Best Online Family Therapy 2024: Top 5 Effective & Affordable Services

Chelsea Rae Bourgeois

Updated on - Written by
Medically reviewed by Dr G. Michael DiLeo, MD

All articles are produced independently. When you click our links for purchasing products, we earn an affiliate commission. Learn more about how we earn revenue by reading our advertise disclaimer.

Betterhelp

BetterHelp

  • Over 25,000 licensed therapists available
  • Messaging, live chat, video chat, and voice call available
  • Offers many different forms of therapy

Sign Up Now

20% Off First Month: healthcanal

Calmerry

Calmerry

  • Flexible subscription plans
  • Free to switch counselors
  • Seamless cancellation policy

Sign Up Now

40% Off Coupon: HEALTHCANAL

Talkspace

Talkspace

  • Offers medication management
  • Many providers to choose from
  • Accepts most insurance plans
  • Tiered plans offered at different prices

Sign Up Now

$85 off your first month: HEALTHCANAL85

In a world that appears to be spinning faster each day, prioritizing your mental health is more important than ever. While technology at our fingertips can add to our mental load, it can also help us manage it. 

Online therapy programs can make the process of finding mental health care that much easier. You can find individual virtual counseling from a licensed professional right in the comfort of your own home. 

The same applies to family therapy online. In-person counseling might be challenging to schedule around each family member’s commitments. 

Online marriage and family therapy programs allow you to schedule your counseling sessions at a time that serves you and your beloved family best, and you can do it all from the comfort of your own space. 

This article will closely review five of the best online family therapy providers to help you find the mental health professional that best addresses your family’s needs. 

Best Online Family Therapy in (March. 2024)

  • BetterHelp – Editor’s Choice
  • Calmerry – Most affordable
  • Talkspace – Best program with insurance accepted
  • Amwell– Most comprehensive telehealth
  • Teen Counseling – Best online counseling for teenagers

What Is Online Family Therapy?

Since the pandemic, psychologists are seeing an increase in the demand[1] for anxiety and depression treatment, and more practitioners are leaning toward telehealth services[2]

With anxiety and depression on the rise, we’re seeing it translate into family conflict. Online family therapy is a feasible option for resolving conflict within the family. 

Meeting with an online therapist gives families access to care from a licensed mental health professional at a time and place that fits their specific schedule. Similar to online sessions for individual therapy, virtual family therapy connects the clients to a licensed online therapy provider.

Recently conducted comprehensive research shows[3] that virtual mental health services offer the same benefits as in-person care. Internet-based therapy companies aim to support those in need of counseling. 

Speaking with your therapist online can be less intimidating than seeking treatment at an in-office clinical practice. Family therapy can include teen therapy, couples therapy, and group therapy sessions. 

Many mental health professionals can even prescribe medication and manage the continuity of the prescription. Meeting the needs of families with mental health concerns is feasible via virtual care[4]

Who Should Start Family Therapy?

No two families are the same, and mental health concerns don’t discriminate, so many households can benefit from family therapy sessions. 

Whether you have concerns regarding certain mental health conditions, broken family relationships, substance abuse, or marriage struggles, a licensed family therapist can offer you and your family helpful counseling services.

Common family concerns that may benefit from professional medical advice include

  • Drug and alcohol abuse
  • Behavior difficulties
  • Family conflict
  • Mental illness
  • Emotional abuse

Each family member may also benefit from individual counseling. For example, your online family therapist might suggest individual therapy sessions if they want to explore a deeper history of the experiences that have contributed to your current concerns. 

Of course, talking with your primary care provider before starting virtual counseling is important to ensure it is appropriate for your needs.

5 Best Online Family Therapy & Counseling Services in 2024

BetterHelp

Betterhelp

Sign Up Now

20% Off First Month: healthcanal

See BetterHelp Reviews

BetterHelp offers online counseling via three different platforms. You can meet with a therapist online regarding your individual needs, your relationship needs, or your teenager’s needs.

  • Over 25,000 licensed therapists are available
  • Messaging, live chat, video chat, and voice calls available
  • Offers many different forms of therapy
  • You must submit your own insurance claim

BetterHelp is considered a prominent leader among virtual therapy providers. After filling out a short medical history questionnaire, you are matched with one of their 25,000 qualified online therapy providers. 

