We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more . A growing cohort of online counseling companies offer family therapy, a tried-and-true method that takes a relational approach to address issues. In bringing family counseling online, virtual family therapy providers combine the advantages of internet-based services with the value of expert mental health support. The best virtual family counseling services make it easy to connect with a qualified, licensed therapist at a reasonable price. Many accept insurance; work on various platforms (Internet, apps, phone, text); have expertise relevant to your family, including LGBTQIA+ affirming; and treat a variety of mental health conditions. This year, we reviewed over 50 online therapy providers. Here are the companies we found offering the best online family therapy today. Why Trust Us 82 Companies reviewed 8,400 Total users surveyed 350 Data points analyzed We surveyed 100 users from 55 online therapy companies and 27 therapist directories to understand their experiences with these services. Then, we tested the services ourselves across multiple states, conducted comprehensive data collection research, and evaluated our results with the help of a licensed therapist. When choosing an online therapy provider, we recommend that you read the company’s privacy guidelines before you sign up to better understand whether it is HIPAA-compliant and whether it shares any private information with third parties. There have been some concerns raised by theFederal Trade Commission (FTC) and several government officials about what user health information online therapy providers collect and what they do with any information they collect. Best Online Family Therapy Best Online Family Therapy Final Verdict Compare Providers How to Choose FAQs Methodology Why We Chose It Available in most of the United States and in-network with loads of insurance providers, Thriveworks makes it simple for you to connect with a qualified, licensed therapist capable of supporting your family with remote family counseling. Pros & Cons Pros Search functionality includes the option to sort by family counseling You can pick your therapist Option for in-person therapy in some places Cons Not available in all U.S. states Messaging unavailable Overview Thriveworks is a reliable place to find high-quality therapists who specialize in working with families. Around since 2008, Thriveworks now has thousands of licensed therapists, including counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists, available in 45 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. Thriveworks has an app, though many reviewers reported that you don’t need it. That’s because everything you need to do at Thriveworks—including scheduling and attending therapy—can be done from your private portal on the Thriveworks website using any internet-enabled device. To participate in live video therapy sessions, you can use any device with a camera and microphone. At Thriveworks, searching for therapists with expertise in working with families is straightforward. This stands out from some of its competitors, where finding family therapy providers can be more complicated. Sixty-nine percent of the Thriveworks users we surveyed said navigating its website was easy or very easy. To find a family therapist at Thriveworks, first enter your location on the website. From there, you can sort by service type: couples/marriage counseling, family counseling, individual counseling, and medication/psychiatry. You can also sort by specialty, which includes options relevant to families seeking counseling, such as addiction, divorce or breakup, domestic abuse, life transition, grief/loss, military/veteran, postpartum/pregnancy, and relationships. The quality of the providers you’ll find through this process sets Thriveworks apart, according to the users we surveyed: 89% told us they felt good about the number of providers they discovered. Many families will appreciate the opportunity to choose their therapist. But if you prefer a company to play matchmaker, Thriveworks may not be for you. Overall, our survey data indicated Thriveworks users have positive feelings about the company. A full 90% of users had a positive overall experience with Thriveworks, and 80% would recommend the company to a friend. Plans & Pricing With Thriveworks, you pay per each online family counseling session attended. Session rates depend on your location and the clinician you’re working with, but they all fall in a relatively narrow range of $99 to $130 per session. This span captures the cost of family sessions, in addition to individual and couples counseling. Thriveworks providers accept insurance, including major providers like Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, Optim, and UnitedHealthcare. Some Thriveworks providers also accept Medicare. The Thriveworks website includes an option to filter your therapist search by insurance coverage, which makes it easy to find providers who take your plan. However, only 47% of the Thriveworks users we surveyed found it affordable. But, on balance, those same users felt the cost was worth it. Of the Thriveworks