Best Online Help for Depression of 2024 | Fortune Recommends Health (2024)

Life comes with a variety of ups and downs. Whether it’s family or financial issues, most people experience times where they feel they’ve been kicked down and just can’t get back up. You may have great friends or family members who surround you and offer you support, but sometimes, even that just isn’t enough to lighten the load of stress, grief, or heartbreak that you might be experiencing.

In some cases, you may even be experiencing depression without the slightest clue of what is causing the feelings of hopelessness. Online therapy services can be extremely helpful no matter what your situation may be.

While depression doesn’t always mean you’re stuck in bed and unable to get to a therapy session, having access to online therapy can be valuable for staying consistent. Therapist Rychel Johnson, MS, LCPC, shares, “I have a few therapy clients who utilize online sessions as needed when getting to my office feels too daunting a task.”

It can be challenging to know where to get started when you are ready to seek support for depression symptoms. The never-ending list of options for online treatment for depression can add additional stress or anxiety to your life. Our team has curated a list of the 11 best online therapy platforms for depression so that you can focus more on finding exactly what works for you and less on digging through the internet, hoping you’ll land on something decently helpful. Whether you’re looking for affordable online therapy or online couples counseling , we’ve got you covered.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis situation and need immediate support, call 911 or the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Our picks for the best online therapy for depression

• Most comprehensive: Brightside Health
• Best with a large network of licensed therapists: BetterHelp
• Best with insurance: Talkspace
• Best budget: Online-therapy.com
• Best with psychiatry: Talkiatry
• Best cognitive behavioral therapy: Calmerry
• Best for couples: Regain
• Best for teens: Teen Counseling
• Best for substance use: Monument
• Best free: 7 Cups
• Best for peer counseling: Peer Collective

Most comprehensive online therapy for depression: Brightside Health

Why we like Brightside Health as most comprehensive

Brightside Health is an online mental health support platform that offers therapy, psychiatry, and self-care services. It provides support for a variety of conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, postpartum depression, phobias, and more. Brightside Health is also one of the few online options that offer services that can be covered by insurance.

With the ability to choose between psychiatry with medication management, counseling, or a combination of both, the offered services are affordable. Many online therapy services make it challenging to just be evaluated and have medications prescribed and managed, but Brightside Health makes this easy. This is ideal since some individuals with a history of depression, or a good understanding of their current depression episode may prefer to only have medication prescribed. This may be because they either don’t feel the need or desire for counseling appointments or they cannot afford anything beyond medication as treatment.

While the combination medication and counseling approach has been shown to be the most effective treatment method for most depression cases, having the option to receive only one or the other allows Brightside consumers more autonomy with their mental health care. According to therapist Johnson, “The best depression treatment option, whether it’s medications or therapy, is the one a person will stick to consistently.”

As a Brightside Health patient, I’ve had a great experience with the service. I was looking for medication treatment but didn’t have insurance and wasn’t sure where to find it. I stumbled upon the website and was able to easily schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist and be seen within a couple of days. The whole process was smooth, and the app offers tools for self-care and check-ins.

To sign up, you’ll need to complete a short assessment to evaluate your symptoms. Once you’re set up, it’s easy to communicate with your provider. You’ll be asked to do check-ins frequently via the app to address your symptoms so your provider can evaluate how well your treatment is working.

The biggest downfall of this online treatment for depression is that once you’ve had medications prescribed and worked out a treatment that’s good for you, you’re still required to pay $45 per month in order to continue getting your monthly prescription. If you cancel your services, then any prescriptions on file at your pharmacy will be revoked. Overall, this platform earns 4.8 out of 5 stars —we love the accessibility and the variety of services, but not the way medication management works.

What customers are saying

Brightside earns a concerning 1.3 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot, with 113 ratings. Most negative reviews complain of over-billing, a confusing signup experience, and being charged even after cancelling.

However, positive reviews point to easy access to help when local therapists are unavailable, as well as excellent therapists on Brightside.

