We Tried 100+ Therapy Services and Apps—And These Are the 8 Best for Online CBT

• Is Insurance Accepted: Yes, but varies by state; accepts payment from flexible spending accounts (FSA) or health savings accounts (HSA)
• Subscription Required: Yes
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Varies based on insurance; therapy is $299 per month for unlimited messaging and four monthly video sessions (45 minutes) with a therapist; additional video appointments are $59 each; psychiatry is $95 per month for one 15-minute virtual psychiatric evaluation, medication delivery, and ongoing provider support and monitoring of care; psychiatry + therapy 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% said they were likely or very likely to recommend Brightside to a friend or someone like them
• 32% said their therapists were using CBT techniques with them

To test Online-Therapy.com’s individual and couples therapy, we enlisted the help of six people, including two mental health professionals—hailing from South Dakota, California, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania—who live with anxiety as well as stress, grief, depression, and ADHD. Overall, we found the tools and self-guided CBT course accessible and insightful. We ended our testing confident that the platform’s licensed and vetted therapists can be a good option for adults and couples looking for help with mild-to-moderate conditions like social anxiety disorder (SAD), health anxiety, panic attacks, speech anxiety, and, of course, general anxiety disorder.

We loved the flexibility to choose video, audio, or text chat sessions. Though some therapists don’t consider text-based therapy on the same level as in-person therapy or audio or video sessions, research indicates it can be effective for milder forms of anxiety and depression. In addition, Online-Therapy.com’s eight-part CBT course was a way to learn more about the brain and mental health. We were also impressed by the site’s “happiness toolbox” of resources: an online journal with guided prompts to help us reframe our thoughts, CBT worksheets we could fill out and then get therapist feedback on, meditation and yoga videos to help us learn to lower stress and anxiety levels independently, and an activity planner.

Some potential downsides to keep in mind: First, insurance isn’t accepted, so we had to be able to afford the full cost of a therapy subscription. There are no psychiatric or medication management services either, and this company is only for people 18 and older. One therapist seemed distracted during sessions, and we heard pings on their phone and sounds that suggested they might be in the car. But it's worth noting that when we had to switch therapists, we found the process very easy and fast. We also experienced some technical difficulties in sessions. The live chat function was especially prone to preventing us from communicating fluidly; these sessions felt like a stilted text message conversation rather than a therapy session. However, we were offered make-up sessions to compensate for the frustration and wasted time.

• Is Insurance Accepted: No, but therapists can provide superbills for you to seek at least partial out-of-network coverage; HSA/FSA accepted
• Subscription Required: Yes
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Basic plan is $200 per month for the self-guided CBT program, unlimited messaging with a therapist, and access to worksheets, yoga videos, an online journal, and an activity plan; Standard plan is $320 per month for one 45-minute session per week via live video, text, or voice, plus everything included in Basic; Premium is $440 per month for two sessions per week, plus the benefits of Standard plan; Couples is $440 per month for one 45-minute couples therapy session per week conducted via video, text, or voice, plus access to everything in the Basic plan for both of you; 20% discount for the first month

We surveyed 102 users of Online-Therapy.com:

• 89% rated Online-Therapy.com as very good or excellent overall
• 88% rated their therapist's qualifications as good, very good, or excellent
• 95% said that most or all of their needs were met at Online-Therapy.com
• 99% said they were likely or very likely to recommend Online-Therapy.com to a friend or someone like them
• 24% said their therapists were using CBT techniques with them
  

To test NOCD, we had someone from Massachusetts with OCD try four sessions over two weeks. NOCD is the only platform we’re aware of that specializes in treating multiple types of OCD and related conditions like skin-picking disorder. Its therapists receive training to use CBT, as well as ERP,  an approach that involves gradually being exposed to triggering thoughts or situations and learning to find healthier ways of coping that don’t involve distressing compulsions or rituals. Overall, we found it to be a strong option for those who respond well to CBT and ERP.

We were quickly matched with a suitable therapist who impressed us with their knowledge of OCD and started therapy only four days after registering for an account. The cost of the program included unlimited messaging to our therapist anytime, and our personalized treatment plan started out with extra support—two sessions per week. The app has two tools: a self-guided exercise to complement therapy, as well as an “S.O.S.” tool that can recommend an exposure exercise based on what was causing the most trouble at the moment. We also had access to free support groups offered throughout the day, seven days per week; we attended a few groups and found them comforting and full of camaraderie.  

We think NOCD is a good choice for many, though it isn’t for everyone. Some evidence indicates that ERP may only be effective about 50% to 60% of the time, and in our NOCD testing experience, it became apparent that continuing with ERP might have worsened some of our symptoms. There weren’t any accessibility features that we could find to accommodate our visual impairments so we couldn’t read all of the site’s content. Although we stopped scheduling new sessions after two weeks, it was clear that finishing the whole program would’ve required a significant time commitment, since both CBT and ERP require exercises outside of therapy sessions.