users we surveyed, 78% said the company had good, very good, or excellent value for money. Why We Chose It Little Otter’s online family counseling services were designed by experts to specifically cater to the mental health needs of families with kids aged birth to 14. Pros & Cons Pros Specialized care for kids under 14 App lets you track your progress Team-based approach Cons Not appropriate if the primary focus is older family members Limited insurance accepted Overview Little Otter provides multidisciplinary mental health support for families with kids aged 14 and under. Founded in 2020 by Yale-trained psychiatrist Helen Egger, MD, and her daughter Rebecca Egger, Little Otter offers children’s therapy, parent training and support, couples therapy, and psychiatric services. It’s important to note that while virtual family therapy isn’t listed on Little Otter’s website, the kind of therapy offerings described take the whole family into account, and that’s why we’ve included the company on our list. However, Little Otter is geared toward supporting little kids, so it may not be a good fit for families with older teens or adult family members needing therapy. To get started with Little Otter, you create an account on its app and complete a free assessment, which generates a custom report about your family’s mental health. From there, you can schedule a welcome session where you and your clinician develop a treatment plan. Your care team at Little Otter may include a care lead, licensed therapist, parent specialist (a board-certified behavior analyst), and child psychiatrist. Sessions at Little Otter take place on phone calls or its app, which you can access via your smartphone, tablet, or computer. The app also lets you schedule appointments, see progress, and contact your team with questions. Little Otter is available in 11 states and Washington, D.C., with plans to grow, according to its website. In 2022, it acquired Little Renegades, a shop featuring a collection of mindfulness cards and journals for kids. At the same time, it beta-launched the Kelp Line, an unlimited chat membership option, where parents can message with parenting specialists. This affordable option is available during regular business hours across the United States and is intended to increase access to Little Otter’s virtual family counseling services. According to Little Otter’s website, its assessments show that 85% of families and kids have “moved from clinical to subclinical” after interacting with their app for six weeks, indicating a reduction in mental health symptoms. The people we surveyed were largely happy with their experience with Little Otter. Seventy-five percent rated Little Otter good, very good, or excellent overall, and 81% said it compared favorably to other mental health services they’d used in the past. Plans & Pricing At Little Otter, you pay per session and the rates are the same no matter who you work with. Your card is charged 23 hours before your session. The fees are: Little Otter is in network for Kaiser Permanente, but out of network for all other insurance providers. However, if you have out-of-network benefits, you can apply for reimbursem*nt for therapy and psychiatry sessions. It’s important to note that sessions with Little Otter’s parent specialists, who are behavior analysts and not licensed therapists, are generally not eligible for reimbursem*nt. Therapy and psychiatry sessions are also HSA/FSA eligible, according to the website. Little Otter offers packages which reduce out-of-pocket costs: Before you book your first session, Little Otter offers a free informational call and a no-cost personalized report with tips for your family. Even with these reduced rates and free offerings, virtual family therapy with Little Otter can be expensive. That may be why only 54% of the people we surveyed said that Little Otter was affordable or very affordable. However, the majority of the users we surveyed, 72%, felt Little Otter provided good, very good, or excellent value for the money. Little Otter’s unlimited messaging offering, the Kelp Line, costs $30 per month. Why We Chose It With online family therapy based on cognitive behavioral therapy and specialization in issues pertinent to teens, Wellnite stands out from the competition in the online family counseling space. Pros & Cons Pros Works with people aged 13 and up You can choose your therapist No upcharge for family therapy Cons Only uses CBT techniques Only accepts PPO insurance Overview Founded in 2019, Wellnite uses science-supported therapy techniques to improve the mental health of families with teens. In addition to virtual family therapy, Wellnite offers psychiatric care, individual therapy for adults and teens, and couples therapy. Its focus is on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Research suggests that CBT can help with many mental health challenges, but if you know CBT is not for your family, Wellnite may not be a good fit. Wellnite is an excellent choice for families with teens because it serves people aged 13 and older, and specializes in family issues and romantic partner issues. Its therapists are also able to help with