Best Online Therapy for Anxiety in 2023

Online therapy provides an accessible, private, and convenient way to access treatment for anxiety. According to Harvard Health Publishing, daily anxiety may involve minor levels of fear or doubt about performing a task. When dealing with this type of anxiety, you may experience muscle tightness or sweating, but the symptoms should not interfere with your ability to function. The Mayo Clinic notes that when anxiety becomes excessive and interferes with performing routine tasks, you may have severe anxiety and need to see a mental health specialist.

Online therapy companies that treat anxiety provide platforms that help you connect with a licensed therapist, counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist from your home. Here are our eight picks for the best online therapy for anxiety.

• Best Best Online Therapy for Anxiety Overall: BetterHelp
• Best Online Therapy for Anxiety With Medication Management: Brightside
• Best Online Therapy for Anxiety That Takes Insurance: Talkspace
• Best Online Therapy for Couples With Anxiety: ReGain
• Best Online Therapy for Teenagers With Anxiety: Teen Counseling
• Best Self-Paced Online Therapy for Anxiety: Online-Therapy.com
• Best Online Therapy for LGBTQ+ Individuals With Anxiety: Pride Counseling
• Best Online Therapy for Anxiety With Same-Day Sessions: Sesame

Pros

• More than 31,000 psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and licensed professional counselors
• Between-session “homework” to improve the therapy experience
• Financial assistance available

Cons

• Insurance not accepted
• Only serves adults
  

Session Types Messaging and live chat, phone, and video sessions

Cost and Payment Options $60 to $90 per week, based on your location, preferences, and therapists; plans billed monthly

Prescribes Medication No

Accepts Insurance No

BetterHelp has one of the largest networks of therapists on the market, with more than 31,000 mental health professionals — including psychologists, therapists, and clinical social workers. Because of the platform’s large pool of providers, it may be easier to find a licensed provider who specializes in anxiety treatment in your state using BetterHelp, as opposed to smaller online therapy platforms. When our reviews team tested the platform, our tester was able to find a provider who fit their needs from the first match. BetterHelp has licensed therapists in all 50 states.

The platform offers both unlimited messaging and one live counseling session per week, which can take place by chat, video, or phone. This gives users a variety of ways to receive treatment, based on their needs and comfort level — something that can be important when living with anxiety. Plus, the platform offers a library of articles and worksheets dedicated to anxiety-related topics, such as medication, lifestyle modifications, and everyday tips for managing symptoms.

In addition, BetterHelp offers a private online journal with daily prompts for users to reflect on and respond to. A meta-analysis published in March 2022 in the journal Family Medicine and Community Health found that journaling resulted in a small to moderate benefit in managing mental illnesses. In our reviews team’s January 2023 survey of 200 BetterHelp users, 61 percent of respondents indicated that they liked the online journal function and used it often.

BetterHelp offers access to weekly group sessions that support those going through anxiety. “Communication Skills to Reduce Anxiety,” for example, is a support group that is suggested for stress and anxiety.

BetterHelp is one of the few online therapy platforms that offers ongoing financial assistance for individuals who qualify, such as veterans and people experiencing financial hardships. You’ll have to complete a financial aid application after signing up (but before paying), to see if you qualify. BetterHelp is a subscription-based service, so it may not be a good fit if you’re looking for a pay-as-you-go platform.

BetterHelp Plan Options and Prices

Pricing varies based on where you live and the availability of therapists in your area’s network. BetterHelp’s average weekly subscription prices range from $60 to $90 per week, depending on location, preferences, and financial aid eligibility. Plans are billed monthly and include unlimited messaging and one live chat, phone, or video session per week.

For more information, read our BetterHelp online therapy review.

Use BetterHelp promo code "everydayhealth" for 20 percent off your first month.

Pros

• Can choose from therapy plus medication plan, therapy-only plan, or medication-only plan
• A free assessment may help individuals determine whether the platform is right for them before signing up
• Accepts insurance
• Therapy sessions are 45-minutes long
• Has an app for iOS devices

Cons

• Limited availability of some therapists
• Only available to people ages 18 and older
• No app for Android devices

Session Types Messaging and live video

Cost and Payment Options $299 per month for unlimited messaging and four video sessions; additional video appointment is $59; $95 per month plus pharmacy copay for medication plan; $349 per month for medication plus therapy

Prescribes Medication Yes

Accept Insurance Yes

Brightside offers specialized programs geared toward treating anxiety and depression. An overall treatment plan for anxiety may consist of self-care tools that help build skills and resilience, a 45-minute private weekly therapy session via video, and unlimited messaging. The platform has a symptom check-in questionnaire that users can take every 14 days to track their anxiety and depression scores and progress.