They have three different platforms geared towards the individual, the couple, and the teenager. They are prepared to help their clients navigate health issues such as depression, stress, and anxiety disorders. 

Unfortunately, there is no insurance accepted, but you can submit your own insurance claim with the receipt they provide for your sessions. It’s a simple process for most insurance companies, but checking your policy before meeting with a family therapist online is prudent. 

Calmerry

calmerry

Sign Up Now

40% Off Coupon: HEALTHCANAL

Calmerry is one of the industry’s best internet-based therapy services that also provide family therapy to help resolve conflicts within families and treat other mental health issues.

  • Flexible subscription plans
  • Free to switch counselors
  • Seamless cancellation policy
  • No insurance accepted
  • No prescriptions or medication management

Calmerry provides two forms of communication with your therapist: text messaging and video chat. Comprehensive research[5] shows video chat therapy offers the same therapeutic relationship as in-person therapy. 

After completing a short medical history survey, you will be matched with a licensed therapist from your state, which could include a clinical psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist, or licensed professional counselor. 

Whether you plan to seek treatment for relationship struggles, emotional abuse, anxiety, or any other mental health condition that could affect your family’s harmony, Calmerry can connect you with a qualified therapist online. 

Unfortunately, Calmerry does not offer written prescriptions or medication management. If prescription medication is required, you will need to seek it elsewhere with a doctor or nurse practitioner. 

Calmerry also does not file with insurance companies, but they offer different subscription plans starting at just $45 weekly for family therapy. 

Talkspace

Talkspace

Sign Up Now

$85 off your first month: HEALTHCANAL85

See Talkspace Reviews

As one of the industry’s leading online therapy services, Talkspace is one of the best platforms that can connect you with a family therapist online. They offer medication management and accept most insurance plans.

  • Offers medication management services
  • Many providers to choose from
  • Accepts most insurance plans
  • Tiered plans offered at different prices
  • Live video chats are not available with all plans

Talkspace stands out in the industry for its high-quality and affordable care. They offer counseling services for individuals, couples, and teens, and they can handle prescribed medications within their psychiatry services. 

After completing a brief assessment, you’re matched with one of their qualified therapists available to meet with you by phone, messaging, or video chat. 

Talkspace offers various subscription plans that provide different levels of counseling. 

For example, some have daily messaging availability, and some have scheduled live video chat therapy sessions. You can also choose a combination of the two or unlimited messaging therapy. However, you get to choose the plan that best fits your family’s needs.

Amwell

Amwell is a telehealth platform that looks at the whole patient. You have access to quality therapy, nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, and urgent care.

  • Offers medication management services
  • You choose your therapist
  • 97% client satisfaction rate
  • Only operates within the United States

If you are looking for a marriage and family therapist to address family concerns, Amwell has a plethora of therapists ready to offer you and your loved ones professional care. 

Amwell is a comprehensive telehealth platform that includes some of the best online therapy services in the industry. In addition, patients have access to providers with skilled training in most areas of healthcare.

Amwell boasts a 97% client satisfaction rate for its therapy services. In addition, you have the ability to choose your therapist online, which helps you feel more connected to your care plan. 

Amwell also offers care through their downloadable app, making it even easier to stay committed to your therapy journey. Your insurance plan may cover therapy from Amwell, but their services are extremely affordable and may even be cheaper than your co-pay. 

Teen Counseling

If your teen needs guidance in the form of online counseling, Teen Counseling has thousands of therapists ready to offer their help.

  • Two separate session environments for parents and teens
  • Over 14,000 therapists are available
  • Four forms of communication are available
  • No insurance accepted
  • Doesn’t include prescriptions or medication management

Teen Counseling is an online platform that focuses on counseling individuals between the ages of 13 and 19 years. It is part of BetterHelp, the world’s largest therapy service. There are over 14,000 licensed clinical social workers and therapists ready to offer professional care for a wide variety of concerns. 

Their online therapy service can help teens who struggle with mental health or social issues, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, stress management, self-esteem, bullying, and more. 

Parents and teens can both be involved in the therapy process, but Teen Counseling provides each with their own session environment. 

Parents can trust that their teenagers will receive quality care from a credentialed professional who was chosen based on their individual needs. 

Four forms of communication are available, including video chat, live chat, messaging, and phone calls. Unfortunately, there are no forms of insurance accepted with Teen Counseling, but they offer affordable services between $60 and $90 per week.

