The Best Online Help for Depression of 2024

We had three people try Brightside Health from North Carolina, New York, and California for individual therapy and found the platform to be a good resource for people suffering from mild to moderate depression. With a special focus on data-driven results, Brightside takes pride in helping patients feel better fast using an integrative approach of therapy, self-guided lessons, and medication. 

We certainly benefited from the platform's comprehensive approach. The cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based self-care lessons that are a part of the subscription expanded the usefulness of our therapy sessions. We could use the lessons to reflect on what had happened in the session or bring up what we learned in the lessons the next time we saw our therapist. We liked that the answers to our lessons were available no matter which therapist we saw, so there was documentation of what we’d been working on. 

We also loved how knowledgeable and experienced our clinicians were. We got a clear sense that they were experts in the issues we were working on. Unfortunately, not every therapist impressed us. One was late to our session and even had the wrong information about us. While this unprofessional behavior was disappointing, our overall impression of Brightside was largely positive.

Weekly online therapy sessions and access to cognitive behavioral therapy lessons cost $299 monthly. The medication management plan features monthly check-ins with a psychiatrist and access to cognitive behavioral therapy lessons and costs $95 per month, plus your pharmacy copay. A plan that combines medication management and weekly therapy costs $349 a month. 

Brightside is in-network with Cigna, Aetna, Optum/UnitedHealthcare, Anthem CA, and Allegiance. Payments can also be made using a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA).

Generally, the 105 users we surveyed were highly pleased with Brightside, with nine out of ten rating the platform as good, very good, or excellent. Eighty-six percent felt the same about their therapist qualifications and three-quarters would recommend Brightside to a friend. Seventy-nine percent of users stated their provider met most or all of their therapeutic needs. Just over half (51%) were seeking treatment for depression.

We tested Open Path Collective in New York for individual therapy and loved how accessible and user-friendly the platform was. We found it to be a good resource for people seeking help for a variety of mental health issues, including mild depression or, in our case, grief and loss (which can be related).

One of our favorite features about Open Path is how accessible and easy it makes seeking therapy. Since every therapist has the same affordable rates, we could save a lot of time and energy from sifting through which clinicians we could afford and those we couldn’t. As long as we knew we could pay the set rate, we were free to just search by specialty (such as depression), modality, and other important factors. We also weren’t locked into any subscription, so if we needed to quit for financial reasons, we could do so.

At the same time, getting ahold of someone who is actually available can be a bit of a challenge. We emailed four providers, and only two responded, with one saying they weren’t accepting new patients despite what it said on their profile. Seeing Open Path encourage clinicians to keep their bio pages updated would be nice. That said, we were thrilled to find a proficient provider in a modality we loved (art therapy) at an incredibly affordable rate. 

Therapists listed in the directory agree to offer a sliding scale rate, ranging from $40 to $70 for each individual therapy session and $40 to $80 for couples or family therapy sessions. Open Path also offers $30 sessions led by student interns. Open Path Collective seeks to provide affordable therapy for the underinsured, uninsured, or others with a low socioeconomic status (the site indicates that its services are meant for households that earn less than $100,000 a year); therefore, its providers do not accept insurance plans.

It is important to note users must pay a lifetime membership fee of $65 to access the affordable session costs.

Of the 180 users we surveyed, nine out of ten rated Open Path Collective as good or very good. Eighty-one percent of users said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the variety of providers available. The platform performs well in terms of inclusivity too: Of the users who said it outperformed past therapy providers, 30% said that therapists were more experienced working with LGBTQ patients and 29% said they were more experienced at working with people who are BIPOC. Forty-nine percent reported that they sought therapy because of depression.

We tested Talkiatry from New York twice, both times for individual adult psychiatry, and were impressed by the attentiveness and depth of care on offer. In particular, the session length for both intake and follow-ups was exceptionally long, especially compared to competitors. This can be especially helpful for those living with depression, who might need longer to be able to open up to their psychiatrist and really dig into what they are feeling.

Getting a full 60 minutes for an intake session gave us time to fully discuss our medical and psychological history, symptoms, and goals for treatment. We never felt rushed, and our provider largely gave thoughtful, precise answers to our questions. We also had the chance to develop rapport—in some ways, it felt more like therapy than straight psychiatry. Follow-up sessions continued similarly and gave us plenty of time to bring up questions and concerns. The quality of care we received from our Talkiatry psychiatrists made us confident that the company is a good resource for someone seeking treatment for depression.