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Best with a large network of licensed therapists: BetterHelp

Why we like BetterHelp as best with a large network of licensed therapists

We like BetterHelp for a long list of reasons. There’s a pretty good chance that you’ve heard of BetterHelp even before beginning the hunt for services for yourself. This treatment for depression was one of the earlier online offerings available.

The company’s website currently claims that it’s the largest provider of online therapy services, with over 30,000 licensed therapists. Its array of therapists specializes in helping people with a range of mental health struggles, so BetterHelp makes it easy to find a provider who can offer appropriate support.

You’ll have unlimited access to your provider, as the service allows for messaging at any time. You can also access support via live chat, phone, and video sessions. We love that it’s easy to schedule your appointment and switch providers if one doesn’t suit your needs. You’ll initially be set up with a licensed therapist via the platform’s smart provider matching tool, but you’re not required to stick with the initial choice if you don’t want to. All providers are vetted and trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities.

Before actually signing up for services, you’ll need to complete a questionnaire that asks some questions about your current symptoms as well as some background and demographic information. Once you’re all set with your provider, you can access affordable and convenient support and can choose what type of support works for you and when. One week, you may prefer messaging, and the next, you may prefer video chat, which is fine on BetterHelp.

After combing through reviews of past and present users, we’ve found that BetterHelp is well-loved, and people tend to stick with it long-term once they are set up.

What customers are saying

BetterHelp has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, with nearly 7,500 ratings. It earns accolades from real users. Users love that they can text their therapist as little as much as they need to. Trustpilot is flooded with users expressing how grateful and satisfied they are with their therapist.

One of the downfalls of BetterHelp is that it doesn’t accept insurance, though it does accept HSA payments. Customers have expressed frustration with this but for the most part, the benefits of the platform outweigh this downfall.

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Best online therapy for depression with insurance: Talkspace

Why we like Talkspace as best with insurance

One of the most frustrating elements about many of the services that offer online treatment for depression is that they don’t take insurance. Accessing therapy can be costly, and if you have insurance that will cover the services, then you probably want or need to use that insurance.

Luckily, Talkspace does accept insurance, which makes it more accessible to many people. You’ll only pay around a $30 co-pay to access treatment. One of the first things you’ll do when setting up an account is input your insurance information so the platform can determine if it’s in-network and let you know what your co-pay will be.

Talkspace offers therapy to individuals, teens, and couples. It also offers psychiatry appointments and medication treatment. It will also match you with a therapist after asking a few questions, and if you want, you can change providers later.

Therapy plans start at $69 per week, and this setup includes unlimited messaging with your therapist. For $99 per week, you’ll have access to unlimited messaging with your therapist, plus a weekly video session. You can also choose the $109 per week plan, which provides access to video sessions, messaging, and weekly workshops. We love the workshop option for people who want a more interactive experience and are really dedicated to doing extra work to heal.

Whichever plan you choose, you’ll have to pay upfront for all sessions for the month. All of the plan prices are small compared to other platforms, especially considering what Talkspace offers.

We don’t like that you can’t do much on Talkspace without having to sign up. It would be nice to be able to browse the therapists and workshops available before actually paying for the services. It can be overwhelming to make such a big financial commitment without having all the information first. Unlike some other services that allow you to communicate with a therapist before officially committing, this is not the case with Talkspace.

What customers are saying

Talkspace earns a 3.5-star average rating out of 5 on Trustpilot, with 358 ratings. Negative reviews note the difficulty in canceling, being charged for sessions that never happened, and difficulty with insurance coverage.

However, positive reviews point to excellent therapist quality and the ease of getting help when local services aren’t available.

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Best budget online therapy for depression: Online-therapy.com

Why we like Online-therapy.com as best budget

While utilizing online therapy platforms to help with depression is useful, it may not be feasible for those dealing with tight financial circ*mstances. If you’re already struggling with depression, the last thing you want to add to your plate is financial stress. (1) Luckily, Online-therapy.com offers financial aid assistance, and its services are affordable even for those who don’t qualify for financial aid.

