Key takeaways

  • When depression makes it painstaking to organize and take initiative, online therapy resources can be a lifesaver.
  • Online depression platforms can connect you with therapists who use video or audio calls, chat messaging, and more to treat depression.
  • Our top picks for depression treatment online include BetterHelp for its range of therapists, and Talkspace for its numerous services.

Many people use in-person and online therapy to treat and manage depression, a common mental health condition.

If you’re experiencing depression, know that it is treatable. With the right support, it’s possible to manage the condition effectively. You can start by trying to find help, whether through in-person or online counseling.

But how do you know whether online help for depression is right for you? Here, we discuss some of the best online depression resources and how they stack up.

Services
What it’s best for
Price
Accepts insurance?
BetterHelp
range of therapists
$60 to $90 a week
no
Talkspace
comprehensive service
$65, $79, or $99 per week,
$49 for additional live sessions
yes
Brightside
crisis care and medication
$95 to $349 per month for membership
yes
Our Ritual
relationships
$120 to $310 per month
no
Inclusive Therapy
marginalized groups
$0 to $100 per session
(sliding-scale options)
yes
Teen Counseling
teens
$60 to $90 per week
no

The Healthline team of medical experts thoroughly vetted each online platform to ensure quality and medical credibility. Each company follows best industry practices, demonstrates trustworthiness, and has a positive social impact related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We also chose online resources for depression that offer flexible fees and payment options to suit a variety of needs. Some platforms offer financial assistance to people who qualify. What’s more, we included resources with a wide range of therapist expertise to meet the needs of diverse communities.

A mental health professional from the Healthline Medical Network medically reviewed this article to ensure accuracy and offer advisory insights.

We considered several criteria when selecting the best online platforms, including:

  • company reputation
  • making sure all therapists were licensed
  • positive user feedback
  • flexible fees and payment options
  • a variety of services that accept insurance
  • provide several communication methods
  • ease of use
Why Trust Healthline
35+
online therapy platforms evaluated
12
online therapy platforms personally tested
How we evaluate online therapy platforms

Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We evaluate services for consistency with standards of care and best practices, and we look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.

To choose the online therapy platforms on this page, we considered all the platforms that passed our vetting process. Then, we personally tested some of them to narrow down our list even further. Read more about how we review online therapy platforms.

To find a suitable option for online depression help, decide which aspects of therapy are most important to you. This could include a treatment plan with unlimited messaging or frequent video calls. You may value having a strong connection to your therapist and feeling that they understand your needs. If you’re paying out of pocket, choose a platform that you feel offers value for the cost.

Make sure you feel comfortable disclosing information to your therapist, or feel able to switch to a new one if your current therapist isn’t the right fit. That said, remember that results aren’t immediate and it may be best to give the treatment a few weeks before you decide if it is working. You can talk with your therapist about adjusting your treatment plan as needed.

Be sure to keep these important tips in mind when searching online therapy resources:

  • Qualifications: Make sure to research your potential therapist. They should be licensed to practice and have had a bit of experience, especially in the topic for which you’re interested in receiving treatment. For online therapy, in particular, make sure your potential therapist is available to practice in your state.
  • Privacy and safety: Go through the online resource’s privacy policy to make sure they have a data sharing policy in place and how they maintain confidentiality in their online sessions.
  • Forums and groups: If you’re interested in connecting with individuals who are going through similar experiences, you might want to check the online resource for forums, apps, or group chats where you can read about and share your own story. Keep in mind, however, that anyone can reply and may not be a certified professional. It could be helpful to discuss with a licensed professional before venturing into forums.
  • Price: Check various websites and what type of services they offer for the price. Make sure you have a set budget aside and that you can feel empowered to ask about any hidden costs. You can also check their websites for information on insurance coverage, financial aid, and free online resources.

The symptoms of depression look different for everyone and can include:

Using online therapy for depression may be a good fit for you if you’re looking to talk with a licensed therapist and have access to Wi-Fi and internet, along with a computer, phone, or tablet.

Keep in mind that many online platforms don’t have options for getting a diagnosis or prescription medication, so you may have to seek these out elsewhere.

Keep in mind

Online therapy for depression is not a substitute for emergency services.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, you’re not alone. Help is available right now:

“While there are some clients who prefer in-person therapy, others have benefited tremendously from telehealth,” explained Dr. Jessica Ruiz, chief psychologist and director of Behavioral Health Associates of Broward, the Counseling Centers for Goodman Jewish Family Services in Davie, Florida.

Online therapists can provide many of the same interventions in an office setting.

Online therapy is convenient. Being in your own home can be helpful when it comes to receiving therapy for depression, especially if your symptoms are more severe.

Ruiz has noticed that some people find the physical distance offered by online therapy allows them the space to experience and feel emotions that they may experience when they’re in the office with their therapist.

That said, you might find your needs aren’t being addressed as effectively as if you were in person with a therapist.

According to Ruiz, “Those needing a high level of care, have difficulty connecting through a virtual format, or rely comprehensively on body language to help them feel safe may fair better receiving services in the presence of their therapist.”

If you’re experiencing depression symptoms, the internet can be a good place to find help. From free online resources to community forums, it can be a lifeline for those who need some extra support.

The internet can be a useful place to connect with other people with depression, find quality mental health information, and access online therapy.

Beyond the online therapy resources mentioned above, you could try:

If you need emergency assistance for depression or suicidality, you can find help by calling a national helpline. Consider calling the 988 Lifeline at 988 or text “HOME” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

Yes, you can. Through telemedicine, you can talk with your general practitioner or psychologist about your depression. If you’re experiencing severe depression, they may refer you to a licensed psychiatrist, who can prescribe medication if you feel you need it.

Depending on where you’re located and the condition you have, it may be possible to access medication through online psychiatry.

For people with mild to moderate depression, speaking with a psychologist can be helpful — though these healthcare professionals can’t prescribe medication.

Generally, however, any healthcare professional can diagnose depression: a doctor, nurse practitioner, psychologist, or psychiatrist.

Yes, numerous apps are designed to offer support to people with depression.

Our list of The Best Depression Apps includes options for mindfulness resources, mental health information, mood trackers, community support forums, and more.

As mental health is more widely discussed in our daily lives, there are quite a few resources available to help individuals cope with their anxiety and depression.

The Anxiety & Depression Association of America has a list of free online resources you can scroll through to see what resonates with you. The Anxiety Resource Center also has a multitude of resources available.

Yes, there are various free online services for managing depression, including worksheets, learning resources, toolkits, therapy, and support lines.

Find some of the best free online therapy services.

If you’re experiencing depression, there are many online therapy options out there. Different platforms have different benefits, services, and specialties, which means that certain resources might be more suitable for you than others.

If one online therapy platform doesn’t work for you, consider trying another to find one that works best for you.

Additional resources

While more people are beginning to discuss their mental health, it can still be tough to talk about depression or anxiety within communities of color.

If you’re searching for a culturally sensitive or competent therapist, consider these additional resources: