Is Online Therapy Affordable? Comparing Costs Across Platforms
One of the most common barriers to mental health treatment is cost. In a national survey of 1000 therapy seekers that Octave conducted in January 2025, 64% of therapy seekers said that the cost of therapy made them hesitate to begin. However, over the past decade, there has been an increase in availability and insurance coverage for online therapy services that have generally made therapy more accessible to more people.
How Much Does Online Therapy Cost?
When it comes to affordable therapy online, you'll want to know how much it actually costs. The amount will typically vary based on the platform, the type of insurance you have and the services offered.
Typical price range by platform
The price of online therapy will vary based on the platform. Weekly plans on platforms such as Talkspace and BetterHelp can range from roughly $70–$110 depending on platform and therapist credentials. If you opt for a plan that uses a per session model such as Octave, the price you pay per session will depend based on your plan and benefits package. Octave helps you estimate those costs through their cost calculator tool; on average, sessions typically cost $28 with insurance.
Subscription models vs. per-session
Online therapy platforms typically operate in two categories — subscription and per session. With a subscription, you either play a flat weekly or monthly fee for access to messaging services, video sessions and other workshops. The services you receive will often depend on the type of plan selected.
For per session, you'll pay a flat rate every time you see a therapist. This can be more flexible, however it can end up costing more in the long run without the bulk discounts that typically accompany a subscription model. If you opt for a per session model, you can ask your therapist if they offer a sliding scale or look for one who is within your budget.
Comparing Costs Across Top Online Therapy Platforms
When trying to decide which affordable online therapy service to utilize for your mental health needs, you'll want to know how much it costs to see a therapist on that service. Here is an overview of the different prices across some popular online therapy platforms to consider:
BetterHelp
BetterHelp has two ways you can pay for services — private pay and through your insurance. With private pay, you'll receive a membership that includes live sessions (video, audio, or live chat), messaging with your therapist, and other services such as access to support groups, worksheets, goal tracking, and journaling. The membership ranges between $70 to $100 depending on what you select.
If you decide to use insurance, you can use that to see how much the out of pocket cost will be with your specific plan. This will vary based on your plan, however, they have an estimator that can calculate the amount you'll be expected to pay for each session. Additionally, BetterHelp accepts HSA/FSA cards so that is also an option.
Talkspace
If you're looking for affordable therapy online, Talkspace is another option. Talkspace is in-network with most major insurance companies including Cigna, Optum, Medicare, TRICARE, Anthem, Gatorcare, Aetna, etc. According to their website, most patients pay a copay of $15 or less for provided mental health services. If you don't have insurance, Talkspace have a weekly-based subscription model that ranges between $69 to $109 per week and can include messaging therapy, video and messaging therapy, and/or messaging and video therapy on top of workshops. HSA/FSA funds can also be used to pay for the cost of therapy sessions if that is something you have.
Alma, Headway, and others
You've probably also heard of mental health platforms such as Alma and Headway. These are different from Octave, Talkspace and BetterHelp as they aren't services that provide therapy, but instead work as more of a directory to find clinicians.
On these sites, you can search for therapists that are in network with your insurance and licensed in your state. Other filters you can sort through include the race, gender, sexual orientation, session availability (morning, afternoon, evening), language, therapeutic approach, degree, type, ages served, etc. There's also the option to show providers that have a sliding scale fee if you're looking for affordable online therapy with no insurance.
These platforms can make it easier to find a provider and to help support insurance billing on both ends.
Octave
Octave offers individual, couples, family and in-person therapy. As for pricing, Octave accepts insurance from many major insurance plans such as Cigna, Aetna, BlueCross Blueshield, United Healthcare and more. Sessions typically cost $28 on average, and over 95% of Octave clients pay less than $45 per session through insurance. If you decide to pay out of pocket, the rates typically range from $185-$195 per session. You can use HSA/FSA funds to pay for individual therapy through Octave if that's something you're interested in. Keep in mind that unlike Talkspace and BetterHealth, Octave is not a subscription based service.
Find out if you're in network with Octave
Why People Are Searching for Affordable Online Therapy
The rise in affordable online therapy options has increased as people are looking for ways to seek treatment that won't cost them hundreds of dollars per session and save them time on travel.
Cost concerns and insurance gaps
Many people face high out-of-pocket costs for in-person therapy either because practitioners don't accept insurance or they set higher rates to cover the costs of an office space. Both of these factors can make it less enticing for individuals to want to have therapy in person when there are more accessible and affordable online therapy platforms available like Octave.
Increased demand post-pandemic
Aside from cost, there has been an increase in demand for therapy services post COVID as more people have developed symptoms of conditions such as panic disorder, irrational anger, impulsivity, somatization, disordered sleep, post traumatic stress symptoms, and suicidal behavior, according to a 2020 research study.
