How Much Does Online Therapy Cost? Complete 2025 Price Guide

How Much Does Online Therapy Cost? Complete 2025 Price Guide

Last Updated: November 12, 2025 | Medically Reviewed

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Online therapy has revolutionized mental healthcare accessibility, but cost remains a primary concern for many people seeking treatment. In this comprehensive guide, we break down exactly how much online therapy costs in 2025, compare major platforms, and show you how to find affordable options.

Quick Answer: Average Costs

Average online therapy cost: $60-$120 per week ($240-$480/month)

Price range by platform type:

• Subscription platforms: $60-$100/week
• Per-session platforms: $80-$150/session
• Insurance-covered: $0-$40 copay per session
• Psychiatry (medication): $85-$300/month additional

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Detailed Cost Breakdown by Platform

1. BetterHelp - $60-$90/week

Monthly cost: $240-$360 Billing: Weekly subscription What's included:

• Unlimited messaging to your therapist
• One 30-45 minute live session per week (video, phone, or chat)
• Worksheet and activity access
• Easy therapist switching

Hidden costs: None Insurance: Not accepted Financial aid: Available for qualifying individuals

Best value if: You want unlimited therapist access and weekly sessions

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2. Talkspace - $69-$109/week

Monthly cost: $276-$436 Billing: Weekly or monthly subscription What's included:

• Unlimited messaging (therapist responds 5 days/week)
• Live video sessions (varies by plan: 0-4 per month)
• Psychiatry services available (additional cost)

Plans:

• Messaging Only: $69/week
• Messaging + 1 video: $79/week
• Messaging + 4 videos: $109/week

Insurance: Some employer plans accepted Financial aid: Limited availability

Best value if: You prefer text-based therapy with occasional video

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3. Cerebral - $85-$325/month

Monthly cost: $85-$325 Billing: Monthly subscription What's included:

• Monthly video session with therapist
• Unlimited messaging with therapist
• Medication management (if needed)
• Prescription delivery

Plans:

• Therapy only: $85/month (currently limited availability)
• Therapy + Medication: $325/month
• Medication only: $85/month (for existing patients)

Insurance: Some plans accepted Hidden costs: Medication costs separate

Best value if: You need both therapy and medication

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4. Amwell - $79-$109 per session

Cost per session: $79-$109 Billing: Pay per session (no subscription) What's included:

• 45-minute video or phone session
• Access to licensed therapists
• Same or next-day appointments often available

Insurance: Accepted by most major insurers Typical copay with insurance: $0-$40 Hidden costs: None

Best value if: You have good insurance coverage

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5. Teladoc Mental Health - Varies by insurance

Without insurance: $99-$129/session With insurance: $0-$50 copay Billing: Per session What's included:

• 30-45 minute sessions
• Access to psychiatrists (additional cost)
• Often covered by employer health plans

Best value if: Your employer offers Teladoc benefits

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6. Online-Therapy.com - $40-$70/week

Monthly cost: $160-$280 Billing: Weekly subscription What's included:

• CBT-based program with worksheets
• Unlimited messaging
• One live session per week
• Activity and mood tracking tools

Insurance: Not accepted Financial aid: Yes

Best value if: You want structured CBT at the lowest price

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Cost Comparison Table

| Platform | Weekly Cost | Monthly Cost | Insurance | Live Sessions | Best For | |----------|-------------|--------------|-----------|---------------|----------| | Online-Therapy | $40-70 | $160-280 | ❌ | 1/week | Lowest cost | | BetterHelp | $60-90 | $240-360 | ❌ | 1/week | Best value | | Talkspace | $69-109 | $276-436 | Some | 0-4/month | Messaging | | Amwell | N/A | $316-436* | ✅ Yes | Pay per | Insurance | | Cerebral | N/A | $85-325 | Some | 1/month | + Medication | | Teladoc | N/A | $396-516* | ✅ Yes | Pay per | Employer plans |

*Based on 4 sessions per month

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Factors That Affect Online Therapy Costs

1. Platform Type

• Subscription-based (BetterHelp, Talkspace): Ongoing weekly/monthly fees
• Pay-per-session (Amwell, Teladoc): Only pay when you have a session
• Hybrid (Cerebral): Subscription + per-session components

2. Communication Method

• Video sessions: Usually most expensive
• Phone sessions: Moderate cost
• Text/messaging: Often most affordable
• Hybrid (all methods): Mid-range pricing

3. Therapist Credentials

• Licensed therapist (LCSW, LMFT, LPC): Standard pricing
• Psychologist (PhD, PsyD): 20-40% higher
• Psychiatrist (MD): 2-3x higher, can prescribe medication

4. Session Frequency

• Weekly: Most common, best value per session
• Bi-weekly: Moderate frequency
• Monthly: Lowest monthly cost, less therapeutic continuity

5. Add-on Services

• Couples therapy: +$20-50/session
• Medication management: +$85-200/month
• Crisis support: Usually included
• Specialized therapy (EMDR, DBT): May cost more

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How Online Therapy Compares to In-Person Costs

Traditional In-Person Therapy

• Average cost: $100-$250 per session
• Monthly cost (4 sessions): $400-$1,000
• With insurance: $10-$50 copay per session

Online Therapy

• Average cost: $60-$120 per week
• Monthly cost: $240-$480
• With insurance: $0-$40 copay (if accepted)

Savings: Online therapy is typically 30-60% less expensive than traditional in-person therapy.

