The Best Online Therapy Services for Depression We Tried and Tested in 2024

We had four people try Brightside Health from North Carolina, New York, and California for individual therapy and found the platform to be a good resource for people suffering from mild to moderate depression or anxiety; in fact, it specializes in these conditions, including both major depressive disorder and bipolar depression. With a special focus on data-driven results, Brightside takes pride in helping patients feel better fast using an integrative approach of therapy, self-guided lessons, and medication. 

Most therapists were warm and relatable and made us feel at ease. Over time we found that we gained new approaches to tackling certain situations and thought processes. We certainly benefited from the platform's comprehensive approach. The cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based self-care lessons that are a part of the subscription expanded the usefulness of our therapy sessions. We could use the lessons to reflect on what had happened in the session or bring up what we learned the next time we saw our therapist. We liked that the answers to our lessons were available no matter which therapist we saw, so there was documentation of what we’d been working on. 

We also loved how knowledgeable and experienced our clinicians were. We got a clear sense that they were experts in the issues we were working on. Unfortunately, not every therapist impressed us. One was late to our session and even had the wrong information about us. While this unprofessional behavior was disappointing, our overall impression of Brightside was overwhelmingly positive.

• Insurance Accepted: Cigna (all states except Minnesota), Aetna, Allegiance, UnitedHealthcare, Ambetter (all states except Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin), Anthem CA, Blue Shield of CA, Blue Cross Blue Shield (of Montana, Illinois, Texas only), PEHP (Utah only), Florida Blue, Meritain; accepts Medicare and Medicaid in some states; accepts HSA/FSA payments
• Subscription Required: Yes
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Varies by insurance; medication-only plan is $95 per month plus your pharmacy co-pay; therapy-only plan is $299 per month, which includes one session per week; additional therapy sessions can be purchased for $59 each; medication and therapy plan is $349 per month

We surveyed 100 users of Brightside:

• 88% rated Brightside as very good or excellent overall
• 94% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
• 93% said that most or all of their needs were met at Brightside
• 99% are likely or very likely to recommend Brightside to a friend or someone like them
• 68% were seeking treatment for depression

We tested the online therapy directory Open Path Collective twice in New York for individual therapy and loved how accessible and user-friendly the platform was. We found it to be a good resource for people seeking help for a variety of mental health issues, including depression or, in our case, grief and loss (which can be related).

One of our favorite features about Open Path is how accessible and easy it makes seeking therapy. Since every therapist has the same affordable rates, we could save a lot of time and energy from sifting through which clinicians we could afford and those we couldn’t. As long as we knew we could pay the set rate, we were free to just search by specialty (such as depression), modality, and other important factors. We also weren’t locked into any subscription, so if we needed to quit for financial reasons, we could do so.

At the same time, getting ahold of someone who is actually available can be a bit of a challenge. We emailed four providers, and only two responded, with one saying they weren’t accepting new patients despite what it said on their profile. Seeing Open Path encourage clinicians to keep their bio pages updated would be nice. That said, we were thrilled to find a proficient provider in a modality we loved (art therapy) at an incredibly affordable rate. Our most recent testing held up just as well. Even with filters that included the less-common ask of in-person sessions, we were provided with just as many therapists as before; and this number expanded exponentially once we included telehealth as well.

• Insurance Accepted: No. Open Path Collective seeks to provide affordable therapy for the underinsured, uninsured, or others with a low socioeconomic status (the site indicates that its services are meant for households that earn less than $100,000 a year); therefore, its providers do not accept insurance plans.
• Subscription Required: No
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Therapists listed in the directory agree to offer a sliding-scale rate ranging from $40 to $70 for each individual therapy session and $40 to $80 for couples or family therapy sessions. Open Path also offers $30 sessions led by student interns. It is important to note users must pay a lifetime membership fee of $65 to access the affordable session costs.

We surveyed 100 users of Open Path Collective:

• 97% rated Open Path Collective as very good or excellent overall
• 92% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
• 98% said that most or all of their needs were met at Open Path Collective
• 99% are likely or very likely to recommend Open Path Collective to a friend or someone like them
• 58% were seeking treatment for depression

We tested Talkiatry from New York twice, both times for individual adult psychiatry, and were impressed by the attentiveness and depth of care on offer. In particular, the session length for both intake and follow-ups was exceptionally long, especially compared to competitors. This can be especially helpful for those living with depression, who might need longer to be able to open up to their psychiatrist and really dig into what they are feeling.

