Video sessions
Face to face on screen, the closest thing to sitting in the room together. It's the most common format for online therapy.
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Online Therapy
Find a licensed online therapist who fits you
Online therapy makes it easier to start, whoever you are and wherever you live. Search licensed therapists, compare real profiles, and reach out directly. We're an independent directory, which means we help you find care. We don't sell it.
Reviewed by the TherapyDen Team
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What is online therapy?
Online therapy is professional mental health care delivered remotely, usually by secure video or phone instead of an in-person office visit. You may also see it called teletherapy, telehealth, virtual therapy, or online counseling. The work itself is the same: you meet with a licensed therapist, talk through what's going on, and build practical skills over a series of sessions.
Therapists online use the same evidence-based approaches you'd find in any office, from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to emotion-focused therapy (EFT). It suits a wide range of people and concerns, from everyday stress and anxiety to depression, grief, and relationship struggles.
If you're still deciding whether to reach out, our free mental health tests are a low-pressure way to check in with yourself and see what kind of support might help.
How online therapy works
Most online therapy happens in one of a few formats. Availability depends on the therapist, so you'll see exactly what each one offers on their profile.
Phone sessions
Voice only, no camera. A good fit for busy days, a break in the car, or anyone who finds screens tiring.
Messaging / text therapy
Write to your therapist between or instead of live sessions. Helpful if it's easier to put things into words on your own time. Offered by some therapists, not all.
Live chat
Real-time typed sessions, for when talking out loud feels like too much. Availability varies by therapist.
Many therapists mix formats, so you might start with video and add messaging later. Check each profile to see what's offered.
What a first session looks like
1
A quick check-in
Your therapist asks what brought you in and what you're hoping for. No need to have it all figured out.
2
Your story
You share as much background as feels comfortable. You set the pace, always.
3
A first plan
Together you outline goals and what to focus on over the next few sessions.
4
Fit check
You decide if it feels right. If it doesn't, it's completely okay to try someone else.
Is online therapy effective?
Short answer: yes, for most common concerns. A growing body of research finds that online therapy works about as well as in-person care for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
A 2021 meta-analysis of video therapy in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy by Fernandez and colleagues found it as effective as in-person treatment across a range of conditions. A 2022 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in Telemedicine and e-Health by Giovanetti and colleagues reached the same conclusion for depression specifically.
What matters most isn't the screen. It's the relationship with your therapist and showing up consistently. That said, online therapy isn't right for every situation. Severe or high-risk conditions often need in-person care, and a good therapist will tell you honestly if that's the case.
Benefits of online therapy
Why so many people start with therapy online, and stay.
Convenience
No commute, no waiting room. Fit a session into a lunch break or after the kids are asleep.
Wider access
Reach licensed therapists across your whole state, not just the few near your zip code.
Comfort and privacy
Meet from a space where you already feel safe. For many people, that makes it easier to open up.
Often more affordable
Without office overhead, many online sessions cost less, and plenty of therapists offer sliding scale rates.
More choice of fit
Finding the right therapist matters more than finding the closest one. Online, you can prioritize specialty, identity, and approach.
Accessibility
A real option when getting to an office is hard, whether that's mobility, illness, caregiving, or anxiety about leaving home.
How much does online therapy cost?
Online therapy costs vary, but it's often more affordable than people expect, and there are several ways to bring the price down.
Online therapy that takes insurance
Many therapists are in network with major plans like Aetna, Cigna, and Anthem, which can bring your cost down to a copay. Some accept Medicaid and Medicare as well. Filter the directory by your insurance to see therapists who accept it.
Low-cost and sliding scale
Cost shouldn't be the reason you go without support. A lot of therapists offer sliding scale fees based on income, and some options are low-cost or free. You can search specifically for sliding scale therapists in your area.
For a fuller breakdown, see our guide on how much therapy costs.
Types of online therapy
Online therapy isn't one size fits all. Here are common paths, each with licensed therapists who work this way.
Individual therapy
One-on-one support for anxiety, depression, stress, and life transitions.
Couples therapy
Work on your relationship together, from two different couches if you need to.
Teen therapy
Support for teens, in a format that often feels more natural to them.
Therapy that takes insurance
Filter to therapists in network with your plan.
Low-cost / sliding scale
Quality care that fits your budget.
Free & private
Not sure if therapy is right for you?
Taking the first step is hard, and it's okay to feel unsure. Our free, private mental health tests take just a couple of minutes and can help you reflect on how you've been feeling lately.
Take a free testWondering if how your mind works might be part of the picture? Our free neurodivergent test is another gentle place to start.
These tests are for reflection only and are not a diagnosis or medical advice. If you're in crisis, call or text 988.
How to choose an online therapist
The right fit makes all the difference. A few things worth checking before you book.
As an independent directory, TherapyDen doesn't push anyone on you or sell therapy. You can compare licensed online therapists side by side, read their approach in their own words, and reach out directly.
Licensed in your state
Therapists can only see clients located in states where they hold a license. Make sure they cover yours.
The right specialty
Look for someone experienced with what you're working through, whether that's trauma, anxiety, or relationships.
Your preferred format
Decide whether you want video, phone, or messaging, and confirm the therapist offers it.
Fees and coverage
Check their rate, whether they take your insurance, and if they offer a sliding scale.
A trial first session
Most people know within a session or two if it clicks. It's completely fine to switch if it doesn't.
Find an online therapist
Ready when you are. Browse licensed online therapists and reach out directly, free.
Frequently asked questions
For most common concerns, yes. Research consistently finds online therapy as effective as in-person care for anxiety, depression, and PTSD. What matters most is a strong connection with your therapist and attending sessions regularly. Some severe conditions are better suited to in-person treatment.
Out of pocket, many online sessions run about $70 to $150. With insurance you may pay only a copay, and lots of therapists offer sliding scale rates based on income. Browsing and contacting therapists on TherapyDen is always free.
Often, yes. Many plans, including Aetna, Cigna, and Anthem, cover online therapy the same as in-person sessions, and some providers accept Medicaid and Medicare. Filter the directory by your insurance to see therapists in network with your plan.
For most people and concerns, the outcomes are very similar. The therapeutic relationship translates well to video and phone. In-person care can be a better fit for severe symptoms or when hands-on assessment is needed.
Search the directory by your location. Therapists can only work with clients in states where they hold a license, so every profile shows where they practice. Filter by state to see who can see you.
Find a quiet, private spot, test your internet and camera ahead of time, and jot down a few things you'd like to talk about. There's no need for a script. Your therapist will guide the conversation.
Yes. Most therapists offer video or phone sessions you can join from a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Phone sessions need no app at all. Just pick a private, comfortable place where you won't be interrupted.
Licensed therapists use private, HIPAA compliant platforms to protect your sessions and records. Your conversations stay confidential, with the same legal protections as in-person therapy. Feel free to ask any therapist how they keep sessions secure.
No. You don't need a diagnosis or a specific reason. Many people start therapy for everyday stress, a life change, or simply to feel better. A therapist can help you figure out what's going on together.
Absolutely. Fit matters, and it's completely normal to try more than one therapist before you find the right match. With a directory, you're free to browse and reach out to someone new anytime, at no cost.
It works well for most common concerns, but not every situation. If you're in crisis or dealing with severe symptoms, in-person or higher-level care may be safer. If you're ever in danger, call or text 988 for immediate support.
Often within days. Because you reach out to therapists directly, you skip waitlists and travel. Many have openings for new online clients and reply quickly. You can message several therapists to find one available soon.