How much does online therapy cost per month?

Short answer: it varies a lot. Expect anywhere from roughly $0–$100/month for low-cost options up to $300–1,000+/month for regular private-pay therapy. Most people pay somewhere in the $200–500/month range depending on frequency and provider.

Details and common price ranges

• Low-cost or free
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): often 3–6 free sessions.
  • Community clinics, sliding-scale clinics, university training clinics: many charge $0–$60 per session. If you use one weekly, that’s commonly $0–$240/month.
  • Open Path Collective: a nonprofit network where member therapists typically charge $30–60 per session.
• Subscription/text-heavy platforms
  • Services like BetterHelp, Talkspace, Calmerry typically bill weekly or monthly and commonly run about $60–$100/week (roughly $240–$400/month). These plans usually include messaging plus some live sessions.
• Private-practice teletherapy (licensed therapists)
  • Out-of-pocket 45–50 minute sessions commonly range $75–250+ per session. With weekly sessions that’s roughly $300–1,000+/month.
  • If you use your health insurance, your monthly cost depends on copays/coinsurance — often $10–50 per session (so $40–200/month for weekly sessions), but check your specific plan and whether the therapist is in-network.
• Psychiatry or medication management (telepsychiatry)
  • Initial psychiatry visits and follow-ups are typically $100–500 per visit if private-pay. Monthly cost depends on visit frequency and whether you also have therapy sessions.

Factors that change the price

• How often you meet (weekly vs biweekly)
• Length of sessions (30 vs 50 minutes)
• Therapist credentials/experience (LPC/LCSW vs PhD/MD)
• Type of service (live video, phone, or text-based)
• Insurance coverage or sliding-scale availability
• Add-ons (med management, group therapy, specialty programs)

Specific services to consider

• BetterHelp — convenient, unlimited messaging + weekly live sessions options; competitive subscription pricing for people who want flexible access.
• Talkspace — similar to BetterHelp, with plans that can include psychiatry/medication management as add-ons.
• Open Path Collective — good if you need low-cost in-person or teletherapy with licensed clinicians ($30–60/session).
• Local community mental health centers or university training clinics — best for low cost and sliding-scale care.
• Check your insurer’s telehealth network and your employer’s EAP first — they can substantially reduce or eliminate cost.

Practical next steps

1. Decide how often you want sessions (weekly, every other week).
2. Call your insurance to ask about teletherapy, copays, and in-network providers.
3. Compare platform trials and monthly plans (BetterHelp, Talkspace, Calmerry).
4. If cost is a barrier, search Open Path, local community clinics, and university training clinics or ask therapists about sliding-scale options.
5. Ask any therapist you contact about session length, cancellation fees, and whether they’ll work on a sliding-scale.

If you tell me whether you’ll use insurance, how often you want sessions, and your country/state, I can give a narrower expected monthly cost range and recommend options near you.