Still, considering the issues we’ve had with previous therapists not understanding OCD well enough to treat us effectively, we think NOCD is a great place to get help with obsessions and compulsions.

• Is Insurance Accepted: Yes
• Subscription Required: No
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Varies by insurance; standard cash pay rate without insurance is $210 per session

We surveyed 100 users of NOCD:

• 88% rated NOCD as very good or excellent overall
• 94% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent 
• 95% said said that most or all of their needs were met at NOCD
• 97% said they were likely or very likely to recommend NOCD to a friend or someone like them
• 46% said their therapists were using CBT techniques with them

We had three people in Massachusetts, New York, and Kansas, plus one mental health professional in South Dakota, sign up for and test individual or couples therapy at Thriveworks. We also had two parents in Kentucky and Missouri sign their kids up for pediatric therapy and sit in on these sessions when requested by the provider. We think Thriveworks is a comprehensive platform for providing trauma-informed therapy for individuals, couples, children, and families. Its large network of therapists and counselors have training in trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), as well as other evidence-based techniques, like eye-movement desensitization and reprogramming (EMDR), to provide informed, effective trauma therapy.

Two of us came to therapy looking for tools to cope with trauma. Our sessions helped us learn mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance. We had many positive experiences with the platform, and most providers were warm and competent. Additionally, most providers we saw accepted insurance—including Medicare—which is another big draw for people who qualify for these programs due to trauma and/or another disability.

However, not all our experiences were positive ones. In one case, a therapist appeared pushy and judgmental—and even seemed to suggest that our trauma was somehow our fault. This particular session was cut short, and luckily, the fee was waived. We also had no way to message our other therapists between sessions, which could be problematic for someone dealing with the effects of trauma who needs support between sessions. The platform could use more CBT-specific tools and resources like mood trackers and activity planners, as well as more search filters to make it easier to find providers with similar backgrounds and identities. Finally, the services can also be expensive without insurance, and some states have fewer therapists available.

• Is Insurance Accepted: Yes, accepts most major insurance and Medicare, but this varies by location and provider; accepts Medicaid in Georgia and Delaware; accepts HSA/FSA payments
• Subscription Required: No, it's pay-as-you-go
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Varies based on insurance; self-pay options are also available starting at $200 per session

We surveyed 100 users of Thriveworks:

• 88% rated Thriveworks as very good or excellent
• 90% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent 
• 97% said said that most or all of their needs were met at Thriveworks
• 96% said they were likely or very likely to recommend Thriveworks to a friend or someone like them
• 32% said their therapists were using CBT techniques with them
  

We had one person in Massachusetts and one mental health professional in Texas try Wellnite therapy (but not psychiatry) for a month. Neither of us had an adjustment disorder, but our experience still showed that Wellnite is a compelling option for teens and adults who are experiencing difficulties coping with change and loss, especially if there's a chance that medication might be necessary.

Wellnite therapists are trained to provide multiple types of CBT to help therapy seekers fight anxiety, cope with grief and loss, and learn to accept the changes that are causing so much distress. Our therapists were warm and encouraging and met us where we were without sounding too scripted. There’s a lot of flexibility built in, too, which we thought was great for fitting therapy into a busy schedule and adapting to fluctuations in our mood and energy levels. We could choose from video, audio, or live chat sessions, as well as more frequent (but shorter) sessions, or less frequent (but longer) sessions.

Wellnite might not be right for everyone. First, it’s not available in all states yet, plus the pricing structure is confusing, there are no refunds for unused sessions, and insured clients can only get reimbursement with certain PPO plans. We found it puzzling that we could only filter the providers by name, not gender, specialties, or provider type. Finally, the most affordable payment frequencies for services at Wellnite are biannual and annual, which would have been a lot of money to pay at once and then wait for reimbursement, compared to a monthly plan. Still, based on our experience with Wellnite, we think the platform is a good place to get CBT-based treatment for adjustment disorder and more.

