When depression makes it difficult to get organized and take action, online depression treatment platforms like Lemonaid, Online-Therapy.com, and Inclusive Treatment help real people cope with actual mental health issues.
A rapid look at the 8 best online help resources for depression
- Best overall: BetterHelp |Gambol to Review
- Most comprehensive: Talkspace |Skip toward Review
- Best for relationships: Regain |Skip to Review
- Best for LGBTQIA+ users: Inclusive Treatment |Skip to Review
- Best for teenagers: Teen Therapy |Skip to Review
- Best for cognitive behavioural therapy: Online-Therapy.com |Gambol to Review
- Best for prescription services: Lemonaid |Gambol to Review
Comparison chart of resources
Many people turn to in-person and online therapy to treat and achieve depression, a common mental health problem.
If you suffer from depression, know that it can be treated. With the proper backing, you can effectively manage the situation. You can start by seeking help in person or online.
But how do you know if online depression help is right for you? Here, we look at some of the best online resources about depression and its differences.
Healthline’s choices of the 8 best online resources for depression
Best general
Price: $65–$90 a week
Insurance: Services generally aren’t covered, but BetterHelp recently offered financial aid.
BetterHelp is the largest online therapy platform with over 7,800 licensed therapists, making it our top pick. All therapists have at least 3 years and 1,000 hours of experience. However, they cannot diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, or comply with court orders.
You can work with a therapist through a browser or an app on your phone. You can schedule weekly live chats via phone or video call and receive unlimited text messages.
Overall, users are satisfied if they can find a therapist that is right for them. Some users would like more information about whether a therapist is right for them. They also said that they would prefer their therapists to respond more quickly.
You can read appraisals on the BetterHelp website, but there is no way to sort them by rating or search by keywords. However, you can read reviews about each psychoanalyst.
You can check available our review of BetterHelp.
Pros:
- 24/7 access to therapists via manuscripts, live chat, mobile calls, and video calls
- financial succour for qualified individuals
- you can change therapists or cancel your payment at any time
Cons:
- the cover doesn’t cover it
- therapists may be slow to respond
- psychoanalysts can’t diagnose circumstances or recommend medications
Most comprehensive
- Price: Unlimited Messaging Treatment Plus is $69 a week. Limitless Messaging Therapy Premium is $79 a week, which includes a monthly live therapy session. Unlimited Messaging Treatment Ultimate is $99 a week, which includes four live monthly sessions. Each additional live session is $49. You can now use the code Singular offer: $85 off with code HEALTHLINE85.
- Insurance: Talkspace associates with different health plans to provide virtual therapy.
Talkspace offers online therapy for individuals, couples, and teens (with parental consent), making it our most comprehensive option. With Talkspace, you can attach with a licensed therapist via text, audio, or video. You can fill out a questionnaire to share your symptoms of depression in detail.
All Talkspace therapists have over 3,000 hours of scientific experience and are trained in various treatment modalities, including dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). They recently began offering online psychiatry services, which means they can prescribe medication.
Some users reported slow response times to their requests and that some therapists misinformed their clients. Other users noted that their therapists were responsive and attentive and that they tailored sessions to their specific needs.
You can read our review of Talkspace.
Pros:
- 24/7 access to therapists via document message, audio, or video
- insurance attention is possible
- you can alteration or cancel your strategy at any time
- online psychiatry facilities available
Cons:
- doesn’t provide legal documentation for court-ordered treatment or disability programs
- therapists may be slow to reply
- poor client service
Best for relationships
- Price: $60–$90 a week.
- Insurance: No insurance reimbursement. You’ll be owed out of pocket every 4 weeks and can cancel anytime.
Regain Counseling is another BetterHelp platform. Specializing in issues and concerns related to romantic, platonic, and family relationships, it is our top choice for couples therapy. Regain also offers individual therapy.
Regain offers unlimited text messaging with your counsellor. You and your partner can chat virtually and schedule video conferences and phone calls. If you suffer from depression, Regain therapists can help you manage your symptoms. However, they cannot diagnose or prescribe medication.
Users noted that the platform is easy to use and offers personalized services for couples and individuals. On the other hand, some users said that filling out questionnaires and responding to therapist messages was lengthy.
You can read our appraisal of Regain.
Pros:
- video sessions, virtual room chats, and phone calls are available
- accessible platform
- affordable
Cons:
- therapists can’t deliver a diagnosis or prescribe medication
- no insurance coverage
- no option for tripartite phone calls
Best for LGBTQIA+ users
- Price: $0-$100 a session (sliding gage options)
- Insurance: insurance handling is likely
Inclusive Psychoanalysts is less a platform and more of a therapeutic directory that connects people with therapists, coaches, and other mental health professionals.
You can filter therapists by location, services, speciality, identity, values, languages, cultural competence, etc. You can also find professionals who offer sliding scale options or financial assistance. If you prefer, you can use the contact form to connect with potential therapists.
With a focus on decolonial and anti-oppressive values, Inclusive Therapists is our top choice for online depression treatment for LGBTQIA+ users. They also promote justice for BIPOC, disabled, and neurodivergent communities.