Brightside psychiatrists are able to offer medication management as part of a treatment plan, if deemed necessary. Psychiatry appointments are 30-minutes long. Of the 1,000 online therapy users our reviews team surveyed in April 2022, more than 29 percent reported that the ability to receive medication was the most important factor when choosing a platform. When we surveyed 200 Brightside users in January 2023, the majority (68 percent) of respondents chose the therapy and medication plan.

Users complete a questionnaire during the initial sign-up process, which helps the platform match the patient with the best provider for their needs. For example, Brightside has physicians, psychiatrists, therapists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners available for counseling and medication management. Brightside says that its therapists typically respond within 24 to 48 hours on weekdays.

Brightside Plan Options and Pricing

The Brightside Medication plan costs $95 per month and includes a psychiatric evaluation as well as weekly check-ins for ongoing provider support and monitoring of the patient’s care. If you have insurance benefits for prescriptions, you will also have to pay your pharmacy copay.

The Therapy plan costs $299 per month for unlimited messaging and four monthly video sessions with a licensed therapist. Additional video appointments cost $59 per session.

The Medication Plus Therapy plan includes everything in the Medication plan and the Therapy plan, and it costs $349 per month (that’s $45 less than the cost of purchasing each plan separately).

If you plan on using insurance offered by a Brightside insurance partner, you may pay less, depending on your plan.

Dive deeper in our Brightside review.

Use Brightside promo code "EDH60" for $60 off your first month of cash plans.

Pros

• Accepts several insurance plans
• Medication available through Talkspace Psychiatry
• Individual, couple, and teen counseling sessions available

Cons

• Must pay more for plans with live video sessions
• Can be costly if you’re only looking for a few sessions

Session Types Text, video, and voice messaging; live video, audio, and chat sessions; live workshops

Cost and Payment Options Prices vary and depend on geographic location, but generally start at $69 per week for Messaging Therapy, $99 per week for Video Therapy Plus Messaging, and $109 per week for a combination of Live Therapy Plus Messaging Plus Weekly Workshops, with plans billed monthly; Talkspace Psychiatry costs $249 for the first session and $125 for follow-up sessions

Prescribes Medications Yes, via Talkspace Psychiatry

Accepts Insurance Yes

We reviewed Talkspace and found that it may be worth considering if you’re looking for a comprehensive online counseling platform that offers mental health and psychiatric services to individuals, couples, and teens ages 13 to 17 living with anxiety.

Talkspace has licensed therapists and anxiety counselors who have expertise in areas like anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, mood disorders, and more. Because they require providers to have at least a master’s degree and a minimum of 3,000 hours of clinical experience, you’ll have access to highly qualified mental health experts.

The platform is also home to Talkspace Psychiatry, which provides online psychiatric services and medication management for adults. This feature sets Talkspace apart from competitors that do not prescribe medication. It may get costly if you need both medication management through the psychiatry plan and counseling through the therapy plan. However, that approach can be beneficial for people with anxiety, since anxiety symptoms often respond well to a combination of psychotherapy and medication, according to a meta-analysis of studies published in World Psychiatry.

Talkspace is one of the few online therapy platforms that accepts insurance, which may help you manage your costs. According to our reviews team’s online therapy survey, nearly 39 percent of respondents reported choosing a platform primarily because it accepted their insurance. When we surveyed 200 Talkspace users in January 2023, 60 percent of respondents used their health insurance benefits to pay for their therapy.

Talkspace offers a couple of options for meeting with a therapist for anxiety and depression, including a Messaging-only plan and a Video Therapy Plus Messaging plan. This is an important detail to pay attention to as you’re choosing an online therapy platform for anxiety. A messaging-only plan means no live video or phone sessions with a therapist. Instead, patients only have access to their therapist via messaging in the virtual therapy room. That option is not conducive to immediate feedback, since you need to wait for the therapist to reply, although they do promise to reply five days a week, according to an email we received from a customer service representative. When our reviews team tested the platform, our tester calculated the average time to receive a response was over an hour, at 78 minutes. Among our Talkspace survey respondents, 83 percent indicated they were satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their therapist’s responsiveness on the platform.