• Is Insurance Accepted: Yes, but out-of-network PPO coverage through reimbursement only; Wellnite can provide a superbill to submit to your insurer for reimbursement
• Subscription Required: Yes
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Varies by insurance; Therapy is $450 per month, with a choice of six 30-minute sessions, four 45-minute sessions, or three 60-minute sessions; Medical care costs $95 per month, in two biweekly installments, and covers one doctor visit and wholesale pricing on medication. Medical care plus therapy costs $245 per month and includes one doctor visit, discounted meds, and either one 60-minute or two 30-minute therapy sessions; you can also subscribe semi-annually or annually to plans for some savings
  

We surveyed 102 users of Wellnite:

• 88% rated Wellnite as very good or excellent overall
• 94% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent 
• 95% said said that most or all of their needs were met at Wellnite
• 98% said they were likely or very likely to recommend Wellnite to a friend or someone like them
• 24% said their therapists were using CBT techniques with them
  

• Is Insurance Accepted: No
• Subscription Required: Yes, one monthly subscription plan with weekly rates subject to surge pricing
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Varies by demand and location; typically costs about $65 to $100 per week, for a total of $260 to $400 monthly
  

We surveyed 100 users of BetterHelp:

• 87% rated BetterHelp as very good or excellent overall
• 87% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent 
• 95% said that most or all of their needs were met at BetterHelp
• 96% said they were likely or very likely to recommend BetterHelp to a friend or someone like them
• 28% said their therapists were using CBT techniques with them

To evaluate ReGain, five people—one each in Ohio and the United Kingdom, and three in New York—and one mental health professional in South Dakota tried relationship-focused therapy for a month, either as a couple or just as an individual. Overall, we were pleased with the quality of services we received, and we think it’s more affordable than traditional couples therapy. 

We found it easy to sign up for and use this nationally available service, and the intake matching process enabled most of us to find qualified therapists who we liked within 48 hours. The service also has an app, which we found convenient for joining sessions from any location. When switching therapists was necessary, it was easy to do so: We clicked a button indicating that we wanted a new therapist, and ReGain sent us new matches within 48 hours. This came up in at least one instance where there wasn't much structure to sessions, and the therapist seemed to make assumptions without asking many questions, so we needed to switch providers.

One thing testing made abundantly clear to us? A single 45-minute session was not always long enough for two people to discuss their concerns, thoughts, and behaviors in depth. Ending a session on a frustrated and emotionally charged note and then having to deal with the fallout offline, without a mediator, usually left us angrier than when the session began.

It also made some of us uncomfortable to have to share the messaging room with our spouses. Additionally, when we tried to get therapy as individuals, we encountered several therapists who seemed disinterested in the prospect of working in a one-on-one format. This gave us the impression that ReGain is a better option for those working on their relationships as a couple.

• Is Insurance Accepted: No
• Subscription Required: Yes, one monthly subscription plan with weekly rates subject to surge pricing
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Varies by demand and location; typically costs between $65 to $90 per week, for a total of $260 to $360 or more per month

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% said they were likely or very likely to recommend ReGain to a friend or someone like them
• 23% said their therapists were using CBT techniques with them
  

We had three people and one child (with parental consent) from New York, Florida, and both Carolinas, plus one therapist from California, try individual, couples, and teen therapy at Amwell for a month. It’s important to note that our main concerns were issues other than chronic pain (like ADHD, depression, anxiety, stress, and worry about starting high school) and that we didn’t test the psychiatry or general medical services. Still, our research and our mostly positive experiences in therapy—plus input from one of the authors of this roundup, who’s had pain from fibromyalgia, scoliosis, and other invisible illnesses for decades—left us with the impression that Amwell is a solid place to start gaining CBT coping skills to address a wide variety of concerns, including chronic pain.

Since the platform charges by the session, there’s a bit more flexibility than sites with membership plans, and we liked that we were allowed to cancel sessions for free with at least 24 hours’ notice. In our opinion, that means there’s a bit less pressure about a pain flare (or any other reason) forcing you to miss an appointment that was already paid for—and also less guilt and financial stress to worry about, too. Depending on our needs, therapists could recommend things like grounding and relaxation exercises, exposure and response prevention therapy, and manual mood tracking.

There’s also an informative blog with educational posts on various aspects of mental health and therapy. CBT “homework” at Amwell, like at Wellnite, is a bit more ad hoc and therapist-directed than apps that have lots of built-in interactive tools, journals, and trackers.

We noticed a few downsides in our testing, though: When using insurance, we weren’t told our final out-of-pocket cost for each provider until the system had processed our policies before each appointment. We experienced occasional glitches when trying to schedule appointments. We also wish there were more search filters for choosing your therapist. We also had issues filtering for postpartum therapy and repeatedly got no results even though there were available therapists who listed postpartum as a specialty. Other than that, we believe Amwell is a great platform to try if you need virtual CBT mental health care for chronic pain—especially if you have insurance.

• Is Insurance Accepted: Yes, and accepts FSA/HSA payments
• Subscription Required: No
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Up to $99 per session for therapy (though in one instance, we paid $109); initial psychiatry sessions are $279, with follow-ups coming in at $95 each.

We surveyed 100 users of Amwell:

• 88% rated Amwell as very good or excellent overall
• 93% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent 
• 98% said said that most or all of their needs were met at Amwell
• 95% said they were likely or very likely to recommend Amwell to a friend or someone like them
• 31% said their therapists were using CBT techniques with them