depression, eating disorders, friend issues, grief and loss, sleep issues, stress management, ADHD, addiction and substance use, anger management, anxiety, bipolar disorder, career issues, LGBTQIA+ issues, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many of these issues have particular relevance to teens, which made Wellnite stand out among its competitors. Wellnite’s services are available in many U.S. states, and its licensed therapists include social workers, marriage and family therapists, counselors, and psychologists. Wellnite says its medication prescribers are board-certified physicians who know how to treat depression and anxiety. When you sign up for Wellnite, you’ll be able to choose who you would like to work with from a list of providers licensed to practice in your state. Some users say they wish this list was more tailored to online therapists who specialize in the issues they’re facing. However, if you do not like your choice of therapist, you can stop scheduling with them and start scheduling with someone else. You schedule appointments on your portal or by talking to your therapist, which users say was an easy process. You’re sent a link for your sessions, which you can click on from any device with Internet, a video camera, and microphone. You can choose between live video or phone sessions. While you can’t message your providers, you can message or call the support team anytime. Users said the support team’s responsiveness was a highlight of choosing to work with Wellnite. Wellnite’s website includes research it has conducted about how well its services work. The study found that people’s anxiety and depression symptoms measurably decreased after using Wellnite. Keep in mind this research was conducted by the company itself and is not independent, peer-reviewed research. The fact that Wellnite delivers convenient, evidence-based therapy may have contributed to how rosy its users feel about therapy at Wellnite. Of the people we surveyed, 80% had an overall positive experience with the company. Plans & Pricing Wellnite uses a membership model and offers three types of memberships. At Wellnite, you’re billed upfront. Pricing for each membership type depends on whether you’d like to pay month-to-month or lump your payments. The cost does not appear to change based on session type (individual vs. family). Therapy membership prices are: Medical care membership prices are: Medical care and therapy membership prices are: In addition to the savings these payment plans offer, Wellniteoffers sliding scale rates, which you can request during onboarding. The company also offers a free consultation call if you would like to speak to someone before committing to a membership. Of the Wellnite users we surveyed, 73% said they believed Wellnite had good, very good, or excellent value for the money. Why We Chose It Because of its complexity, effective treatment for postpartum depression and anxiety requires providers who are experts in perinatal mental health. LifeStance Health therapists have this expertise and are prepared to provide virtual and in-person family counseling in most U.S. states. Pros & Cons Pros Expertise in perinatal mental health challenges Accepts most commercial insurance plans Offers psychiatry services Cons Not easy to estimate your costs Website can be difficult to navigate Overview LifeStance Health specializes in myriad issues, including postpartum depression and anxiety, which are serious mental health conditions that are important to treat. Its therapists have an understanding of the particular mental health challenges facing people during the postpartum period. LifeStance Health also has expertise in prenatal depression, a less-talked-about sister of postpartum depression that may occur during pregnancy. For postpartum families, it’s a plus that LifeStance Health offers psychiatry services, because prescription medications, such as antidepressants, are frequently a part of treating these mental health challenges. Founded in 2017, LifeStance Health is available in 32 states, and its website indicates plans to expand. In addition to online family therapy, LifeStance Health offers online and in-person individual therapy, group therapy, and psychiatry. LifeStance Health’s therapists include licensed therapists and psychologists. If you end up using its psychiatry services, you would choose one of their licensed psychiatrists and nurse practitioners to work with. Once you sign up with LifeStance Health, you get access to a patient portal, where you can schedule your family therapy sessions. Your live video sessions can take place on any device that has a camera and microphone. There is no app to download. LifeStance Health’s website includes a lot of information about mental health conditions, which can be helpful, but only 58% of our survey respondents said the website was easy to navigate. LifeStance Health’s website did not include any data about client outcomes, but our survey data was largely positive. Of the LifeStance Health users we surveyed, 88% had a positive experience overall, and 75% said they were likely or very likely to recommend LifeStance Health to a friend. Plans & Pricing Lifestance Health accepts most commercial insurance providers in the states it serves, and some providers accept Medicare and Medicaid. When you’re selecting your Lifestance therapist, you can see if a particular therapist accepts your insurance on their therapist bio. If you pay out-of-pocket, the website says therapy costs an average of $75 to $300 per session. The price differs depending on your location, the experience level of your therapist, and the type of therapy you receive. Family therapy is often more expensive than individual therapy and, based on this description, it’s likely this is the case at Lifestance Health as well. Reviewers noted that lack of clarity about the cost of therapy as a downside of working with LifeStance Health. Fifty-seven percent of the people we surveyed said LifeStance Health was affordable or very affordable, but 76% said online therapy with LifeStance Health was a good value. Why We Chose It Through actions and words, Kip Therapy makes it clear it supports and understands LGBTQIA+ clients, making the company an ideal choice for online therapy for New York-based queer families. Pros & Cons Pros Gender and sexuality team provides competent care Therapist bios include gender and sexual identity disclosures Sliding scale rates available Cons No insurance accepted Only available in New York state Overview Small but mighty, Kip Therapy is a welcoming, inclusive online family counseling service. Based in New York City, Kip Therapy was founded in 2013 as a brick-and-mortar therapy office and pivoted online when the pandemic hit in 2020. It has since stayed online, where it is now able to serve families throughout New York state and clients aged 12 and older. In addition to family therapy, Kip Therapy’s clinicians offer online individual therapy to adults and adolescents and couples therapy. The practice includes licensed and not-yet-licensed therapists. The licensed therapists are primarily social workers, and the not-yet-licensed therapists include graduate-level interns and pre-licensure fellows who have completed graduate school. Kip Therapy doesn’t beat around the bush about its support for LGBTQIA+ individuals. On the FAQ page, the first answer proclaims, “We work hard to serve clients who have felt misunderstood by other psychotherapists—including queer clients, people of color, and people who identify as transgender.” Kip Therapy’s mission includes providing education and training for therapists, which often covers how to work with gender-diverse and sexually diverse clients. Kip Therapy has a gender and sexuality team filled with providers who are capable of supporting LGBTQIA+ families. To make it easier to find a provider who is a good fit for you, therapist bios include disclosures about gender identity and sexual orientation, and you can search for therapists based on these traits. After scheduling an initial consultation session, you schedule regular sessions with your therapist as needed. Kip Therapy doesn’t require an app and sessions can take place via live video or phone call on whatever device you prefer. Kip Therapy maintains the feel of a small practice that just happens to be online now, and that seems to suit the people we surveyed: 73% of Kip Therapy users felt positive about their overall experience. Plans & Pricing Kip Therapy accepts most major insurance plans. At Kip Therapy, you pay per 45-minute therapy session. The out-of-pocket session rate depends on your therapist’s experience and your session type. Kip Therapy categorizes therapist experience into three tiers, which impact the cost of your sessions. Kip Therapy also offers couples and adolescent therapy: Your first 45-minute session, called a consultation session, is priced lower than a regular session; it’s free for tier I providers and $25 for tier II and III providers. The website doesn’t list separate pricing for online family counseling, but we contacted Kip, and its clinical director told us the rate for virtual family therapy is the same as the rate listed for virtual adolescent and couples therapy. Kip Therapy’s out-of-pocket prices can be high for families on a budget. Of the people we surveyed, only 40% thought Kip Therapy was affordable, and 65% thought the company offered good value for money. However, its website says Kip Therapy has a limited number of below-standard-rate openings for people who’ve been historically excluded from therapy or are facing economic hardship. Why We Chose It Amwell is available in all 50 states, accepts most insurance plans, and has no upcharge for family therapy with their expert, licensed therapists. Live video session appointments are available during days, evenings, and weekends to support your family’s mental health when it's most convenient for you. Pros & Cons Pros Flat rate per session Available on evenings and weekends Available nationwide Cons Family therapist search cumbersome Only works with clients age 10 and up Overview Since 2006, Amwell has provided affordable, accessible telemedicine services. It continues to stand out for its ability to connect people across the country with expert providers—including family therapists—who can deliver