7 Best Online Depression Treatment Options in 2024

Teletherapy platforms offering online counseling for depression provide a way for people currently in therapy and those new to counseling to access services in a more comfortable and sometimes more affordable manner. This is an emerging delivery method, and you may be wondering how to get started. Finding the best online therapy platform may take some time, but the best virtual counseling for depression is one that fits your lifestyle, budget, and individual needs. With that in mind, here are our seven picks for the best online therapy websites to help treat depression.

• Best With Psychiatry Option for Depression: Brightside
• Largest Network of Licensed Therapists for Depression: BetterHelp
• Best for Depression That Accepts Insurance: Talkspace
• Best for Couples Dealing With Depression: ReGain
• Best Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Depression: Online-Therapy.com
• Best for Depression That Offers Same-Day Availability: Sesame
• Best for Depression for Teens: Teen Counseling

We independently investigate and recommend products and services we believe will enrich the lives of our readers and meet their specific needs. We’ve spent hundreds of hours of in-depth research on the online therapy market. You can trust our review because we did the legwork for you in these specific ways:

• Engaged in ongoing independent research
• Spent over 245 hours testing seven brands, deployed surveys that included over 200 participants each, and interviewed focus groups
• Went behind the paywall for two months with seven brands to mystery shop our best online therapy choices
• Contacted brands’ customer service teams to ask questions and gauge responsiveness
• Consulted six leading psychologists and psychiatrists
• Became customers of online therapy providers ourselves
• Reviewed academic research about the efficacy of online therapy versus in-person therapy
• Read hundreds of verified customer reviews from trusted third parties such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot

Learn more about how we researched and evaluated the best virtual therapy brands via our online therapy methodology page.

Whether or not you need therapy for depression depends on a few factors, like symptom severity, duration, and your overall physical and mental health. Keeping track of the frequency and severity of symptoms by using journals or apps, such as those provided by Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, will help your healthcare provider make a proper diagnosis.

One thing to remember is that depression symptoms can range from mild to severe. Some people will experience a variety of symptoms, while others may only have a few. Sharing your symptoms with a mental health provider can ensure you receive a formal diagnosis and treatment plan.

Here are some of the more common signs of depression, according to the NIMH:

• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
• Persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness
• Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and pessimism
• Irritability
• Difficulty sleeping
• Feeling unsettled
• Changes in appetite
• Lack of energy or fatigue
• Difficulty remembering, making decisions, or concentrating
• Increase in aches and pains, headaches, digestive problems
• Changes in grooming and self-care
• Withdrawal from social activities
• Thoughts of death or suicide

There are several forms of depression, including major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, postpartum depression, psychotic depression, and seasonal affective disorder, according to Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Your doctor will assess your symptoms and provide the most accurate diagnosis for your symptoms.

Online therapy for depression is meant for individuals seeking help for symptoms related to mild to moderate depression. You may choose virtual therapy for the ease and convenience of talking to a therapist while at home — in a comfortable setting. It can also make it easier to access regular services if transportation is an issue or if you’re living with a health condition that impacts your ability to travel.

Some situations are not appropriate for virtual therapy. For example, if you do not have a safe location to participate in sessions, or you have concerns about someone within earshot hearing your conversation with a therapist, you may prefer to seek in-person instead of online help for depression in a more discreet location. “Although online therapy can be a better option for many individuals whose [mental health] symptoms interfere with getting to therapy, at some point the online platform may not offer the exposure and activation benefits that in-person therapy provides,” says Nicole Siegfried, PhD, the chief clinical officer at Lightfully Behavioral Health in Thousand Oaks, California.

You should not use teletherapy if you’re having active thoughts about suicide or feel like you’re going to hurt someone else. Instead, call 911, since these are both emergency situations that require immediate medical attention. “The reason that severe cases of depression or other mental health symptoms should avoid online therapy is that more intensive treatment may be necessary. In-person office visits for serious cases allow clinicians to fully evaluate a patient and make recommendations accordingly,” says Deborah Serani, PsyD, a psychologist and a senior adjunct professor of psychology at Adelphi University in Garden City , New York.

Some virtual therapy platforms offer prescription medication management for depression if they have licensed providers. For example, Brightside, Sesame, and Talkspace have board-certified psychiatrists and specialized psychiatric nurse practitioners who can prescribe antidepressants — a group of drugs commonly used to treat depression.