Getting a full 60 minutes for an intake session gave us time to fully discuss our medical and psychological history, symptoms, and goals for treatment. We never felt rushed, and our provider largely gave thoughtful, precise answers to our questions. We also had the chance to develop rapport—in some ways, it felt more like therapy than straight psychiatry. Follow-up sessions continued similarly and gave us plenty of time to bring up questions and concerns. The quality of care we received from our Talkiatry psychiatrists made us confident that the company is a good resource for someone seeking treatment for depression.

However, we didn’t care for one of the clinicians we started out with. They were overly clinical and forced us to answer questions about our symptoms as guided by a script. When we strayed from the script, the provider wasn’t very open to the change. This felt strange and uncomfortable. It would be nice to see Talkiatry develop a better system of matching patient to provider—then perhaps we would not have experienced that sort of mismatch.

• Insurance Accepted: Accepts plans from five of the biggest health insurance providers: Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, Optum, United Healthcare, and more; accepts some Medicare plans
• Subscription Required: No
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Varies by insurance; you can input your insurance information before signing up to get an estimate of your copay 

We surveyed 100 users of Talkiatry:

• 86% rated Talkiatry as very good or excellent overall
• 87% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
• 96% said that most or all of their needs were met at Talkiatry
• 95% are likely or very likely to recommend Talkiatry to a friend or someone like them
• 71% were seeking treatment for depression

We tried the National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN) for individual therapy from Kentucky and found it to be a refreshingly easy and seamless experience. What’s more, our clinician was culturally affirming and created a safe space we haven’t found on other platforms. Both the user-friendliness and the quality of care make the platform a good choice for people with depression.

While it took some time to filter for the right provider, ultimately, finding the right therapist was incredibly fast and easy. Once we reached out to a provider, we received a reply within an hour and scheduled a session in less than a week. Our therapist was kind and competent and avoided making assumptions about us based on our identities. Our session was different from what we’d experienced with other platforms; it was affirming and positive, and we felt an authentic connection with our provider.

We did struggle a bit with how limited the search filters were. Counterintuitively, there weren’t options to search for a therapist by many of the identities the platform serves, or even specialties and preferred modalities. We would love to see NQTTCN expand its filters so users can search for targeted treatment quickly. We felt this same way during our most recent testing of the directory, too; however, we did appreciate how clear the pricing was and how easy it was to get in touch with any provider, two things you especially don't want to worry about when you are dealing with depression and looking for a therapist.

• Insurance Accepted: Since this is a therapy directory, accepted insurance plans (if any) vary by provider
• Subscription Required: No
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Provider fees vary by therapist, though some therapists on the directory list their rates, accepted insurance plans, and payment options in their bio. There is no fee to search for a therapist.

We surveyed 100 users of National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network:

• 93% rated National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network as very good or excellent overall
• 94% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
• 99% said that most or all of their needs were met at National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
• 96% are likely or very likely to recommend National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network to a friend or someone like them
• 49% were seeking treatment for depression
  

We had six people test ReGain’s services for couples and individual counseling about relationships in California, New York, Ohio, South Dakota, and the United Kingdom. We found its therapists to be knowledgeable and professional, acting as supportive sounding boards while also offering practical tools to manage our mental health concerns outside of sessions. Overall, the platform would work well for couples affected by depression.

We were impressed by the experience and specialties of the clinicians. Our therapists used a variety of therapeutic techniques and modalities that are helpful both for couples' issues and depression, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and emotionally focused therapy (EFT). Our therapists responded to our messages between sessions within 24 hours, which can be comforting for those struggling with depression who need extra support during the week. We also liked being able to choose a therapist and found that scheduling was fairly flexible.

The short session times left something to be desired, though. At just 30 to 45 minutes, we struggled alongside our partner to be seen and heard. With barely enough time to broach tough topics, we found ourselves actually fighting more when we didn’t get the chance to fully resolve an issue during the session. Making the most of ReGain requires careful planning of which issues you’ll be bringing up (not exactly the point of therapy) or finding a therapist with availability multiple times per week. 