Talkspace requires you to fill out an intake questionnaire to get exact pricing for its packages. That can be frustrating if you’re in the research phase and just want to scan each site quickly. However, we have gathered some general pricing information to help you get a better idea of how much their programs cost:

• Messaging Therapy Text, video, and audio messaging; $69 per week or $276 per month
• Video Plus Messaging Therapy Text, video, and audio messaging; four live 30-minute sessions per month; $99 per week or $396 per month
• Video Plus Messaging Plus Workshops Video Plus Messaging Therapy and access to workshops; $109 per week or $436 per month
• Teens Therapy (Ages 13 to 17) Same prices and plans as above, with parental consent
• Psychiatrist Sessions $249 for first consultation and $125 for any follow-up visits

Although the website’s homepage mentions that it has more than 60,000 five-star reviews, Talkspace has a customer review rating of just 1.1 out of 5 stars from the Better Business Bureau and 1.3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Common complaints include problems with billing and poor customer service.

Our Talkspace versus BetterHelp review lays out the main differences and similarities between the two online therapy platforms. Learn more about the Talkspace platform in our dedicated Talkspace review.

Use Talkspace promo code "EVERYDAYTS" for $100 off your first month.

Pros

• Providers who specialize in anxiety-related relationship issues
• Offers financial aid to eligible individuals

Cons

• System does not support three-way live sessions
• Insurance not accepted
• Cost for one person is the same as the cost for two people
  

Session Types Messaging and live chat, phone, and video sessions

Cost and Payment Options $60 to $90 per week, based on geographic location, preferences, and therapists; plans billed monthly

Prescribes Medication No

Accepts Insurance No

Anxiety can interfere with daily life and contribute to marital dissatisfaction, according to a review published in Neuroendocrinology Letters. ReGain is an online counseling platform owned by BetterHelp that focuses on helping couples with various mental health and relationship issues, including anxiety. While the sessions are designed for couples, it’s not uncommon to participate in individual sessions with your therapist as well.

ReGain therapists have a master’s degree or doctoral degree in their field, as well as at least three years and 1,000 hours of clinical experience. Therapists on the platform have a specific interest and expertise in relationship therapy.

The platform also offers unlimited messaging so that you can communicate with your therapist between live sessions, which are weekly. When we tested ReGain, we found that partners share a chat room with their therapist and cannot message them privately. In addition, each partner has a separate login and a private online journal. Entries in the journal can be shared in the group chat with both the partner and therapist.

ReGain Plan Options and Prices

The Regain weekly subscription averages $60 to $90 per week, depending on geographic location, preferences, and financial aid eligibility. Plans are billed monthly and include unlimited messaging as well as weekly live sessions via chat, phone, or video.

Learn more in our ReGain review.

Use ReGain promo code "everydayhealth-rg" for 20 percent off your first month.

Pros

• Therapists specialize in counseling for teens ages 13 to 19
• Parents can be invited by the teen to view the counseling room
• Financial assistance available

Cons

• Insurance not accepted
• Unable to fulfill court orders, make any official diagnosis, or prescribe medication
  

Session Types Messaging and live chat, phone, and video sessions

Cost and Payment Options $60 to $90 per week, based on geographic location, preferences, and therapists; plans billed monthly

Prescribes Medication No

Accepts Insurance No

Approximately 5.8 million children ages 3 to 17 have been diagnosed with anxiety, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, 80 percent of children with a diagnosable anxiety disorder do not receive treatment, according to the Child Mind Institute.

Teen Counseling, which is another platform owned by BetterHelp, gives teens ages 13 to 19 a safe and secure space to meet with a licensed therapist for issues such as anxiety, anger, depression, and eating disorders. All of the platform’s therapists have a master’s degree or doctorate in their field, and they also list any additional teen-specific training or experience they may have in their Teen Counseling profile. This can be a significant selling point for adolescents who may feel like they need an adult they can connect with and trust in order to be engaged in the counseling process.

Teens are able to meet with a therapist in an online counseling “room” that only they and their therapist have access to. Although a parent typically completes the onboarding process, most teens meet with a counselor alone. Anxiety counselors offer live counseling sessions via chat, audio, or video. Teens can send an unlimited number of messages to their therapist — however, Teen Counseling is not transparent about how often the therapist is required to respond. According to reviews on Trustpilot, some people are happy with the amount of time between responses, while others have stated that they’ve had to wait two days for a response.