The most basic and affordable plan offered is just $50 per week, though new customers can usually expect to receive 20% off their first month. With this plan, you gain access to unlimited texting with your therapist, plus a therapy program. This plan does not include any live sessions with your therapist. For one weekly live session, you’ll need to sign up for the Standard Plan, which consists of a weekly life session, unlimited messaging, and the therapy program. The cost of this option is $80 per week. If one live session doesn’t quite cut it for you, you can pay $110 per week for two live sessions each week, plus the unlimited messaging and therapy program.

The therapists on Online-therapy.com primarily use a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) approach, which is widely used and scientifically backed as being beneficial for the treatment of depression. Research shows that CBT practices can be successfully applied to online settings, and Online-therapy.com therapists make use of this practice and are able to successfully support their customers. (2)

Along with the actual therapy, Online-therapy.com offers worksheets, a journal, an activity plan, and even yoga videos. You’ll be given many tools to help you overcome challenges you’re currently experiencing and have the tools to overcome any future challenges.

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Best online therapy for depression with psychiatry: Talkiatry

Why we like Talkiatry as best for psychiatry

Talkiatry is different than a lot of the other online treatments for depression. That’s because it puts more focus on diagnosing disorders and treating them with medication than it does on easy access to therapy.

While therapy is offered as part of a treatment plan, the experience starts with meeting a psychiatrist to discuss what you’re struggling with and come up with a plan for treatment. After taking a quick assessment, you’ll meet your psychiatrist within a few days. Online psychiatry is still relatively new but has proven to have many benefits. (8)

The downside of Talkiatry is that it’s not offered in every state. It’s currently only available in 43 states, with over 300 licensed psychiatrists. We tried to access more information about treatment plans using an Idaho address and were told to check back later.

We love that Talkiatry accepts most insurances and only costs around a $30 co-pay. When you first meet with your psychiatrist, your appointment will be 60 minutes long, and your follow-up appointments will be 30 minutes long. This is a decent amount of meeting time, as some other services only give you 15 minutes with your provider.

Keep in mind that psychiatry services are quite different than regular therapy. You’ll be assessed by a psychiatrist so they can determine what your diagnosis may be and provide treatment suggestions.

If you’re diagnosed with depression, your provider will likely review medication options as well as supplemental treatment like therapy. If therapy is recommended, then you’ll pay for the additional service, which will give you unlimited messaging access to your therapist.

We found the website easy to access, and so long as there are licensed psychiatrists available in your state, it’s easy to get your initial appointment set up. Providers on Talkiatry can even prescribe controlled substances, which is rare when it comes to online therapy services.

Unlike other platforms that make it easy to switch providers, if you’re not on board with the one you have, switching isn’t easy. Switching providers will require an email or phone call. You’ll also need to call or email if you decide to cancel services.

Overall, while Talkiatry’s website feels outdated, it’s still easier than making an in-person appointment with a psychiatrist. Additionally, the fact that insurance covers the services makes it more accessible to many people.

What customers are saying

Unfortunately, many customers don’t have great things to say about this online psychiatry platform. Talkiatry’s rating on Trustpilot is just 1.5 out of 5 stars, with 205 total reviews.

Many customers complained about billing issues with their insurance and long waits to see a psychiatrist.

“It took over a month to get the first visit scheduled,” writes Jenny D. on Trustpilot. “The provider canceled at the last minute. Then, it took almost another month to reschedule. After spending an hour with the provider when I was very clear on my intake form what I needed, I found out at the end of the appointment that she couldn’t write my medication and that she said I needed to talk to a different provider for my prescription!”

The customers who left positive reviews specifically commented on their provider rather than the platform itself.

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Best cognitive behavioral therapy for depression: Calmerry

Why we like Calmerry as best cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an approach that’s proven to be beneficial for those struggling with depression. (4) Many providers on Calmerry use CBT, so those struggling with depression can feel reassured knowing a proven solution is available.

The Calmerry website is easy to navigate. While you have to sign up and answer a few questions to access more than just the basic information, the process takes less than five minutes. Then, you’ll see a rating of where your current mood and needs and will be presented with information regarding how Calmerry can assist you in improving your symptoms.

