Best Online Therapy for Addiction

BetterHelp’s monthly subscription, averaging out to $60 to $90 per week out-of-pocket, falls on the low side of the average cost of therapy, making this company an especially affordable choice for talk therapy treatment related to addiction. With over 30,000 therapists available, BetterHelp has one of the largest online therapy platforms, and its list of credentialed providers includes psychologists, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers. Therapy options for individuals, couples, and teens are available, and the company cites “addictions” in its list of conditions it treats.

Initially, you need to complete the website questionnaire. You are then matched with a therapist based on your needs and preferences. Therapists help you treat your addiction symptoms via text, audio, or video messaging, as well as live sessions. Research shows that patients who use the BetterHelp platform experienced a reduction in their feelings of depression, which is a common symptom among those dealing with substance use disorders.  

Once you have been assigned to a therapist, you then have access to your provider’s schedule to book appointments. If things aren't working out with your therapist, you can easily switch to another one online.

BetterHelp’s track record speaks for itself as its therapists have treated over four million patients. 

Although the company and its therapists don’t actively file insurance claims, pricing is often better than paying an insurance copay. BetterHelp’s monthly subscription works as follows:

• Costs range from $60 to $90 per week
• You are billed every four weeks
• A free online questionnaire assesses your needs

We surveyed 105 users of BetterHelp about their experience with the company. Eighty-six percent of users rated BetterHelp as good, very good, or excellent overall, and the same number of users found the qualifications of their BetterHelp therapist to be good, very good, or excellent. Additionally, 76% of users reported that they found a therapist who met all or most of their needs. Thirteen percent of users said that BetterHelp had more therapists who treat addiction than other companies they’d tried, and 18% reported that BetterHelp’s therapists had more specialized training in treating addiction than its competitors.

Monument is an online therapy program dedicated to treating alcohol use disorders exclusively, differentiating it from other online companies that treat addiction alongside other mental health conditions.

When Mike Russell, co-founder and CEO of Monument, didn't know where to turn for his alcohol addiction, he found out about treatments that could help curb his desire to drink. Being able to regain control of his life drove him to want to help others do the same. With individual therapy, medication options, free group sessions, and a community forum, Monument gives individuals the tools they need to change their relationship with alcohol for the better.

“In addition to traditional online therapy, their online model gives individuals an opportunity to access a 24/7 anonymous forum (which helps with community) and support groups. Furthermore, they have the resources to support individuals who need medication assistance,” explains Dr. Nic Hardy, LCSW and subject matter expert. “Alcohol recovery often requires this level of support, therefore, having a team of professionals and the systems in place to support individuals is extremely beneficial.”

Medication to curb drinking is also available as a part of a treatment plan: Monument offers both naltrexone and disulfiram, the two gold-standard medications for treating alcohol misuse. You are paired with a licensed therapist and a physician to set goals and structure your customized treatment. Appointments are scheduled either weekly or biweekly. In between visits, you can chat with your therapist about non-urgent questions.

Monument has both out-of-pocket prices and accepts insurance for its two therapy plans. The out-of-pocket prices are as follows:

• $149 per month for biweekly sessions
• $249 per month for weekly sessions

Physician Care through Monument is $100 per month. Community membership plans are $15 per month. The company accepts insurance from Aetna, Cigna, Medicare, Oscar, Optum United Healthcare, Oxford Health Plans, and Medicare.

Monument has garnered positive reviews since its inception in 2020. Members on its website note encountering compassionate care, being helped without judgement and seeing their desire for alcohol diminish. Seventy-eight percent of the 105 Monument users we surveyed rated the company overall as good, very good, or excellent. Additionally, 73% of users were able to find a therapist who met most or all of their needs, and 64% were satisfied or very satisfied with the therapist options provided. Forty-one percent of users said they would still be seeing their Monument therapist in six months, and 42% thought they’d still be with their provider in a year.

After Jonathan Hunt-Glassman, the company’s co-founder, struggled with alcohol problems and fixes that didn’t work, he decided to try a medication-assisted solution. Naltrexone helped him turn his life around and led him to offer the solution to others. Oar is now considered an industry leader in treating alcohol abuse problems, and experts say medication can be a valuable part of a treatment plan.

