

The lack of immediate support for those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or another mental health emergency.


“Telehealth and on-the-ground care are complementary to each other,” says Feldpausch. But Feldpausch says that telehealth isn't for everyone, and it should never fully replace in-person care. She notes that many patients and caregivers are unable to take time off from work for in-person appointments, and that telehealth appointments can be of particular benefit to elderly patients or those living with disabilities. “Telehealth is just easier to access than in-person care for many people,” says Dr. Significant improvements occurred in patients in both categories, with no significant difference in efficacy between the two formats.Īccording to Nora Feldpausch, MD, a psychiatrist in Colorado and the medical director of Mantra Health, a digital mental health provider for university students, its unique benefits make virtual counseling a great fit for certain folks. The results of more than 100 independent studies were published in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy in May 2021, comparing the efficacy of in-person therapy and online therapy. Read hundreds of verified customer reviews from trusted third parties such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot Reviewed academic research about the efficacy of online therapy versus in-person therapy.Consulted six leading psychologists and psychiatrists.Contacted brands’ customer service teams to ask questions and gauge responsiveness.Conducted two focus groups of online therapy users and potential users.Deployed five surveys of the following participant groups: 1,000 online therapy users, 200 BetterHelp users, 200 Brightside users, and 200 Talkspace users.Tested eight brands over a two-month period by going behind the paywall to mystery shop our best online therapy choices, putting ourselves in the shoes of our readers and recording our daily experiences as real customers of the brands.Engaged in ongoing independent research, accumulating more than 400 hours to date spent researching and investigating the brands and market we cover.You can trust our review because we did the legwork for you in these specific ways: We’ve spent hundreds of hours carrying out in-depth research on the online therapy market. We independently investigate and recommend products and services we believe will enrich the lives of our readers and meet their specific needs. Best for treating alcohol use disorder Monument.Best for the LGBTQ+ community Pride Counseling.Best for cognitive behavioral therapy.Best that can provide medication Brightside.Our Top Picks for the Best Online Therapy Platforms in 2023 To help guide you toward a provider that’s right for you, our reviews team conducted extensive research into online therapy platforms and selected the best for various healthcare needs, preferences, and budgets.

With many new teletherapy platforms launching in recent years, it can be hard to choose the right one. Plus, virtual therapy may be more affordable than in-person visits (unless you have insurance that covers therapy), according to the American Psychological Association. Now you have access to therapy anywhere you have an internet connection. With online therapy, you no longer have to travel to a therapist’s office to prioritize your mental health.