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Insurance Coverage for Online Therapy

Which Platforms Accept Insurance?

✅ Widely accepted:

• Amwell (most major insurers)
• Teladoc (most plans, especially employer-sponsored)
• MDLIVE (many plans)

✅ Limited acceptance:

• Talkspace (some employer plans)
• Cerebral (select plans)
• Brightside (growing network)

❌ Not accepted:

• BetterHelp
• Online-Therapy.com
• Most subscription platforms

Using Out-of-Network Benefits

Even if your platform doesn't accept insurance:

• Pay upfront for therapy
• Request a superbill (detailed receipt) from your therapist
• Submit to insurance for reimbursement
• Receive partial payment (typically 50-80% of allowed amount)

Example:

• Pay $280/month for BetterHelp
• Submit superbill showing 4 sessions @ $70 each
• Insurance reimburses $56/session (80% of $70)
• Net cost: $280 - $224 = $56/month

Learn more about insurance coverage →

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Ways to Reduce Online Therapy Costs

1. Financial Assistance Programs

BetterHelp Financial Aid:

• Reduced rates for low-income individuals
• Application required
• Can save 30-50%

Talkspace Assistance:

• Limited sliding scale available
• Check with customer service

Online-Therapy.com:

• Occasional promotional discounts
• Lowest regular pricing already

2. Use HSA/FSA Funds

Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) can be used for:

• ✅ Therapy sessions
• ✅ Psychiatry appointments
• ✅ Prescription medications for mental health
• ❌ Coaching or non-licensed services

3. Employer Benefits

Many employers offer:

• Free EAP sessions (Employee Assistance Program): 3-8 free sessions
• Discounted platform access (Talkspace, Ginger, Lyra)
• Teladoc/Amwell included in health plan

Check with your HR department about mental health benefits.

4. Student Discounts

Some platforms offer reduced rates for:

• College students
• Graduate students
• Recent graduates (within 1 year)

5. Promotional Offers

Common discounts:

• First month 20-50% off (BetterHelp, Talkspace)
• Referral credits ($50-100 for you and friend)
• Seasonal promotions (Mental Health Awareness Month, New Year)

6. Group Therapy

Cost: $30-$60 per session (50-75% less than individual) Platforms offering groups:

• Rula
• NOCD
• Some BetterHelp therapists

Best for: Social anxiety, addiction recovery, specific conditions

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Most Affordable Options

For Tight Budgets (Under $50/week)

• Online-Therapy.com: $40-70/week with CBT program
• Community mental health centers: Sliding scale, as low as $20/session
• University counseling centers: Often free or $10-30/session
• Support groups: Free online support groups
• Crisis hotlines: Free immediate support (988 Lifeline)

Best Value for Money

BetterHelp ($60-90/week)

• Unlimited messaging
• Weekly live sessions
• Easy therapist switching
• Proven effective

Why it's good value:

• Equivalent to $15-23 per hour of therapist access
• In-person therapy: $100-250 per hour
• Savings: 85-91% per hour of support

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Hidden Costs to Watch For

❌ Cancellation Fees

• BetterHelp: Cancel anytime, prorated refund
• Talkspace: 7-day notice required
• Cerebral: 30-day commitment

❌ Platform Switching Fees

❌ Medication Costs

• Generic: $4-20/month
• Brand name: $50-200/month
• Therapy platforms don't include medication costs

❌ Session Overage Charges

• Most subscriptions include set number of sessions
• Extra sessions: $40-75 each

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Is Online Therapy Worth the Cost?

ROI (Return on Investment)

Consider the costs of untreated mental health:

• Lost productivity: $193 billion/year (CDC)
• Healthcare costs: 3x higher for people with untreated mental illness
• Quality of life: Priceless

Average therapy costs: $240-480/month Average cost of NOT treating: Significantly higher in lost wages, health complications, relationship problems

Cost-Effectiveness Studies

Research shows:

• Online therapy saves 30-60% vs. in-person
• Equal effectiveness for depression, anxiety, PTSD
• Higher completion rates due to convenience
• Lower total healthcare costs long-term

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does insurance cover online therapy?

What's the cheapest online therapy option?

Are there free online therapy options?

• Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741)
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
• SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357
• Some community mental health centers offer free services

Can I use my HSA/FSA for online therapy?

Do therapists charge different rates?

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Cost Calculator: What Will You Pay?

Example 1: No Insurance, Using BetterHelp

• Platform cost: $280/month
• HSA/FSA: -$280 (if available)
• Net cost: $0 (or $280 without HSA)

Example 2: Good Insurance, Using Amwell

• Session cost: $109 x 4 = $436/month
• Insurance pays: -$381 (87%)
• Your copay: $15 x 4 = $60
• Net cost: $60/month

Example 3: Employer EAP + BetterHelp

• EAP sessions: 6 free sessions over 3 months
• BetterHelp after EAP: $280/month x 9 months = $2,520
• Annual cost: $2,520 (vs. $3,360 without EAP)

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Final Recommendations

Best for Budget-Conscious

Best for Value

Best with Insurance

Best for Medication Needs

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Getting Started

• Check your insurance benefits for telehealth coverage
• Review your budget and determine affordable monthly cost
• Choose a platform based on your needs and budget
• Look for promotional offers (first month discounts)
• Use HSA/FSA funds if available
• Commit to at least 8-12 weeks for best results

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Medical Review: Content reviewed by licensed mental health professionals. Cost information verified as of November 2025.

Updated: November 12, 2025

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