Best online therapy platforms of 2022: Reviews and Pricing

Teletherapy is rapidly taking over the mental health industry

Times are changing; we’re now seeing positive trends such as the destigmatization of mental conditions and increased awareness of the same.

Consequently, more individuals are open to acquiring online therapy to cope with various mental illnesses.

Many prefer acquiring therapy online because it’s convenient. It’s also a much cheaper way of reaching licensed counselors, making it an even more appealing option. 

The problem with searching for mental health assistance online is the many platforms offering the same service. Thus, choosing one becomes an overwhelming task.

In this text, we review some great teletherapy platforms so you can pick the one that is best for your needs. 

Great teletherapy platforms you can use

Calmerry 

While it’s still relatively new to the online therapy industry, Calmerry has quickly established itself as a leading platform for pocket-friendly teletherapy.

It was initially started in 2019 following the effects of the recent pandemic on people’s mental hygiene. 

The platform is subscription-based and provides users access to licensed specialists, including experienced psychologists and therapists.

All experts found this site has more than 2500 hours of clinical experience. 

The notable feature about Calmerry is that it has a vast number of therapists who clients choose based on their bios, experience, and therapy techniques.

Also, it’s simple to cancel your subscription.

Calmerry Services

Calmerry provides help to those dealing with a wide range of mental wellness concerns. They include: 

• Depression;
• Anxiety;
• Relationship problems;
• Stress;
• Panic attacks;
• Emotional abuse;
• Loss and Grief;
• Family conflict;
• Burnout.

The site primarily provides therapy services to legal-aged individuals but doesn’t offer medication management.

While Calmerry has stated that it offers therapy for relationships and family issues, it currently only offers individual counseling, not multiple people attending the same session. 

Price

As a subscription-based platform, Calmerry doesn’t offer single sessions. Instead, clients pick any of the three packages.

• The first is a messaging package with limitless messaging between client and specialist at $227.96 monthly.
• The second is limitless messaging and a weekly live video at $299.96 monthly.
• The last package is limitless messaging and four weekly live videos at $359.96 monthly.

Calmerry allows you to begin by paying for weekly sessions and then consider committing for a month. The platform’s only drawback is that it does not accept insurance.

Verdict 

Calmerry is a great option if you’re seeking therapy on a budget due to its well-priced services. It is the place to go if you want to talk to someone about your mental health concerns or manage a serious mental illness.

BetterHelp

The site was founded in 2013 after co-founder Alon Matas found it difficult to locate a good therapist. He teamed up with his friend to develop a service that makes therapy more accessible and inexpensive.

Fast forward to now, and it is one of the giants in the mental health industry. It is also responsible for platforms like Regain and Pride Counseling.

The site has more than 20,000 licensed therapists who have helped about 2 million individuals with mental illnesses. Every expert attached to the service has a doctorate or master’s qualification. 

After completing the sign-up procedure, clients are paired with specialists based on their needs. Matching is done within 24 hours.

Clients and therapists can communicate using any of the means listed below. 

• Video conference;
• Online chat;
• Phone call;
• Instant messenger.

A notable feature of this site is that it’s easy for clients to swap therapists. Also, it has a journal feature where clients can record their emotions and thoughts and later share them with their counselor. 

BetterHelp Specialties

The site offers assistance to individuals facing diverse problems. They include: 

• Addiction;
• Stress;
• Relationship issues;
• Depression;
• Grief;
• Trauma.

Pricing 

Betterhelp is also subscription-based, but clients receive a 7-day trial, after which they will pay between $60 and $90 weekly. The specific price for a counselor depends on several factors preference, the availability of a specialist, and the client’s location.

As their client, you get billed after four weeks. Payment can be made via PayPal or a credit card.

BetterHelp doesn’t allow payments through insurance. 

Verdict 

BetterHelp is arguably one of the most reliable services because of its vast number of specialists and inexpensive rates. 

Cerebral 

It is a new online counseling company established in 2020. Its expansion has been rapid since its launch and already serves clients from all 50 U.S. states.

It provides counseling and medication services for treating a variety of mental wellness issues.

As with any other teletherapy site, you first sign up. From there, you choose a suitable specialist from a diverse set of options.

Your selection of experts can be based on preference and aspects such as level of expertise.

Only two methods are available for communicating with the assigned therapist: phone and video conferencing.

Cerebral Specialties

Cerebral offers assistance for specific mental wellness problems. They include: 

• Insomnia;
• Depression;
• Post-partum depression;
• Anxiety;
• PTSD (in specific states);
• Bipolar disorder (in specific states).

Pricing 

There isn’t a free trial available. When you sign up, you get three plans to choose from:

• Medication + care counseling for $85 monthly;
• Therapy only at $259 per month;
• Medication + therapy at $325 monthly.

When you sign up for the therapy-only plan for the first time, you might get an introductory discount for the first month. From then on, you will pay $259.

Cerebral accepts payment through insurance, making it a suitable choice if you want to minimize therapy costs.

Verdict 

This cerebral review concludes that the site is reliable for long-term treatment due to its affordability.

The ability to prescribe and deliver medication makes it even more impressive. 

Pride Counseling 

The site was established in 2017 from the parent platform BetterHelp. The goal was to offer licensed therapists to help members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

It accepts everyone, but the main target is LGBTQIA+ because they get a chance to speak to like-minded people. The platform is available in both the U.S. and the U.K.

All therapists on the site are licensed and have lots of experience dealing with issues that individuals part of the LGBTQIA+ face.

Communication between users and therapists is through text, phone calls, or video conferencing. Clients are allowed to use aliases for privacy.

Pride Counseling Services 

Pride counseling offers assistance to individuals facing diverse challenges. Whether you have a mental wellness issue or a relationship issue, they have an expert to assist you. They help resolve:

• Anxiety;
• Depression;
• Self-esteem;
• Addiction;
• Eating disorders;
• Stress;
• Relationship troubles;
• Trauma and abuse;
• Bipolar disorder;
• Chronic impulsivity.

Pricing 

Pride Counseling is subscription-based, but it has one plan available, unlike other teletherapy sites. It includes four monthly video, phone, or text chat sessions.

You are at liberty to select your preferred way of contact. You can also send limitless messages to your counselor, and you can contact them at any moment throughout work hours.

The package ranges in price from $60 to $90 each week. The price varies depending on the client’s location, and insurance payments are not accepted on the platform.

Verdict

Pride Counseling is a dependable solution for LGBTQIA+ members facing mild cases of the above-listed issues.

Similar to other teletherapy sites listed, this platform is not suitable for emergency situations. 

Final Thoughts 

Everyone needs help at some point, and sometimes a professional might be the best choice to help you cope with your issues. Access to mental health specialists has become easier and more inexpensive because of online counseling. However, teletherapy is only recommended for mild and moderate issues. If you’re dealing with a crisis, it’s best to stick to normal therapy.

Photo by Nao Triponez from Pexels

 Any Web sites linked from Medical News Bulletin site are created by organizations outside of Medical News Bulletin and are the sole responsibility of those organizations. These links are strictly provided by Medical News Bulletin as a convenience to you for additional information only. Medical News Bulletin does not approve or endorse the content on any third-party Web sites and is not responsible for the content of linked third-party sites or third-party advertisements, as well as does not make any representations regarding their content or accuracy. Your use of third-party web sites is at your own risk and subject to the terms and conditions of use as per such sites policies. Medical News Bulletin does not provide specific medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and hereby disclaims any assumption of any of the obligations, claims or liabilities..