Some of the more commonly prescribed antidepressants approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Your medication for depression should be managed by a licensed prescriber such as a psychiatrist or another physician who can monitor your condition throughout treatment. Not every platform offers medication services, so make sure to ask the provider if this is something they provide.

Internet-based interventions are effective in reducing depressive symptoms, according to a review published in August 2014 in the journal Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine. That said, you also need to consider the type of depression, severity, and how long you've been experiencing symptoms. While each situation is unique, online platforms are more appropriate for mild to moderate depression.

Online therapy for depression may not be appropriate for severe depression. The best way to determine if virtual counseling is right for you is to talk to your doctor or a licensed mental health expert. They can review your symptoms and decide which delivery method is appropriate.

It’s difficult to designate one platform as the best online therapy for depression. Each situation is unique, and the best fit for one person may not be the right choice for another. You can evaluate a company on the basis of session types, providers, schedule, cost, and more. Here are some questions to consider when researching a subscription for online help for depression.

• Is your current health, both physical and mental, appropriate for online counseling? This may require a doctor’s visit to determine.
• Does the pricing and insurance coverage meet your budget and expectations?
• Does the platform accept Medicare? The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 requires Medicare to cover online therapy through December 31, 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• Do you have a physical space for online sessions that accommodates privacy, connectivity, and comfort?
• Do you have a quiet and comfortable physical space for online sessions?
• Can you afford a monthly plan or a pay-per-session plan?
• Are the apps and online platforms the providers use compatible with your technology?
• Do you have the freedom to choose a therapist, or are you matched with one?
• Does the company provide a straightforward cancellation policy on its website?
• Does the platform work with your schedule? Check the flexibility and accessibility for session times and days, especially if you need sessions on the weekend, early in the morning, or later in the day.
• Do you need multiple ways to communicate with your counselor (such as phone, video, online chat, and text)?
• Does the platform offer multiple counseling sessions such as family or couples?

Once you settle on an online platform and therapist, it’s time to prepare for your first session. Here are some tips to help you get started.

• Check your internet connection to make sure it can support online sessions.
• Make sure your software is updated and download any apps you need to communicate with your therapist.
• Find a quiet and comfortable location to participate in your online sessions.
• Confirm your appointment time and preferred method of communication.
• Make sure the camera and volume work on the device you plan to use for your session.
• Think about what you want out of these sessions and write down any thoughts or questions to ask during your first appointment.
• Check your insurance coverage or employee assistance program to see whether they cover online therapy.
• Plan on “arriving” 15 minutes before your session so you have time to make sure your technology is working and get comfortable.
• Eat and hydrate prior to your session.
• Allow yourself 15 to 30 minutes after the counseling session to record any thoughts, impressions, or follow-up questions.

Online therapy platforms offer an alternative way to access mental health services for depression with a licensed counselor, psychologist, or therapist. Being able to meet virtually allows for flexibility in scheduling and convenience. There are several virtual therapy platforms, but not all have therapists that specialize in treating depression. That’s why it’s critical to do your research and ask questions about the types of mental health issues each platform treats.

If unlimited messaging and health insurance coverage is a priority, consider Talkspace. It may also be a good choice if you need prescription management for depression symptoms. If you are worried about finding a therapist with availability in your state or who fits into your schedule, BetterHelp might be a good choice since it has the most therapists of all the online therapy platforms for depression. Our Talkspace versus BetterHelp review goes into more detail about the differences between the two companies.

Brightside is our top pick for mental health experts who specialize in depression and medication management for depression symptoms. And finally, if live appointments are your preferred communication method, consider looking into the therapy services offered by Sesame, which offers only live video sessions, some with same-day availability.

It’s critical to find a therapist who uses evidence-based practices and has expertise in providing online services. “Clinicians who provide online therapy should have additional training in utilizing this platform, as there are specific ethical and logistical competencies that are required,” says Dr. Siegfried. Do not be afraid to ask your therapist if they have completed additional training in online services.

If you are in crisis, waiting for an online therapy appointment may not be safe. In case of an emergency, call 911. This includes plans to harm yourself or others. If you’re having suicidal thoughts, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Help is available 24/7.

You can also reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357). The SAMHSA helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-days-a-year treatment referral and information service for individuals facing mental or substance abuse disorders.