How to Find the Best Online Therapy Site and Therapist for You

Overwhelmed finding a therapist that can get you the best help possible and takes your insurance? We’ve got the answers you’re looking for!

It isn’t easy finding a therapist online. Especially right now, there are a lot of therapists out there that are not accepting new clients or may only take one type of insurance. This can make it very easy to give up on finding a therapist while you’re searching. 

However, it is important that you don’t give up on online therapy options as talking to someone can have a positive impact on your life and mental health. If you’re struggling with your mental health and need some assistance finding the right therapist for you, keep reading to learn about the best ways to find a therapist online and get started with the right online therapy site. Let’s dive in and explore our top tips for finding the best virtual therapy platform and therapist for your mental health needs. 

Step 1: Establish Your Individual Mental Health Goals

Without establishing what you want to work on, you’ll have a harder time finding the right online therapy site and therapist

Finding a therapist is the first step to feeling your best.

It is beneficial to identify what is holding you back in terms of your mental health before you start researching online therapy sites. For example, you may be experiencing symptoms of depression related to your relationship or marriage. In that case, you’ll want to search for a platform and therapist that can deal with spousal or relationship-centred therapy. Though it isn’t absolutely necessary that you match with a therapist who specializes in the mental health issues you are currently experiencing, you’ll get a better match if you know what to search for.

Step 2: Think About How Often You Want to Attend Therapy

Different conditions require different treatment frequencies, so make sure you are choosing an online therapy site that can accommodate your needs

You can always change your appointment frequency if you need to see your therapist more or less often.

When you are researching options for online therapy sites, you’ll run into two major groups. First are sites that match you with a therapist and provide a scheduling platform. These sites work as sort of a matchmaking service for people pursuing online therapy. After you are matched with a therapist, all you have to do is log into your account and begin scheduling appointments according to need and therapist availability. If you prefer 2-4 in-depth therapy sessions per month, this is the option for you

The second type requires a monthly payment and provides a platform where you can schedule appointments and message your therapist in between appointments. Though this is a convenient option for many, therapists on these platforms are generally not equipped to handle severe mental health issues. If you are interested in 1-2 sessions per month with a messaging app feature, then this is the option for you

As you can see, your choice will depend on the type and frequency of care you require. 

Step 3: Research How Much Your Top Therapy Options Cost

In order settle on the best online therapy site, you need to factor in total cost per month

Do your research before paying out of pocket.

If you chose option 1 as we just discussed, then your therapy sessions will cost anywhere from $75 to $150 per session. Though this may sound steep, option 1 online therapy sites accept insurance whereas option 2 requires you to pay a monthly subscription fee out of pocket.

Step 4: Decide Whether You Want to Use Insurance to Cover the Cost of Online Therapy

Your insurance provider can help you pay for certain online therapy sites

Finding an online therapist that takes your insurance is tricky.

If you want to use insurance to pay for therapy, then you must use option 1—online therapy in the more traditional sense. Therapy services that require a subscription will not accept insurance as a form of payment. Depending on the type of insurance that you have, it is possible that your insurance offers minimal mental health coverage or does not cover the therapist you most want to see. In these cases, it is up to you to decide how much you are willing to pay out of pocket for virtual therapy.

Step 4: Narrow Your Search by Gender

The last thing to consider when searching for a therapist on an online therapy site is gender

Your therapist should make you feel as comfortable as possible.

When you choose to attend virtual therapy, you are in control of the whole process from your preferred online therapy site to the frequency of your sessions to the gender of your therapist. Often, people feel more comfortable opening up to a specific-gender therapist, which is totally okay! In fact, most sites allow you to sort your choices by gender when you begin your search. As a good rule of thumb, if you prefer a specific-gendered primary care physician, then you’ll probably want to opt for a therapist of the same gender.

Now that we’ve gone over the important factors to consider when finding the best online therapist site for your mental health needs, the final decision is up to you. By keeping our 4 key steps in mind, you can establish a long-term connection with a helpful and attentive therapist.