• Insurance Accepted: No, and does not accept payment through flexible spending accounts (FSAs) or health savings accounts (HSAs)
• Subscription Required: Yes
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: $65 to $90 per week, billed on a monthly basis

We surveyed 100 users of ReGain:

• 87% rated ReGain as very good or excellent overall
• 93% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
• 98% said that most or all of their needs were met at ReGain
• 98% are likely or very likely to recommend ReGain to a friend or someone like them
• 47% were seeking treatment for depression
  

We did not try Monument, since we felt it would be unethical to ask someone struggling with addiction to try a counseling service short-term, but we feel confident recommending it because of the targeted support it offers to people struggling with alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is often comorbid with depression. Not only can users access licensed therapists, but they also get peer support and medication for AUD if necessary. 

We love Monument’s holistic approach. Users get physician appointments and individual therapy services, as well as medication management, all included in their monthly subscription price. There are two options for medication: disulfiram or naltrexone, both of which specifically treat AUD. Plus, there are numerous support groups with their own specific focus, such as Navigating Sobriety or Moderation for Women, Utilizing Self-Care to Reach Our Goals, and Group Meditation. These offerings go well beyond the traditional 12-step abstinence approach.

However, even though Monument’s therapists can help with depression and other co-occurring conditions, its providers cannot prescribe medications to treat these conditions. Monument also doesn't treat any co-occurring use of other substances. We would love to see Monument expand its offerings. Depression and addiction to all sorts of substances often go hand in hand. That said, expanding on offerings could make the services that much more complex and possibly less effective, so we can see how Monument might excel best by keeping a narrow focus on medication management for AUD.

• Insurance Accepted: Monument is in-network with the following insurance companies (specific plan coverage varies by state): Aetna, Cigna, Oxford Health Plans, Oscar, and Blue Cross Blue Shield; accepts Medicare; accepts FSA/HSA payments
• Subscription Required: Yes
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Community membership is $15 per month (not covered by insurance); treatment costs vary by insurance; if paying out of pocket, these services cost $100 each for physician appointments, $149 per month for therapy every other week, and $249 per month for weekly therapy appointments.

We surveyed 100 users of Monument:

• 84% rated Monument as very good or excellent overall
• 94% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
• 98% said that most or all of their needs were met at Monument
• 95% are likely or very likely to recommend Monument to a friend or someone like them
• 63% were seeking treatment for depression

We tested Peer Collective from California for individual peer counseling and found it to be an exceptional resource for those struggling with a variety of issues, including depression. The platform was well-run, everything was on time, and our counselors were professional and caring.

We found the platform to be better run and provide a better experience than many online therapy platforms we’ve tried. Counselors were always punctual, we got a phone number to call if there were any technical errors or delays, and switching counselors was exceptionally easy. The counselors may not have been therapists, but they were well-prepared for our sessions and were more professional than many clinicians we have worked with. We left sessions feeling less alone in our problems, with ideas and tools to help us navigate challenging situations. For someone with depression, getting support from another person who has dealt with similar issues and has lived experience with the same kinds of symptoms and challenges can be especially bolstering and instill hope.

Choosing a counselor was also a good experience. While we only had a handful to choose from, we appreciated that they listed personal details in their bios that demonstrated what they’d experienced and how they’d navigated their own healing journeys. It did take a moment to adjust to counselors not being therapists. There were awkward moments when we expected the counselor to jump in with more guidance, but then we remembered that peer counseling runs a little differently. Overall, our experience was wonderful. 

• Insurance Accepted: No, since these are peer support sessions and not formal therapy, Peer Collective is not in-network with any insurance providers and is unable to provide a superbill for reimbursement.
• Subscription Required: No
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Thirty-minute sessions cost $22 each while hour-long sessions are $32 each, or you can pay for 4 hours upfront for $100 ($25 per hour). Additionally, you can have a trial session for as low as 50 cents. The company provides immediate refunds should users not be satisfied with their sessions. 
  

