Online-Therapy.com is one of the longest-running online therapy services, and it takes a different approach from most of its competitors: instead of just giving you a therapist and a chat window, every plan is built around a structured cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program with worksheets, a journal, and activity plans. Here’s what you get, what it costs, who it’s a good fit for — and who should look elsewhere.
How we reviewed it: we went through Online-Therapy.com’s plans, pricing page, and help-center FAQs, and compared them with independent reviews and with the published research on online CBT. We haven’t written about anyone’s personal therapy experience, and we don’t publish user testimonials.
OUR PICK
Online-Therapy.com at a glance
- Plans from $48/week for your first month with the 20% discount ($60/week after), billed monthly
- Live 45-minute sessions by video, voice, or text on Standard and Premium plans
- Unlimited messaging and an 8-section CBT program with 25 worksheets
- HSA/FSA cards accepted · no direct insurance billing
- Cancel anytime · no free trial · no mobile app (works in your phone’s browser)
Sponsored link · 20% off your first month with code THERAPY20
The short verdict
Online-Therapy.com is a strong choice if you want structured, skills-based help for anxiety, depression, stress, or panic and you’re paying out of pocket. The built-in CBT program means you have something concrete to work on between sessions, which is exactly how CBT is designed to work. It’s a weaker choice if you want to use insurance, need medication, or prefer a polished mobile app.
| Best for | Not ideal for |
|---|---|
| People who want practical tools, not just talk | Anyone who needs psychiatry or medication |
| Anxiety, worry, panic, low mood, stress | People who want insurance to pay directly |
| Self-pay users, including with HSA/FSA | Crises or emergencies (call or text 988) |
| Couples who want one weekly joint session | Teens without parental consent |
Ready to talk to a licensed therapist?
Online-Therapy.com pairs you with a licensed therapist, weekly live sessions by video, voice or text (Standard plan and up), and a step-by-step CBT program. Use code THERAPY20 for 20% off your first month.
Get started with Online-Therapy.com →Sponsored link · Cancel anytime · Not an emergency service — in crisis, call or text 988
How Online-Therapy.com works
- Sign up and answer a short questionnaire about what you’re dealing with.
- Get matched with a therapist. Matching is automatic, and the service says you can switch therapists with a click if the fit isn’t right.
- Start the CBT program. You work through eight sections with worksheets; your therapist reviews them and replies Monday to Friday.
- Meet live (Standard and Premium plans) for a 45-minute session each week by video, voice, or text chat.
- Message your therapist any time between sessions.
Online-Therapy.com says all of its therapists have CBT training and hold licenses, certifications, or registrations with recognized professional bodies. As with any service, it’s worth checking your therapist’s credentials once you’re matched.
Plans and pricing (2026)
All plans are billed monthly, and new members get 20% off the first month. Code THERAPY20 applies the same 20% discount.
| Plan | First month (20% off) | After first month | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $48/week | $60/week | Unlimited messaging + CBT program (no live sessions) |
| Standard (most popular) | $72/week | $90/week | 1 live 45-min session/week + messaging + program |
| Premium | $96/week | $120/week | 2 live 45-min sessions/week + messaging + program + express replies |
| Couples | $96/week | $120/week | 1 live couples session/week + messaging |
For comparison, in-person therapists in the US commonly charge $100 to $200 per session without insurance, according to Psychology Today. The Standard plan works out to roughly $90 a week after the first month, for one live session plus unlimited messaging and the program. See our full Online-Therapy.com pricing guide for details, including financial aid.
What we like
- Built around CBT. CBT is one of the most researched forms of talk therapy, and a 2014 meta-analysis found guided internet-based CBT produced overall effects equivalent to face-to-face CBT.
- Homework with feedback. Worksheets get daily replies (Monday–Friday), which keeps momentum between sessions.
- Flexible formats. Live sessions can be video, voice, or text — useful if you’re not comfortable on camera.
- Easy to cancel or pause. You can cancel anytime and keep your prepaid days, or pause your subscription for 1 to 4 weeks.
- Couples option at the same price as Premium.
- Financial aid is available for students, veterans, and people on low incomes (applied at checkout).