For someone struggling with depression, the last thing you likely want to do is jump through hoops to access treatment, so we love that this service doesn’t require that. Calmerry has a network of over 1,000 providers and claims that you’ll be connected with a therapist match within an hour.

In my experience, this held up to be true. I instantly received a message from a real person letting me know they were working on finding me a therapist and that I could ask anything I needed in the meantime. It’s great that you’re able to interact with real people on the platform prior to paying for services. In fact, you can interact with all aspects of Calmerry, including the therapy plan section, mood tracker, and journal. You can also complete assessments on your own if you’d like.

When I checked the schedule while waiting to be matched with a therapist, I found that I could get an appointment within the hour. This is great for people who are struggling and need immediate assistance.

On top of all that, you can easily view the available therapists and choose which one you want if that’s your preference. Each therapist is presented on a simple slide with information about how long they have been practicing, what areas they specialize in, and whether they’re a verified provider.

Services start at $57 per week and can cost as much as $90 per week. The basic and cheapest plan includes messaging only, while the moderate plan includes two live sessions weekly, and the more intense plan includes four live visits per week. The cost of the services on Calmerry is comparable to most others. However, the messaging-only plan is on the lower end of the price scale, and you can typically access a discount for your first month.

What customers are saying

On Trustpilot, Calmerry earns an impressive 4.1-star rating out of 5, with 50 total reviews. The many positive reviews mention helpful therapists, plentiful resources and features, and an overall improvement in mental health.

Customers had some complaints about glitches within the app and issues with individual therapists.

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Best online therapy for depression for couples: Regain

Why we like Regain as best for couples

It can be a big step for couples to decide to pursue couples counseling, especially so when one or both partners are experiencing depression. So once that decision is made, it’s ideal that the process goes smoothly. (3) The sign-up process for Regain is simple—you’ll be asked questions about yourself, what relationship problems you’d like to address, what you want from your therapist, and what personal issues you’d like to address. You will then have the option to invite your partner or not.

However, unlike many other platforms, you can’t get access to Regain without paying first. You can’t browse therapists or choose your own, either.

But ReGain has over 15,000 therapists, so if you don’t like the one you’re initially matched with, you can ask to be matched with a new one. Regain is a sister site of BetterHelp—it’s just more focused on couples therapy rather than individual therapy.

To access therapy you’ll pay $65-$90 per week, which includes one live video or phone session per week and unlimited messaging to your therapist. Unfortunately, the cheaper rate only applies to students. Even at $90 per week, the cost is comparable to other therapy services that include a video call every week.

If you decide to make a change to your membership at any time, you can easily do this by going to your account settings.

What customers are saying

Regain’s rating on Trustpilot is 3.3 out of 5 stars, with 217 reviews. Many reviews mention helpful, caring therapists who work with couples to explore solutions together.

Some of the major complaints from customers are that there may be a week when either the therapist or customer isn’t available, but you’ll still be charged. Related complaints talked about issues with being matched with providers in different time zones, which makes scheduling difficult.

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Best online therapy for depression for teens: Teen Counseling

Why we like Teen Counseling as best for teens

If you’re a teen or parent of one and have concerns regarding depression, early diagnoses and treatment are ideal. It’s not easy to find online therapy for teens , as what will work depends so much on each individual’s needs and struggles. There can also be a lot of barriers to teens receiving treatment for depression, but being able to access treatment from anywhere via technology will hopefully help break down some of those barriers. (5)

Teen counseling has over 14,000 licensed therapists, and they’re accessible via text, phone, or video chat. Having such a vast pool of therapists makes it more likely that there’s a therapist available to match your needs. Upon signing up, you’ll be matched with a therapist and then communication can begin.

Without signing up, the only part of Teen Counseling you can access is FAQs and reviews, so if you’re hoping to explore before signing up, that’s not exactly possible. While this is common with other online therapy sites, it’s still disappointing.