The information discussed during an appointment is private, unless the patient discloses that they’re being neglected or abused or that they’re thinking about harming themself or someone else.

Teen Counseling Plan Options and Prices

Weekly subscription prices average $60 to $90 per week, depending on geographic location, preferences, and financial aid eligibility. Plans are billed monthly and include unlimited messaging and one live session per week via chat, video, or audio.

Explore more in our Teen Counseling review.

Pros

• Self-paced tools may help individuals with anxiety symptoms between sessions
• Discount of 20 percent off the first month for new subscribers
  

Cons

• Individual sessions only
• No live sessions with basic plan
• Services not available for kids or teens
  

Session Types Messaging and live chat, phone, and video sessions with some plans

Cost and Payment Options $50 to $88 weekly, depending on subscription; 20 percent discount for first month for new subscribers; plans billed monthly

Prescribes Medication No

Accepts Insurance No

Online-Therapy.com is an online therapy platform that positions itself as both a host for live therapy sessions and an all-inclusive resource for people who prefer to have more control over managing their mental health care — as opposed to relying solely on their therapist. All plans include self-paced worksheets, journaling, activity plans, tests, and yoga and meditation videos to help patients improve the outcome of their therapy and learn to better manage anxiety symptoms on their own.

The goal of Online-Therapy.com is to help you learn how to challenge and overcome problems related to anxiety, while completing eight sections included in worksheets. Your anxiety counselor will provide ongoing feedback on the worksheets, based on the information you share. Our reviews team tester reported that the worksheets typically took 10 minutes to get through the lessons and then another 10 minutes to complete the worksheets. Their therapist responded to the completed worksheets promptly, within a day of submission.

For some people, the level of intervention provided by the basic plan is enough to help them manage their anxiety symptoms. But if you need more in-depth treatment, you may want to consider live sessions, which are only included in the standard or premium plan.

Online-Therapy.com Plan Options and Prices

Online-Therapy.com offers three subscription plans for individual therapy: basic, standard, and premium. The basic plan comes with self-paced worksheets, yoga and meditation videos, a journal, an activity plan, and tests, with daily feedback from the therapist. However, the plan does not include live therapy sessions. The cost is $50 per week, with a 20 percent discount for the first month for new subscribers. Subscriptions are billed monthly.

The standard plan has the same features as the basic plan, with the addition of one live session per week and unlimited messaging. This plan is $80 per week, with a 20 percent discount for the first month for new subscribers. Subscriptions are billed monthly.

The premium plan has the same features as the basic and standard plans, with the addition of two live sessions with a therapist per week and unlimited messaging. This plan is $88 per week, with a 20 percent discount for the first month for new subscribers. Subscriptions are billed monthly.

Keep reading in our Online-Therapy.com review.

Pros

• LGBTQ+ individuals may feel more comfortable with therapists who specialize in anxiety-related issues related to LGBTQ+ individuals specifically
• Option to use a nickname for confidentiality
• Financial aid program can help with affordability

Cons

• Insurance not accepted
• Services are not available for teens under 18 years old
• Therapists cannot diagnose conditions or prescribe medication
  

Session Types Messaging and live chat, phone, and video sessions

Cost and Payment Options $60 to $90 per week, based on geographic location, preferences, and therapists; plans billed monthly

Prescribes Medication No

Accepts Insurance No

LGBTQ+ individuals have a higher risk of mental health conditions than heterosexual individuals do, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Of the 1,000 online therapy users our reviews team surveyed, 18.5 percent reported that access to an LGBTQ+-affirming therapist was the most important factor when choosing an online therapy platform.

Pride Counseling offers online treatment for anxiety as well as addiction, eating disorders, trauma, grief, and more. The counselors and therapists specialize in issues that are common among LGBTQ+ individuals, according to Pride Counseling. When we reached out for additional information, we were told that all therapists on the platform have a master’s degree in their field, and most have more extensive experience supporting LGBTQ+ individuals. This means they have more hands-on experience and time spent working with clients in the LGBTQ+ community, compared with some therapists you might find on other platforms owned by BetterHelp, which also owns Pride Counseling.

