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Mental health apps are mobile apps designed to help users improve their emotional well-being, become more mindful, and address common mental health issues. Some mental health apps allow users to access online talk therapy or psychiatric care. Others may help you to begin a meditation practice, cope with stress and anxiety, or improve sleep quality. Available for iOS and/or Android users, mental health apps are typically designed to be used via smartphone or tablet.
The best mental health apps are affordable, user-friendly, and well-designed, with few technical glitches. Many of these apps have unique features that allow you to improve your overall wellness in enjoyable, accessible ways. High-quality therapy apps remove some of the usual barriers to mental health care, while mindfulness apps can help you achieve better focus and productivity. With so many available to choose from today, we sent our research team on a mission to find the best-of-the-best. Our team evaluated over 55 of the top mental health apps and ranked each according to whether or not the program was built on evidenced-based therapies, provided regular content updates, the variety of therapies offered, cost, and personal user reviews. Here are the mental health apps that ranked the highest.
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 the Federal 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 Mental Health Apps Best Mental Health Apps
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With affordable pricing, a wide range of available therapists, and multiple communication options, BetterHelp is one of the most flexible, easy-to-use therapy subscription apps on the market.
Pros & ConsFounded in 2013, BetterHelp is one of the world’s largest and most popular online mental health care companies. The platform offers video, audio, chat, and messaging therapy via smartphone, tablet, or computer to people in all 50 states (and internationally, although most BetterHelp providers are in the U.S.). The BetterHelp therapy app is available at the Apple App and Google Play stores.
All of BetterHelp’s therapists are fully licensed, have a relevant master’s or doctoral degree, and have at least three years of experience and over 1,000 working hours. BetterHelp therapists help with many common mental health concerns, from grief and stress to relationships, anxiety, depression, trauma, and more. Some providers specialize in serving clients from the LGBTQ+ community.
The BetterHelp sign-up process is streamlined and straightforward. After answering a few questions about what you’re looking for, you’ll be matched with a therapist who meets your preferences. From there, you can schedule your first session in the app. This is also where you’ll meet with your therapist each week.
BetterHelp offers more flexible communication options than many competitors, making it a good choice for people with busy or unpredictable schedules. A monthly BetterHelp subscription includes one talk therapy session per week via live video, audio, or chat, 24/7, unlimited in-app messaging with your therapist in a virtual “room.”
Plans & PricingBetterHelp doesn’t accept insurance. After you match with a BetterHelp therapist, you’ll be charged $70 to $100 weekly, billed every four weeks ($280 to $400 monthly). A monthly BetterHelp subscription includes one live therapy session each week, plus unlimited messaging with your therapist.
Your exact price for therapy at BetterHelp will depend on your provider and location. Financial aid and sliding-scale prices are available on a limited basis for those who need it.
User SatisfactionAccording to our user survey, most BetterHelp users thought the app was user-friendly and effective. Overall, 72% of users rated their experience with BetterHelp as very good or excellent.
Meanwhile, 81% of users reported that BetterHelp was an easy platform to use, and 84% said they appreciated the number of different types of therapy offered. Many customers reported that BetterHelp was a convenient service, with half of users sharing that it took them 10 minutes or less to sign up.
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With a user-friendly interface, streamlined therapy scheduling process, and flexible subscription program, Talkspace’s app removes many of the typical barriers to online mental health care.
Pros & ConsTalkspace is our top pick for the best mental health apps of 2023 because of its comprehensive all-in-one platform, variety of therapy options, insurance coverage, and commitment to privacy.
Founded by married couple Roni and Oren Frank in 2012, Talkspace offers online mental health care through a secure, HIPAA-compliant, and user-friendly app. The Talkspace app is available at the Google Play and Apple App stores and can be used on any device, including tablets, laptops, and smartphones.
Talkspace is one of the most versatile therapy apps on the market, with a wide range of available providers and specialties. You can choose between several different subscription options at a wide range of prices, from the less expensive messaging-only option to a plan that includes one weekly live video session along with unlimited messaging and weekly expert-led mental health workshops.
After completing a brief initial evaluation, you’ll be matched with a licensed Talkspace therapist and schedule your first session. The company’s clinicians are thoroughly vetted and background checked. Therapists at Talkspace provide unlimited messaging in your private therapy “room” five days a week, so you don’t have to worry about long wait times. If you need to switch therapists at any time, you can do so easily—no questions asked.
In addition to talk therapy, Talkspace offers psychiatry and medication management services with a board-certified psychiatrist who is eligible to prescribe medication in your state. Other options include couples therapy, therapy for teens ages 13 to 17, and an eight-week, in-app insomnia program with a therapist trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).
Talkspace offers the following therapy subscription plans, each with unique features:
You can choose to be billed by Talkspace on a monthly, quarterly, or biannual basis. Users who opt for a quarterly or biannual subscription can save 10% to 20% on their therapy costs, according to the Talkspace website.
Initial evaluations through Talkspace Psychiatry cost $249. Then each follow-up session with a psychiatrist is $125. Bundle discounts are also available for users who want to schedule multiple follow-up sessions at a time.
Talkspace accepts some insurance plans through certain employers and employee assistance programs (EAPs). The company doesn’t accept Medicare or Medicaid. You also have the option to have Talkspace submit your bills to HSA and FSA plan providers for partial reimbursement.
User SatisfactionNinety-three percent of users said they would recommend Talkspace to a friend, and 97% said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the selection of available therapists. Users were especially happy with the live chat therapy option, with 87% rating their experience with online chat as good to excellent.