“The decision to use medication is personalized to each individual and is between them and their treatment team, though making the option available increases people's options for their care, which is a good thing,” says Amy Marschall, PsyD, clinical psychologist.

After you complete your online assessment, a licensed medical provider reviews it and determines the best course of treatment for you. If that includes medication, you'll receive a prescription via your Oar subscription plan. Though you don’t have the option of scheduling a session with your provider, you can reach out with a message in your patient portal.

Oar also offers treatment options for smoking.

• Prescription plan is $50 per month
• Cost of $50 to review your online assessment

Oar was rated as good, very good, or excellent overall by 90% of the users we surveyed, and 72% were able to find a therapist who met all or most of their needs. Eighty-nine percent of users felt that the qualifications of the therapists available at Oar were good, very good, or excellent, and 66% said that if they needed a new therapist or were to seek services again, they would go back to Oar.

A part of BetterHelp, Teen Counseling’s expansive network has over 13,000 therapists. Family therapists, psychologists, social workers, and professional counselors are all licensed, and hold a master’s or doctoral degree in their field. Their ability to engage teens, and relate to that age group, can make all the difference in a child’s success in therapy, especially with something as serious as addiction. Teenagers struggling with addiction can feel confident that they will get treatment for these issues from a provider who understands their needs as adolescents and young adults.

“For teens, going to therapy might not be their choice, or they might have experience feeling like adults don't ‘get’ them,” notes Dr. Marschall. “Having a therapist who specializes in working with teens or at least has an understanding of how therapy with teens can look different than with adults is important for rapport.” 

Once a teen completes the online questionnaire, they are matched with a therapist. Treatment for addiction and its symptoms can consist talk therapy via messaging, phone, and video calls. The goal is to find the right solutions to successfully work through your or your teen’s addiction.

Teen Counseling’s website lists scores of reviews, attesting to clients who find that their needs are met.

Teen Counseling operates as a monthly subscription that you can cancel at any time. Cost varies based on your location and the number of people in your area who are seeking mental health services. The prices are as follows:

• $60 to $90 per week
• Initial online assessment is free

Eighty-four percent of the 105 users we surveyed rated the qualifications of the therapists available at Teen Counseling as good, very good, or excellent, and 86% said the same about the company overall. Seventy-six percent were able to find a therapist who met most or all of their needs. Thirty percent of users thought they’d still be seeing their therapist in six months, and 28% expected to still be with their Teen Counseling therapist in one year.

As a food addiction therapist, Shellee Moore, LMFT (the “Solution Therapist”) holds a master’s degree in counseling, is certified in Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT), and is a Nationally Certified Foods Addiction Coach (NCFAC). She is also affiliated with the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). Her expertise helps her dive deep into your relationship with food, and why certain foods hold a stronger draw on you than others. 

The Solution Therapist doesn’t just focus on what you eat, but why you eat it. You’ll explore family predisposition to addiction, your exposure to certain foods, and the addictive properties of some foods.

“Just as with any addiction, food addiction makes the person feel as though they cannot control their urges or consumption,” says Owens. “It's important to recognize food addiction as something adjacent to eating disorders but as a legitimate addiction in itself.”  

The practice does not accept insurance; however, you can request receipts and information to try to file a claim with your insurance company.

There is no information available online about prices, other than offering a free 15-minute initial phone consultation.

Though there is not a lot of information on reviews for The Solution Therapist’s services, you can take advantage of a free initial phone consultation to determine if it’s a good fit for you.

Thriveworks accepts several major carriers—more than most online therapy providers, and affordable counseling means more people have the option of getting help.

“Not having a therapist who accepts insurance can hinder people from getting treatment, as many rely on insurance to offset the cost of paying out of pocket,” Dr. Hardy notes. 

Thriveworks has grown to over 380 locations nationwide and offers therapy for individuals, couples, families, and children. Therapists work to treat addiction via phone or video sessions. If your plan calls for medication management, Thriveworks' professionals can incorporate it as a part of your addiction treatment.

