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Last Updated: Apr 2026

Best Online Therapy in 2026
Therapy on your time, in your space

Find top telemedicine counseling services and affordable online therapy that takes insurance or charges less than what you'd pay for a co-pay anyway.

Our Top Online Therapy Services
Great Value
BetterHelp
Exceptional
9.8
Every week costs less than an average co-pay
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ReGain
Excellent
9.0
Individual and couples counseling
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Grow Therapy
Good
8.3
Accepts most major insurance plans
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Did you know?
Online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy (Psychology.org)
Get matched with a therapist

Natural Intelligence does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or your local emergency number immediately.

1. Is my online therapy session safe?
Yes. Most platforms have robust security measures to ensure your messages are between you and your therapist, ensuring your sessions stay discreet.
2. How do I know if my therapist is qualified?
All therapists are licensed professionals, and most platforms verify their credentials. You can easily review their qualifications and experience before choosing the right fit.
3. What equipment do I need for online therapy?
All you need is a stable internet connection and a device with a camera and a microphone. It’s quick to set up and lets you connect from the comfort of your home.
4. Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Yes. Research shows online therapy can be just as effective for many concerns, offering the same level of support and flexibility that fits your schedule (bmj.com, 2023).
5. What if there’s a technical issue during a session?
No worries — most platforms offer easy backup options like switching to a call or rescheduling, so your therapy can continue smoothly.

Does Insurance Cover Online Therapy?

While most online therapy sites don’t accept insurance or medicaid, there are a select few that do. It's not too hard to find online therapy that takes insurance. Amwell, for example, accept health insurance because they employ board-certified physicians in addition to therapists and offer services for physical as well as mental health.

However, there’s a good chance that you’ll still pay less for most online therapy services than if you were to go through insurance anyway. So it may not be best to only search for best online therapy that takes insurance. This is because co-pays for mental health care can cost up to $60 per session—the same price it will cost, on average, to speak to an online therapist on a site such as Betterhelp or ReGain. In fact, because these services offer financial aid, you might very well end up paying far less than finding online counseling covered by insurance.

Why Use Online Therapy Without Insurance?

The question of using health insurance for therapy is a sensitive one, and it’s up to each person to decide how they prefer to approach it.

Health insurance has been increasingly more accommodating to mental health and support services, which is a major step forward. Nonetheless, some people choose to forego using their health insurance even when their therapists do accept it. This is due to the sensitive nature of therapy. Some people prefer to keep their counseling sessions not on file with insurance providers. Therapy is a personal matter, and many choose to keep it to themselves rather than disclose it to their insurance company, which is one reason many prefer online therapy to traditional face-to-face counseling.

Our Recommendations for Online Therapy

  • BetterHelp : Best for accessible, affordable, and flexible therapy anytime, anywhere
  • ReGain : Best for couples and relationships
  • Grow Therapy: Best for finding in-network therapists quickly
  • Faithful Counseling: Best for Christians seeking faith-based therapy grounded in Biblical values
  • Online-Therapy.com: Best for structured CBT programs and self-paced emotional growth
  • Calmerry: Best for affordable, empathetic online counseling

Where Are People Most Lonely?

Feeling lonely is something everyone goes through now and then. It can be influenced by factors like relationships, your living situation, and how happy you are. With that in mind, we set out to determine which states have more people feeling lonely by conducting an in-depth survey.

Expert Tips for Coping with Loneliness

Everyone feels lonely from time to time, but it’s important to learn how to cope with loneliness so it doesn’t affect your long-term mental and physical health. Here are some expert tips on how to cope with loneliness.

Recite Self Love Affirmations

Kelly Armatage, a trained counselor and CBT therapist, defines loneliness as an inner void caused by a disconnection from the heart or a rejection of oneself.

“In order to fill up this inner void, it is important to connect to our own heart, connect to our inner child, and open up to love,” says Armatage. One of the best techniques for connecting with your heart is reciting self-love affirmations such as, “There is love, fulfillment, peace, and joy from within.”

Armatage concludes, “As you connect with your heart, you will then know just how unlonely being alone can be.”

Try a New Hobby

Hobbies are an excellent approach to dealing with loneliness because they allow people to focus on activities they enjoy, contributing to a sense of purpose.

Whether it's painting, writing, gardening, or learning to play a musical instrument, a new hobby can bring a sense of fulfillment and self-expression, according to psychologist Dana Klisanin.