Patients get a dedicated virtual room where they can message their therapist whenever they want, but the therapist might only respond once a day from Monday through Friday. You can also schedule live sessions and choose whether to conduct them via live chat, video, or audio. Pride Counseling is one of the few online platforms that offers ongoing financial assistance to those who qualify. That said, it is a subscription-based service, so it may not be a good fit if you’re looking for a pay-as-you-go platform.

Pride Counseling Plan Options and Prices

Weekly subscription prices average $60 to $90 per week, depending on location, preferences, and financial aid eligibility. Plans are billed monthly and include unlimited messaging via text, audio, and video, as well as one live chat, video, or audio session per week.

Check our Pride Counseling review for more detail about this online therapy platform for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Use Pride Counseling promo code "everydayhealth-pc" for 20 percent off your first month.

Pros

• May be helpful for people who prefer to make appointments as needed
• Can pay for therapy à la carte instead of paying for a monthly membership
• For individuals, couples, or families

Cons

• Only offers video appointments
• May be limited provider availability in certain geographic areas
• Can get costly if you need long-term or frequent sessions

Session Types Live video

Cost and Payment Options $60 to $300 per session; depends on therapist, type of session, and geographic location

Prescribes Medication Yes, if seen by a medical doctor or other authorized provider

Accepts Insurance No

Finding same-day therapy appointments for anxiety can be a challenge. Sesame addresses this need with a direct-to-patient-care marketplace that provides on-demand access to mental health and medical services via a pay-as-you-go model.

Unlike subscription platforms that require extensive questionnaires or sign-up processes, Sesame makes it easy to find experts and make an appointment. For example, once you enter your location, you’ll see a list of providers with appointments available that day. It also lists the price you can expect to pay, depending on the session type. On the site, you’ll see the therapist’s credentials, specialties, training, and experience, which makes it easy to search for a counselor who specializes in treating anxiety, panic disorders, or phobias.

Sesame has a variety of therapy offerings, including video therapy, video mental health consultations, video psychiatry, prescription refills, and video couples therapy. The platform allows you to cancel up to three hours before a scheduled visit. This could be an attractive feature, since 38 percent of the users our reviews team surveyed reported that the ability to cancel, reschedule, or postpone appointments was the most important factor when choosing an online therapist for anxiety and depression.

When our reviews team tested Sesame, our tester was able to find same-day appointments and was able to engage in as-needed therapy sessions. That is, they were able to receive online mental health support without the pressure of engaging in ongoing therapy. This can be helpful if you’re looking for anxiety support in the near-term or if you want to try online therapy without committing to a subscription.

Sesame Plan Options and Prices

Because pricing is based on where you live, you’ll need to go to the website and input your information to see rates in your area. To give you a general idea, here is a sample of pricing for someone living in Washington state:

• Video Therapy Session (New Patient) $150
• Video Mental Health Consult $39
• Video Psychiatry Consultation (New Patient) $126
• Psychiatry Consultation Session (New Patient) $385
• Video Couples Therapy Session $150
• Video Prescription Refill $37

Check our Sesame Care review for a deeper look at this online therapy service.

Use Sesame promo code "BETTER50" for 50 percent off your first visit.

Online therapy makes it easier for people to seek mental health treatment in a timely manner. Although the benefits of increasing access to these services are numerous, there are still some things you should consider before moving forward. Here are some pros and cons of online therapy for anxiety.

Pros

• Online therapy for anxiety will likely provide you with access to more providers beyond those in your local community, although your provider still needs to be licensed in your state of residence in order to provide therapy online.
• Some people feel an extra level of comfort knowing that there is no risk of being seen at a therapy office or getting recognized by someone they know. Those people may be more open to seeking help online.
• There may be a sense of “more openness” when it comes to divulging information about yourself to a provider online as opposed to in an in-person setting.
• A comfortable environment during the therapy session can decrease anxiety and help support the therapy process.
• Online sessions eliminate the need for additional travel time or transportation, which may increase patients’ adherence to attending sessions.
• There may be several different ways to communicate, depending on the provider, including messaging, phone, video, and text.
• Scheduling may be more flexible than in-person counseling, depending on the platform.
• Online therapy is more accessible to people with physical limitations.
• You can participate in sessions even when you’re sick or unable to leave the house.
• Messaging allows you to communicate with a therapist between sessions.

