Phone calls, video conferences, and SMS made it easy to get mental health care wherever you are. Now you don't have to sit on the couch of a therapist for help, especially during the pandemic . With less social connection, it may be a good time to speak to a licensed online therapist. Online therapy, like Talkspace, even allows you to offer therapy to your loved ones.
It's not just convenient - online therapy can often be cheaper than in-person therapy ." Therapists cut costs by not needing to rent office space and pay other costs related to a separate workplace, "says Mark Pines, registered therapist and CEO and founder of OpenCounseling , a website that reviews online therapy platforms and helps connect people to free and affordable counseling. "They also eliminate the time and expense of commuting to work. The low cost, accessibility and added convenience opens up therapy to a whole new audience.
Research shows that online therapy can be equivalent to face-to-face care.
Amwell / Getty Images / iStockphoto But not all online therapy platforms are created equal not. Below is an overview of five popular HIPAA-compliant therapy services that only employ licensed and trained mental health professionals.
Talkspace
Talkspace How it works: The The integration takes place with a chatbot, which informs you about the platform and then asks you some very basic questions. To answer them, you choose from the available answers, then you immediately receive a few matches from possible therapists. meet your needs. specific.
Therapists: Over 5,000 licensed therapists each with over 3,000 hours of clinical experience.controlled by Talkspace and trained in the use of the platform.
Services: Talkspace offers three levels of services. Each of these allows you to send your therapist an unlimited number of text, video and audio messages the wise men and your therapist will respond daily, five days a week. With the more expensive levels, you also get one or four live video sessions per month, although anyone can add 30-minute live video sessions for an additional cost.
Cost: $ 260 - $ 396 per month, depending on the plan you choose. If you pay three or six months in advance, you can save 10-20% on the overall cost.
There is no contract and you can cancel your plan at any time. For financial assistance, check with your human resources department; Talkspace works with health plans to provide theronline apie to employees through employee assistance programs and behavioral health benefits.
See in Talkspace Betterhelp
BetterHelp How it works: You are asked a variety of questions that touch on your gender identity, sexual orientation, mood and more that only take a minute or two to answer.Then you will be matched with a therapist - usually within 24 hours or less. You can find out a little moreon the advisor, then send them a message, or request a new correspondence specifying your preferences, such as gender.
Therapists: Over 4,000 licensed psychologists (P hD / PsyD), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), clinical social workers (LCSW / LMSW) or licensed professional counselors ( LPC). Each therapist holds a master's or doctoral degree in their field, plus at least 3 years and 2000 hours of relevant experience.
Services: You have access to unlimited text messaging and weekly live interactions that are planned in advance and conducted by phone, video or chat. BetterHelp provides over 150 digital worksheets and modules to help you with treatment and also offers free access to over 20 live group therapy sessions.
Cost: $ 80 - $ 100 per week. The price is based on your location, vos preferences and availability of the therapist. BetterHelp does not work with any business or employer insurance. As a result, services are usually not covered by Medicare, Medicare, or Medicaid, but you should check the details of your specific plan. You can cancel your BetterHelp subion at any time.
See in Betterhelp Amwell
Amwell How's that walk: After avoir created a free account and added your insurance information, if applicable, you are able to navigate the entire Amwell platform, which in addition to therapy includes urgent care and specialist care , like dermatology. Click on the therapy tab and you will receive a list of licensed therapists in your state with limited information on each. From here you can schedule your first date.
Therapists: Hundreds of licensed psychologists who have either a master's or doctorate in their field. Everyone is trained in telehealth prevention and treatment techniques. Amwell also offers online psychiatrists who can prescribe medication, as well as a nationwide network of board-certified US clinicians to handle other medical needs.
Services: Live video sessions scheduled in advance. Therapists are availablenibles from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST, 7 days a week.
Cost: $ 99 to see someone with a master's degree; $ 110 for a therapist with a doctorate. All sessions last 45 minutes. Amwell works with a variety of employers and top health plans , so you may end up paying only a copayment or whatever is necessary to meet your deductible.
Se e chez Amwell Doctor on Demand
Dr. On Demand How it works: Take a free mental health assessment to see if you would benefit from speaking to a therapist or diving directly by creating a free account. Once you have done so, you will find a list of available therapists. 'will display. Unfortunately, there is no way to search or sort by preference. Schedule your first session with the counselor of your choice.
Therapists: Des hundreds of licensed psychologists and board certified psychiatrists, as well as physicians who can provide urgent or preventive health care.
Services: Live video sessions scheduled at the 'in advance.
Cost: 129 USD for 25 minutes or 179 USD for 50 minutes for a psychology appointment; $ 299 for a psychiatric consultation45 minute initial ue and $ 129 for each 15 minute follow up. Dr. On Demand also accepts insurance and works with over 400 employers.
See on Doctor on Demand MDLive
MDLIVE How's that walk: Register for free and choose a reason for your visit. After answering a few questions, you will see a list of available therapists and their biographies, which you can sort by specialty, language and gender. you must be asked; they are notinstantly booked.
Therapists: Licensed mental health professionals and board certified physicians, including psychiatrists. All providers receive telehealth training and undergo a background check.
Services: Pre-programmed telephone or video sessions.
Cost: Up to $ 108 per session, depending on your insurance. MDLive accepts insurance and also partners with employers and health plans.
See on MDLive Health and Wellness
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Find an old-fashioned therapist
If you don't want to go through a third-party platform, you can always work with a therapist online to access traditional therapy . Many now offer options online, in addition to their face-to-face sessions, through their private practices. If you have assurance , you may be able to search for therapists through your provider 's portal.
Or, browse databases like the one managed by Psychology Today , which allows you to narrow down your choices based on Whichever route you choose, keep these tips in mind when searching:
- Make sure they are licensed professionals. Make sure the person you are considering is a licensed therapist (in your state!) in good standing. "Therapist and psychotherapist are not legally protected words in most states, which means anyone can claim to be a therapist and offer services that may appear to be therapy " according to the APA . Alors request a license number and check it with your state licensing board. A therapist can be a nurse, counselor, social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist. Additionally, there are many different types of therapy, from simple counseling to cognitive behavioral therapy, you may want to do a little research on the types of therapy sessions with an online counselor that would be most helpful to you.
- Be honest and specific about what you are dealing with and what kind of support you are looking for. "Sometimes clients send me a deion saying that I want to improve my self-esteem," says Kalai. "But that's not enough for me to know if I'm the right [therapist] for you.
- Ask your therapist questionse potential on himself and his practice. "Make sure you find a therapist who feels comfortable treating your symptoms," Kalai says. Especially remotely - not all forms of therapy can be conducted online. Don't know what to ask them? Here is a list of questions to ask a therapist .
More support for your mental health
The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended for health or medicine. cal advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have about a health problem or health goals.
