As a father, it’s important that you do your best to remain healthy and strong for your family. This includes your mental health, as well. Thankfully, more men are turning away from the traditional approach of remaining stoic right up until the breaking point, and towards getting the help that allows them to maintain healthier relationships and be there for those they care about. Sometimes, it’s not always easy to access the care that you need, which is where online mental health services can be hugely helpful. Here, we’re going to look at some of the best and what sets them apart.
Manhattan Mental Health Counseling – Personalized, Boutique Treatment For New Yorkers
While many of the platforms we look at are more broadly available, Manhattan Mental Health Counseling stands as an example of the highly effective and specialized treatment you can access in specific locations. They provide accessible, insurance-friendly care for adults and teens, with over 80 licensed therapists that integrate a wide range of approaches such as CBT, DBT, somatic therapies, and holistic modalities. It works through a system of personalized therapist matching and rematching based on the needs, goals, and preferred therapy style of the user.
Pros:
- Accepts many major insurance plans
- Highly personalized matching with therapists.
- Wide range of therapeutic approaches.
Cons:
- Available to New York users only.
- Limited availability for the most popular times.
BetterHelp – Flexible, Accessible Therapy Wherever You Are
One of the more popular options as of late, BetterHelp is an online therapy platform that can connect you to licensed therapists for video sessions, live chat, phone calls, and messaging. It can connect you with specialists for anxiety, depression, trauma, and more, using a helpful questionnaire that pairs you up with the counselor best suited to your needs, with the easy option to switch whenever a therapist isn’t working out for you.
Pros:
- Large directory of licensed therapies for different specialists
- No-cost therapist switching
- Flexible communication formats
Cons:
- Doesn’t accept insurance
- No psychiatry or medication options
TalkSpace – Therapy And Psychiatry In One Place
As an online mental health and psychiatry platform, Talkspace offers individual therapy, couples therapy, and even medication management. It offers multiple communication methods, such as messaging, video, and audio calls, depending on your plan. This includes unlimited messaging with therapists, allowing frequent check-ins for those who require it. They also accept a wide range of insurance plans, making their services more accessible to more people. The added psychiatric evaluation and medication prescription services make it more of an all-in-one service.
Pros:
- Accepts many major insurance provider plans.
- Offers psychiatry, not just therapy.
- Unlimited messages with therapists.
Cons:
- Inconsistent therapist quality
- Short video sessions
Online-Therapy.com – A Dedicated CBT-Platform
Built around the practice of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (or CBT), Online-Therapy.com offers a structured platform that incorporates not just live sessions, but worksheets, guided journaling, mood tracking, and other tools that users can access to manage their mental health on a long-term basis. Weekly live chats, be it through text, phone, or video, are still included, but it works very well for those who benefit from homework-styled therapy that they can carry on in their own time. A highly effective option for those looking to build the tools to manage anxiety, negative thinking, and other long-term mental health habits.
Pros:
- Highly structured program for day-to-day management
- Wide range of wellness tools
- Very affordable online mental health tool.
Cons:
- Limited only to CBT.
- The basic model is limited, with no live therapy provisions.
7 Cups – One Of The Best Stops For Free, Anonymous Support
Although it has both free and paid options, 7 Cups is perhaps best known as a tool for those who are looking for anonymous, immediate emotional support. The free offering operates through a network of trained volunteers, called “listeners,” who offer basic emotional support through text-based chats, 24/7. Meanwhile, the paid option offers online therapy with licensed therapists. 7 Cups is also largely based around the idea of sustaining a support community, with forums, themed support groups, and tools for self-guided mental health, as well.
Pros:
- Great feeling of peer-to-peer connection and support
- Anonymous and low pressure.
- Support available for free, 24/7.
Cons:
- Volunteer listeners are not licensed therapists.
- Paid therapy options aren’t as comprehensive as others.
Calmerry – A Budget-Friendly Alternative To Traditional Therapy
An online therapy service that is designed with affordability and accessibility, Calmerry offers both weekly and monthly plans that allow users to communicate with licensed therapists through messaging, video sessions, or both. It also provides tools for self-management, such as journaling tools and mood trackers. Its friendly interface makes it easy for those who are looking to try out therapy for the first time. It uses a questionnaire to pair users with therapists who specialize in a wide range of issues, including anger management, PTSD, OCD, grief, and more.
Pros:
- Very budget-friendly option.
- Highly flexible.
- Multiple communication formats with unlimited messaging.
Cons:
- Doesn’t accept insurance.
- No free options available.
Cerebral – Streamlined Therapy And Medication Management Platform
Offering a more medicalized approach to many online-only platforms, Cerebral offers both therapy and medication management. Users work with a licensed prescriber, who evaluates their needs, which is then followed up by access to therapists or care counselors to support their ongoing treatment, many specializing in anxiety, depression, ADHD, insomnia, and more. Recently, there have been some changes in the types of controlled substances that the service is willing to prescribe, but it’s still a valid option for many needs.
Pros:
- Therapy and medication management in one place.
- Medication prescription is available in all 50 states.
- Accepts FSA/HSA payments.
Cons:
- Limits on what controlled substances it can prescribe
- Some users have indicated delayed prescriptions.
Where Should You Get The Help You Want?
Which of the above services is best for you is going to depend on a range of factors, from your budget to the specific kinds of problems you’re dealing with. It’s worth taking a closer look at those that are applicable to your needs, and to take the time for consultation if they’re available.
