What is the right mental health app for you?
Here’s a curated guide to the mental health apps that are popular in 2023, so you know what you’re paying for. The list does not take into account any seasonal discounts. For each company, we touch on what they actually do, if there are any privacy concerns, and for how long you would need to use each app to actually see a benefit.
Links to the appropriate website(s) for reference are provided.
What is BetterHelp therapy in a nutshell?: BetterHelp is a tool that enables users to communicate with licensed therapists, both online and via their app. BetterHelp offers unlimited messaging, live chat, phone, and video sessions.
Price: $240 per month for weekly sessions.
Who is BetterHelp not suitable for? Patients who are cost-conscious, especially those who are mainly seeking therapy because they'd like someone to talk to.
How long does it take to benefit from BetterHelp?: After taking 30 minutes to take the sign-up quiz, it takes at least another 24 hours to be matched with someone. According to this forum, some therapists only respond to messages once a week.
Any data privacy concerns? Allegedly yes, according to this article.
What does the app Talkspace do: You can use Talkspace to speak with a therapist, and also to meet with a psychiatrist who can write prescriptions. Talkspace offers unlimited messaging and video sessions, with live chat and phone sessions available as add-ons.
Price: $260 per month.
Who is Talkspace not suitable for? Similar to BetterHelp, Talkspace may not be the best option for frugal patients, especially those who are mainly seeking therapy because they'd like need someone to talk to.
How long does it take to benefit from it: After taking an onboarding quiz, the company reports that you will be matched to a therapist within 48 hours. Therapists respond up to 5 days per week, during their normal business hours.
Any data privacy concerns? Allegedly yes, according to this article.
What is the Calm app used for: Calm offers pre-recorded guided meditations, and breathing exercises. This isn't an app that you'd necessarily use to talk to someone.
Price: $399.00, if you'd like full unlimited access, or you can get a monthly plan.
Who is Calm not suitable for? People who want a solution other than meditation. Calm's tools are geared towards general wellness and may not provide the same level of support as in-person therapy or online counseling.
How long does it take to benefit: You can access the guided meditations instantly because all content is pre-recorded.
Any data privacy concerns? Allegedly yes, according to this article.
What is Headspace used for: Headspace is a meditation app that is intended to help individuals improve their mental health and well-being by following guided meditation sessions and other mindfulness techniques. Similarly to Calm, this isn't an app that you'd necessarily use to talk to someone.
Price: $69.99 per year.
Who is Headspace not suitable for? Anyone who is looking for more in-depth support. The app helps you develop a daily meditation practice, and does not provide personalized treatment plans.
How long does it take to benefit: You can access the guided meditations instantly because all content is pre-recorded.
Any data privacy concerns? Not necessarily, but they do collect a lot of data from you.
What is 7 Cups: 7 Cups has a free option, where you can speak with un-licensed 'listeners' one on one, or in a community setting. There is also a premium version where you can speak to a licensed therapist via text message (unlike TalkSpace or BetterHelp, there are no real-time options for therapy via BetterHelp,) for $150 per month.
Cost: $150 per month to speak to a therapist via text.
Who is 7 Cups not suitable for? 7 Cups' listeners are volunteers, so as a result, their ability to provide emotional support may be limited. Also It can be difficult to build a strong therapeutic relationship through only text, so some users may find it more challenging to express themselves effectively in writing.
How long does it take to benefit? It can take 2 or 3 business days to be matched to a therapist. Therapists respond up to once or twice a day, during their normal business hours.
Any data privacy concerns? According to their privacy policy, they share user information with 3rd parties, also conversations that take place in the Community feature are intentionally not private.
What is Joyfully? Join Joyfully connects you to coaches and counselors who come from the same background as you, and we provide individualized words of encouragement and emotional support on demand.
Price: Currently available for 30 days FREE. We are also offering our services to companies, to help them with employee morale and productivity. Read more about this here.
Who is Join Joyfully not suitable for? We are not suitable for people who are thinking about harming themselves or others. If that's you, let us begin by reminding you that you are valuable, talented, and important. Please call one of the hotlines that are listed here.
How long does it take to benefit? You can speak to an Uplifter in 2 hours or less. We have Uplifters in 5 different time zones, so you can connect any day, at any time.
Any data privacy concerns? Mental health is as personal of a matter as it gets, so security is extremely important to us. All user data is encrypted, and your in-app experience in our app is completely anonymous. We do not sell any data to third parties.