Cons

• Not all platforms accept health insurance.
• Some people may have concerns about the security of their health information when using an online platform, which could make them less likely to be open during the session.
• Privacy may be an issue if you can’t find a quiet place for your sessions, which can lead to repeated distractions that interfere with the therapy process. Potential distractions include background noises, pets, kids, coworkers (if you’re using an office at work), or incoming calls or texts that interrupt the session. Problems with the internet connection, audio or visual complications, and difficulty using the app could also interfere with the session.
• Online therapy may not be appropriate for people with severe anxiety.
• Most online providers will help treat but not diagnose mental health conditions.
• It may be difficult for the therapist to observe the patient’s body language if the camera is not optimally positioned.
• Online therapy for anxiety is not appropriate for emergency situations.

Access to in-person therapy for anxiety is not always a viable option. For some people, location or scheduling conflicts make it too difficult to see a therapist at their office. For others, privacy, anxiety about leaving the house, or fear of meeting in person can be roadblocks to receiving mental health care.

When offered by an experienced licensed mental health provider, online treatment for anxiety can be effective. In fact, a review published in Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine found that internet-based interventions like therapist-guided cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are effective in reducing the symptoms of anxiety.

Online therapy for anxiety might be suitable for people living with mild to moderate anxiety symptoms. As the American Psychological Association points out, online sessions eliminate the need for transportation to and from sessions and increase the availability of therapy to people living in areas with limited mental health services.

People with busy schedules and transportation difficulties often like the flexibility and accessibility of online appointments, according to Nicole Siegfried, PhD, chief clinical officer at Lightfully Behavioral Health in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Siegfried also says that people with panic disorder or agoraphobia (fear of entering open and crowded spaces or of being in environments where escape may be difficult) may be particularly good candidates because they can receive therapy from the comfort of their own home.

Siegfried says that people who have difficulty with technology may not be good candidates for online services, adding that “navigating technology may create added anxiety, which may interfere with its effectiveness.”

Additionally, if someone has thoughts of hurting themself or others or needs emergency attention, online therapy is not the right choice. In those situations, it’s best to seek emergency help right away. Call 911 if you have plans to hurt yourself or others. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline if you’re having suicidal thoughts.

If you’ve been diagnosed with anxiety, your doctor or a mental health expert may have already provided you with information about symptoms and treatment options. But you might be wondering how to tell whether you truly need therapy for anxiety. Although anxiety can present itself differently depending on the person, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) identifies the following as some of the most common symptoms:

• Feeling restless, on edge, or irritable
• Difficulty concentrating
• Muscle tension and sleeping problems
• Difficulty controlling feelings of worry
• Heart palpitations or a pounding heartbeat
• Sweating, trembling, or shaking
• Shortness of breath
• Feelings of being out of control and of impending doom
• Irrational fears or excessive worry about encountering a feared object or situation (phobias)

There are many forms of anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. If you want to know the specific type of anxiety you have, talking with your doctor can help determine the form of anxiety that most closely matches your symptoms.

Not all online therapy platforms for anxiety can prescribe medication. In fact, most online counseling sites only provide therapy sessions with a licensed counselor, therapist, social worker, or psychologist — none of whom can prescribe medication. That being said, a few online providers, including Talkspace, Brightside, and Sesame, can offer medication services when the patient is seen by an authorized provider. If you’re using a platform that does not provide medication services and you need a new prescription or an existing prescription refilled, contact your doctor for guidance.

If you’re using an online platform that provides prescriptions, you’ll work closely with a licensed provider to choose the right medication for your symptoms. In general, some of the more commonly prescribed medications for anxiety treatment include anti-anxiety drugs like benzodiazepines, as well as beta-blockers, and antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), according to the NIMH.

Because medication for mental health conditions like anxiety can have serious side effects, it’s crucial that you work with a licensed provider who can manage your medication, not just prescribe it. You’ll also want to ask about provider availability. For example, find out whether there will be someone available to consult with if you have questions about your prescription, or whether you’ll need to wait until your next scheduled session.