However, we didn’t care for one of the clinicians we started out with. They were overly clinical and forced us to answer questions about our symptoms as guided by a script. When we strayed from the script, the provider wasn’t very open to the change. This felt strange and uncomfortable. It would be nice to see Talkiatry develop a better system of matching patient to provider—then perhaps we would not have experienced that sort of mismatch.

All service fees are dependent upon your insurance plan. There are multiple factors to consider. First, the insurance plan needs to be one Talkiatry accepts. Second, it has to offer outpatient mental health benefits. Beyond that, there may be coverage limitations due to a high deductible that therapy seekers need to meet. Finally, the fee for each service will depend on any applicable copays. 

Talkiatry is in-network with major insurers including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, Medicare, Oscar, and UnitedHealthcare.

Talkiatry has a fantastic user rating, with 95% of the 105 clients we surveyed giving it a rating of good, very good, or excellent overall. Diversity is another celebrated aspect of this virtual platform—89% of users were satisfied with the diversity of Talkiatry providers. Ninety-one percent of users rated their psychiatrist’s qualifications as good, very good, or excellent, and seven out of ten would start their search at Talkiatry again if needed. Thirty-five percent of users turned to Talkiatry because of depression.

We tried the National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN) for individual therapy from Kentucky and found it to be a refreshingly easy and seamless experience. What’s more, our clinician was culturally affirming and created a safe space we haven’t found on other platforms. Both the user friendliness and the quality of care make the platform a good choice for people with depression.

While it took some time to filter for the right provider, ultimately, finding the right therapist was incredibly fast and easy. Once we reached out to a provider, we received a reply within an hour and scheduled a session in less than a week. Our therapist was kind and competent and avoided making assumptions about us based on our identities. Our session was different from what we’d experienced with other platforms; it was affirming and positive, and we felt an authentic connection with our provider.

We did struggle a bit with how limited the search filters were. Counterintuitively, there weren’t options to search for a therapist by many of the identities the platform serves, or even specialties and preferred modalities. We would love to see NQTTCN expand its filters so users can search for targeted treatment quickly.

Since this is a therapy directory, provider fees vary by therapist, though some therapists on the directory list their rates, accepted insurance plans, and payment options in their bio. There is no fee to search for a therapist.

Of the 180 users we surveyed, 84% rated the directory as good or very good overall, and 78% of users found it easy or very easy to navigate the directory. Forty-two percent used the National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network directory to find a therapist with a culture or identity similar to theirs. Seventy-four percent of users stated they found the experience of finding a therapist that met their needs to be either easy or very easy, and another 68% of users said they could find a therapist that met all of their needs. Forty-three percent were searching for a therapist who could help them with their depression.

We had five people test ReGain’s services for couples and individual counseling about relationships in California, New York, Ohio, South Dakota, and the United Kingdom. We found its therapists to be knowledgeable and professional, acting as supportive sounding boards while also offering practical tools to manage our mental health concerns outside of sessions. Overall, the platform would work well for couples being impacted by depression.

We were impressed by the experience and specialties of the clinicians. Our therapists used a variety of therapeutic techniques and modalities that are helpful both for couples' issues and depression, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and emotionally focused therapy (EFT). Our therapists responded to our messages between sessions within 24 hours, which can be comforting for those struggling with depression who need extra support during the week. 

The short session times left something to be desired, though. At just 30 - 45 minutes, we struggled alongside our partner to be seen and heard. With barely enough time to broach tough topics, we found ourselves actually fighting more when we didn’t get the chance to fully resolve an issue during the session. Making the most of ReGain requires careful planning of which issues you’ll be bringing up (not exactly the point of therapy) or finding a therapist with availability multiple times per week. 

The platform offers weekly sessions for $65 to $90 a week. The exact price depends on your location and the availability of therapists in your area, and you will be billed on a monthly basis. This plan offers one weekly session; the first session is 45 minutes long and all subsequent sessions are just 30 minutes. 

ReGain is not in-network with any insurance providers.