care at a reasonable rate, at times of their choosing. In addition to family therapy, Amwell’s behavioral health providers offer individual therapy, couples therapy, and psychiatry. Other Amwell providers offer urgent care, pediatrics, breastfeeding support, nutrition counseling, second opinions, and women’s health. Amwell has one large website for people seeking all of these services. This wide breadth of services may have contributed to Amwell’s website providing little information about its virtual family counseling services. While its website may not be clear, the Amwell representative we spoke to was: Amwell offers family therapy online. To find an Amwell therapist for your family, you’ll first have to create an account using a browser or the company’s app. Then you’ll need to read the bios of the therapists available in your state with an eye for language indicating they are equipped to provide family therapy. Good clues are declarations that they are licensed marriage and family therapists or otherwise experienced in working with families. Although this search process isn’t as technologically slick as some other online family therapy services, it still results in connecting people to qualified therapists, according to 86% of Amwell users we surveyed. Once you select a therapist, you’ll immediately be able to schedule your first session in your portal, where you’ll also be able to message your provider and receive an asynchronous reply. Amwell therapists are available to schedule during the day, evening, and weekend, which can help ensure you’ll be able to make virtual family therapy fit into your schedule. Therapy sessions can include family members who are age 10 and older\, depending on the age groups your therapist serves. All family therapy sessions take place over live video, which you can access through your Amwell account on your web browser or through the Amwell app on your phone or tablet. Our survey results from Amwell users were unusually glowing. Ninety percent of people surveyed said they had an overall positive experience with Amwell and 78% would recommend Amwell to a friend. Plans & Pricing With Amwell, you pay per 45-minute session. Rates for online family therapy are the same as any other type of therapy; there’s no upcharge. Amwell also accepts health insurance, which may lower your family’s costs further. Amwell does not offer any free consultations before starting paid sessions. Most people we surveyed said they found Amwell to be affordable, and 88% said it was good value for their money. Price Is Insurance Accepted? Does it Accept HSA/FSA? Type Of Therapy Communication Options Reset All Hide, not for me Hide, not for me Hide, not for me Hide, not for me Hide, not for me Hide, not for me When it comes to online family therapy, there are more options than ever. Some companies specialize in supporting individuals with particular identities, like Kip Therapy for LGBTQIA+ folks. Others, like Little Otter, focus on certain age groups. But for most people, the best online family therapy provider is Thriveworks. Thriveworks dominates across a range of metrics that matter most. Its website makes it easy to search for therapists who are trained to help families. Providers accept lots of insurance plans. Even without insurance, out-of-pocket costs are competitive. But what really sets Thriveworks apart is the quality of its therapists. The users we surveyed were overwhelmingly positive about the providers they found at Thriveworks, making it an ideal first place to look for a virtual family counselor. Online family therapy can be a worthwhile investment in your family’s mental health. Family therapy might be worth it for you if: There are particular benefits to accessing family therapy online. Virtual family counseling might be right for you if: Online family therapy is a virtual type of counseling that can help family members improve communication, resolve conflicts, and address mental health or substance use issues that can impact home and family life. Specifically, online family therapy, like in-person family therapy, can help family members identify problems, develop coping and communication skills, and strengthen relationships. For example, a 2019 study found that family therapy helped improve different areas of family functioning to help teens who were experiencing mental health problems. A 2018 review found that family therapy could be useful in treating adult-focused problems, including relationship distress, intimate partner violence, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychosis, alcohol issues, and adjustment to chronic physical illness. “Many [of my] clients have expressed finding it beneficial to be able to be in their own space, wrapped in their own cozy blanket, sitting on their own couch while processing challenging emotions or memories,” says Samantha Kingma, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Arizona. “[Online] family and couples therapy have the potential to be even more impactful, because you are able to talk through the conflict or relationship stresses in the exact location where you will continue to interact throughout the week.” For families