Teen Counseling has two separate environments: one for the parent and one for the teen. However, what happens between the teen and therapist remains confidential unless there’s a serious concern.

Aside from the actual therapy that occurs, Teen Counseling doesn’t offer any other tools to assist in treatment. If you need more assistance, you can reach out to the support team, but that’s about it. We think it would be beneficial if there were worksheets or other interactive aspects of the platform that were available to both the teen and the parent as supplemental materials.

What customers are saying

With 55 reviews, Teen Counseling earns 3.1 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot. Satisfied customers mention accessibility, especially for teens who find in-person visits intimidating.

Negative reviews note overcharging, being billed even when sessions don’t occur, and flaky therapists.

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Best online therapy for depression for substance use: Monument

Why we like Monument as best for substance use

Monument is an online therapy platform that focuses on helping individuals build healthy habits and eliminate ones that are negatively impacting their lives. It focuses specifically on alcohol use disorder. “For someone trying to reduce substance use, frequent check-ins can be helpful,” Johnson adds. “Individuals wanting to reduce alcohol use can benefit from the structured treatment planning that therapy offers and set beneficial goals with the support of a qualified therapist.”

This is yet another online therapy service that requires you to pay for a membership before you can explore the features and therapists it offers. However, once you’re signed up, Monument has some impressive offerings.

You’ll start by meeting with your matched therapist, then have a consultation with a physician to determine if medication may help you on your journey to reduce alcohol use. Not many other programs offer physician consultation and medication assistance for substance use, which makes it a standout feature.

In addition, Monument gives you access to support groups and online courses. The combination of real-time support and tools to improve coping skills can help reduce the chances of struggling in the future. (13)

Momentum also offers articles written by experts to help you better understand your struggle and how to deal with it. It even has live community events that you can attend. This is great for those individuals struggling with substance use who thrive in social environments.

If the community aspect is appealing and therapy is not something you’re ready for, you can pay a monthly membership fee of $14.99 to gain access to the community-only features. With it, you can attend live support group calls.

Unfortunately, this may be the only option for people in some states. Therapy and medication treatment are only available in 20 states.

If you live in a state where these services are available, you can select from a variety of plans. The Physician Care Plan is about $10 per month, and the Total Care Weekly Plan is $249 per month, which includes one video call per week, unlimited physician appointments, medication management, support groups and community foams, and chat-based messaging with your therapist and physician. You can also choose a biweekly therapy plan for $149 monthly.

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Best free online therapy for depression: 7 Cups

Why we like 7 Cups as best free

Paid therapy options are not an option for many people in need. Research shows that affordability is one of the main perceived barriers to mental health services. (9)

7 Cups is unique because it’s free, but also because—along with having licensed counselors—there are also ‘listeners’ available. When signing up, one of the questions you’re asked is which resources would be useful to you. These resources include options like support groups, professional therapy, and even AI therapy chatbots.

When I was exploring 7 Cups, I checked a variety of options to an idea of the offerings. I was presented with the option to say whether I was interested in expert help, along with various educational pieces about treatment.

The sign-up process was a combination of questions and education, which made it time-consuming, and I nearly lost interest. My answers were used to create a personalized plan to reduce distress associated with depression by a date three months in the future. I was then offered the opportunity to upgrade to the premium experience for $12.95 per month after a free seven-day trial. With only the free plan, you can still access 24/7 emotional support, a personalized plan, and a variety of educational tools.

Although there are professionals available, you can also chat with someone as just a friend or listening ear. You can either connect with the first available listener or search the trained listener database to find someone who matches up with your background or has experienced struggles similar to yours.

“Peer support is a valuable resource,” Johnson says. “Often, when working with a mental health professional, you can sense barriers in the relationship when the therapist has not had a similar lived experience. By confiding in a listener, you may feel less pressure to appear a certain way.”

All listeners are required to complete an online course to help them develop helpful listening skills. It’s an excellent platform if you’re just looking for someone outside your circle to vent to. You can even give back and be a listener yourself if it suits you.

