An Overview Of Free Online Therapy

When you find yourself juggling multiple mental health concerns such as stress, work, relationships, and more, it can be helpful to speak with an online therapist or an online psychologist. If you're struggling to find free online therapy or a therapist to talk to for free mental health support, it can feel overwhelming to examine your options, especially if you're skeptical about online therapy. You may need to vent to a friend or loved one about what you’re experiencing, but they might not know how to provide the support you need. There is a lot of information about free online therapy, but connecting with a therapist online can be the first step in getting the guidance you need, navigating mental health disorders, or dealing with emotional distress.

Mental health support through online therapy

Professional online therapy is designed to manage chronic mental health symptoms from conditions like bipolar disorder, eating disorders, social anxiety, substance use disorder (formerly substance abuse disorder), depression, and more. This is something you probably won't be able to find in free online therapy with wellness professionals or life coaches. So, if you need services for a serious mental illness, free therapy might not be your ideal solution. Free emotional support services can have certain restrictions or limitations. For mental health conditions that require specialized care, meeting with an in-person or online psychiatrist may be a better fit for your needs than free therapy. In some cases, your health insurance may even cover same-day appointments.

You may be able to find financial support for the cost of therapy through employee assistance programs at your place of work. Programs like this may be through your health insurance or sponsored by your company, and they can help with your burden to afford therapy. 

Uses and limitations of free online therapy for mental health

Finding affordable services for mental health

If you’re looking for advice, resources about affordable online therapy, or you just have general questions about mental health therapy, nonprofit platforms, like Therapy Aid Coalition, may provide free mental health resources. You may also be able to find websites or services that offer a free chat with active listeners and trained volunteers to answer any of your immediate questions about mental health or finding free psychotherapy. 

The cost of traditional vs. online care

Therapists are essential workers who help clients achieve their mental health goals through useful insights, emotional support, helpful advice, and professional assistance. Traditional therapy offers an opportunity to receive mental health care from a trained professional who has specific skills to help address your needs. Because these licensed mental health counselors must complete the appropriate routes of higher education in order to work with clients, the overall cost of online or in-person therapy may reflect the financial burden of pursuing a career as a therapist. Therapists may offer a free initial consultation, but due to overhead costs, they most likely won't offer free therapy sessions. 

Traditional in-person therapy typically costs $100 to $200 per session, depending on the therapist's location, specialization, and level of expertise. In high-demand areas like cities, a single session could even cost up to $250. This could total $400 to $800 per month, or even up to $1,000, making it a significant financial commitment.

However, many people may not be able to afford the costs of traditional in-person therapy, especially when they are dealing with a mental illness or mental health challenges. Online therapy services can provide therapy at a more affordable rate for both individuals and couples to heal as well as find support. 

Online therapy services, such as BetterHelp, can provide therapy at a more affordable rate. BetterHelp costs $65 to $100 per week, totaling approximately $260 to $400 per month. This includes one live session per week and unlimited messaging with a licensed therapist. This lower price point, combined with its convenience, makes online therapy an attractive option for individuals and couples seeking healing or support.

Affordable sessions and chat options with licensed therapists

BetterHelp offers an online therapy service for affordable mental health treatment, when compared to in-person therapy. This is because online therapy can negate travel expenses that come with commuting to an appointment. Here are various ways clients can engage with BetterHelp’s online therapy platform for mental health services and solutions:

Live chat sessions

BetterHelp has the option for clients to use online chat conversations (similar to text messaging) to communicate with a therapist in real time. This way, participants can enjoy the convenience of receiving mental health care in live online chat rooms without any pressure to be on camera or speaking. Clients can schedule a live chat session with their licensed therapists in advance, according to both their schedule and the provider’s availability.  

Live phone sessions

Live phone sessions are another option for those who prefer to seek remote therapy via a cell phone or landline. Clients can schedule a time with their therapist and join an online therapy room to take the call. The therapist prompts the client to start a session and asks for a phone number to initiate the call. 

Live video sessions

A third option for mental health services that many users prefer is live online video sessions with a therapist, aka video therapy, which is comparable to Skype. This face-to-face setting allows clients and therapists to see and hear each other, which may be preferred for some clients.