with teens, in particular, online therapy may also be beneficial. A 2016 study of teens in Australia found that 72% of adolescents said they would access online therapy if they experienced a mental health problem and required support. Of course, as with any therapy, finding an online therapist who is the right fit for the family members is essential. Research has shown that the relationship between the therapist and the client is a reliable predictor of the outcome of therapy. “Connecting online can feel different than an in-person connection, and you will want to find someone who you can form a therapeutic relationship with without ever meeting in person,” says Kingma. If your family is facing challenges impacting daily functioning, experiencing extreme emotional reactions, or suffering from a communication breakdown, family therapy may be right for you. And if you’re finding that in-person therapy sessions are hard to manage, online family therapy may be helpful. “Many clients are finding that dealing with traffic, parking, and sitting in a waiting room are actually elements that increase their stress prior to a therapy appointment,” says Kingma. “Obviously, the goal of therapy typically involves reducing stress, so when online therapy allows us to do the same work without these added stresses, it is a real win.” When searching for an online family therapy provider that’s right for your family, it’s important to consider these factors: To avoid possible technical difficulties, check your internet connection in advance or ensure that your audio and microphone are working properly. Before your first session, find a safe, comfortable, and quiet space where you can easily talk and share with family members. “If a family or couple is feeling safe enough to be in a separate room from their therapist while they work through issues or concerns, online therapy could be a great fit,” says Kingma. “But if any member of the family or couple is feeling physically or emotionally unsafe, and would feel more comfortable working through difficult topics in the physical presence of a therapist, online therapy may not be the right option.” There are a variety of factors to consider when choosing which online therapy is best. These include: Online family therapy can be more affordable than in-person sessions. If you are paying out-of-pocket, deciding to work with an online family therapist may mean selecting from a larger pool of therapists, giving you a better chance of finding someone who works within your budget. Most insurance companies cover telemedicine visits, including virtual counseling services, the same as in-person visits. With family therapy online, you may also experience cost savings related to decreased need for transportation or time off work. Many online family therapists are certified just like in-person family therapists. Online family therapists who are licensed marriage and family therapists have completed advanced training in family therapy. These practitioners hold a master’s or doctoral degree and have credentials that vary by state, including MFT, LMFT, and LAMFT. Some licensed online therapists may have substantial experience with families without a distinct marriage and family therapist license. The disadvantages of online family therapy are similar to the disadvantages of other types of online therapy. Research is still emerging on best practices for online family therapy. Related research, however, suggests that there may be concerns related to therapist comfort with technology, technology problems, and the therapist’s ability to respond in an emergency situation. How long you should be in family therapy depends on your situation. In many cases, family therapy is designed to be brief and oriented around addressing a specific goal or problem. The average duration of family therapy is 12 sessions, according to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Our methodology for determining the best online therapy providers is research-informed. We investigated a pool of 55 virtual counseling companies. Our team tested the therapy services and compared survey data from 105 users of each company to get a thorough, in-depth understanding of each company's offerings. For this review, we considered virtual therapy providers who offer online family therapy, a specific type of therapy not available at all companies. We did a deep dive to examine how therapy works at each company, assessing factors like where they operate, ease of use, website and app functionality, demonstrated expertise, quantified results, and quality of therapists. Each family is unique, so to make sure our review really reflects the best online counseling options for most families, we analyzed the responses from our 116-question survey with special weight to factors related to broad satisfaction, including questions about how users rate the company overall and whether they would recommend it. Because cost is a deciding factor for many families, we also paid particular attention to affordability metrics. These include the out-of-pocket price, whether insurance is accepted, and whether our surveys indicate that users believe the companies provide good value for money. This multi-method approach provides both broad and deep context for investigating the best virtual family counseling services. Article Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Doherty WJ, McDaniel S. Family Therapy. American Psychological Association. Little Otter. The promise of online therapy for children. David D, Cristea I, Hofmann SG. Why cognitive behavioral therapy is the current gold standard of psychotherapy. Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:4. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00004 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health. Postpartum depression. SAMHSA. Family therapy can help. DeAngelis T. Better relationships with patients lead to better outcomes. Monitor on Psychology. 2019;50(10):38. Telehealth.HHS.gov. Private health insurance coverage for telehealth. Healthcare.gov. Mental health & substance abuse coverage. Mohr DC, Vella L, Hart S, Heckman T, Simon G. The effect of telephone-administered psychotherapy on symptoms of depression and attrition: A meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Sci Pract. 2008;15(3):243-253. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2850.2008.00134.x Giovanetti AK, Punt SEW, Nelson EL, Ilardi SS. Teletherapy versus in-person psychotherapy for depression: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Telemed e-Health. 2022;28(8):1077-1089. doi:10.1089/tmj.2021.0294 Thoër C, Noiseux K, Siche F, Palardy C, Vanier C, Vrignaud C. [Online text-based psychosocial intervention for Youth in Quebec]. Sante Ment Que. 2017;42(1):337-354. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists. About marriage and family therapists. Stoll J, Müller JA, Trachsel M. Ethical issues in online psychotherapy: a narrative review. Front Psychiatry. 2020;10:993. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00993 By Emily P.G. Erickson Edited bySimone Scully andApril McCormick See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback?Best Online Family Therapy
Best Overall :Thriveworks
Best for Families With Young Kids :Little Otter
Best for Families With Teens :Wellnite
Best for Postpartum Depression or Anxiety :LifeStance Health
Best for LGBTQIA+ Families :Kip Therapy
Most Affordable + Best Flexibility :Amwell
Compare the Best Online Family Therapy
Best For Thriveworks Best Overall $160 - $240 per therapy session, $300 - $375 for initial psychiatry/medication management session, $210 - $300 for follow-ups Yes Yes Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen Counseling Audio, Phone, Video Chat Learn More Little Otter Best for Families With Young Kids $20 "welcome" session; $195 for standard therapy session; $500 for general psychiatry evaluation; $250 for follow-up psychiatry sessions Yes No Children's Therapy, Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Teen Counseling Messaging, Video Chat Learn More Wellnite Best for Families With Teens $95 per month (charged bi-weekly) for medication management only; $450 per month for regular therapy sessions; $245 per month for medication management and 1-2 monthly therapy Yes No Individual Therapy, Medication Management Live Chat, Phone, Video Chat Learn More LifeStance Health Best for Postpartum Depression or Anxiety $150-$300 per session out-of-pocket Yes Yes Children's Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen Counseling Video Chat Learn More Kip Therapy Best for LGBTQIA+ Families $65 to $225 per session No. Can provide receipt for reimbursem*nt No Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Individual Therapy, Teen Counseling Audio, Video Chat Learn More Amwell Most Affordable + Best Flexibility $109 to $279 Yes Yes Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen Counseling Video Chat Learn More Final Verdict
Compare the Best Online Family Therapy
Company Price Platforms Insurance Thriveworks Best Overall $$15–$40 per session with insurance; $65–$140 per session without insurance Video, phone, in-person in 300+ locations Yes Little Otter Best for Families with Young Kids $90-$400 per session Video No Wellnite Best for Families with Teens $95-$400 per session Video, phone, live chat No LifeStance Health Best for Postpartum Depression and Anxiety $75-$300 per session Video Yes Kip Therapy Best for LGBTQIA+ Families $65-$250 per session Video, phone, in-person in New York City office Yes Amwell Most Affordable + Best for Flexibility $109-$129 per session Video Yes Guide for Choosing the Best Online Family Therapy
Is Online Family Therapy Worth It?
How Do I Compare Online Family Therapy Options?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Online Family Therapy More Affordable Than In-Person Therapy?
Are Online Family Therapists Certified?
What Are the Disadvantages of Online Family Therapy?
How Long Should I Be in Family Therapy?
Methodology
Emily P.G. Erickson is a journalist specializing in mental health and parenting. Her writing has appeared in major digital publications, including Everyday Health, Health, Motherly, The New York Times, Reviewed, Romper, Scary Mommy, WIRED, and more. A former mental health researcher, she holds a master’s degree in psychology.