Benefits of Online Therapy for Family

Online family counseling offers many benefits. Whether you aim to meet with a licensed marriage and family therapist or a family therapist who specializes in working with young people, working with a therapist online can help you develop the tools to resolve family conflict, overcome substance abuse, or navigate any other mental health conditions. 

Other benefits of meeting with a family therapist online include 

Accessibility 

Because online therapy can be accessed right from your phone or computer, it is highly accessible. Life is busy, and once you start accounting for everyone’s schedule, trying to nail down a time for an appointment can get tricky. And that doesn’t even account for the travel time to and from a counseling office. 

Virtual therapy sessions are also beneficial for those who live far from in-person counseling options. Technology allows you to meet with a licensed therapist, despite the distance.  

Affordability

Online counseling doesn’t have the same overhead that in-office therapy requires. There is no rent, building maintenance, or property insurance to include in their overall costs. Many online therapy companies also accept insurance. 

It’s essential to check with your health insurance company before scheduling an appointment. Even if your health insurance plan isn’t accepted, the out-of-pocket cost for many internet-based therapy companies is still less expensive than an in-person therapy session.  

Added Comfort

For some, in-office therapy sessions can be intimidating. They require serious vulnerability, sitting face-to-face with your therapist. 

Finding a family therapist online that you can meet with via video chat allows you to seek services from the familiarity of your own home, i.e., in a “safe place.” Young family members may feel especially grateful to meet with a counselor from their familiar space. 

Convenience

Life can get extremely busy, and it only seems to get busier with each family member’s commitments. Meeting with a family therapist online eliminates the commute to a doctor’s office. 

In addition, having the freedom to meet with your chosen therapy provider at a time that suits the entire family increases the likelihood of success.  

How to Choose The Best Online Family Therapy Services

The best online family counseling service may vary from family to family. Finding the right marriage and family therapist online may involve a few different factors.

Form of Counseling

First, it’s important to decide what form of counseling fits your family’s needs. For example, do you need group therapy or individual talk therapy? Different companies provide different forms of treatment.

Form of Communication

Next, what form of communication best suits your communication style? For example, your teen may prefer text messaging with the family therapist, but you may prefer video calls. Make sure you feel effective in your communications.

Psychiatric Services or Medication Management

Do you need psychiatric services or medication management? Some companies offer medication management, while others do not. If medication is required, consider how you go about filling those prescriptions outside of your counseling sessions. You should know that prescriptions are written by doctors or nurse practitioners in the psychiatric specialties.

Insurance

Lastly, does your insurance cover online therapy? If you cannot file with your insurance, consider the cost of treatment or subscriptions when choosing a marriage and family therapist. 

If therapy is out of the budget, search “free family counseling near me” for possible complimentary services. 

Or consider calling the National Alliance on Mental Illness[6] for cost-effective counseling options. 

Final Thought

Families don’t come with instruction manuals; sometimes we need guidance from an outside perspective. A family therapist can help you and your loved ones navigate broken relationships, anxiety, stress, abuse recovery, and so much more. 

No matter the reason you’re seeking therapy, the best online family counseling platform will allow each family member to express true vulnerability as their “cry for help.”

Online counseling can offer several benefits, including affordability, convenience, added comfort, and accessibility. Working with a family therapist online might even be covered by your insurance policy. 

This article does not take the place of medical advice, and virtual therapy is not recommended for emergency situations. Be certain to speak with your doctor to determine the right plan of care for your individual needs. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can family therapy be done online?

Yes, some of the best online therapy programs offer family therapy in addition to individual counseling. Many virtual therapy options allow you to work with family therapists, such as licensed marriage and family therapists or counselors trained to work with young people and their behavioral health. 

How much does online therapy cost on average?

Online therapy can be very affordable, despite insurance denial of coverage. Psychiatric services will incur higher costs, but the average cost of working with a therapist online is less than $100 per week. If the cost of therapy doesn’t fit your current budget, your local Department of Human Services may have free counseling available.

Which online therapy company is best?

The best virtual therapy company may vary among individuals based on counseling needs. You may want to consider insurance coverage, the ability to choose your own therapist, the forms of communication available, or if you’re taking medication.

Is there an app for family therapy?

