5 Best Online Therapy Alternatives to BetterHelp and Talkspace

By Space Coast Daily // October 17, 2022

There’s no question that online therapy is becoming more and more popular. It’s a great way to get the help you need without having to leave your home. But with so many options available, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. There are many platforms for online therapy for depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, addictions, anger management, LGBTQI+ counseling, relationship counseling, etc.

You’ve probably heard of online therapy services like BetterHelp and Talkspace. And you’ve also probably wondered whether or not there are some other great options on the market for individual online therapy. That’s why we’ve put together this list.

Here, we’ll explore 5 great alternatives to BetterHelp and Talkspace:

Calmerry – Best online therapy platform for quality and personalized mental health care
Brightside – Best platform for online therapy and psychiatry
My Online Therapy – Best UK site and app for online therapy that fits the modern life
Pride Counseling – Best online therapy platform for the LGBTQIA+ community
7 Cups of Tea – Best platform for free emotional support from listeners and online therapy from therapists

So if you’re looking for a cost-efficient, professional, and tailored therapy experience to your needs, keep reading to know all their pros and cons, ins and outs.

1. Calmerry – Best Online Therapy Platform for Quality and Personalized Mental Health Care

Pros

Fully licensed and experienced therapists
Matching within 1 hour based on your needs and preferences
Flexible scheduling of live video and chat sessions
Help with a wide range of mental health problems
A comprehensive therapy plan you set with your therapist
Free mood tracking and journaling tools
Free switch if you need
Helpful resources from experts to help you improve your well-being
Android & iOS apps
Prompt 24/7 client support
Refunds for the unused time
Cancel anytime

Cons

No group sessions
No psychiatry and medication management services
Short live video sessions (30 min long)
You can’t choose your therapist
No phone sessions

What Is Calmerry?

According to drmental.org, Calmerry is a HIPAA-compliant online therapy platform with the mission to provide access to quality and consistent mental health care to anyone. The platform offers a convenient, cost-effective, and flexible way to receive therapy and achieve your goals with the help of licensed therapists without having to leave the comfort of your own home.

Clients can communicate with therapists through asynchronous chat, audio messages, and live video calls using any device. You can schedule live therapy sessions from the convenience of your personal schedule, using the Calmerry calendar.

In addition, Calmerry is committed to ensuring that all of its users have a positive experience with the platform by offering friendly customer support 24/7.

Reviewers also note that the platform offers a wide variety of free resources and tools to help people work through their issues – mood tracking bot Coa, journaling, tests and self-assessments, tips from the experts, and webinars.

How Much Is Calmerry?

Calmerry offers three monthly subscription plans. If you sign up for the service during a month, you will get an extra 30% discount on your first month. However, from time to time Calmerry offers special promo codes so that you can get even greater discounts than this.

Discounted monthly prices for the first month of online therapy:

Messaging only – $167.96
Messaging & 1 live video – $207.96
Monthly messaging & 4 live videos – $269.96

You can also buy extra video sessions for $45 each (the more, the cheaper each will cost)

2. Brightside Health – Best Platform for Online Therapy and Psychiatry

Pros

CBT treatment
Licensed mental health professionals
Your Path™ symptoms tracker with graph representation
Brightfinder™ for precise medication prescription by your provider
Interactive video and audio lessons
A holistic approach to the treatment of anxiety and depression
Accepts insurance
Medication shipping to your door
Available in all 50 states

Cons

A limited list of mental health problems treated
Online therapy cost is above the average on the market
You cannot contact your doctor whenever you want to
Some people report problems with medication shipping
Some also report an impersonal communication
The video sessions are short (30-min long)

What Is Brightside?

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health disorders in the United States, affecting millions of people of all ages. While there are many treatments available, including medication and therapy, finding the right approach to treatment can be a challenge. That’s where Brightside comes in.

Brightside is a telehealth company that helps adults suffering from anxiety or depression by providing a holistic approach to treatment that includes psychiatry services, therapy, or both. Brightside’s team of experts works with each client to create a personalized treatment plan that includes weekly therapy sessions with unlimited messaging, self-help exercises, and/or medication, if necessary.

You can track your progress with the help of their Your Path™ symptoms tracker. With Brightside and its innovative tools, you’ll get the care and support you need to start feeling better.

How Much Is Brightside?

Brightside offers three treatment plans: the Medication Plan, the Therapy Only Plan, and a Medication + Therapy plan that combines all features from both plans.

The Medication Plan costs $95 per month plus your pharmacy copayment.
The Therapy Only Plan costs $299 per month and includes unlimited messaging plus four live video sessions. You can buy additional sessions for $59 each.
The Medication + Therapy plan costs $349 plus pharmacy copayment.