FAQs
What is the most effective family therapy? ›
Communication Family Therapy
It is often helpful in resolving conflicts, increasing understanding and trust between family members, and helping couples express their feelings. Communication therapy can also benefit situations where one partner has difficulty expressing their emotions or needs to the other partner.
Is Online Therapy as Effective as In-Person Therapy? Studies suggest that live online therapy by video is just as effective as in-person therapy, particularly for CBT.
Are online therapy sessions worth it? ›Researchers looked at more than 60 studies and found that seeing a therapist virtually is just as effective as face-to-face sessions for most people with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD).
What is the success rate of family therapy? ›American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
About 93% of clients believe they have more effective tools for dealing with their problems after therapy. Approximately 97% of clients were satisfied with the help they received, and 91% said they were able to better deal with problems in their families.
Family therapy and family counseling are closely related terms and often used interchangeably, but with the latter sometimes used as a broader term encompassing various therapeutic approaches and techniques adopted by psychologists, social workers, and other professionals to enhance communication, resolve conflict, and ...
When should family therapy not be used? ›Family therapy might be contraindicated if other family members are active substance abusers, violent, deny that the client's substance abuse is problematic, or remain excessively angry. Family therapy is often used to examine factors that maintain a client's substance abuse behavior.
Is Talkspace worth it? ›Talkspace is a great choice for anyone seeking online therapy or psychiatry; particularly if you have an insurance plan that's in-network with Talkspace. However, BetterHelp is a bit more affordable for cash-pay, and Online-Therapy.com has even more affordable options, still.
Is BetterHelp cheaper than regular therapy? ›The average cost for a traditional therapy session is $100 to $200, while BetterHelp's pricing ranges from $65 to $100 per week (based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply).
What are the limitations of online therapy? ›Internet problems can disrupt a session, annoying both patient and therapist. Technical issues such as video call freezing or the sound disappearing damage the flow and caliber of communication. It is less easy for therapists to read non-verbal gestures like expressions or body language through a screen.
Who should not use online therapy? ›It's important to know that online therapy is not right for certain mental health conditions. For conditions like schizophrenia, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, or if you've been hospitalized for a mental health condition in the last six months, you should seek in-person care.
Is therapy better in-person or zoom? ›
One 2020 study even found that online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was at least as effective as in-person CBT in reducing the severity of depression symptoms. However, there are some drawbacks to meeting with a therapist online instead of in-person.
What is a disadvantage of telehealth for mental health? ›Limited intervention capacity. Telemedicine is not always appropriate for every health condition. Some may require at least one in-person physical examination before telemedicine can be used. Privacy concerns.
What is the most popular family therapy? ›Structural family therapy is usually the most popular form of family therapy, and it tends to see the family as a unit with multiple functioning pieces. Each person in the structural family may have a specific role that they fulfill, and deviating from these roles can be the greatest source of conflict within a family.
What are the 4 stages of family therapy? ›Four major stages are outlined, each with several substages: 1) the preparation stage—mutual acceptance, definition of the problem, formulation of goals; 2) the transition stage—beginning actualization, crisis, reformulation and acceptance; 3) the consolidation stage—investment in the therapeutic work, working through ...
Which therapeutic approach is most commonly used in family therapy? ›- Bowenian. Bowenian is known to work best for those who cannot or do not want to bring family members into the therapy room. ...
- Structural. ...
- Systematic. ...
- Strategic.
Which therapy is effective long-term? The most effective therapy for long-term mental health is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses a collaborative approach.
What is the preferred theory of family therapy? ›Bowen's Theory is generally what many family systems therapy models are based on. It is a theory of human behavior that typically views a family as a connected, emotional, and complex unit.
For which group is family therapy most effective for? ›Families in conflict, as well as couples and individuals with concerns related to their families of origin, can benefit from family systems therapy. In addition to family conflict, this treatment approach can be helpful for: Substance use disorder. Alcohol use disorder.