ReGain users are generally satisfied with their experience using the platform—77% of the 105 users we surveyed rated it as good, very good, or excellent. Eight out of ten stated their ReGain therapist met most, if not all, of their needs. Sixty-two percent of ReGain clients stated they found the process of finding a therapist through the platform easy or very easy, and another 24% stated the process was neither easy nor difficult. Seventy-one percent would recommend ReGain to a friend. Thirty-nine percent of users were seeking help with depression.

We did not get the chance to try Monument, since we felt it would be unethical to ask someone struggling with addiction to try a counseling service short-term, but we feel confident recommending it because of the targeted support it offers to people struggling with alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is often comorbid with depression. Not only can users access licensed therapists, but they also get peer support and medication if necessary. 

We love Monument’s holistic approach. Users get physician appointments and individual therapy services, as well as medication management, all included in their monthly subscription price. There are two options for medication: disulfiram or naltrexone, both of which specifically treat AUD. Plus, there are numerous support groups with their own specific focus, such as Navigating Sobriety or Moderation for Women, Utilizing Self-Care to Reach Our Goals, and Group Meditation. These offerings go well beyond the traditional 12-step abstinence approach from recent decades.

We would love to see Monument expand its offerings. Depression and addiction to all sorts of substances often go hand-in-hand. That said, expanding on offerings could make the services that much more complex and possibly less effective, so we can see how Monument might excel best by keeping a narrow focus.

Multiple subscription plans are available to access Monument services. The most affordable plan, Physician Care, costs $14.99 per month, plus a $45 initial fee. The plan includes one physician appointment each month plus unlimited messaging with your physician. Monument physicians can prescribe medication to help you reduce or stop your drinking. This plan also includes unlimited therapist-moderated support groups, plus the option to schedule extra appointments with your doctor for $45 each.

The second plan, Total Care (Biweekly), includes everything in the Physician Care plan plus biweekly 45-minute therapy sessions. It costs $35 per week, for a total of $149 per month. 

The Total Care (Weekly) plan includes everything in the Physician Care plan plus weekly 45-minute therapy sessions. This plan costs $58 per week ($249 per month). 

Insurance coverage varies by state, but includes major plans like Optum, Cigna, Blue Shield, Aetna, Anthem, Medicaid, and Medicare.

Monument maintains high levels of customer satisfaction. Seventy-eight percent of Monument users surveyed rated the company as excellent, very good, or good, and three-quarters said the same about the number of quality providers on Monument’s directory licensed in their state. Seventy-three percent of Monument users found a therapist that met all or most of their needs, while 48% said it provided better care than they’ve ever received. Forty-two percent of users said they are likely or very likely to be seeing the same therapist within 12 months from now. Thirty-seven percent reported also seeking treatment for depression.

We tested Peer Collective from California for individual peer counseling and found it to be an exceptional resource for those struggling with a variety of issues, including depression. The platform was well-run, everything was on time, and our counselors were professional and caring.

We found the platform to be better run and provide a better experience than many online therapy platforms we’ve tried. Counselors were always punctual, we got a phone number to call if there were any technical errors or delays, and switching counselors was exceptionally easy. The counselors may not have been therapists, but they were well-prepared for our sessions and were more professional than many clinicians we have worked with. We left sessions feeling less alone in our problems, with ideas and tools to help us navigate challenging situations. For someone with depression, getting support from another person who has dealt with similar issues and has lived experience with the same kinds of symptoms and challenges can be especially bolstering and instill hope.

Choosing a counselor was also a good experience. While we only had a handful to choose from, we appreciated that they listed personal details in their bios that demonstrated what they’d experienced and how they’d navigated their own healing journeys. It did take a moment to adjust to counselors not being therapists. There were awkward moments when we expected the counselor to jump in with more guidance. Then we remembered that peer counseling runs a little differently. Overall, our experience was wonderful. 

Thirty-minute sessions cost $22 each while hour-long sessions are $32 each, or you can pay for 4 hours upfront for $100 ($25 per hour). Additionally, you can have a trial session for as low as 50 cents. The company provides immediate refunds should users not be satisfied with their sessions. 

Since these are peer support sessions and not formal therapy, Peer Collective is not in-network with any insurance providers and is unable to provide a superbill for reimbursement.

