We Tested Dozens of Online Therapy Platforms — Here Are the Best Ones for Older Adults

Brightside Health is a unique subscription service that offers a range of options, including medication management, therapy, a plan that combines therapy and medication management, and a crisis care service. It’s one of the most versatile services out there, making it our pick for the best therapy subscription service for seniors.

Brightside Health also offers a suicide prevention plan to those with insurance that sets it apart from other online therapy platforms. Those battling strong suicidal thoughts are often excluded from the online therapy space, with many companies simply noting that these folks are not a fit for online therapy. However, Brightside Health will work with people who have had a recent suicide attempt, are actively suicidal, or need care after being hospitalized. Appointments for this service are available within 48 hours and are held by clinicians specifically trained in working in suicide prevention.

Heads up: Brightside Health’s intake paperwork is lengthy. While testing the service, we felt somewhat uncomfortable with the breadth of information requested before even meeting the therapist. However, the more information you provide up front, the less time you spend catching your therapist up on your history during the first session. That means you can dedicate more time to focusing on what is happening in the here and now.

In our experience with the platform, we were impressed by the extensive training and qualifications of the providers. We received excellent care that made us feel seen, heard, and supported. However, be aware that this platform is only available to those with insurance. We also noticed that the final price of services is dependent upon the type of insurance plan you have. In our case, we didn’t find out the final price until after the services were rendered. If you don’t have insurance or would prefer to know the cost before receiving care, we recommend you explore Brightside Health’s psychiatry plan.

We found using the platform extremely easy. All we had to do was head to the website, specify our location, preferred service, and type of insurance we had. From there, we were presented with multiple provider options. The one we selected was an excellent fit, too. Since online therapy may be new and intimidating for many seniors, we like how easy it is to get started on this platform. Plus, it is great for folks with Medicare, while also providing a range of options for those without Medicare.

If you’re looking for couples therapy, family therapy, or even psychiatry, Grow Therapy can also help. Keep in mind that each provider will have their own fees and a specific set of insurance plans they work with. However, we found that the platform’s search functions were able to offset any frustrations. We also noticed the video platform was a bit glitchy, but the provider we worked with was quick to rectify the situation.

Couples therapy for aging adults is a severely overlooked need, as aging can bring up a host of issues in a relationship. Navigating being empty nesters, dealing with the stress of an illness, or the dynamic of one person becoming a caregiver for the other can all put a strain on a partnership. Couples therapy can save relationships by helping folks ease into these new roles with conflict resolution skills, coping tools, and a safe space to hear one another. We love Ours for emphasizing these essential aspects of couples therapy while offering flexible scheduling and plenty of tools to use between sessions.

Couples therapy can be intimidating, especially for first-timers. Ours offers therapist matching, which can make the whole process less daunting. This is especially great for older couples because it ensures that they are matched with a therapist who is equipped to support their partnership through the unique issues associated with aging. Plus, you will be matched with your therapist by a real person, rather than an automated algorithm, which many platforms depend on.

A drawback to this platform is its fees. For starters, it doesn’t accept insurance. A single session costs $200, which is steep. The only way to bring this cost down a bit is to purchase four sessions for $720. Even then, each session is still $180. The initial consultation costs $50. While this fee is applied to your first session, it is not refundable if you don’t move forward with sessions on the platform.

While there are plenty of praises we can sing about Calm, it’s important to remember that Calm is an app best suited for use in addition to therapy. It can help you build up your tools to cope with challenging situations, but it isn’t a replacement for mental health treatment.

If you’re new to the world of online therapy, you might be feeling overwhelmed. From different subscription plans to being matched with a therapist you don’t connect with to figuring out how to switch to someone new, it can all be discouraging and might leave you wanting to forgo therapy altogether. Luckily, ZocDoc makes the process easier than ever, which is why we named it the easiest to use online therapy service for seniors.

ZocDoc functions as a directory — a major bonus for those who need something more flexible than a subscription can offer. With a directory, you can easily switch providers, sign up for sessions as needed, and not worry about being locked into a monthly payment plan.

Getting started is easy: You simply start by sharing your email. Then you’ll be asked a few personal questions, including your age, experience, and the issue you’d like mental health treatment for. Once this is completed, you’ll be presented with various providers that ZocDoc believes could be a good fit for you. We especially like that you can see the provider’s availability, pricing, and accepted insurance plans without even having to click on their profile — it’s all included in the small blurb accompanying their headshot in the search results.

We were quite impressed with the training and qualifications of the therapists on the platform. In fact, the one we worked with provided strong tools, warmth, and attunement within just three sessions. The only snag we had was figuring out the payment process, which was a bit confusing — but luckily, our provider addressed the issue swiftly.

WellQor is accessible when it comes to finances. Its website boasts that it is covered by most insurance plans, and that is no exaggeration. A wide range of plans, from Aetna to Medicare, are all considered in-network with WellQor. In the event that your health insurance isn’t accepted by WellQor, their out-of-pocket fees are reasonable. Without insurance, each session costs $125. For reference, we’ve seen therapy sessions cost up to $300 out-of-pocket while testing various platforms, so this is considered a decent price. What really sold us on WellQor is its personalized customer service. This is especially important for folks who are new to online therapy or who might have some anxiety about using technology they aren’t totally familiar with.

While we can’t sing WellQor’s praises enough, there are a few details to be aware of. First, not all of their therapists are trained in EMDR, so be sure to note that you’d like to work with someone who practices EMDR when signing up. Second, WellQor is currently only available in Arizona, California, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, Indiana, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin.

Since the mental health of older adults is often overlooked, it can be difficult to find a platform that focuses exclusively on seniors. Luckily, Total Life does just that. This online therapy platform accepts Medicare, is available in every state (except Illinois, which they’re working on changing soon), and has a roster of clinicians specifically trained to work with older adults. This means many of the issues they specialize in are ones that older people frequently face, such as cognitive decline, chronic pain, life transitions, and grief.

Mainstream conversations about mental health are relatively new, so some older adults may not be comfortable with the idea of seeking out therapy. Something we appreciate about Total Life is that they will hold consultations with concerned family members. Based on what is shared in the consultation call, they can guide family members on the next steps for getting their loved one started in therapy. Also, folks can opt to hold their sessions over the phone. This is great for those who aren’t comfortable using the technology required for virtual sessions.

We do have one qualm with the platform. While it clarifies that every therapist specializes in working with older adults, it does not list its providers or their bios. This personalized touch is definitely missing from the website.

While we are thrilled with the unique features Blue Moon Counseling offers, there are a few things left to be desired. Therapist bios are not listed on the website. This is not ideal, since having therapist bios can make the idea of starting therapy feel much more approachable. Additionally, it does not offer medication management.

Grouport has structured its skills group into two separate modules. The first module consists of 12 weekly meetings. These sessions set the foundation for basic DBT skills, such as practicing conflict resolution, learning how to regulate your emotions in difficult situations, and creating a mindfulness practice. The second module, which is the advanced DBT skills group, is a five-month-long curriculum where each month focuses on the key tenets of DBT, which are mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Keep in mind that there is a three-month commitment for the DBT skills group, which is the length of the first module. You’ll be billed $299 at the start of the first module. Once that module is complete, you’ll be billed $100 for every month after.