We surveyed 100 users of Peer Collective:

• 89% rated Peer Collective as very good or excellent overall
• 94% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
• 100% said that most or all of their needs were met at Peer Collective
• 99% are likely or very likely to recommend Peer Collective to a friend or someone like them
• 61% were seeking support for depression

We tested the online therapy directory TherapyDen from Kansas and found it to be a great option for those seeking very specific traits in a therapist who can treat depression. It’s a user-friendly website that helps people get support quickly from a variety of counselors.

The directory has extensive search filters that helped us identify the right provider for us, and it was great that we could also find in-person therapists. We loved how nuanced and culturally inclusive the search filters were. We could search for queer competent, trans competent, understanding of non-monogamous relationships, or experience with systemic oppression. Once we located an in-person counselor, we were impressed by the clinician's breadth of knowledge and warm manner. It was clear that we were in good hands.

There are a few irksome issues on the website, though. For example, we didn’t like that clicking back after a therapist's bio took us to the first page of results rather than where we were. This can slow down the process of finding a provider. There were also fewer providers listed in the directory than can be found in others. When we tested TherapyDen from Kansas, it was somewhat difficult to find whether the therapists who came up in our search were accepting new clients; but in our most recent testing (in May of 2024), we were happy to see that this information was available on the therapists' bios.

• Insurance Accepted: Varies by provider; users can adjust their search results based on price range and accepted insurance plans.
• Subscription Required: No
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: The directory is free to use for therapy seekers. Cost per session for a therapist found via this directory will vary based on the therapist and insurance coverage.

We surveyed 100 users of TherapyDen:

• 87% rated TherapyDen as very good or excellent overall
• 87% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
• 91% said that most or all of their needs were met at TherapyDen
• 96% are likely or very likely to recommend TherapyDen to a friend or someone like them
• 54% were seeking treatment for depression

We tested 7 Cups for individual therapy from Missouri and found it to be a good option for people needing free support for a variety of mental health issues, including mild depression. Users opting for the free version have a range of resources to choose from. If needed, they can upgrade to receive text-based therapy for $159 per month or live talk therapy for $299 per month with a licensed mental health professional.

We liked how easy it was to get started. Sign-up was fast and straightforward, and we were able to start using the platform right away. The free version got us live discussions, peer forums, self-help guides, mindfulness exercises, and educational, activity-based modules designed for specific issues, including depression. When we upgraded to premium support, we got access to even more tools and resources. We opted to get therapy as well, and while our clinician was all the way in South Africa, we got timely responses, which was nice. 

That said, peer support can be hit or miss. We loved one of our peer listeners, who offered non-judgemental listening and motivation. But another? Not so much. This person gave us advice that didn’t seem very professional. It made us question the vetting process of the platform. Just know that the level of care you receive can vary widely.

• Insurance Accepted: No
• Subscription Required: Not for peer support, but required in order to see a licensed mental health provider
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: The forums, private chat rooms, and online volunteer chat are free to use. There is also a premium version with additional resources for $12.95 per month. If you want traditional therapy with a licensed mental health professional, 7 Cups offers messaging therapy (therapist reads daily messages and responds Monday to Friday) for $159 per month or weekly 45-minute live online talk therapy sessions for $299 per month. All therapy subscriptions also include access to the premium resources.

We surveyed 100 users of 7 Cups:

• 91% rated 7 Cups as very good or excellent overall
• 91% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
• 93% said that most or all of their needs were met at 7 Cups
• 94% are likely or very likely to recommend 7 Cups to a friend or someone like them
• 47% were seeking treatment for depression

When we tested the online therapy directory Therapy for Black Girls, we found it to be an excellent resource for connecting Black therapy-seekers with therapists who get them. Not only were we able to narrow down our search to find a provider with the experience we wanted, but we also felt safe and understood by a therapist with a similar identity to us. This safety and understanding is especially important when treating depression.

We liked that finding a therapist in the directory was a relatively smooth and fast process. There were plenty of search filters (though we missed seeing one for spirituality), and we got to choose from a variety of providers with open availability who accepted a range of insurance options. (This held true for our most recent testing of this directory, in May of 2024; even when we searched for providers who accepted an uncommon insurance plan, we were still presented with 17 options.) The therapist we ultimately chose gave us a free consultation and booked us for the same time each week, providing continuity. In our session, we felt seen, heard, and deeply understood.

