Best Online Trauma Counseling

Pathlight Behavioral Centers has locations in several states and offers varying levels of care to treat eating disorders, mood and anxiety problems, and trauma for all ages and genders. Since trauma can manifest as other mental health issues (not just PTSD), this additional expertise makes Pathlight a resource for those with comorbid issues or for those whose trauma presents itself in different ways. 

According to its website, Pathlight strives to create “an environment of compassion, collaboration, integrity, inclusivity, accountability, and flexibility.” Its services are culturally informed and competent for individuals of all backgrounds. Depending on individual needs, telehealth, in-person, intensive outpatient, and inpatient services are available. Pathlight additionally offers both virtual and in-person support groups. 

Pathlight offers comprehensive care through therapy, psychiatry, and medical care, and its therapy interventions emphasize evidence-based treatment. It specifically offers a “trauma track” for effective treatment of trauma-related disorders.

With its myriad of treatment options, which emphasize evidence-based care as well as a tailored approach to individual needs, Pathlight stands out as a resource for trauma treatment. Its website also hosts a huge library of free educational resources, podcasts, blogs, brochures, and webinars. Potential clients can also request a free assessment to determine what type of treatment they need and whether Pathlight is the right fit for them.

Pathlight Behavioral Centers does not list self-pay rates on its website, but notes that self-pay rates are based on individual need. It is in-network with most private insurance plans and accepts Medicare and Medicaid in many states, making it accessible to many clients. The website indicates that a masters-level clinician talks each client through rates and payment options, and the provider will provide individualized information about out-of-pocket costs for each client.

Among the 105 users we surveyed, 72% said that Pathlight Behavioral Centers was better than other online therapy resources. Regarding the cost of treatment, 89% of users found Pathlight’s services to be affordable, and 81% indicated that it is a good value for the cost. Thirty-five percent of Pathlight Behavioral Center users were in treatment for trauma or abuse, and 18% received trauma-specific care.

Although Brightside’s marketing focuses on its treatment of anxiety and depression, it employs therapy and psychiatry providers who specialize in treating PTSD and other trauma-related disorders too.

Brightside emphasizes evidence-based care. Therapists use interventions and approaches that have research backing them and have been proven effective. In addition, clients gain access to self-paced exercises and lessons to enhance their coping skills in between sessions. All clients receive a "skill kit" that teaches cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques. Therapists monitor progress to determine what interventions are helping the client and to further tailor treatment to each client’s individual needs.

At the start of therapy, clients complete a free assessment on Brightside’s website to help determine what type of therapy and which therapist will be the best fit. 

In addition to offering a wide variety of free, self-guided self-care exercises on its website, Brightside has three low-cost subscription plans to choose from: medication management, therapy, or a combination of both. Users can save by bundling the two plans, and Brightside has a student discount. For those who want to use their insurance, Brightside is in-network with most plans. Overall, it offers low-cost, evidence-based trauma treatment.

Brightside is in-network with many insurance plans, which can significantly reduce the cost of care, and it accepts health savings account (HSA) payments. For those who do not have insurance or who choose to pay out of pocket, Brightside has three subscription plans:

• Medication: This plan is $95 per month and includes an evaluation with a prescriber, ongoing support, and monitoring and adjustment of medication as needed.
• Therapy: For $299 per month, clients receive four 30-minute video sessions with their therapist, unlimited asynchronous messaging, and the option to purchase additional video sessions for $59 each.
• Medication + therapy: For those who need both therapy services and psychiatric care, this plan is $349 per month and includes everything from both the medication and therapy plans.

Students can request a discount for out-of-pocket services with Brightside.

Most of the 105 users we surveyed had a positive impression of Brightside, with 90% ranking it positively overall. Seventy-five percent of users were satisfied or very satisfied with the therapist options on Brightside, and 86% rated the therapist qualifications as good, very good, or excellent. Seventy-five percent of those we surveyed would recommend Brightside to a friend, and 78% indicated that it was superior to other platforms they had used in the past. Ten percent of Brightside users are in therapy for trauma, and 13% are in therapy for abuse. Twenty-one percent reported receiving trauma-specific care.

Teladoc providers help with trauma-related disorders as well as many symptoms that can result from trauma, including anxiety, difficulty functioning, mood swings, and relationship issues. It accepts over 60 different insurance plans, making it the most affordable and accessible option for those using insurance to pay for mental health and trauma-related services.

When you sign up for mental health services with Teladoc, you complete a questionnaire about your symptoms, needs, and preferences in a provider. Teladoc then gives you a curated list of providers whose qualifications fit what you are looking for, and you can choose a therapist from this list. Clients can choose the therapist they feel would be the best fit for them, with Teladoc narrowing down choices to professionals qualified to meet their needs.