With the increase in demand, online platforms offer added convenience, quicker access, and flexible scheduling for people looking to see a therapist. There still might be a wait time to see a provider but the sheer number of online platforms and the amount of clinicians can make it shorter than in a traditional in-person outpatient setting. For example, people can see a therapist at Octave in 3-8 days, on average, as opposed to waiting for weeks on a waitlist.
What Affects the Cost of Online Therapy?
There are some factors that can affect the cost of online therapy such as the therapist's credentials, the type of care and the number of sessions you partake in. You'll want to consider each of these factors when looking into online therapy.
Therapist credentials
A general rule of thumb is the more education or experience a clinician has, the higher their rates will be. For example, a psychologist who has earned a doctorate degree will typically have a higher session rate than a licensed practical counselor (LPC) or LCSW who have received masters degrees. Many therapists and counselors have rates between $70 to $150 per session whereas a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist (a licensed medical doctor) might be between $250 to $400.
When it comes to online therapy platforms, you can usually browse clinicians based on their credentials or price per session.
Type of care provided
Not only can the experience and education level impact the cost, but also the type of care provided by the clinician. When you seek out treatment, you'll want to figure out what you're looking to address – whether that's anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, relationship issues, grief, etc. Within that, you'll want to understand the types of treatment modalities used for each of them.
For example, clinicians who specialize in specific issues (generalized anxiety disorder or borderline personality disorder) might have a higher session rate since they are experts in a specific area vs clinicians who have more general knowledge on a handful of issues. The same idea applies to treatment modalities whereas a therapist who specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) or eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) may cost more per session than a traditional talk therapist.
Frequency of sessions
Lastly, the number of sessions can impact the cost of online therapy. For example, if you see a therapist once a week, it will cost you more than if you only saw them once a month. The number of sessions you can have will depend on a few factors such as the type of treatment, your budget, the amount insurance will cover and your schedule.
Is Online Therapy Covered by Insurance?
Many affordable online therapy platforms take insurance but it's important to check ahead of time to see what is covered or if your specific plan is accepted.
Varies by platform and provider
Some online platforms and providers accept insurance whereas others are cash-pay only. For example, Octave accepts many major commercial insurances such as Cigna, Aetna, BlueCross Blueshield, United Healthcare and more. Additionally, Octave offers a calculator that can help determine the estimated cost of care so you'll have an idea of the amount you'll be paying after you meet your deductible, if you have one.
With that said, it's important to keep in mind that eligibility might vary based on state or provider, so you'll want to check with the company and provider before setting up an appointment.
If you don't have insurance, cash pay is usually an option. Self-pay rates will typically vary between clinicians.
Reimbursement and out-of-network claims
Some insurance companies offer reimbursement for out-of-network providers which can help with the cost. This typically means you pay the full fee for the session upfront and then get a superbill from your provider which you then submit to the insurance company. Depending on your plan, you can get a portion of the money back that you paid; however, this isn't always the full amount.
Similarly, you can often use HSA (Health Savings Account) /FSA (Flexible Spending Accounts) to pay for online therapy. Typically, money spent from these accounts can be withdrawn tax free when used for eligible health services which can include therapy.
How to Find Truly Affordable Online Therapy
When it comes to finding truly affordable online therapy, there are a few ways to do that and we have some recommendations.
Look for platforms that accept your insurance
First and foremost, you'll want to look for platforms that accept your insurance. If you have insurance whether through your employer or an individual plan, many companies have mental health benefits that you can take utilize.
As mentioned above, platforms such as Octave, Talkspace and BetterHelp all accept insurance, however, you'll want to check to see if they are in-network with your specific plan. It's always a good idea to contact the insurance directly if you have any specific questions about your benefits. You can also use directory sources like Alma and Headway and find providers that accept your insurance plan. You might not be able to do therapy through those platforms specifically, however, they can give you a push in the right direction towards finding a clinician you can work with that's covered with your plan.
Consider group therapy or lower-fee clinics
If individual therapy is still too expensive, you may want to consider group therapy or lower-fee clinics. Group therapy allows for the chance to connect with others and learn coping skills in a group format typically at a reduced rate. There are also online clinics that provide free or lower-cost sessions to people whether they are therapists in graduate school or are part of a non-profit. If these models don't work for you, it's always a good idea to ask a therapist if they have a sliding scale. Not all clinicians offer this, but many offer this for patients who may be in a rough financial spot.
Use HSA/FSA dollars
If you have HSA/FSA accounts, these pre-tax funds can make therapy more affordable if paying cash. This can make it cheaper as it ends up reducing your overall taxable income so at the end of the year you aren't paying as much in taxes. Many employers offer HSA and FSAs that you can use towards medical care whether that's copays or medical-related products.
