These Are The Best Online Addiction Counseling Options

We chose BetterHelp for the accessible, affordable, and convenient therapy it provides, at a low weekly subscription rate. BetterHelp has therapists trained to treat addiction and provides articles and other resources on the website to help inform and educate you on behavioral and substance addictions and related treatments.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, cost may be a frustrating obstacle in getting connected to care. Therapy is available, at a relatively affordable price, with BetterHelp. The company offers therapy at a comparatively low subscription rate of $60 to $90 per week, which is more affordable than the average range of $65 to $250 per hour (depending on where you live and which services you need) for traditional outpatient addiction therapy.

Sign-up is relatively easy, and you can expect to be matched with a therapist within 48 hours. The therapist you are matched with is likely to be an expert in the particular aspect of addiction care you need, including behavioral addictions such as sex, pornography, shopping, internet, gambling, food, and more. To find out if your specific addiction needs can be met through BetterHelp, apply through the website to be matched with an experienced therapist. Licensed psychologists, social workers, family and marriage therapists, and counselors are all available.

Once matched, you can book talk therapy appointments that fit your schedule. You will also have unlimited access to text and messaging via an online private counseling room with your therapist. If, for whatever reason, you and your therapist are not a good match, you can easily request to switch.

As strongly as we recommend BetterHelp as an affordable treatment option for addiction, it is worth noting that the company does not offer psychiatry or medication management services, unlike some of the other choices on this list and so, may not be the best choice for those needing medical services as part of their addiction treatment plan.

BetterHelp costs $60 to $90 per week, depending on your location, demand, and therapist credentials, and whether you choose to be billed weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Insurance is not accepted. If you cancel before your paid term is up, you will receive a prorated refund. 

Our user survey results of over 105 users report 58% of customers found BetterHelp to be affordable or very affordable with another 28% reporting somewhat affordable. As for quality of services, 86% of BetterHelp customers rating services as good, very good, or excellent, and 76% said most, or all of their needs were met by their therapist, and 77% said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the therapist options available. Eighty-seven percent of users thought their therapist’s qualifications were good, very good, or excellent, but only 18% felt Better Help’s therapists had superior addiction counseling training than competitors.

Monument focuses on providing affordable therapy and medication management for those with alcohol use disorder. Users can access individual talk therapy, therapist-led community support, and anonymous chatting, which are all key aspects of effective alcohol use treatment plans

Monument provides alcohol use disorder treatment exclusively, through both medication management and online therapy, setting it apart from other options. Joining Monument includes a thoughtful and thorough questionnaire regarding your current alcohol use, treatment goals, and how your alcohol use has been affecting your life, relationships, and behavior over the last year. Your responses are used to determine the details of your alcohol use so that Monument can match you with the best therapist and treatment plan for your needs. This attention to detail may improve your care and service from the start.

Your therapist will work with you to set and achieve goals centered around your alcohol use, whether you’d prefer to cut back on your alcohol use or stop completely. Therapists at Monument utilize research-baked therapeutic techniques for alcohol use disorder, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which encourages you to challenge your own assumptions and behaviors, and motivational interviewing, which helps you to find your own motivation to change your behavior. Various practices are recommended as part of the standard of care, and are used by therapists for the best outcomes for alcohol use disorder specifically.

Monument is unique in that medication management is available on top of counseling services, with prescriptions for naltrexone and disulfiram, two medications which are approved by the FDA to treat alcohol use disorder and can help you cut back or discontinue using alcohol. Follow-up appointments with a physician are recommended through Monument for managing your medication every four weeks.

Monument is available in 19 U.S. states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, plus Washington, DC.

Weekly or bi-weekly sessions lasting 45 minutes with Monument therapists are available using audio, messaging, or video. You have a choice of scheduling based on your availability and can cancel up to 24 hours before your session without being charged. Late and missed appointment fees will apply if you do not cancel with more than 24 hours' notice. 

• Medical services start at a base of $9.99 per month, with an additional $45 initial fee for a physician evaluation. 
• Total care biweekly plan includes unlimited physician appointments and two therapy sessions per month for $149
• Total care weekly plan includes unlimited physician appointments (45-minutes long) and weekly sessions for $249 per month.

In a survey of 105 clients, 77% reported their therapists’ qualifications as good, very good, or excellent, and 48% said the care they received was the best they’ve had, with an additional 30% reporting that Monument provided equal care to support they’ve received in the past. Moreover, 73% of Monument clients thought their therapist met most or all of their needs.

Teens have unique needs when it comes to addiction counseling, and Teen Counseling serves this population with therapists that are trained to help those aged 13 to 19 with the concerns that matter to them in an individual, confidential, and convenient format.

If your teen is struggling with addiction, finding a supportive place to get help can be challenging. Many online counseling services limit care to those over 18. But Teen Counseling, which is owned and operated by BetterHelp, specifically serves the growing population of teens experiencing mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, in addition to addiction. As with BetterHelp, prices are lower than most competitors, and communication options include messaging, live chat, phone, and video communication, with messaging available 24/7. Membership includes four monthly sessions (one per week), which are confidential unless a risk of self-harm is suspected.

