Almost everyone can gain from talking with a therapist. Whether you’re handling everyday pressures or processing past trauma, regular sessions with a mental health professional offer a constructive outlet for whatever life serves up.
However, traditional therapy can be costly — an hour-long appointment typically runs between $100 and $250. That price tag puts therapy out of reach for many, even though looking after your mental well-being is essential.
To bridge that gap, mental health apps have surged in popularity. If you lack insurance or face financial limits, these apps provide accessible, discreet and budget-friendly options to consult with licensed professionals from your smartphone or other smart devices.
5 Mental Health Apps to Connect With a Therapist
1. BetterHelp
BetterHelp is a clinically oriented mental health platform launched in 2013 that now serves more than 2 million users.
BetterHelp connects people to hundreds of credentialed psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers and licensed mental health clinicians. The service works with clients to match them to a provider who fits their needs, and you can switch counselors whenever you want at no extra charge. BetterHelp addresses a wide array of concerns, including couples counseling and mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and PTSD.
One of the platform’s aims is to lower financial hurdles for those seeking care. BetterHelp’s therapy plans typically cost about $60 to $80 per week, making it far more economical than conventional in-person therapy.
2. TalkSpace
Serving over 1 million people, TalkSpace has modernized traditional therapy. Users complete a short intake on TalkSpace’s site, then pick a therapist and schedule sessions. Like BetterHelp, TalkSpace allows clients to change therapists at any time without penalty. The company reports that 98% of users found virtual therapy more convenient for managing stress and anxiety than seeing someone in person.
TalkSpace, like other mental health platforms, offers couples counseling, general therapy and other wellness services. It also provides psychiatry services (including prescription management) and specialized therapy for teens.
Pricing on this platform is tiered based on the level of care, generally ranging from about $260 to $396 per month.
3. Cerebral
Cerebral blends talk therapy with the option to pursue medication management for mental health.
Cerebral resembles other apps but stands out by letting users choose therapy only, medication only, or a combined plan with both a therapist and a prescribing clinician. The platform treats a range of conditions, such as anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder.
Members receive weekly video visits with their care team, unlimited messaging with responses within 24 hours, and — as with other apps — the flexibility to change providers without fees.
Care plans with a licensed professional can start as low as $25 per week.
4. Brightside
Brightside aims to transform how therapy is delivered in the U.S. Unlike some competitors, Brightside emphasizes not only high-quality clinical care but also tracking and measuring your progress over time.
The platform offers both therapy and psychiatric services. Patients can schedule one-on-one video sessions with their counselor as needed, and those experiencing a crisis can contact an immediate support line. Brightside reports that its clinicians follow evidence-based best practices, including approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
For individuals seeking therapy or combined therapy and psychiatric treatment, Brightside’s pricing begins at $199 per month.
5. Regain
Couples counseling can help partners resolve conflicts or deepen their relationship, but it can also be costly.
Regain focuses exclusively on relationship-focused therapy, making it a specialized option among mental health apps. Founded in 2016, Regain connects couples with licensed psychologists, marriage and family therapists, social workers and psychotherapists.
Prospective clients complete a short questionnaire about their concerns, goals and routines before being matched with a counselor. Couples typically have one video session per week and can use unlimited messaging and audio notes between appointments.
Couples therapy through Regain usually costs between $60 and $90 per month and can be canceled at any time.
If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance or guidance on finding resources, consider reaching out to a mental health hotline to connect with support and referrals.
Hannah Mercer is a contributor to Savinly.