Go to Therapy

“The cure for loneliness is connection,” says Dr. Annie Zimmerman, a psychotherapist and author of Your Pocket Therapist. “The best way to be less lonely is to be vulnerable with a safe person.”

However, that’s not always easy. Sometimes, people need an unbiased third person to talk to about their vulnerability. “This is why therapy works — our hidden vulnerable parts finally feel seen and understood,” says Zimmerman.

Whether you live in one of the top loneliest states in America or not can affect how lonely you feel and can affect your levels of loneliness. Consider investing in an online therapy service as a supportive resource if you are experiencing loneliness.

Our Top 3 Picks

  • 1
    World's largest network of licensed therapists
    Visit Site
    • Best for - Messaging your therapist anytime
    • Pricing - Prices starting at $65/week
    • Modes of communication - Text, live chat, video call, phone call
    Mypath.20250925090859
    High Availability
    World's largest network of licensed therapists
    Mypath.20250925090859
    High Availability
    Visit Site
    Description

    BetterHelp - Best online therapy site overall

    BetterHelp is one of the largest providers of online therapy services, letting you get matched with a licensed professional therapist in less than 24 hours. You’ll be able to communicate with your therapist by phone, video call, live chat, or text messaging.

    While the platform doesn’t take insurance, it does offer financial aid for patients with tighter budgets.

    Why we chose BetterHelp: BetterHelp’s app and online platform are both user-friendly, giving you access to self-help worksheets on various topics, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and conflict resolution.

    Our experience: BetterHelp reviews are positive and the service is reasonably priced. We like the fact that BetterHelp counselors each go through a rigorous vetting process.

    Read BetterHelp Review
    Pros & Cons

    BetterHelp Pros & Cons

    PROS

    Message your therapist anytime
    Studies show the platform is effective
    Operates in 200+ countries and 82 languages

    CONS

    Therapists can’t prescribe medication
    Harder to find specialized therapists
    BetterHelp
    Visit Site
  • 2
    Dedicated online relationship therapy
    • Best for - Therapists that specialize in relationship therapy
    • Pricing - $65-$100/week
    • Modes of communication - Video, phone, message, live chat
    Dedicated online relationship therapy
    Description

    ReGain - Best for online relationship therapy

    ReGain offers convenient online relationship therapy for couples and individuals. Their service matches you with a licensed therapist specifically chosen to address your needs and goals. Its monthly subscription grants one live video or phone session per week, along with 24/7 access to an online therapist. 

    Why we chose ReGain: ReGain understands everyone’s situation is different and offers reduced fees to those with financial difficulties or disabilities.

    Our experience: With ReGain, you can pick and choose your therapy appointments entirely around your schedule. This makes it a particularly convenient option if you are restricted in time. 

    Read ReGain Review
    Pros & Cons

    ReGain Pros & Cons

    PROS

    Therapists specialize in a wide range of relationship issues
    User-friendly app
    Discount available to those in need

    CONS

    Not appropriate for crisis situations
    Does not work in-network with insurance providers
  • 3
    Accessible pay-as-you-go talking therapy
    • Best for - Flexible appointment schedule
    • Pricing - $0-$125, depending on your insurance coverage
    • Modes of communication - Chat, phone, video, in-person
    Accessible pay-as-you-go talking therapy
    Description

    Grow Therapy is an excellent online platform with over 4,000 licensed therapists for those struggling with mental health difficulties. With its pay-as-you-go payment model, you're free to choose appointments at a convenient date, time, and frequency. Grow’s partnership with many insurance providers also means session costs are often reduced, if not covered completely.

    The platform's licensed therapists are experienced in a range of specializations, including child or adolescent issues, couples counseling, family difficulties, abuse, and trauma. With virtual and in-person sessions, you can choose what works best for you. Online therapy sessions via video, phone, or instant messaging offer added convenience for your busy schedule.

    Why we chose Grow Therapy - Grow Therapy offers affordable talking therapy on a pay-as-you-go plan, making it a great option for those with busy schedules who need mental health assistance with insurance coverage.

    Our experience - We found Grow Therapy’s clear and uncomplicated online interface very easy to use, and we liked the flexibility of its payment plan.

    Read Grow Therapy Review
    Pros & Cons

    Grow Therapy Pros & Cons

    PROS

    Easy, pay-as-you-go payment plan
    Covered by many of the major insurance providers
    Offers both online and in-person therapy

    CONS

    Therapist availability depends on location
    Price can be expensive if not covered by insurance