signup process is fairly easy, beginning with which insurance carrier you’ll be using. From there, you’ll be able to choose a therapist and the day and time of the appointment according to the therapist’s availability. If you find your therapist is not a good match, you can easily switch to a different therapist. 

The only downside we found with Amwell is that your location dictates how many therapists you can choose from. So while someone in the Los Angeles area has a choice of more than 50 therapists, one of our editors in Kentucky found under 15 available therapists. Users in Los Angeles could get a same-day appointment, while the editor in Kentucky had to wait over a week. 

Another online therapy telehealth option that is very similar to Amwell is Teledoc — 13.4% of our respondents who have tried online therapy said they opted for Teledoc. However, if you are looking for therapy for your child, unlike Amwell which treats children as young as 10 years old, Teledoc only treats teens starting at 13 years old.

Cost: $30-$70 per session, one-time membership fee of $65 | Insurance accepted: No | Time until first appointment: Varies by provider availability | States available: All states, Canada | Types of therapy: Individual, couples, family and group

If you don’t have insurance or have extremely limited coverage, chances are you’re stuck paying at least $100 per session. Open Path Collective is an online therapy directory that remedies this, offering sessions for $30 to $70, which is often as much as a co-pay. The $30 sessions are with student interns, while more expensive sessions are for couples therapy with a licensed therapist. A major pro is that this directory lists over 23,000 providers throughout the country and also includes therapists in Canada.

As a therapist, I can vouch for this being an excellent resource — I know many therapy seekers who have found incredible care through this directory. Furthermore, I know seasoned colleagues who offer services at significantly discounted prices through the directory.

Cost: $150-$200 per session | Insurance accepted: No, but reimbursement may be possible | Time until first appointment: 2-6 days | States available: All states | Types of therapy offered: Couples

Ours offers couples therapy for a variety of relationship issues. Specialties include premarital counseling, discernment counseling and conflict resolution, and services that address communication, major life changes, intimacy and more. Therapy is available in all states from licensed mental health providers, all of whom have experience working with couples. Every therapist has specialized training in evidence-based couples therapy techniques, such as the Gottman method and Emotionally Focused Therapy. Therapists are thoroughly vetted and selected by the clinical care team.

Although couples can work on any type of relationship issue, Ours emphasizes proactive work and relationship maintenance. Along with therapy, the platform offers free digital tools that couples can use in between sessions, including a weekly reflection exercise, journal prompts and virtual card decks that can facilitate deeper conversations.

Sessions are 50 minutes long and held via video. Insurance isn’t accepted, but depending on your policy, you may be able to get reimbursed. Ours offers the first session for a discounted rate of $50. After that, you can purchase sessions individually or as part of a package. Individual sessions cost $200, while a four-session package is $180 per session. Those with a monthly subscription can pay $150 per session.

While individual therapy was the number one type of therapy our respondents received, couples therapy was the second most selected type of therapy received. Family therapy rounded out the top three types of therapy our respondents received.

Cost: Varies based on therapist | Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: Varies based on therapist | States available: All states | Types of therapy: Individual, couples, teens, children, family, groups, psychiatry

It’s very common for Black people, indigenous people and other people of color (BIPOC) to seek mental health providers with a similar identity. Additionally, it’s critical for LGBTQ clients to work with providers who affirm their identity to make clinical progress. Inclusive Therapists makes it a breeze to find culturally sensitive providers, thanks to its expansive directory that prioritizes therapists with diverse identities. 

The directory provides an array of options to filter your search, including provider identity, fee and insurance acceptance, cultural knowledge, spiritual orientation and specialties. While we love how expansive the directory is, it can get a bit overwhelming. Take your time, don’t be afraid to hold multiple consultations with therapists and be patient. 

Cost: $14.99 to $249 per month | Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: Varies | States available: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C. | Types of therapy: Support groups, self-paced courses, individual therapy, medication-assisted treatment

In a culture that prioritizes bars as gathering places and alcohol as the celebratory drink of choice, it can be hard to reduce your alcohol intake. A national survey found that 29.5 million people over the age of 12 struggled with alcohol use disorder in 2022. 

Monument makes alcohol use disorder treatment simple with its inclusive approach. Its $14.99 monthly membership offers access to a 24/7 support forum, moderated support groups, daily affirmations and self-guided courses that provide tools and education on alcohol use. Plus, you can add therapy and medication-assisted treatment if you need extra support. While insurance is accepted, out-of-pocket therapy fees range from $149 to $249 per month. Medication-assisted treatment is $100 per appointment.

Cost: $165-$500 per session | Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: Varies based on provider availability | States available: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, D.C. | Types of therapy: Children and adolescent therapy, medication management, parent coaching

When one member of the family is facing a challenge, all members of the family face a challenge. Little Otter keeps this in mind, offering therapy and medication management for kids up to 14 years old, as well as parent coaching. 

Parent coaching makes this service truly stand out. When sending your child to therapy, it’s natural to have concerns. You want to understand the therapy your child is receiving and what you can do to help your child thrive. Little Otter’s parent coaching sessions provide resources to parents who need some extra help with their little one.

This platform has a unique sign-up process that includes a family mental health assessment. You answer a few questions and receive a report with their summary of your family dynamics. This alone is of great value — having an objective view of your children and what behaviors they’re struggling with can help you gain perspective.

Once you’ve received your family mental health assessment, you’ll book a $20, 30-minute kickoff session where you’ll receive a customized care plan. Throughout treatment, you’ll use the Little Otter app to see your child’s treatment progress. This detail-oriented approach sets the company apart from its competitors. 

Unfortunately, Little Otter has high out-of-pocket fees and accepts only a few insurance providers: Independence Blue Cross, AmeriHealth and Sana. If your child is at least 10 years old, Amwell is another great option as is Thriveworks.

Cost: $69-$109 a week for therapy, billed monthly; $65 for additional sessions | Insurance Accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: One week | States available: All states | Types of therapy: Individual talk therapy, couples therapy, individual teen therapy, medication management for adults

Getting counseling for your teen may feel like an uphill battle, but the end result could be life-changing or even life-saving, according to a recent CDC report on Youth Risk Behavior. Talkspace meets your teen where they are in both treatment modality and location, which is why it’s our top pick for online teen counseling. Its reputation stems from talk and message-based therapy, which are popular with many teens. Live video sessions are available as well. 

Teens can attend therapy sessions in a live chat room with the therapist, communicating via text-based therapy messaging, or they can opt for live video sessions. This gives them freedom to take part in the sessions however they want and wherever they feel comfortable. Best of all, if your teen needs medication in addition to talk therapy, Talkspace allows you to combine talk therapy and medication management appointments as you navigate what works best for your family. Appointments are flexible, and you can cancel anytime.

Talkspace was the second most used online therapy platform amongst our online therapy survey respondents with 12% opting for the service. BetterHelp was a runaway winner with 21% of online therapy users reporting they’d used the service. (BetterHelp did not make our list for reasons explained below.)