The 5 best apps for mental health therapy

Ermelinda Maglione -

Talking about mental health is not easy for everybody. It is a subject that is often stigmatized, which makes many people decide not to look for a counselor, even if they could benefit immensely from it. Also, not many people have the means to travel to and from a therapist's office, or perhaps they live in a place where there is no one available.

All of these are some of the reasons different counseling apps have emerged in the past years. But how do you know which one suits you and your needs best? To answer this question, we have gathered a list of some of the most popular mental health apps so you can compare them and decide.

Kounsel

Kounsel is to go-to app for almost any type of counseling.This app lets you connect with mental health experts ready to help you, such as family and marriage therapists, psychologists, psychotherapists, and more.

Benefits:

  • Pay only for the service you need.
  • Pay as you go.
  • Available worldwide.
  • Choose the counselor of your preference.
  • Flexibility to schedule sessions.
  • Chat with your counselor at any time at no cost.
  • Share files, videos, and images with your counselor through the chat feature.

Price

Subscription is free. Counselor's fees vary but start at $0.01 per minute.

Betterhelp

Unlike Kounsel, Betterhelp is a website exclusively offering mental health counseling. After answering a few questions, you get matched with an available therapist who will fit your objectives, preferences, and issues you're dealing with.

Benefits:

  • Large counselor database with more than 25,000 registered therapists on the app.
  • Available worldwide.
  • Talk to your therapist by text, chat, phone, or video.
  • Schedule live sessions.
  • Pick a time that works for you from the therapist's schedule.

Price

The cost of therapy through BetterHelp ranges from $60 to $90 per week (billed every 4 weeks). You are only charged once you are matched to a therapist, which can take a few hours to a few days.

Talkspace

Talkspace is another app meant to help people who are looking for counseling. They offer individual, couples, and teen therapy, as well as psychiatrists, for medication management.

They work by having the interested person answer a few questions about their preferences through a brief assessment so that they can match them with a provider, typically within 48 hours. After that, they can start their first therapy session.

Benefits

  • Flexible plans that adjust to your needs and lifestyle.
  • You can switch providers at no extra cost.
  • They accept insurance.
  • High-quality care.
  • Contact your counselor via message, video, or phone call.

Price

There are several subscription plans that range in price from $276 to $516 per month.

ReGain

This app focuses on relationship and marital therapy given by licensed therapists, but they can also offer individual therapy. They provide affordable access to licensed therapists at any time, anywhere.

The service is provided by independent therapists that work directly with you. ReGain does not employ them; the app provides them with a platform to connect with potential patients.

Benefits

  • Access through a computer, tablet, and smartphone.
  • Receive support and guidance from licensed professionals with at least 3 years of experience.
  • Affordable prices.
  • Cancel online at any time.

Price

ReGain costs from $60 to $90 per week, based on location, preferences, and therapist availability, and it's billed every 4 weeks.

Cerebral

Cerebral is another mental health app that focuses on people struggling with insomnia, anxiety, and depression. They also offer prescriber visits and prescriptions delivered to your door.

You can have video or phone appointments with therapists or your prescriber and what they call Care Counselor sessions to monitor progress as part of the subscription plan.

Benefits

  • Care Counselor sessions for regular check-ins as part of the subscription
  • Prescriptions delivered to your address every month
  • Create a custom treatment plan with the therapist
  • FSA / HSA eligible
  • Can be canceled at any time

Price

Cerebral costs $99 a month, and it is billed every month.

Find the right mental health help for you

Mental health apps like the ones listed above can be very useful for many people. To choose the perfect match, you need to evaluate its characteristics and benefits, such as therapist availability, variety, cost, and if online therapy is the best option for your specific situation. Take a look at the mental health therapists at Kounsel that can guide you through what you are going through today.