Both teens and their caregivers can sign up through BetterHelp for therapy that is specifically focused on improving teens’ mental health and parenting skills for those with kids aged 13 to 19. Sessions are conducted separately and privately, with caregivers able to initiate therapy and invite their teen. Each therapist has at least 1,000 hours of experience and these providers range from accredited psychologists, clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists.

Teens and caregivers can get help with issues such as substance abuse and addiction, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, relationships, self-esteem, coping skills, trauma, anger, and bullying. Teen Counseling makes efforts to match clients with a therapist that best suits their specific needs, but if they are not satisfied with their matched therapist, they may ask to switch at any time.

Teen Counseling ranges from $60 to $90 per week, depending on where you live and demand in that area. You will likely not know the exact cost until sign-up is complete. Insurance is not accepted, which may make Teen Counseling less ideal for those hoping to use insurance coverage. There is also no free trial to see if the services are a good match before committing. Membership includes four 30-minute live sessions per month plus unlimited messaging.

Membership includes four monthly sessions (one per week), which are confidential unless breach of confidentiality terms are met, since licensed providers are required to be mandated reporters if they suspect someone is at risk of self-harm or harming someone else (or if there is elder or child abuse).

Of 105 users surveyed, 85% said that their experience with Teen Counseling was good, very good, or excellent. However, live sessions are only 30 minutes, which for some may not be long enough to dig deep into all of the concerns teens and caregivers may have. This may be why only 34% felt their therapist was understanding or open-minded, and only 16% felt the therapist cared about their well-being.

Calmerry is an affordable form of therapy offering help with overcoming eating disorders, including food addiction. Users receive the unlimited ability to message their therapist and one-on-one live video sessions via an easy-to-use app.

Food addiction can have many root causes and looks different for each person dealing with it. A supportive and knowledagble therapist who understands the challenges faced by those dealing with food addiction is likely to provide the best help. Calmerry is a convenient and affordable counseling service that offers therapy for those with eating disorders and food addiction, as well as other issues including anxiety, depression, OCD, low-self esteem, grief and trauma, and more. 

Therapists with Calmerry are psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, or licensed professional therapists and have a master’s or doctoral degree. Calmerry’s experts try to match you with the best therapist to fit your needs, so you can expect to receive care from a counselor who understands food addiction and can help you work through it. 

Plans vary but start with messaging only, which is unlimited. You can also choose one to have one 30-minute live video session per month or four sessions per month. Your counselor will help you set goals to work on between sessions, and you can keep in contact through unlimited messaging. You’ll have to register for an account to view plans and prices. Insurance is not accepted but you can request documentation to submit to your insurer for reimbursement. Unfortunately, there is no free trial, but there is a discount offered on the first month so you can experience services before fully committing at the full cost.

• Messaging only: $167 per month
• Messaging plus one video chat per month: $207 per month
• Messaging plus four video chats per month: $269 per month

Of 105 users of Calmerry surveyed, 61% felt their therapist met most, or all of their needs and 84% felt their therapist’s credentials were good, very good, or excellent. Overall, 86% were pleased with their experience using Camerry and its therapists.

Mindful Care provides individual psychiatric care, therapy, and group therapy, along with medication-assisted treatment specifically for treating some addictions for a competitive price. Urgent, same-day therapy sessions, microsessions, and longer scheduled sessions are available for those in need who might be facing urges and need responsive care.

Finding help and medication management for addiction can take time and feel frustrating. For this reason, Mindful Care was founded by a fellowship-trained addiction psychiatrist who wanted to address the needs of those left waiting for long periods for care, and at risk of self-medicating or self-harming in the meantime. To help these people, Mindful Care includes both group therapy and medication management from one private source. Anyone who is not ready for or does not want to participate in individual therapy can still access and benefit from group sessions, which are shown to help those with use disorders. 

Mindful Care has a specific addiction and substance use treatment plan, called Mindful Recovery, which provides coaching for those with alcohol or substance use issues while also offering medication management. The program is suitable for anyone considering recovery or currently in recovery, and offers ongoing support through all recovery stages.  

After a recovery plan is drafted, those who require medication will be referred to a prescriber who can help them. Patients must be 18 and over, and Mindful Care recommends staying in the recovery program for at least a year; however, you can remain in care for as long as you wish. States served: Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, and New York.

Mindful Care accepts insurance. The out-of-pocket costs vary based on the services you choose.

• Psychiatry: $175 for evaluation; $75 per 20-minute follow-up
• Group therapy: $150 for a 20- to 25-minute evaluation; $35 per subsequent group session
• Individual therapy: $50 for 20-minute sessions; $100 for 40-minute sessions. 
• Addiction and substance use treatment: $49 per month; for weekly recovery support, monitoring, group and/or individual therapy, and medication management

Mindful Care has excellent user ratings with 92% rating satisfaction with services as good, very good, or excellent. Ninety-six percent of users felt their therapists’ qualifications were good, very good, or excellent, and 43% would recommend Mindful Care’s services to a friend or family member.

Recovery Village is specifically focused on helping those with addiction and use disorders. While many addiction counseling programs focus on substances or alcohol, Recovery Village offers therapy specific to video game and internet, using evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy and support.