If you’re ready to try online therapy for anxiety, but aren’t sure how to find the right provider, you may be wondering what criteria you should consider before purchasing a plan. Here are some things to think about before you sign up, log in, and start chatting:

• Are your anxiety symptoms appropriate for online counseling? If you have concerns, you may need to check with your doctor or a mental health expert before proceeding.
• Are you comfortable with expressing your thoughts and emotions on an online therapy platform?
• Do you have the ability to establish trust with someone you’ve never met in person?
• Does the pricing and insurance coverage meet your budget and expectations? Look at your budget and decide whether you need a monthly plan or a pay-per-session plan when searching for an affordable online therapy platform.
• Do you have a private and secure space for online sessions that has a good internet connection? Consider noise, privacy, comfort, time of day, and connectivity.
• Look over your technology and compare it to the requirements of each provider. Choose the device you are going to use for your sessions (smartphone, tablet, or computer). Then, determine whether the apps and online platforms the provider uses are compatible with your technology.
• If it’s important to you, can you pick the therapist yourself, or are you paired up based on the company’s algorithm? Once you’re matched, can you change therapists?
• What do other people say about the platform or providers? Take time to read online reviews from sites like the BBB and TrustPilot.
• Does the provider offer multiple session times and days, including weekends? One of the perks of online counseling for anxiety can be flexibility when scheduling, especially if you need early morning, late evening, or weekend sessions.
• Do you have a preferred method of communication (phone, video, online chat, or text)? Some online platforms offer multiple ways to connect with a therapist, while others only offer one or two.
• Are the therapists licensed, with a master’s degree or doctorate? How experienced are they with online therapy?
• Do they offer different types of counseling, such as therapy for teens, couples, or families?

The degree to which you and your therapist agree on the treatment plan has a lot to do with how successful your therapy sessions will ultimately be, according to an article published in The Professional Counselor. You need to be willing to work with your counselor and share feedback about issues, goals, and treatment progress in order to receive an optimal level of care.

Anxiety symptoms can interfere with daily living and wreak havoc on your work, family life, social obligations, and routines. The good news is that there are things you can do to help minimize the negative effects of anxiety. As you debate which online therapy provider to choose, consider these common strategies for managing the symptoms of anxiety, as recommended by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA):

• Get regular exercise, aiming for at least 30 minutes of physical activity five times per week.
• Meditate.
• Practice deep-breathing exercises.
• Step up your sleep hygiene and make sure you’re getting adequate rest each night.
• Eat a well-balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon), and complex carbohydrates (oatmeal, quinoa, whole-grain breads, and whole-grain cereals).
• Limit your alcohol and caffeine intake — both can trigger anxiety and panic attacks.
• Try to accept that you can’t control everything.

Living with anxiety can be overwhelming at times. While there is no cure for anxiety, you can manage your symptoms with in-person or online therapy, medication, coping skills, and other lifestyle modifications. Online therapy for anxiety gives you convenient access to mental health services with a licensed therapist, counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. However, not all therapists specialize in treating anxiety. Take some time to research the different sites and ask questions about the types of mental health issues each platform treats.

ReGain’s relationship-focused counseling may be a good resource for individuals who have a partner who is experiencing anxiety. Another platform that focuses on helping loved ones cope with anxiety is Teen Counseling, which specializes in offering therapy to teens ages 13 to 19.

The therapists at Brightside focus on treating anxiety and depression, and they also offer prescription management services. Another site that provides counseling and online psychiatric services such as medication management is Talkspace, which also features unlimited messaging.

Someone who wants to ensure that their therapist is LGBTQ+ friendly may benefit from choosing Pride Counseling for help with anxiety. If you want tools to help you manage your anxiety symptoms at your own pace between sessions, Online-Therapy.com may be worth considering.

If you live in a state with a limited number of licensed therapists, BetterHelp might be a better fit than other platforms, since it has the largest number of therapists, which can increase the likelihood that you’ll find one who fits your schedule and needs. And finally, if being matched with a therapist for same-day appointments is key, look into the therapy services offered by Sesame.

We independently investigate and recommend products and services that 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 read more about our research on our full online therapy methodology page and see the full results of our online therapy testing.

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 eight brands, deployed surveys that included over 200 participants each, and interviewed focus groups
• Went behind the paywall for two months with eight brands to mystery shop our best online therapy choices
• Contacted the brands’ customer service teams to ask questions and gauge responsiveness
• Became customers of online therapy providers ourselves
• Reviewed academic research into the efficacy of online therapy versus in-person therapy
• Read hundreds of verified customer reviews from trusted third parties such as the BBB and Trustpilot

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

If you are in crisis, waiting for an online therapy appointment may not be safe. In case of an emergency, call 911. That 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 help line is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-days-a-year treatment referral and information service for individuals facing mental or substance abuse disorders.