The interface isn’t as intuitive as other directories and platforms. Still, it’s worth figuring out if you’re looking for a mental vigour expert to help you feel safe and understood.
Inclusive Therapists also offers a variety of free online resources, including blog posts, podcasts, training, events, and more.
Pros:
- focus on supporting marginalized groups
- numerous filter options
- useful online resources
Cons:
- Slightly clumsy interface
Best for teenagers
- Price: $60–$90 weekly, billed every 4 weeks.
- Insurance: Can’t submit claims to insurance.
Teen Counseling is BetterHelp’s online platform and app for teens ages 13-19.
This platform is the best online resource for teens because it has counsellors specializing in teen issues. They also have experience helping parents and caregivers of teens needing extra support to meet their child’s needs. However, counsellors cannot diagnose or prescribe medication.
Your teen can communicate with the counsellor via text, chat, phone, or video, depending on their preference. Chats are for the teen and their counsellor only.
Clients report that the counsellor listened to them and gave them practical advice on how to cope. Several parents noted that the therapists did a great job helping their children overcome depression. Some negative comments focused on the schedule and poor communication from the therapists.
You can read our review of Teen Therapy.
Pros:
- helps teens, parents, and carers to navigate the challenges of youth
- communication options comprise messaging, live chats, phone calls, and video conferencing
- therapists specify in teen issues
Cons:
- Does not accept insurance.
- Therapists cannot diagnose medical conditions or prescribe medication.
- They cannot treat severe mental health conditions or handle emergencies or crises.
Best for cognitive behavioural therapy
- Price: Basic plans are $39.95 a week. The Standard plan is $59.95 weekly for extra chat and messaging support with a therapist. The Premium plan is $79.95 weekly for express replies and two weekly live chat therapist sessions. Currently, the stage offers a 20% discount for the first month.
- Insurance: This does not accept cover, but you can request reimbursement or direct service payment.
Our top pick for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Online-Therapy.com, is not a chat platform but an online CBT-based course that provides information, tools, and advice on relieving depression. You can access these materials in eight text, audio, or video sections.
Once you complete the worksheets, your assigned therapist will provide feedback within 24 hours. You will receive a journal, a session plan, and videos of yoga and meditation sessions. You can also sign up for a plan that offers one-on-one therapy via chat and allows you to message your therapist.
Overall, users find Online-Therapy.com helpful if they effortlessly fill out the worksheets. Some saw the cost as high and wished the app was compatible with their phone.
Pros:
- therapists specialize in CBT methods and online CBT
- you have the option to be nameless, though you must submit reserve contact information
- user-friendly platform
Cons:
- therapists cannot recommend medication
- therapists are only obtainable on weekdays
- only available for adults
Best for prescription services
- Price: $5 for the first calendar month, $95 a month after that. You’ll also pay a one-time $25 referring fee for an initial assessment. The fee is waived if you fail in Lemonaid’s services.
- Insurance: Does not take cover, counting their mail-order pharmacy, but you can have a prescription sent to your pharmacy for insurance to cover.
Our top pick for prescription drug services is Lemonaid, a telemedicine company offering treatment for over 30 conditions. With online depression treatment, you can take advantage of a monthly consultation with a licensed medical professional, a personalized treatment plan, 24/7 access to your healthcare team, and home delivery of depression medications.
Before using an online psychiatrist, you will need to take an online depression assessment to describe your condition and symptoms.
Lemonaid providers cannot currently treat bipolar disorder. Also, while Lemonaid can prescribe medications, you must find an outside clinic to perform lab tests if your doctor requires it.
You can check out our Lemonaid appraisal.
Pros:
- user-friendly stage
- offers online psychiatry and a suitable mail-order pharmacy
- competitive pricing
Cons:
- specific medicines may require lab work at an outdoor clinic
- does not take insurance
- only available for adults
Do I need online help for depression?
The symptoms of depression look different for everybody and can include:
- feeling sad, hopeless, or nervous
- feelings of guilt or helplessness
- loss of incentive and interest or desire in the things you used to enjoy
- feeling tired or consuming little energy
- having aches or pains or digestive issues that don’t appear to go away, and there’s no physical cause
- touching or speaking leisurely than usual
- feeling restless
- trouble concentrating or making decisions
- difficulty asleep or sleeping too much
- a change in hunger or weight changes
- opinions of blue yourself
- self-harm
- suicidal thoughts
Using online therapy for unhappiness may be a good option if you want to talk to a licensed therapist and have admission to Wi-Fi and the internet in addition to a computer, phone, or tablet.
Please note that many online platforms do not offer the ability to get diagnostics or prescription medications, so you may need to look elsewhere.
How we chose
Healthline’s medical experts have carefully reviewed each online platform to ensure quality and medical credibility. Each company follows industry best practices, demonstrates trustworthiness, and makes a positive social impact on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
We also curate online depression treatment resources that offer supple pricing and payment options to suit various needs. Some platforms provide financial assistance to those who qualify. We also include resources with highly experienced therapists to meet the needs of multiple communities.
A mental health professional after the Healthline medical network has medically reviewed this article to ensure its accuracy and to provide recommendations.