Patients with Thriveworks’ program receive a number of perks. You can schedule evening or weekend appointments or reach your therapist via email or phone between sessions, and you can book an appointment online or by phone.

Thriveworks accepts several major insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross, Cigna, Humana, Optum, and United, so fees vary depending on your plan. Prices are as follows:

• $160 to $200 per counseling session without insurance
• $210 to $300 per psychiatry session without insurance
• As little as $10 per session with insurance, depending on your provider

Thriveworks’ services were rated good, very good, or excellent by 90% of the 105 users we surveyed. Additionally, 78% of users reported that they found a therapist who met all or most of their needs, and 87% found the qualifications of the available therapists at Thriveworks to be good, very good, or excellent. Seventy percent of users would return to Thriveworks if they were to seek therapy services again.

MDLIVE is a telehealth company offering treatment for common medical conditions and medication management as well as mental health treatment, including addiction. Talk therapy helps teach patients the skills to cope with and change their addictive behavior, and psychiatrists can also prescribe medication as a part of the treatment plan for addiction. 

Because it accepts several insurance plans and has evening and weekend appointments available, MDLIVE makes talk therapy and psychiatry more affordable and accessible. The company notes that all of its providers go through special telehealth training and can give treatment via phone or video. Its doctors and psychiatrists have an average of 10 years of experience and are licensed and board-certified, so you can depend on a high level of care for both your mental health and physical conditions.

Patient testimonials on the website attest to the success of treatment with MDLIVE. The website states that more than 60 million people can access MDLIVE as a part of their insurance plan benefits.

MDLIVE accepts Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and more; if it takes your insurance, prices will vary depending on your coverage. MDLIVE also does not offer a subscription, so you pay per session. The out-of-pocket prices for individual sessions are as follows: 

• Up to $108 for talk therapy with insurance
• Up to $284 for psychiatry with insurance

Of the 105 MDLIVE users we surveyed, 12% reported that MDLIVE had more therapists who specialize in addiction treatment than other companies they’d tried. In addition, 83% said that their therapist met all or most of their needs, and 92% rated MDLIVE as good, very good, or excellent overall. An impressive 94% of users rated their therapist’s qualifications as good, very good, or excellent—including their specialization in addiction. Thirty-eight percent reported that they would still be seeing their MDLIVE therapist in six months’ time, with 33% saying that they’d still be with their therapist in one year.

Kindbridge Behavioral Health is an online treatment program for those living with a gambling or gaming addiction, offering support for its clients through every step of their treatment, from early intervention to therapy to recovery coaching. Kindbridge employs licensed clinical social workers (LCWS), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), and licensed professional counselors (LPCs), many of whom have gambling and gaming treatment certificates, to help you see how gambling and gaming addiction can be damaging to you and your loved ones.

“Gambling addiction is different in that an outside substance is not factored into the equation; however, similar neural pathways are affected, along with the release of dopamine, a chemical that causes feelings of pleasure,” explains Nic Hardy, PhD, LCSW. “It is important to have a specific treatment strategy for gambling because the root causes of gambling may vary, along with the needed level of support.”

In addition to gambling and gaming addiction therapy, Kindbridge offers treatment for anxiety, depression, and stress. Family and group therapy sessions are also available, and patients can easily make appointments online.

Kindbridge accepts several insurance coverage options, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Cigna, and Optum, and offers a free 15-minute consultation. Its out-of-pocket prices are as follows:

• Individual therapy: $165 per session
• Initial assessment fee: $195
• Group therapy: $50 per session

We were not able to survey users from this company as part of the 55 online therapy companies we reviewed, but client testimonials on the company’s website attest to its successful methods used to treat gambling addiction. Additionally, Kindbridge has been praised in the media as the first online mental health service to focus specifically on gambling addiction and responsible gaming.

“As our understanding of addiction expands, it is imperative to have mental health systems in place that can identify and treat specific facets of addiction that are not as widely accepted or understood as alcohol use or drug use,” notes Owens. “Kindbridge offers that specialized understanding and treatment.”