What customers are saying

With 540 reviews on Trustpilot, 7 Cups earns an impressive 4.7 stars out of 5. Reviewers admire the judgment-free community and accessible price, and reviewers who serve as listeners report getting a lot out of the experience.

The few negative reviews mention specific, unhelpful listeners and overbearing community moderators.

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Best online therapy for depression for peer counseling: Peer Collective

Why we like Peer Collective as best for peer counseling

If you’re experiencing depression and are not interested in a medical diagnosis or medication, but would like to have someone to talk to, then Peer Collective is the perfect fit. Rather than speaking to a licensed clinician, you’ll instead chat with someone similar to yourself who has shared experiences and has been trained by professionals.

The idea of a diagnosis or medication can be too much to handle for some people. If that’s the case for you, peer counseling is likely a better option than professional counseling. In my experience, peer counseling feels more personal, and you’re able to focus more on what you have to say rather than worrying about someone trying to ‘fix’ you.

Peer Collective’s pricing is quite a bit different than that of other platforms because you pay per session rather than by week or month. The cheapest session is $22 and lasts for 30 minutes. You can also purchase a ‘package deal’ and get 4 hours for $100. This is very affordable compared to other services.

This type of mental health support isn’t ideal for someone with severe mental health issues or those in crisis who need an immediate resolution. While some support is better than no support, these types of struggles are best handled by professionals, and anyone in severe distress should seek more intensive services.

Peer counselors can allow you to feel understood and acknowledged. They may share their own real-life experiences to help you relate to them and potentially resolve some of the struggles in your life. Professional counselors are better known for being objective and do not typically spend time trying to bond with or relate to their clients.

When you sign up, you can browse the peer counselors and choose one that feels like a good fit. If you don’t mesh after a session or two, then you can move on to a new counselor. All sessions will take place via Zoom or by phone.

We do feel like the Peer Collective website could use some work. There are some broken links that disrupt the navigation of the website. There aren’t many ‘extras’ available on Peer Collective, but what is available is affordable and of quality.

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How we test online therapy for depression

At Fortune, online therapy reviews are conducted using a combination of first-hand experience and testing as well as extensive reviews of services. Reviewers are experienced in mental health and related fields and all information undergoes a review by a mental health expert in order to ensure its accuracy. To learn more about how we assess services and platforms, you can read our teletherapy testing methodology for more information.

Therapist quality—30%

A top-notch teletherapy service should feel both personal and professional, not impersonal or generic. It should connect users with certified and experienced therapists, not unqualified individuals. Here’s what we look for:

• Expertise
• Personalization
• Interaction quality

Accessibility and convenience—30%

Teletherapy directly impacts an individual’s ability to seek, engage with, and benefit from mental health services. Whether it’s a scheduling issue, lack of transportation, or being physically unable to see a therapist in person, everyone’s situation is different. Teletherapy is here to help change that. With the convenience of teletherapy being a significant advantage, we evaluate:

• Ease of use
• Availability
• Platform reliability

Cost and value—20%

Unfortunately, mental health services are inaccessible to many people who don’t have behavioral health insurance. In an era where mental health care is more necessary, yet often more expensive than ever, assessing the cost-effectiveness of teletherapy services becomes not just relevant but essential.

Here’s what we factor into a teletherapy’s cost and value rating:

• Pricing transparency
• Insurance and coverage
• Value for money

Support and resources—10%

Good mental health habits don’t end after each session. It’s a constant task we must continue to practice. Access to additional support and resources is invaluable for clients seeking to deepen their understanding of mental health issues, learn additional coping strategies, or continue therapeutic work in between sessions. Beyond the therapy sessions, additional support can enhance the therapeutic experience.

Our factors in this rating include:

• Supplementary materials
• Customer support
• Aftercare

Privacy and security—10%

While teletherapy is an incredibly convenient way to seek mental health, it poses some risks. Maintaining client confidentiality and data security is paramount in teletherapy. As clients entrust teletherapy services with their mental health information, stories, and vulnerabilities, the responsibility of these platforms to protect such information is paramount.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Compliance with HIPAA and data protection laws
• Encryption and security measures
• Anonymity options

How to choose the best online treatment for depression

When searching for online treatment for depression, there are a few factors to consider: what you can afford, how much time you want to commit to therapy, what type of communication works best for you, and whether or not you need a diagnosis and/or medication management.