3. My Online Therapy – Best UK Site and App for Online Therapy That Fits Modern Life

Pros

Help with a wide range of mental health problems
Many therapy approaches
Evidence-based therapy exercises written by psychologists
Therapy courses
Self-care app
NHS-certified therapists
The rigorous vetting process of psychologists
You can choose your psychologist
Insurance accepted for the video sessions
A pool of therapists is represented on the website

Cons

No human-operated matching
Some therapists reported pay issues
Self-care library isn’t free (for £9.99/month or £59.99/annually)
Therapy sessions are expensive
No asynchronous messaging therapy

What Is My Online Therapy?

My Online Therapy is a UK-based company and integrated virtual clinic that provides people with access to different evidence-based therapies by connecting them with leading psychologists. You can have live sessions there via video or web chat.

After completing a free online assessment, the platform matches the client to the most appropriate expert who is trained in the best therapeutic approach for the client’s problem.

You can also improve your well-being using their pocket-sized therapy app focused on self-care, teaching you to cope with your symptoms, and helping you track your progress.

How Much Is My Online Therapy?

All sessions on My Online Therapy are live and conducted via video or live chat. There, clients pay per session. Sessions for the initial 30 minutes cost £59. The subsequent sessions via chat last 30 minutes and cost £59, while video sessions can be booked for 30 minutes for £59 or 50 minutes for £109.

4. Pride Counseling – Best Online Therapy Platform for the LGBTQIA+ Community

Pros

Qualified therapists who can provide LGBT-affirming therapy
Unlimited text messages or live sessions
Focus on the unique challenges specific to the LGBTQIA+ community
Increased privacy, discretion, and safety
Several channels for communication
Financial aid for those who can qualify
Fully licensed therapists who can provide LGBTQI+ affirming support
Easy-to-use app

Cons

Only one plan is available
No psychiatry or medication management services
Matching is conducted by an algorithm
No real-time customer support
No therapists bios on the website
The price depends on your location and the type of a therapist

What Is Pride Counseling?

Pride Counseling is an online platform that offers counseling services for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Pride Counseling is open to anyone over the age of 18, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The company recognizes that each individual has unique needs and experiences, and they tailor their counseling services to meet the specific needs of their clients.

The counselors at Pride Counseling are LGBTQ+ affirmative and have a deep understanding of the challenges that members of the LGBTQ+ community face. They are also trained in providing culturally competent counseling services.

Pride Counseling offers individual counseling as well as a variety of resources and tools to help members in their journey towards self-acceptance and growth. So whether you are seeking counseling for yourself or a loved one, Pride Counseling is an excellent resource for those in the LGBTQIA+ community.

How Much Is Pride Counseling?

Just one subscription plan for individual online therapy from $60 to $90 per week is available. Charged monthly. The price varies depending on your location and the type of online therapist you choose. You can cancel anytime.

Pride Counseling also provides financial assistance based on your income, marital status, military service, and other factors.

5. 7 Cups of Tea – Best Platform for Free Emotional Support from Listeners and Online Therapy from Therapists

Pros

Free emotional support from +300,000 listeners globally
You can join a support group and nurture your support system
Affordable monthly plan for online therapy via text
Self-improvement guides and materials
Chats with listeners available 24/7
Available in 30+ languages
Teen community group

Cons

No video or voice calls for online therapy
Most therapists answer once a day
A small pool of therapists
Listeners are not professionals
Some people report a biased experience from their listeners

What Is 7 Cups of Tea?

7 Cups of Tea is an online platform that offers free, anonymous emotional support. The website provides a space for people to connect with trained listeners who can offer compassion and understanding. 7 Cups of Tea also has a forum where members can support and connect. The website is available in over 180 countries and offers support in 30+ languages.

7 Cups of Tea is a safe space for people to share their feelings and experiences. The listeners are nonjudgmental and compassionate, and the platform is confidential.

It’s also an online therapy service that offers a convenient and affordable way to receive professional counseling from licensed and experienced therapists.

How Much Is 7 Cups of Tea?

Professional online therapy services cost $150 a month, according to 7 Cups of Tea. This includes unlimited text messaging with no live sessions. Listeners provide emotional support for free.

Your Mental Health Matters

That’s why it’s important to find an online therapy platform that works for you. With so many options available, it can be tough to know where to start. But we’ve reviewed the top five online therapy platforms to help you find the one that best meets your needs.

Each platform has its unique features and benefits, but they all share one common goal: to help you improve your mental health. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, grief, or something else entirely, these platforms can provide the support and guidance you need to feel better.

So take a look and see which one is right for you. Your mental health matters – and you deserve to get the support you need anytime and anywhere.