As mentioned, we would love to see even more search filters available: Spirituality was important to us, and it was disappointing that we couldn’t use that criteria to find a therapist. We also didn’t like how the “accepting new clients” filter wasn’t always accurate. The directory would save people time and energy by addressing that issue.

• Insurance Accepted: Because Therapy for Black Girls is a directory rather than an online therapy company, insurance coverage will vary by provider.
• Subscription Required: No
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Free to use the directory; prices vary by provider and insurance

We surveyed 100 users of Therapy For Black Girls:

• 94% rated Therapy For Black Girls as very good or excellent overall
• 91% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
• 94% said that most or all of their needs were met at Therapy For Black Girls
• 98% are likely or very likely to recommend Therapy For Black Girls to a friend or someone like them
• 64% were seeking treatment for depression

We tested GoodTherapy, our choice for best online therapy directory, from Michigan and New York for individual therapy and were impressed with how easy it was to find a qualified, caring therapist we were thrilled to work with. This made us confident that we would be able to find a provider who could successfully treat depression.

We loved how specific we could get with the filters. We were able to search by a wide breadth of modalities, including art therapy. There were plenty of options, too: Our first search attempt by our relatively small city populated 14 options, and when we widened our search by state, we had over 500. When searching for type of service, we could choose from everything from Group Therapy to Psych Evaluation to Premarital Counseling. The quality of care we received was also exceptional. We loved how the therapist didn’t dominate the conversation by talking nonstop about themselves (it happens) but still gave us personal anecdotes to make them relatable.

One thing that bothered us, though, was a glitch in the search filter. There were times it would seemingly not work out of the blue, but the issue would quickly resolve itself. In our most recent testing, in May of 2024, we were most impressed by the fact that we could filter by therapists who offered free consultations and sliding scale fees. Because cost and therapeutic rapport are two of the most important factors when choosing a therapist, these options made us feel confident that we could find a therapist to treat our depression that could meet all of our needs.

• Insurance Accepted: Varies by therapist; GoodTherapy users can filter their results based on insurance.
• Subscription Required: No
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: GoodTherapy is free to use for therapy seekers. Users can adjust their search results based on price range and accepted insurance plans. However, cost per session and insurance coverage vary by therapist. GoodTherapy also allows users to filter their results according to which therapists offer sliding scale options or free initial consultations.

We surveyed 100 users of GoodTherapy:

• 84% rated GoodTherapy as very good or excellent overall
• 86% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
• 98% said that most or all of their needs were met at GoodTherapy
• 97% are likely or very likely to recommend GoodTherapy to a friend or someone like them
• 54% were seeking treatment for depression

We asked five people to try Teladoc from Missouri, New York, Texas, and Ohio for individual therapy and can confidently recommend it for those seeking depression treatment from therapists who take insurance. Clinician quality was high, and we were able to find a variety of providers who accepted various payment options and schedules that worked well with ours.

We were excited to see all the options and filters that allowed us to get specific in our search. Unlike with other online platforms, we could also choose our provider, which we preferred to a matching system. All too often, therapy-seekers have to turn down a good match simply because they can’t make sessions during a work day. It’s also nice that Teladoc offers psychiatry, which can be helpful for those who need extra support for their depression. It's worth noting, however, that in one case the provider kept the camera off for video sessions, which we found disappointing. Despite this, there was helpful guidance provided in the sessions.

There were a few providers who rubbed us the wrong way, though. One ended the session a full 20 minutes early. Another canceled minutes before our session was about to begin. In our opinion, these are examples of very unprofessional behavior, and Teladoc should work to ensure clinicians meet higher standards of care. That said, nearly every online platform we tried has included at least one similar experience.

• Insurance Accepted: Accepts many insurance plans, including major providers like Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and some Medicare and Medicaid plans
• Subscription Required: No
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Varies by insurance; If you’re paying out-of-pocket, the pricing is up to $119 per session for therapy appointments; it's up to $299 for the initial psychiatry consultation and up to $129 per session for follow-ups

We surveyed 100 users of Teladoc:

• 94% rated Teladoc as very good or excellent overall
• 89% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
• 94% said that most or all of their needs were met at Teladoc
• 98% are likely or very likely to recommend Teladoc to a friend or someone like them
• 68% were seeking treatment for depression