Teladoc works with adolescents starting at age 13 as well as adults. In addition to therapy services, it offers general health care as well as psychiatric and medication management services. If you require multidisciplinary treatment, Teladoc can accommodate this through one portal. 

In addition to mental health and medication management services, Teladoc’s website features a blog with countless free articles. Blog posts include educational information about various mental health topics, including trauma, as well as tips for managing your symptoms and how to support your loved ones.

Teladoc does not have subscription plans, so you only pay for services that you use. It is in-network with many insurance plans, and so most clients use their health insurance to cover the cost of services. According to our survey, 82% of users were able to use their insurance to cover the cost of their treatment with Teladoc. 

Without insurance, therapy sessions are $99 each. Psychiatry appointments are $209 for the first appointment and $109 per follow-up appointment.

Teladoc received consistently high ratings in our survey of 105 users. Specifically, 97% of users ranked it as good, very good, or excellent overall, and 86% would recommend it to a friend. Seventy-five percent stated that it was superior to other services they have used in the past, and 87% indicated that Teladoc is good value for the money. Eighty percent indicated that their Teladoc provider was able to meet most or all of their needs. Twelve percent of Teladoc users sought therapy for abuse, and an additional 11% were in treatment for trauma. Eleven percent of users received trauma-based therapy.

Currently, LifeStance offers telehealth and in-person care in 32 states, with plans to continue expanding. LifeStance providers work with clients of all ages, and it accepts most insurance plans as well as EAPs. 

Providers at LifeStance are not only trained in treating various types of trauma, but many are trained in trauma-specific therapies, including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), neurosequential modeling for complex trauma, and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT). LifeStance also can conduct psychological evaluations, which can provide specific information about an individual’s diagnoses and how their mental health symptoms manifest. An accurate diagnosis and personalized picture of symptoms can help create tailored treatment plans to meet individual needs.

LifeStance also offers psychiatry and medication management services, so individuals who want to pursue medication options to treat their trauma symptoms have the option to get this treatment as well as therapy. Its website hosts a myriad of blogs and educational resources that anyone can access for free.

Currently, LifeStance offers telehealth and in-person care in 32 states, with plans to continue expanding. LifeStance providers work with clients of all ages, and it accepts most insurance plans as well as EAPs. In 2021, LifeStance established the LifeStance Health Foundation, a non-profit organization that awards grants and scholarships to organizations who share its vision of destigmatizing and improving access to mental health care.

LifeStance does not include specific pricing information or have a pricing guide listed on its website. The website indicates that LifeStance is in-network with most insurance plans and accepts EAPs. Out-of-pocket fees vary based on location and range from $75 to $300 per session.

In our user survey, 76% of respondents said that LifeStance offers good value for the money, though only 57% found it affordable.

Sixteen percent of our respondents received trauma-specific care from LifeStance, and 29% of users were in treatment for abuse or trauma.

Of the 105 users we surveyed, 88% rated LifeStance positively overall. Ninety percent were satisfied with the therapist qualifications, and 73% were able to get most or all of their needs met. Additionally, 75% of users would recommend LifeStance to a friend, and 88% found it to be superior to other platforms they had tried in the past.

Racial trauma is insidious. It does not simply refer to hate crimes or overt violence; BIPOC individuals experience daily microaggressions that cause a buildup of stress over time. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find a therapist who can understand and address the impact of racial trauma.

Array Behavioral Care is taking steps to meet the needs of those who experience racial trauma. Providers and other staff complete training in diversity awareness and cultural competency. Additionally, many providers have expertise and specialized training in trauma-related disorders. 

Array Behavioral Care’s website includes a blog of educational materials and a database of mental health resources. It offers consultation for other organizations to improve quality of patient care, and it partners with various organizations to increase access to mental health and psychiatric services across the United States.

Due to factors including colonization, lack of rural resources, and providers lacking cultural competency, Native Americans’ mental health needs often go unmet in the United States. Array Behavioral Care has partnered with several tribal communities, including the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, Forest County Potawatomi, and Oneida Indian Nation to provide telehealth and telepsychiatry services to Native American clients. Array requires that all providers complete cultural competency training to understand tribal cultural needs and provide informed care that does not perpetuate structural racism or colonization to Native American clients.

Array Behavioral Care does not have subscription plans, so you only pay for services used.

• Therapy: $115 for an initial appointment, $75 for a 45-minute follow-up, $107.50 for a 60-minute follow-up
• Adult psychiatry: $210 for an initial appointment, $115 to $225 for follow-ups depending on the length and complexity of the appointment
• Child/adolescent psychiatry: $275 for an initial appointment, $150 to $350 for follow-ups

Fifteen percent of Array users receive trauma-specific care. Twenty-five percent of users are in treatment for trauma or abuse.

