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Key points
- Most therapists who offer therapy to individual clients charge the same for online and in-person sessions.
- Online therapy can still be cost-effective, often because it saves on transportation or childcare costs.
- Virtual therapy platforms can be cheaper than traditional therapy but don't always allow for real-time care.
- Some therapists are able to provide online therapy across international borders.
The benefits of seeking psychotherapy often far outweigh the costs. But therapy’s actual, monetary cost—which can, in some cases, be substantial—is often a factor in whether someone decides to pursue psychological help or put it off.
While finding affordable in-person care is certainly possible—looking for therapists who take insurance, for example, or who accept sliding-scale payments—clients are increasingly turning to online therapy in the interest of saving both money and time. Is online therapy truly a more cost-effective option—and is it the right choice for you? Here’s what you need to know.
Does In-Person Therapy Cost More Than Online Therapy?
Most therapists who offer talk therapy to individual clients charge the same whether a session takes place in person, online, or over the phone. While many therapists see clients both in person and online, some therapists have exclusively online practices; because they do not have the same overhead costs, their fees may be lower than comparable nearby providers.
The majority of insurance plans that cover mental healthcare offer the same coverage for in-person and online therapy; in many places, doing so is legally required. However, certain providers or platforms may not be covered under every plan, and coverage may be subject to local regulations where the provider and/or client live. Many U.S. states, for example, do not allow therapists to treat clients in other states, even virtually. Clients should confirm that a chosen provider is covered before starting therapy.
Clients may be disappointed to learn that seeing their therapist online is likely to cost the same as obtaining in-person care. Many do ultimately find, however, that online therapy is more cost-effective, even if the per-session cost is the same.
This is because clients who previously traveled to see a provider in person—some for long distances—may save significantly on fuel, train fare, or other transit costs. Similarly, clients may no longer have to pay for childcare or eldercare to see their therapist or may require such care for shorter periods. Clients may also be able to schedule sessions for more convenient times, such as during lunch breaks, that don’t require taking time off from work. For hourly employees or those with a limited amount of paid time off, this can be especially helpful.
Understanding Different Types of Online Therapy
The term “online therapy” is broad and is used colloquially to refer to several different types of session structures. Often, it is used to describe traditional one-on-one therapy that is simply conducted online instead of in person; this practice may also be referred to as “telehealth.”
Increasingly, however, the term “online therapy” has come to encompass virtual therapy platforms, accessible via websites and/or apps, that do not adhere to a traditional model where a therapist and client speak directly in real-time. Instead, these platforms facilitate therapy sessions that are conducted virtually—and often asynchronously—through a combination of text messages, emails, phone calls, and video chats.
These on-demand therapy platforms tend to be cheaper than traditional therapy, though the difference is not always substantial. Lower-cost virtual therapy plans, for example, typically fall between $40 to $60 per week in the U.S., which is often cheaper than in-person therapy, especially for clients paying out of pocket. (It may be comparable to or even more expensive than insurance copays, when applicable.)
Many of these low-cost plans, however, only offer text-based therapy. This means that clients may not get real-time responses, which can be frustrating and may limit the therapy’s effectiveness; research on text-based therapy is limited and some experts have raised doubts about its efficacy. Adding video or phone sessions, where efficacy is more established, usually raises the cost to $90+ per week or $125+ per session—a price range that is more comparable to traditional therapy. And while some virtual therapy platforms accept insurance, many do not, making insurance coverage another key factor for clients to consider.
International Online Therapy
Online therapy—comprising both traditional one-on-one telehealth services and newer virtual therapy platforms—is available in many countries around the world. To find an online therapist near you, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory and enter your location, or search “online therapy in [location]” for a list of options.
Therapists may be able to provide online therapy across international borders, with some limitations. Generally, the therapist will be subject to the regulations of both their licensing board and the country in which their client is physically located. Researching these regulations can help both therapist and client determine whether online therapy is allowed and/or advisable.
While seeing a therapist internationally can have benefits—for example, not needing to find a new counselor after moving abroad—there are important limitations to consider. A therapist who is located in another country, for instance, may not be able to offer immediate help to a client who is in serious crisis or who is thinking of harming themselves.
Choosing Between Online and In-Person Therapy
Even if cost isn’t a deciding factor, some people still prefer online over in-person therapy because they value the flexibility or the ability to do therapy from the comfort and privacy of their homes. Others prefer in-person therapy because they enjoy speaking with their therapist face-to-face or feel more secure that their session will remain private.
Is online therapy right for you? Aside from the cost, some additional factors to consider include:
- Privacy: Do you have consistent access to a private location where your online therapy sessions can be conducted? This may include a private room, your car, or even your backyard. If not, in-person therapy may be a better option.
- Mental health concerns: While one-on-one therapy conducted over video or the phone is generally considered as effective as in-person therapy, this may not be the case for every psychiatric condition or mental health concern. In general, individuals with more serious mental illnesses may benefit more from in-person therapy.
- Zoom fatigue: Many people find video calls to be mentally draining. If your job or day-to-day life involves frequent video calls, conducting therapy over video may be unpleasant or burdensome.
Some therapists may also offer “hybrid therapy,” or a mix of online and in-person sessions. This option may be appealing to those with unpredictable schedules or outside responsibilities, such as childcare or eldercare. Ask your therapist if this is an option.
