Description Meet Face-to-face with or online with a certified therapist Complete a self paced therapy program and learn to manage your mood Effectiveness In-person therapy has been shown to be effective at treating a wide range mental health disorders Online therapy without any therapist intervention has been shown to be effective at improving mental health Confidentiality Meet with a therapist online or in person to discuss your personal information Learn how to mange your mood on your own through our online therapy program Convenience Have to schedule regular usually weekly sessions with therapist Interactive therapy can be accessed at anytime from anywhere Availability Availability of trained professionals and services can very wildly based on your location Online therapy is available to everyone regardless of location Cost Meeting Therapist online or in-person can cost from $50-$150 per session Interactive therapy can be used as a stand alone or complementary therapy tool for FREE
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What is online therapy?
Online therapy sessions can take place via mobile app, video conference, email, text message, or any other platform where conversations occur virtually.
Online therapy is also known as e-therapy, telepsychiatry, or cyber-counseling. Some mental health professionals and organizations offer courses about specific topics. Through these courses, participants can learn to manage the symptoms associated with their mental health and deal with stressful situations.
Is online therapy right for me?
According to the American Psychiatric Association, telemedicine and telepsychiatry are suitable for people of all ages.
However, teletherapy may be particularly beneficial for autistic people, people with physical disabilities causing mobility challenges, and people from marginalized groups that traditionally have less access to mental health care. In addition, some people may prefer online therapy sessions due to having limited access to in-office visits.
A person also needs to have reliable internet access in their home to participate in teletherapy. And online health services, including therapy sessions, may be less secure than in-office visits, as a person who exploits a digital security vulnerability may be able to access confidential information.
Further, technical difficulties or limitations can make it difficult for some people to access effective online sessions. A person who is more concerned about their privacy and security online may wish to explore in-person therapy instead.
Is online therapy effective?
Online video or phone therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy.
A 2014 study found that online therapy for people with depression was as beneficial as in-person appointments.
And a 2018 meta-analysis of high quality studies found that online cognitive behavioral therapy was effective for people with mental health conditions such as major depression, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.
The above studies show support for video or phone therapy. However, some online therapy services use text or email messaging. There is no evidence to support the efficacy of email- or text-based therapy, and these forms of online therapy may not offer the same benefits as other methods.
A 2019 study found that users of mental health apps may not engage with them in the long term. This reduction in engagement may indicate that therapy apps are ineffective for long-term treatment.
Can people get therapy for free?
Some organizations offer free support for individuals with mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. They provide a supportive community and a space to talk, and they may also host group sessions where people can meet others with the same condition or issue.
That said, these services may not suit those looking for quick advice or people with serious mental health conditions, such as severe depression or suicidal thoughts.
Some companies offer free therapy sessions on a limited basis. These short-term options may be enough to help someone determine whether they need further support.
How we chose
Medical News Today chooses products that meet the following criteria:
- The company verifiably offers free or reduced-cost online therapy.
- The company connects people with certified clinicians or clearly states if the counselors are general volunteers.
- The organization does not engage in any suspicious or unethical practices or ones that can worsen a person’s mental health or pose a legal or safety threat.
- The organization offers convenient teletherapy either for everyone or for specific groups more at risk for mental health disorders.
Free online therapy comparison
Here we compare the online therapy options in this article.
Type of supportCommunication methodMain featuresHims and Hersonline group therapyvideo calloffers anonymity
offers gender-specific group therapyBlissonline self-guided courseBliss’s mood monitoroffers anonymity
can complete the course at their own pace7 Cupslisteners and group chatonline chattrained listeners
self-help guidesPostpartum Support Internationalone-on-one and group callsvoice calls
video calls
texts
online chatsoffers support for a range of identities
offers chats with experts and peersTherapy Aid Coalitiontherapy with a licensed therapistvirtual therapycan filter by expertise and location
offers various optional feesCrisis Text Linecrisis counselorstextoffers trained crisis counselors for a range of concernsDRK Beauty Healingonline counseling with a therapistvirtual therapyoffers a directory of local clinicians, including therapists, clincial social workers, psychiatrists, and psyschologists
How to choose free online therapy
Sometimes, companies that appear to offer free services may actually impose hidden fees or fail to provide the quality of care they advertise.
For this reason, a person should thoroughly research potential providers to ensure that they are a reliable organizations connecting people with quality mental health support.
It is also important to ask if the therapy will be HIPAA compliant and if the organization will protect the person’s sensitive medical information. In addition, there are inherent digital security risks in any online interaction. A person should learn what a teletherapy company or organization is doing to protect people’s data before proceeding.
Learn more on how to vet providers.
Alternative options
People who do not use free online therapy can seek help by exploring other options. These may include:
- Online forums: People can join online forums and share their experiences with others who have been through similar situations. There may be no trained therapists in these forums, but a person can find support and encouragement from other individuals.
- Support groups: People can join support groups specializing in specific problems or conditions. Some groups help those with anxiety, depression, or addiction and take place in person. Others are available online. All groups enable people to meet other individuals in similar circumstances.
- College mental health services: Students may be able to access their college’s counseling center, which can offer free or low cost therapy sessions.
- Hobbies: According to Head to Health, people with hobbies are less likely to develop stress and symptoms associated with depression. Through hobbies, individuals can learn new skills, meet new people, and improve their communication skills.
Frequently asked questions about online therapy
Here we answer some common questions about therapy.
Is there such a thing as free online therapy?
Yes, there is such a thing as free online therapy.
Some services may offer free or discounted therapy with licensed professionals to certain groups, such as essential workers and People of Color. Others may offer free group chats with trained volunteers.
Is free therapy as good as expensive therapy?
The quality of free teletherapy compared to traditional paid therapy depends on the quality of the organization or company offering the service. For due diligence, a person should always research any telehealth service before trying it.
What’s the best online free therapy for kids?
Several telehealth companies offer counseling for kids. However, not all of them may be free.
Learn more about the best online therapy programs for kids here.
What should I not tell my therapist?
Therapy aims to provide a space where a person can be open and honest about the effects circumstances have on their emotional, physical, and mental well-being.
It is important not to lie to a therapist or hide information. People who do not tell their therapist relevant information may hinder their progress.
Summary
Various organizations and companies offer free online therapy. People who cannot afford or attend in-person therapy sessions can benefit from this type of service.
A person can join group sessions with some organizations without registering and while staying anonymous.
Those who have thoughts of suicide or are experiencing domestic violence need immediate help.