Not all platforms offer all services, and some are more affordable but offer fewer bonus features. If you want a diagnosis or medication, then you want to look for programs that offer psychiatry appointments.

The method of contact and how frequently you’d like to be in contact with your therapist or support person will determine the type of online treatment that works for you. Choose a platform that offers the type of communication you’re interested in.

You should also carefully consider the severity of your symptoms to determine whether you need a licensed professional or if a peer support person or trainer listener would suffice.

Who should use online therapy for depression?

Online therapy is an acceptable treatment for depression for individuals who are not in need of immediate medical assistance and do not have a history of severe mental disturbances. While some therapy is typically better than none, some people will benefit more from face-to-face therapy or may require hospitalization if their symptoms are too severe.

Online therapy may not be a great fit for those who struggle to hold themselves accountable. These individuals may fail to show up to online appointments and would benefit more from a face-to-face interaction, where they will be accountable for their actions if they form an in-person relationship with their provider. Online therapy options are less equipped to handle clinical crises, according to a study conducted on internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy. (10)

How to prepare for your first session of online therapy for depression

Your first session of online therapy may feel intimidating, but it will get easier over time. Prior to your first session, write down any questions you may have for your provider. These questions can address the services themselves, the issues you’re currently struggling with, or even be related to gaining a better understanding of the benefits of online therapy for depression.

You should also be prepared to share a decent amount of information about what you’re experiencing. It can be both overwhelming and relieving to share your concerns and needs with someone, so be prepared to experience a lot of emotions and maybe even cry. I personally cried during my first appointment with my online provider, but a lot of the tears were simply because I was so relieved to finally get out what I had to say.

Keep in mind that online therapy sessions are meant to be judgement-free, and you should not worry about trying to appear a certain way to your provider. Some people feel concerned that their provider is assessing everything they say and do, and this makes them feel self-conscious. Before your appointment, remind yourself that your provider’s only intent is to help you, so it’s ok to let it all out. “Show up as you are, in comfortable clothing if you’d prefer, and know you are deserving of receiving help,” Johnson says.

Emergency situations

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis and need immediate support, call 911.

Here are some additional resources available to individuals in the United States that can be accessed in crisis situations:

• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline : Call or text 988
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
• Crisis Text Line: Text “DESERVE” TO 741-741
• Lifeline Crisis Chat (Online live messaging): https://988lifeline.org/chat
• Self-Harm Hotline: 1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288)
• Essential local and community services: 211, https://www.211.org/
• Planned Parenthood Hotline: 1-800-230-PLAN (7526)
• American Association of Poison Control Centers: 1-800-222-1222
• National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency Hope Line: 1-800-622-2255
• National Crisis Line – Anorexia and Bulimia: 1-800-233-4357
• LGBT Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
• TREVOR Crisis Hotline: 1-866-488-7386
• AIDS Crisis Line: 1-800-221-7044
• Veterans Crisis Line: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net
• TransLifeline: https://www.translifeline.org – 877-565-8860

FAQs

Our experts

Rychel Johnson, M.S., LCPC

Rychel is a licensed clinical professional counselor in Kansas. She owns a private practice specializing in anxiety treatment and social skills development. Rychel also enjoys extensive road trips and spending time with her husband, daughter, and two cats.

Krista Manning

Krista Manning is an accomplished medical copy editor and fact-checker who stands out in the pharmaceutical, health, and wellness domains. With a meticulous eye for detail and a command of medical language, Krista ensures the accuracy and clarity of content. Beyond her professional expertise, Krista is an advocate for mental health awareness. Recognizing the crucial intersection of psychological and physical well-being, she actively contributes to projects that promote mental health awareness within the healthcare narrative. Krista’s commitment extends beyond the pages she edits, emphasizing the holistic nature of health communication.