While this was not a company whose users we surveyed, many people highlight the straightforward setup and affordable prices in customer reviews for Peer Collective. Users understand they are signing up to speak with peer counselors rather than licensed mental health professionals and reap the benefits of its affordability and accessibility.

“Peer support can be especially beneficial to those living with depression, who often feel alone and isolated,” explains Hannah Owens, LMSW and subject matter expert. “Accessible peer support like what Peer Collective provides can help people understand that they’re not alone and that things can get better—two things that are difficult to understand by yourself when you’re in the throes of depression.”

We tested TherapyDen from Kansas and found it to be a great option for those seeking very specific traits in a therapist for depression. It’s a user-friendly website that helps people get support quickly from a variety of counselors.

The directory has extensive search filters that helped us identify the right provider for us, and it was great that we could also find in-person therapists. We loved how nuanced and culturally inclusive the search filters were. We could search for queer competent, trans competent, understanding of non monogamous relationships, or experience with systemic oppression. Once we located an in-person counselor, we were impressed by the clinicians' breadth of knowledge and warm manner. It was clear that we were in good hands.

There are a few irksome issues on the website, though. For example, we didn’t like that clicking back after a therapist's bio took us to the first page of results rather than where we were. This can slow down the process of finding a provider. There were also fewer providers listed in the directory than can be found in others. We would also love to see TherapyDen make it easy to find therapists who are accepting new clients. 

The directory is free to use for therapy seekers. Users can adjust their search results based on price range and accepted insurance plans. However, cost per session and insurance coverage varies based on the therapist.

Although the directory is newer, user satisfaction with TherapyDen is high. Of the 180 users we surveyed, 80% rated TherapyDen as very good or good. Sixty-two percent of users said the process of searching for a therapist on TherapyDen was easy or very easy. Many approved of the directory’s mission statement, with seven out of ten rating it as good or very good, and more than three-quarters of users felt the same about the therapist diversity. However, despite its strong social justice ethos, 12% of users surveyed said they hope to see more therapists from a background/culture similar to theirs. Forty-three percent said they turned to TherapyDen to find a therapist to treat their depression.

We tested 7 Cups for individual therapy from Missouri and found it to be a good option for people needing free support for a variety of mental health issues, including mild depression. Users opting for the free version have a range of resources to choose from. If needed, they can upgrade to receive text-based therapy for $150 and additional resources for $12.95 per month.

We liked how easy it was to get started. Sign-up was fast and straightforward, and we were able to start using the platform right away. The free version got us live discussions, peer forums, self-help guides, mindfulness exercises, and educational, activity-based modules designed for specific issues. When we upgraded to premium support, and we got access to even more tools and resources. We opted to get therapy as well, and while our clinician was all the way in South Africa, we got timely responses, which was nice. 

That said, peer support can be hit or miss. We loved one of our peer listeners, who offered non-judgemental listening and motivation. But another? Not so much. This person gave us advice that didn’t seem very professional. It made us question the vetting process of the platform. Just know that the level of care you receive can vary widely.

The forums, private chat rooms, and online volunteer chat are free to use. If you want traditional therapy, 7 Cups offers an online chat option with a licensed mental health professional for $150 per month.

We did not survey users of this company, but there is a pattern of positive customer reviews for 7 Cups, with users praising the company’s ease of functionality as well as efficient mental health support.

“If you’re struggling with depression, speaking with someone who has experienced the same kinds of symptoms can help you feel less alone and learn some coping techniques you might not otherwise have thought of,” says Owens. “This is where the peer support of 7 Cups can be really helpful.”

When we tested Therapy for Black Girls, we found it to be an excellent resource for connecting Black therapy-seekers with therapists who get them. Not only were we able to narrow down our search to find a provider with the experience we wanted, we also felt safe and understood by a therapist with a similar identity to us. This safety and understanding is especially important when treating depression.

We liked that finding a therapist in the directory was a relatively smooth and fast process. There were plenty of search filters (though we missed seeing one for spirituality), and we got to choose from a variety of providers with open availability who accepted a variety of insurance options. The therapist we ultimately chose gave us a free consultation and booked us for the same time each week, providing continuity. In our session, we felt seen, heard, and understood in a deep way.

