How much does online therapy cost per month?

Short answer: it depends. Most people pay anywhere from about $40/month (low-cost sliding-scale or insurance copays) up to $600+ per month (private-pay weekly therapy). Typical ranges by type:

• Subscription DTC platforms (unlimited messaging + scheduled sessions): about $200–$400/month.

  • Examples: BetterHelp, Talkspace — convenient, nationwide therapist matching and messaging-based extras. Good if you want a steady, all-digital package.

• Insurance-covered teletherapy: usually a per-session copay or coinsurance, commonly $0–$50 per session in-network.

  • How that translates: 4 sessions/month at a $20 copay = $80/month; at $40 copay = $160/month. Find in-network teletherapy through your insurer’s portal or platforms partner sites (or ask your plan).

• Private-pay independent therapists (telehealth via platforms or directly): $100–250+ per 50–60 minute session.

  • If you do weekly sessions at $150/session, that’s ~$600/month. Use directories like Psychology Today or Zencare to find independent clinicians who offer telehealth.

• Low-cost/sliding-scale and community options: $30–75 per session (or sometimes free at community clinics or university training clinics).

  • Example: Open Path Collective connects clients to therapists offering $30–60/session. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) also often provide a small number of free sessions.

• Psychiatric medication management by telepsychiatry: usually a monthly cost that can be lower or higher depending on provider, meds, and frequency of visits (ranges roughly $50–300+/month).

Factors that change your monthly cost

• Number of sessions per month (weekly vs. biweekly vs. as-needed)
• Therapist credentials (LPC/LCSW vs. PhD/Psychiatrist)
• Platform fees and subscription features (messaging, groups)
• Insurance coverage and whether the provider is in-network
• Sliding scale availability or employer benefits (EAP)

Tips to estimate and lower cost

• Check your insurance for in-network telehealth mental health benefits and copays.
• Ask prospective therapists about sliding scale, reduced-fee slots, or group therapy (cheaper).
• Compare DTC subscriptions (BetterHelp, Talkspace) vs. paying privately per session.
• Look into Open Path Collective, university training clinics, and local community mental health centers for lower-cost care.

If you tell me whether you have insurance, whether you prefer messaging vs. video, and how often you expect to meet a therapist, I can give a more precise estimate and recommend a few specific providers that fit your needs.