Yes, many online therapy platforms offer their services through an app. Connecting with a family therapist online is easier than ever with the coordinating apps available.

What online therapy takes insurance?

A few online therapy companies, such as Talkspace and Amwell, accept insurance. However, most family therapists online offer affordable services through subscription plans. In fact, the cash price for some services may even be less expensive than your insurance co-pay.


+ 6 sources

Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here

  1. in (2020). Psychologists Report Large Increase In Demand For Anxiety, Depression Treatment. [online] https://www.apa.org. Available at: https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2020/11/anxiety-depression-treatment
  2. 2021 COVID-19 Practitioner Survey (2021). Worsening mental health crisis pressures psychologist workforce. [online] https://www.apa.org. Available at: https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/practitioner/covid-19-2021
  3. McLean, S.A., Booth, A.T., Schnabel, A., Wright, B.J., Painter, F.L. and McIntosh, J.E. (2021). Exploring the Efficacy of Telehealth for Family Therapy Through Systematic, Meta-analytic, and Qualitative Evidence. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, [online] 24(2), pp.244–266. doi:10.1007/s10567-020-00340-2.
  4. Lange, A.M.C., Humayun, S. and Jefford, T. (2022). The Feasibility of Providing Remote Functional Family Therapy with Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Method Study. Child & Youth Care Forum. [online] doi:10.1007/s10566-022-09692-y.
  5. Wagner, B., Horn, A.B. and Maercker, A. (2014). Internet-based versus face-to-face cognitive-behavioral intervention for depression: A randomized controlled non-inferiority trial. Journal of Affective Disorders, [online] 152-154, pp.113–121. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2013.06.032.
  6. Nami.org. (2022). Home | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness. [online] Available at: https://www.nami.org/Home
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois

Medically reviewed by:

Michael DiLeo

Chelsea Rae Bourgeois is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a background in fitness and athletics. She has worked as a dietitian in the clinical setting for the past seven years, helping a wide variety of patients navigate their health through nutrition. She finds joy in sharing her passions through her freelance writing career with the hopes of helping people embrace their health and live their lives to the fullest.

Medically reviewed by:

Michael DiLeo

Journal of Physical Education and Sport

Trusted Source

Go to source

SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

Trusted Source

Go to source

African Journals Online

Non-profit Platform for African Journals

Trusted Source
Go to source

Journal of The American Board of Family Medicine

American Board of Family Medicine

Trusted Source
Go to source

Informit

RMIT University Library

Trusted Source
Go to source

European Food Safety Authority

Science, Safe food, Sustainability

Trusted Source
Go to source

OrthoInfo

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Trusted Source
Go to source

American Academy of Family Physicians

Strengthen family physicians and the communities they care for

Trusted Source
Go to source

Agricultural Research Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Trusted Source
Go to source

The American Journal of Medicine

Official Journal of The Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine

Trusted Source
Go to source

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Database From National Institute Of Health