We considered several criteria when choosing the best online platforms, including:
- company standing
- making it unquestionable all therapists were licensed
- positive user feedback
- flexible fees and recompense options
- a variety of facilities that accept insurance
- provide several message methods
- ease of use
Does it work?
“While some clients prefer in-person therapy, others benefit greatly from telehealth,” explains Dr Jessica Ruiz, a leading psychologist and director of Behavioral Health Associates of Broward, a counselling centre for Goodman Jewish Family Services in Davie, Florida.
Online therapists can offer many of the same interventions in an office setting.
Online therapy is convenient. Staying at home can be helpful for depression therapy, especially if your symptoms are more severe.
Ruiz noted that some people find that the physical distance online therapy provides allows them to experience and feel emotions they might feel if they were in their therapist’s office.
However, you may find that your needs are not met as effectively as if you were interacting with a therapist in person.
According to Ruiz, “Those who require a higher level of attention, who have difficulty connecting in a virtual format, or who rely heavily on body language to feel safe may do better when receiving services in the attendance of their counsellor.”
How to choose the best online depression help for you.
To find the right online depression help option, decide what aspects of therapy are most important to you. This might include a treatment plan with unlimited messaging or frequent video calls. You might need a strong connection with your therapist and feel they understand your needs. If you’re gainful out of pocket, choose a platform that offers good value for money.
Make sure you feel comfortable sharing information with your therapist, and don’t hesitate to change therapists if your current therapist isn’t a good fit. However, remember that results won’t be immediate, and waiting a few weeks for the treatment to take effect is best. You can talk to your therapist about regulating your action design how you want.
Pardon looking for online depression help.
In addition to knowing what type of help you want from a therapist, be sure to keep the following essential tips in mind when searching for online resources:
- Requirements: Be sure to do your research on your potential therapist. You should be licensed to practice and have experience, especially in your interest. For online therapy, make sure it is available in your state.
- Privacy and Security: Review the website’s privacy policy to ensure it has a data-sharing policy and how it provides the confidentiality of your online sessions.
- Forums and Groups: If you are interested in connecting with people who have had similar experiences, we encourage you to explore online resources to find forums, apps, or group chats where you can read and share your story. However, keep in mind that anyone can respond, and they may not be a certified professional. It may be helpful to speak with a certified professional before visiting forums.
- Price: Visit different websites and see what services they offer for their price. Ensure you have a specific budget; don’t be shy about asking about hidden costs. You can also visit their websites for information about insurance coverage, financial assistance, and allowed online capital.
Often asked questions about online help for depression
While it is expected to experience a variety of moods and emotions depending on different situations and circumstances, severe or clinical depression occurs when a person frequently feels sad, hopeless, or helpless for no apparent reason. You may experience a low mood and lose interest in activities you once enjoyed.
Other psychological indications of depression include feeling irritable, unmotivated, and indecisive. Physical symptoms include lack of energy, sleep problems, and digestive problems.
To be identified with clinical depression, symptoms of unhappiness must persist for at least two weeks.
Many treatment plans for depression involve a combination of approaches. Treatment options include antidepressants and lifestyle changes, such as exercise, mindfulness practices, and self-help strategies. Therapeutic options include cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and interpersonal therapy (IPT).
Yes, you can. You can talk to your main care physician or psychologist about your depression through telehealth. If you have severe depression, you may be referred to a licensed mental health professional who can prescribe medication if needed.
Depending on your location and condition, you may be able to access medication through online mental health.
People with mild to reasonable depression may benefit from talking to a psychologist, although these health professionals are not qualified to prescribe medication.
However, depression can usually be diagnosed by any health care professional: a doctor, nurse, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
What online resources are helpful for anxiety?
As mental health becomes a progressively important topic in our daily lives, there are many resources available to help people cope with anxiety and depression. The Anxiety and Unhappiness Association of America offers a list of free online resources to browse and choose the ones that work best for you. The Anxiety Resource Center also has a wide range of capital available.
Is there a website to assist people with unhappiness?
If you’re feeling signs of sadness, the net can be a good home to detect help. After free online capitals to public settings, it can be a salvation for those needing extra support.
The internet can be a valuable place to connect with other persons with depression, find quality mental health evidence, and admission online therapy.
Beyond the online therapy capitals mentioned above, you could try:
- The Bezzy Depression public
- Our mental health articles and resources
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness’s capitals and support groups
- The Anxiety and Unhappiness Association of America’s support groups
If you need emergency assistance for unhappiness or suicidality, you can find assistance by calling a national helpline. Reflect on calling the Self-destruction and Disaster Salvation on 988 or text “HOMEBASED” to the Crisis Text Link at 741741.
Is there an app for people with depression?
Yes. Many apps aim to provide support to people with depression.
Our list of the best apps for depression includes mindfulness resources, mental health information, mood trackers, community support forums, and more.
Takeaway
If you’re suffering from depression, there are many options for online therapy. Each platform offers different benefits, services, and features, so that some resources may be better for you than others.
If one online therapy platform doesn’t work for you, try another to find one that works best.