Recovery Village offers online therapy and progress tracking through the company’s app, Nobu. The company’s website also contains a wide range of helpful information and resources about behavioral and substance abuse and treatments. You can use the app to message a therapist, who will respond five days per week, once per day. Or, you can choose a plan that includes live video sessions once or four times a month.

Using the app's free version, you can access features such as clinical assessments, journaling and mood tracking, educational content, mindfulness training, nutrition help, yoga, goal setting, and progress tracking. These useful features can help those with addictions get a clearer picture of potential triggers, how they are progressing and improving, and aid them in developing new outlets for their feelings. Messaging your therapist using the app is a premium feature that requires a paid subscription. You can also book and attend sessions with a therapist through the premium app and receive aftercare for addiction treatment and medication management.

The therapists with Recovery Village are licensed to treat substance and behavioral abuse issues. They use evidence-based treatments such as medications, individual and group therapy, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral therapy and may help with co-occurring diagnoses. Nobu is only available for those aged 18 and up.

There is a 90% off promotion for the first month of premium services on Nobu. Subscription plans vary. Unused video sessions do not roll over to the next month if you miss one, so you must use the ones you’ve paid for within that month.

• Messaging only: $65 per week
• Messaging with one 45-minute live video session per month: $79 per week
• Messaging with four 45-minute live video sessions per month: $99 per week

While we did not personally review this service, overall the reviews online are very positive, with one reviewer saying, “The Recovery Village saved my life and filled me with hope for a sober life!  All of my needs were met and the staff became like family to me.”

The Mindful Habit offers discreet online individual and group coaching for people with addiction to pornography and their partners. All programming is based on scientific practices and does not rely on principles of other models for addiction treatment, such as religious-based.

Pornography addiction can cause a divide in relationships that can be difficult to overcome. The Mindful Habit was created by a person who formally struggled with sex and porn addiction who wanted to help others overcome the devastating effects these issues can cause in relationships and people’s lives. The program is available online or over the phone for discreet and confidential help. All coaching is done with a non-judgmental attitude in a secular, science-based format. However, it's worth noting that the program advertises itself as being for men and their partners, and does not seem to cater directly to folks of other gender identities who have porn and sex addictions.

Work done in The Mindful Habit counseling program includes learning mindfulness techniques, identifying and dealing with triggers, learning to master good habits, creating goals, tracking progress, and being accountable. All coaching for men includes support and counseling for their spouse or partner in the Healing Betrayal Trauma Group Coaching Program so couples can heal together. This program helps improve communication between partners to promote the repair of their relationships, and helps both partners develop a plan for dealing with triggers and learning to move forward. The core recovery program uses the company's proprietary The Mindful Habit System, videos, workbooks, and weekly sessions with a coach to assist clients.

The Mindful Habit offers a 100% 30-day money-back guarantee on its plans. 

• Core Recovery program: $499 for 16 weeks of access to weekly coaching sessions, system, workbook, and videos.
• Men’s group coaching intensive: $3800 upfront or 3 monthly payments of $1350; Initial one-on-one coaching session, 24 group coaching calls per month, plus access to the core recovery program and a support forum.
• One-on-one 12-week intensive: $18,000 or 3 monthly payments of $6350; one full weekly session plus one breakthrough weekly session to stay on track, phone, text, and email support, workbook, partner support, long-term aftercare community support
  

We did not enlist a first-hand review of this service, however, the online reviews are generally positive. One reviewer said, “The Mindful Habit showed passion, excellence, and commitment to me and my husband from beginning to end.”

Circles is a convenient option for those looking for group support. You can access sobriety-based groups led by professionals and participate in anonymous audio conversations, whether by simply listening in, or joining to share your own experiences.

Having others listen to your struggles, goals, and victories can feel empowering and motivating. Likewise, providing that support for others in similar situations can be rewarding. Circles provides a space for emotional support groups that are facilitated by professionals. For sobriety-based sessions, group participation is free. You can choose to join anonymously to share or just listen to the facilitator and others group members. If you also need closed, focused group sessions for dealing with separation, divorce, or grief, those are available in the premium version of Circles for a fee.

Using Circles’ group counseling along with alternative one on one therapy can help you keep in contact with others dealing with addictions, which can help you feel less alone and more supported. In fact, research shows that group therapy can improve outcomes for those facing addictions. It offers an anonymous alternative to in-person or social media-based support groups and provides space to listen to and share with others who understand what you may be going through. Facilitators are professionally licensed psychologists, social workers, or therapists.

The website also offers self-help resources, guides, and webinars for free so you can learn more about stress management, navigating relationships, building healthy habits, setting boundaries, and more.

Joining peer group therapy for sobriety is free; the premium version for grief, separation, and divorce is $79 per month. The first meeting in premium is free, and financial assistance may be available. 

Out of 105 users of Circles surveyed, 100% felt that the service was the same, a little better, better, or much better than other services they’ve tried, with no users feeling it was worse. Sixty-six percent of users were satisfied or very satisfied with their Circles facilitators. Eighty percent were overall satisfied with their experience using Circles.