As mentioned, we would love to see even more search filters available: Spirituality was important to us, and it was disappointing that we couldn’t use that criteria to find a therapist. We also didn’t like how the “accepting new clients” filter wasn’t always accurate. The directory would save people time and energy by addressing that issue.

Because Therapy for Black Girls is a directory rather than an online therapy company, prices and insurance coverage will vary by provider.

Therapy for Black Girls has great user ratings, with 91% of users surveyed giving it a positive rating of very good or good. Eighty-two percent felt that the directory was easy or very easy to navigate. Seven out of ten were able to find a provider who met all of their needs. Forty-seven percent of clients surveyed used this directory to find a therapist that treats depression and 80% of all users were satisfied with the therapists presented in the directory.

We tested GoodTherapy from Michigan for individual therapy and were impressed with how easy it was to find a qualified, caring therapist we were thrilled to work with. This made us confident that we would be able to find a provider who could successfully treat depression.

We loved how specific we could get with the filters. We were able to search by a wide breadth of modalities, including uncommon ones like “Shamanic Journeying'' and “Regression Therapy.” There were plenty of options, too — our first search attempt by our relatively small city populated a full 14 options, and when we widened our search by state, we had over 500 to choose from. When searching for the type of therapy, we could choose from everything from Group Therapy to Psych Evaluation to Premarital Counseling. People suffering from depression have a lot of options to find exactly what they need to address any challenges or symptoms they are facing.

The quality of care we received was also exceptional. We loved how the therapist didn’t dominate the conversation by talking nonstop about themselves (it happens) but still gave us personal anecdotes to make them relatable. One thing that bothered us, though, was a glitch in the search filter. There were times it would seemingly not work out of the blue, but the issue would quickly resolve itself.

GoodTherapy is free to use for therapy seekers. Users can adjust their search results based on price range and accepted insurance plans. However, cost per session and insurance coverage vary by therapist. GoodTherapy also allows users to filter their results according to which therapists offer sliding scale options or free initial consultations.

The directory stood out among competitors in our user results. Of the 180 individuals we surveyed who used GoodTherapy, 93% said the therapist's qualifications were very good or good. Eighty-eight percent said they’d recommend it to a friend or someone like them and the same amount said they’d use the directory again if they ever needed to look for a new therapist. Ninety-five percent of users rated the directory overall as good or very good, while 83% of users said the number that offered payment options to be very good or good. Forty-one percent were looking specifically for a therapist who treats depression.

We asked three people to try Teladoc from Missouri, Texas, and Ohio for individual therapy and can confidently recommend it for those seeking depression therapists who take insurance. Clinician quality was high, and we were able to find a variety of providers who accepted various payment options and schedules that worked well with ours.

We were excited to see all the options and filters that allowed us to get specific in our search. Unlike with other online platforms, we could also choose our provider, which we preferred to a matching system. It was great to see plenty of providers with night and weekend availability too. All too often, therapy-seekers have to turn down a good match simply because they can’t make sessions during a work day. It’s also nice that Teladoc offers psychiatry, which can be helpful for those who need extra support for their depression.

There were a few providers who rubbed us the wrong way, though. One ended the session a full 20 minutes early. Another canceled minutes before our session was about to begin. In our opinion, these are both examples of very unprofessional behavior, and Teladoc should work to ensure clinicians meet higher standards of care. That said, nearly every online platform we tried has included at least one similar experience.

If using insurance to fund your treatment, your fee per session will vary based on your insurance coverage. If paying out of pocket, therapy sessions begin at $99. Psychiatry intake sessions can cost up to $299, with follow-up sessions costing $119. 

However, Teladoc is in-network with over 60 insurance plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, and even some Medicare and Medicaid plans, making the likelihood of Teladoc accepting your insurance quite high.

Teladoc has an excellent user rating, with 97% of the 105 users we surveyed describing it as good, very good, or excellent. Half of Teladoc users surveyed stated finding a provider that accepts insurance was a key priority in their search, and eight out of ten stated they found a provider that met most or all of their needs. Another win: 94% of Teladoc users were pleased with their therapist’s qualifications. For those seeking psychiatric support, 75% of Teladoc users described their prescriber’s bedside manner as good or very good. Forty-four percent of users reported turning to Teladoc because of depression.