Trusted Source
Go to source

Lippincott Journals

Subsidiaries of Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

Trusted Source
Go to source

National Institute on Aging

Database From National Institute Of Health

Trusted Source
Go to source

Translational Research

The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine

Trusted Source
Go to source

Cell

An All-science Publisher

Trusted Source
Go to source

Journal of Translational Medicine

BioMed Central

Part of Springer Nature
Go to source

Federal Trade Commission

Protecting America's Consumers

Trusted Source
Go to source

National Human Genome Research Institute

Database From National Institute Of Health

Trusted Source
Go to source

Food Production, Processing and Nutrition

BioMed Central

Part of Springer Nature
Go to source

BMC Gastroenterology

BioMed Central

Part of Springer Nature
Go to source

ACS Publications

A Division of The American Chemical Society

Trusted Source
Go to source

Annual Reviews

Independent, Non-profit Academic Publishing Company

Trusted Source
Go to source

PubChem

National Center for Biotechnology Information

National Library of Medicine
Go to source

PLOS Journals

Nonprofit Publisher of Open-access Journals

Trusted Source
Go to source

Thieme E-books & E-Journals

Peer-reviewed & Open Access Journal

Trusted Source
Go to source

European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences

Peer-reviewed International Journal Publishes

Trusted Source
Go to source

Royal Society of Chemistry Publishing Home

Chemical Science Journals, Books and Database

Trusted Source
Go to source

Frontiers

Publisher of Peer-reviewed Articles in Open Acess Journals

Trusted Source
Go to source

De Gruyter

German Scholarly Publishing House

Trusted Source
Go to source

Hindawi

Open Access Research Journals & Papers

Trusted Source
Go to source

Oilseeds and Fats, Crops and Lipids

EDP Sciences

Trusted Source
Go to source

Cambridge Core

Cambridge University Press

Trusted Source
Go to source

FoodData Central

U.S. Department Of Agriculture

Trusted Source
Go to source

Journal of the American Heart Association

Peer-reviewed Open Access Scientific Journal

Trusted Source
Go to source

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

The Americans with Disabilities Act

U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division

Trusted Source
Go to source

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Organization of Food and Nutrition Professionals

tr
Go to source

Sage Journals

Database From Sage Publications

Trusted Source
Go to source

National Institute of Drug Abuse

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

The ClinMed International Library

A Repository and an Open Access Publisher for Medical Research

Trusted Source
Go to source

The Royal Society Publishing

United Kingdom's National Academy of Sciences

Trusted Source
Go to source

APA PsycNet

Database From American Psychological Association

Trusted Source
Go to source

The Pharma Innovation Journal

Peer-reviewed And Refereed Journal

Trusted Source
Go to source

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development

Peer-reviewed Bimonthly Journal

Trusted Source
Go to source

British Pharmacological Society

Journals - Wiley Online Library

Trusted Source
Go to source

American Psychological Association

Scientific and Professional Organization of Psychologists

Trusted Source
Go to source

AAP Publications

Database From American Academy of Pediatrics

Trusted Source
Go to source

Karger Publishers

Academic Publisher of Scientific and Medical Journals and Books

Trusted Source
Go to source

Cambridge University Press & Assessment

Database From Cambridge University

Trusted Source
Go to source

National Institute of Mental Health

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

MDPI

Publisher of Open Access Journals

Trusted Source
Go to source

Bulletin of the National Research Centre

Part of Springer Nature

Trusted Source
Go to source

The New England Journal of Medicine

Massachusetts Medical Society

Trusted Source
Go to source

Economic Research Service

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Trusted Source
Go to source

MedlinePlus

Database From National Library of Medicine

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

National Institute of Health

An agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Trusted Source
Go to source

Trusted Source

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

The BMJ

Weekly Peer-reviewed Medical Trade Journal

The British Medical Association
Go to source

The British Psychological Society

The British Psychological Society is a charity registered in England

Database From Wiley Online Library
Go to source

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

PubMed

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S National Library of Medicine
Go to source

DailyMed

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S National Library of Medicine
Go to source

Google Scholar

Go to source

Science.gov: USA.gov for Science

Government Science Portal

Go to source

ResearchGate

Social Network Service For Scientists

Find and share research
Go to source

American Heart Association

To be a rentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives

Go to source

BioMed Central

Research in progress

Go to source

JAMA Network

Home of JAMA and the Specialty Journals of the American Medical Association

Go to source

Springer Link

Database From Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Springer - International Publisher Science, Technology, Medicine
Go to source

ODS

Database from Office of Dietary Supplements

National Institutes of Health
Go to source

Federal Trade Commission

Bureaus of Consumer Protection, Competition and Economics
Go to source

Trusted Source

Database From U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Governmental Authority
Go to source

Oxford Academic Journals

Oxford University Press

Trusted Source
Go to source

Taylor & Francis Online

Peer-reviewed Journals

Academic Publishing Division of Informa PLC
Go to source

WHO

Database from World Health Organization

Go to source

Journal of Neurology

Peer-reviewed Medical Journal

American Academy of Neurology Journal
Go to source

ScienceDirect

Bibliographic Database of Scientific and Medical Publications

Dutch publisher Elsevier
Go to source

Wiley Online Library

American Multinational Publishing Company

Trusted Source
Go to source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

U.S. National Public Health Agency

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

Trusted Source

Database from U.S. National Library of Medicine

U.S. Federal Government
Go to source

U.S. Food & Drug Administration

Federal Agency

U.S Department of Health and Human Services
Go to source

PubMed Central

Database From National Institute Of Health

U.S National Library of Medicine
Go to source
Feedback

Help us rate this article

Thank you for your feedback

Keep in touch to see our improvement