7 Reasons to Choose Virtual Therapy Providers

Virtual therapy has moved from a stopgap to a normal way to get mental health care. Instead of driving to an office, you meet a licensed therapist by video, phone or secure messaging from wherever you have privacy. Not every provider or format is the same, though, and virtual care is not right for everyone. This article gives seven practical reasons people choose virtual therapy providers, then covers what to check before you commit and when in-person care is the better route.

If you are in crisis or worried about your immediate safety, don’t wait to book an appointment. See Get Help Now for emergency numbers and crisis lines.

1. You can choose from far more therapists

An in-person search is limited to whoever practices within a reasonable drive and has an opening. A virtual provider is limited only by licensing rules, since a therapist generally has to be licensed in the state where you are located during the session. That still opens up a much larger pool, which matters if you want someone with a specific background, language, specialty or approach, or if you live somewhere rural with few mental health professionals.

A wider pool helps with fit, which research on psychotherapy links closely to results. Our guide to how to find the right therapist explains how to compare options once you have them.

2. Scheduling is easier

Without a commute, a 50 or 60 minute session takes 50 or 60 minutes. Many virtual providers offer early morning, evening and weekend slots, and some can book a first appointment within days. For people who work shifts, care for children or relatives, have a disability or chronic illness, or simply have a full calendar, the difference between “possible” and “not possible” can be the travel time alone.

Availability varies a great deal by provider and clinician, so check how soon you can actually be seen rather than relying on a marketing claim.

3. The evidence is encouraging for many common concerns

The research does not say virtual therapy beats in-person care. It says that for many people with common conditions such as anxiety and depression, therapist-delivered video therapy tends to produce outcomes similar to in-person sessions. Evidence for messaging-only formats is thinner, and results for severe or complex conditions are less clear. The practical takeaway is to prefer live video or phone sessions with a licensed clinician if you want the format closest to traditional therapy. Read more in our overview of online therapy.

4. It can cost less, and many providers take insurance

Costs range widely. Some services use a weekly subscription, some charge per session, and many now bill insurance. Because virtual providers have no office to staff and rent, some pass savings on, but not all do. A provider that is in network with your plan can bring a session down to a copay, while a self-pay provider may cost more or less than a local therapist depending on the model.

Whatever the pricing, ask for the full cost before you start: price per session, any membership fee, what happens if you cancel, and whether your plan covers the clinician. Our guides to online therapy with insurance and therapy without insurance compare current options, and affordable mental health care lists lower-cost routes such as sliding-scale and community clinics.

5. Many people find it easier to start and to stay

Walking into a waiting room can be a real hurdle, especially for people with social anxiety, mobility limits or worries about being seen. Starting from home lowers that barrier, and fewer missed appointments to travel, weather or lost time makes consistency easier. Consistency matters because therapy tends to work through regular sessions over weeks or months, not a single visit.

Some people also find they open up more at home. Others find it harder to focus, or to separate home from therapy, which is worth knowing about yourself before you choose.

6. One platform can cover therapy, psychiatry and family needs

Many virtual providers offer more than weekly talk therapy. Some can also connect you with a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner for diagnosis and medication management, so you don’t have to coordinate two separate practices. Some serve children, teens, couples and families too. If you think you may want both therapy and a prescriber, look for a provider that offers both, and check which medications can be prescribed in your state, since rules for controlled substances differ. See online psychiatry for how that works.

One example is Rula, an insurance-based network that offers live video therapy and psychiatry. See our Rula review for the details, and our comparison of online therapy services for alternatives.

7. You can try it, and switch, with little friction

Finding a good fit sometimes takes more than one try. With a virtual provider, switching often means choosing another profile or asking for a new match, rather than starting a new search, new paperwork and a new commute. A good therapist will support the decision if the fit isn’t right. Give a new therapist a few sessions before judging, then trust your judgment.

Compare virtual therapy providers

Providers differ on price, insurance and format. As a starting point, Rula and Talkspace are built around insurance, BetterHelp uses a subscription with therapist matching, and Sesame lets you browse clinicians and cash prices yourself. For a side-by-side view, see our best online therapy services, or go straight to affordable therapy, online psychiatry or couples therapy.

What to check before you choose a virtual therapy provider

Not all virtual providers are equal. Before you sign up:

• Licensing: confirm the clinician is licensed in your state and verify it with the state board.
• Format: decide whether you want live video, phone or messaging, and check what the provider offers.
• Cost and insurance: get the total price, and confirm your specific plan is accepted.
• Privacy: read how your data is stored and shared, and whether the service is HIPAA compliant.
• Scope: check whether it treats your concern, and what happens if you need a higher level of care.
• Emergency plan: make sure you know what the provider does and does not do in a crisis. Most are not crisis services.

You will also need a private space, a reliable connection and a device with a camera and microphone for video sessions.

When in-person care may be the better choice

Virtual therapy may not be appropriate if you are in crisis, have severe symptoms, are at risk of harming yourself or others, need medical monitoring, or are in a situation where you can’t speak privately at home. It may also be a poor fit for some young children, or for specialist approaches that need a physical setting. A primary care clinician can help you decide what level of care is right, and many providers will refer you onward when needed.

The bottom line

Virtual therapy providers offer more choice, easier scheduling, flexible costs and, for many common concerns, results comparable to in-person care. The best provider for you is the one that is licensed where you live, accepts your insurance or fits your budget, treats your concern and offers a format you will actually use. This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Only a qualified healthcare professional can assess your needs.

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