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Accessing free online therapy and finding the best mental health care can be challenging, but there are excellent options available at no cost in the USA right now.
In this article, we will explore the top 10 free, or virtually free, very low-cost online therapy providers in America as of 2024, providing you with the latest information on how to receive professional help without any financial burden.
Online therapy, also known as teletherapy, e-therapy, or e-counseling, is a form of mental health treatment delivered virtually via the Internet. It offers individuals a convenient way to access therapeutic services from their homes or other private settings from licensed mental health professionals.
This type of therapy gives people access to one-on-one counseling with licensed therapists via phone calls, video conferencing platforms such as Skype or Zoom, chat rooms, and emails.[1]
Absolutely! Free online therapy can be a great option for those who are seeking help and support for those who may not have the time or financial resources to make regular in-person visits to a therapist. Though it is obviously much different than traditional face-to-face counseling sessions, research shows that it can be just as effective. [2]
Online therapy can provide emotional support and guidance for individuals experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Therapists providing free online therapy can help clients develop coping skills and strategies to manage their symptoms at their own pace.
Online therapy can help individuals address issues within their relationships, whether it be with a romantic partner, family member, or friend. Therapists can help clients identify communication patterns, manage conflict, and develop healthier relationship habits.
Online therapy can teach clients stress-reduction techniques and help them develop coping skills to manage stress.
Online therapy can be helpful for individuals who have experienced trauma or are living with PTSD. Therapists can provide support and guidance through therapy sessions as clients work through their trauma and develop coping skills to manage their symptoms.
Online therapy can be a helpful resource for individuals struggling with substance abuse issues. Therapists can provide support and guidance as clients work towards recovery and develop coping skills to manage triggers and cravings. [3]
Convenience is the key to online therapy with mental health professionals available to everyone. We emphasized mental health services that provide patients with a variety of communication options, such as texting, video and phone chat, email, and live online therapy chat.
We also looked for online treatment services that provide 24/7 on-demand support and a standalone mobile application.
As mental health is such a personal experience, each person's needs for therapy are unique. We evaluate free counseling services that provide you the choice to pick your therapist from a variety of available free online therapists.
Many include an initial evaluation procedure to find any current symptoms and match you with the best online certified professional therapist or mental health coach.
You can get help when you need it most by using online therapy. We evaluated the accessibility of various medical services, such as same-day or on-demand appointments. We also took into account how long a patient would have to wait for a free online therapy appointment.
The free online counseling and therapy services that we reviewed provide emotional support and mental health counseling to people all over the world.
Consider what you're hoping to achieve through therapy and what type of therapy might be best suited for your concerns. For example, if you're dealing with anxiety, you might seek out a therapist who specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Look into different online therapy services and read reviews and testimonials from other clients. Check the therapist's credentials, experience, and approach to therapy.
Ensure that the online therapy service platform you want to make use of is secure, easy to use, and has all the features you need. For example, you may want a service that allows you to message your therapist outside of your scheduled sessions. Not all of the free online therapy services cater to that.
It's important to feel comfortable and connected with your therapist, so consider their communication style and whether you feel comfortable with them. It is always a good idea to schedule a consultation or a brief session to see if it's a good fit before committing to a full course of treatment.
Shrink's Office recommends a variety of online therapy services that offer a range of specialties and approaches. We have identified the following as particularly helpful for a number of people:
Price: Free
Therapy or support: Support
Format: Online
Available nationwide: Yes
Insurance accepted: n/a
Rating: 4.7/5
Description
Drawing from principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the Canadian nonprofit Centre for Interactive Mental Health Solutions offers this free program to all individuals. The American Psychological Association endorses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a successful treatment for depression and other mental health issues.
Even though the application was developed by a Canadian group, anyone can access it.
Throughout eight engaging sessions, you'll learn new ways to monitor and control changes in your mood and emotions as well as tactics for bringing about constructive change. Because these lessons are self-guided, you can complete them whenever you have the time.
Why do we recommend this online therapy service?
If you're searching for a private, self-paced program, Bliss is a very useful resource. You'll discover cognitive and behavioral techniques as you progress through the program that can help you feel better every day. [5]
Price: Free chat for teens
Therapy or support: Free support; therapy for a fee
Format: Online
Available nationwide: Yes
Insurance accepted: No
Rating: 4.6/5
Description
Opening up about what's troubling you can sometimes be enough to bring some relief because talking about your feelings can truly make a difference.
Regardless of what you're going through, 7 Cups has trained volunteer listeners ready to lend a sympathetic ear and offer private emotional support. While 7 Cups has support and self-help tools for people of all ages, it specifically caters to kids aged 13 to 17 with free teen chat rooms and community support forums.
Teens can communicate with a "listener," a trained volunteer. Even though these listeners don't provide professionally licensed therapy, conversing with them could nevertheless be helpful.
Why do we recommend this online therapy service?
Teens can speak to trained volunteers any time to converse or express themselves through 7 Cups, which is unique. [6]
Price: Free
Therapy or support: Support
Format: Text
Available nationwide: Yes
Insurance accepted: n/a
Rating: 2.2/5
Description
Each person's experience of an emotional or mental health crisis will be quite different. You might have suicidal thoughts, consider harming yourself, or feel as though terrible feelings are consuming you.