What to watch out for
- No direct insurance billing. You pay yourself and can request itemized receipts to claim reimbursement from your insurer. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
- No psychiatry or prescriptions. Therapists don’t prescribe medication — you’d need a doctor or psychiatrist for that.
- No free trial, and refunds are handled case by case.
- No app. The site works in your phone’s browser, but there’s no dedicated iOS or Android app.
- Replies Monday to Friday. Therapist support isn’t available on weekends.
- 45-minute sessions, slightly shorter than a typical 50-minute in-person hour.
You don’t have to handle anxiety alone.
Online-Therapy.com connects you with a licensed therapist and a structured CBT program you can follow from home. Use code THERAPY20 for 20% off your first month.
See how it works for anxiety →Sponsored link · Cancel anytime · Not an emergency service — in crisis, call or text 988
Is online CBT actually effective?
For many common problems, yes. The National Institute of Mental Health lists CBT among the main evidence-based psychotherapies, and a meta-analysis in World Psychiatry (Andersson et al., 2014) found that guided internet-based CBT and face-to-face CBT produced equivalent overall effects across psychiatric and somatic conditions. That doesn’t make online therapy right for everyone: if you’re in crisis, have severe symptoms, or need medication, in-person or psychiatric care is the better starting point.
How it compares
| Online-Therapy.com | BetterHelp | Talkspace | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-pay price | $48–$120/week | $70–$100/week | $69–$109/week |
| Insurance | No (HSA/FSA yes) | Limited in-network | Yes, many plans |
| Psychiatry | No | Yes (separate service) | Yes |
| Structured CBT program | Yes, all plans | Journal prompts, group sessions | Workshops on higher plan |
| Mobile app | No | Yes | Yes |
Read our head-to-head comparisons: Online-Therapy.com vs BetterHelp and Online-Therapy.com vs Talkspace.
Who should choose Online-Therapy.com?
Choose it if you want a clear, step-by-step plan for anxiety, worry, panic, low mood, or stress, and you like the idea of doing short exercises between sessions. If you’re not sure you’re ready for live sessions, the Basic plan (messaging + program) is the lowest-cost way to start, and you can upgrade later. If you mainly want your insurance to cover therapy, or you need medication, compare Talkspace or talk to your doctor first.
Frequently asked questions
Is Online-Therapy.com legit?
Yes. It’s an established subscription service that connects you with therapists and a structured CBT program. As with any provider, check your therapist’s credentials after you’re matched.
How much does Online-Therapy.com cost per month?
Plans are priced weekly but billed monthly: from $48/week for the first month on Basic (with the 20% discount) up to $120/week for Premium or Couples at the regular price.
Does Online-Therapy.com take insurance?
Not directly. It accepts HSA and FSA cards, and it can provide itemized receipts so you can ask your insurer for reimbursement.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. You can cancel anytime with no minimum commitment and keep access for the days you’ve already paid for.
Is there a discount code?
New members get 20% off the first month; code THERAPY20 applies the 20% discount.
Ready to talk to a licensed therapist?
Online-Therapy.com pairs you with a licensed therapist, weekly live sessions by video, voice or text (Standard plan and up), and a step-by-step CBT program. Use code THERAPY20 for 20% off your first month.
Get started with Online-Therapy.com →Sponsored link · Cancel anytime · Not an emergency service — in crisis, call or text 988
Sources
- Online-Therapy.com: Pricing
- Online-Therapy.com FAQ: What is the cost for online therapy?
- Online-Therapy.com FAQ: Does Online-Therapy.com accept insurance?
- Online-Therapy.com FAQ: Changing or canceling your subscription
- Online-Therapy.com FAQ: Refund policy
- Online-Therapy.com FAQ: Financial aid and discounts
- Online-Therapy.com FAQ: Do you have an app?
- Online-Therapy.com FAQ: Who will my therapist be?
- Andersson G. et al. (2014). Guided Internet-based vs. face-to-face CBT: a systematic review and meta-analysis. World Psychiatry.
- NIMH: Psychotherapies
- Psychology Today: How Much Does Therapy Cost?
- BetterHelp: How much does BetterHelp cost?
- Talkspace: Pricing