Sometimes it's hard to focus on anything else because of these strong emotions.
You can talk to a certified counselor through Crisis Text Line who will listen to you without passing judgment and work with you to discover coping mechanisms so you can stay safe. Crisis Text Line counselors can provide mental health resources to make your next actions simpler.
Why do we recommend this online therapy service?
When a mental health emergency arises, the Crisis Text Line provides urgent assistance. [7]
Price: Free
Therapy or support: Support
Format: Video
Available nationwide: Yes
Insurance accepted: n/a
Rating: 4/5
Description
According to research from 2020, the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 12-step program is the best way to manage alcohol abuse issues.
You can also access virtual meetings online, which you might not be aware of. Every meeting is free, and they take place regularly throughout the day. If 12-step programs aren't for you, SMART Recovery offers a different method of free online addiction support.
Why do we recommend this online therapy service?
These accessible gatherings give recovering addicts a sense of accountability and community from the comfort of their homes.
Pros of Alcoholics Anonymous
Price: Free
Therapy or support: Therapy
Format: Video on the phone
Available nationwide: America only
Insurance accepted: No
Rating: 4/5
Description
If you're a woman of color or a non-binary person of color residing in the US, DRK Beauty Healing can assist you in finding a licensed therapist in your state for therapy sessions that is free.
The directory allows you to look for a therapist of your choice, however not all states may have access to them. A minimum of five complimentary sessions are provided by participating physicians.
Why do we recommend this online therapy service?
Women of color and non-binary people of color have a special chance to get free teletherapy sessions with qualified clinicians thanks to DRK Beauty Healing. [8]
Price: Free or at a low cost
Therapy or support: Therapy
Format: Online
Available nationwide: Yes
Insurance accepted: Yes
Rating: 4.2/5
Description
With the help of this service, those in need and those impacted by crises and disasters can access free or sliding-scale mental health care. The website also includes links to alternative kinds of therapy that are both free and inexpensive.
You can get up to four sessions with a therapist of your choice for free or at a moderate fee provided you meet the requirements for the service. Therapists can provide in-person therapy or online services that are free or low cost.
Why do we recommend this online therapy service?
In the United States, essential workers who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can get assistance through the non-profit group Treatment Aid Coalition.
The organization not only focuses on COVID-19 but also provides assistance to people affected by crises and natural catastrophes. Such as;
Price: Free
Therapy or support: Support
Format: Video on the phone
Available nationwide: Yes
Insurance accepted: n/a
Rating: 4.3/5
Description
About 6.5% to 20% of new mothers and 8% to 10% of new dads have postpartum depression.
Postpartum Support International (PSI) provides peer-to-peer support groups and group calls with qualified mental health experts. Useful resources, tools, and articles are provided for women facing postpartum depression.
Why do we recommend this online therapy service?
All of PSI's tools, including the group calls with a certified mental health specialist, are available without charge. There is also peer-to-peer support accessible. [11]
Price: Free
Therapy or support: Support
Format: Online
Available nationwide: Yes
Insurance accepted: n/a
Rating: 4/5
Description
CIMHS offers an eight-session interactive internet therapy program for depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT for short, is a psychotherapy approach that forms the foundation of the program. Depression can be effectively treated with CBT, according to studies.
The program is made to instruct you in methods that have been demonstrated to be successful in enhancing your mood and mental well-being.
Why do we recommend this online therapy service?
We recommend the CIMHS online therapy service because it is accessible, convenient, and user-friendly according to patient feedback. One patient specifically mentioned that the program is easy to follow, professional, and concise in its content delivery.
While some patients mentioned that they wished the application had more motivational features, the positive feedback on the program's accessibility and clarity of content make it a strong option for those seeking online therapy. [12]
Price: Free
Therapy or support: Therapy
Format: Online
Available nationwide: Yes
Insurance accepted: Yes
Rating: 3.6/5
Description
TickTalkTo's iOS and Android mobile apps make accessible conversation therapy available to everyone. You can get in touch with accredited happiness coaches who offer telepsychology services if you're searching for online mental health treatment, emotional support, or services. Also, TickTalkTo can connect you with a professional to deal with difficult situations.
Why do we recommend this online therapy service?
TickTalkTo is a highly accessible online therapy service that provides quality counseling by vetting all psychologists on the platform. The platform matches users with a happiness coach who can assess their situation and connect them with the best-fit therapist for their needs.
TickTalkTo also partners with clinics and hospitals to optimize digital clinic and telepsychology services, providing private, confidential, and anonymous healthcare to underserved communities. The service is free with a happiness expert, and specialist counseling is available via customized payment plans, making it an affordable option for those seeking mental health support. [13]
The lack of a patient-therapist relationship. With online therapy, you don't get the chance to meet your therapist or build an in-person connection with them before beginning treatment, which can have an impact on the trust you develop with them as well as how effective their treatments are for you. Another risk of online therapy is confidentiality and privacy issues.
When engaging in online therapy, you should expect to have an open dialogue with your therapist that is focused on building a strong therapeutic alliance and fostering progress toward your treatment goals. Your therapist will work collaboratively with you to identify ways in which they can best support you during the course of your treatment.
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