Of those who responded to our survey, 71% rated Array positively overall. Seventy-five percent were able to connect with a provider who met most or all of their needs, and 72% were satisfied with their therapist’s qualifications. Sixty-five percent of users would recommend Array to a friend, and 81% indicated that Array was superior to other platforms they had used in the past.

Amwell is a telehealth platform that offers mental health, psychiatry, medical, and urgent care services, and it is currently one of the biggest telehealth platforms out there. Even within the scope of mental health, Amwell offers a huge variety of services compared to other platforms, providing individual, couples, and family therapy sessions.

Amwell’s providers treat trauma-related disorders as well as other mental health issues that can be triggered by trauma, such as depression and anxiety. Parents or guardians can sign up children as young as 10 for telemental health services, so whether you are an adult who wants to address the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on your life now or are the parent of a child who has experienced ACEs, Amwell’s providers with specialization in trauma can help.

Amwell offers appointments any time of the day or night, so users can find a provider with availability that works in their schedule It offers psychiatric care and medication management, so users who want to pursue medication as a component of their treatment have the option to do so through one convenient platform.

In addition to scheduling therapy sessions, Amwell’s portal allows clients to send messages to their therapist between appointments. This can be helpful if something comes up or if you need to update your therapist before your next session (or give the therapist an update on your child).

Amwell charges per session and does not have subscription plans, so you only pay for the services that you use. It is in-network with most insurance plans, so if you have health insurance, there is a good chance that your coverage will help offset the cost of services.

For those who do not have insurance or who do not wish to use their insurance to cover their mental health care, the cost depends on the therapist’s credentials. Master's level clinicians are $109 per session, and doctoral level clinicians are $129 per session.

Eighty-eight percent of Amwell users who responded to our survey indicated that their experience with the platform was positive overall, rating it as good, very good, or excellent. Sixty-six percent found the services to be affordable, and 88% indicated that the cost of care was good value for the service received. Eighty-seven percent were able to find a provider who met most or all of their needs.

Of those we surveyed, 10% of Amwell users received trauma-focused care. Nineteen percent were in treatment for abuse, and 8% sought services for trauma treatment.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 60% of people over 18 has experienced at least one Adverse Childhood Experience. Many lack the resources or parental support to seek mental health services in childhood. Additionally, many do not label their experience as traumatic or realize how it impacted them until they go out on their own. This means countless college students are processing trauma for the first time and require specialized care.

The demand and need for mental health care on college campuses continues to increase. Adequate mental health care increases academic performance, reduces dropout rates, and provides higher quality of life for students. Mantra’s mission is to fill this need.

Mantra Health prioritizes evidence-based, collaborative care with its clients, meaning that it works both with each university and each client to ensure that clients’ needs are met. In addition to therapy, medication, and crisis care, Mantra providers help with lifestyle shifts, including sleep and nutrition, to support improvements in clients’ mental health. Mantra Health prioritizes trauma-informed care, and many of its providers specialize in treating trauma.

Since Mantra Health partners with colleges and universities, students need a referral from their campus counseling center to sign up in order to access their sponsored sessions. However, out-of-pocket sessions with Mantra Health are also available to the general public. 

Mantra Health’s partnerships with various universities means that the cost of care varies depending on your school’s plan. Many universities cover the cost of a certain number of sessions, but Mantra Health’s website notes that “Students may be responsible for service fees, including no-shows, late cancellations, or in some cases, co-pays on sponsored sessions.” Students are advised to check with their university to determine coverage. If a student pursues medication intervention, they must cover the cost of their medication.

Mantra Health permits self-pay or insurance pay for those who have used all of their sponsored sessions as well as for the general public.

Self-pay costs for Mantra Health are as follows:

• $125 for a therapy intake (60 minutes)
• $90 for a follow-up therapy session (45 minutes)
• $180 for a psychiatry intake (60 minutes)
• $125 for a psychiatry follow-up appointment (30 minutes)

Among our survey respondents, 29% of Mantra users were in therapy for trauma or abuse treatment. Sixteen percent received trauma-specific care.

Mantra Health’s users had an overall positive experience with the platform, with 90% rating the service as good, very good, or excellent. Seventy-one percent were able to find a therapist who met most or all of their needs, and 86% indicated that the therapists on the platform were well-qualified to help them. However, only 65% were satisfied with the therapist options available, indicating that they might want more diversity of training and backgrounds. Seventy-one percent of Mantra users would recommend the platform to a friend.

Trauma is not limited to the specific traumatic event and the individual involved. Research has shown that trauma impacts genetic expression and can even change our DNA. Trauma is passed down through generations, and the impact can persist for multiple generations even if the offspring do not experience trauma themselves.

This is why it is important for trauma-informed providers to understand the impact of intergenerational trauma as well as the impact of trauma on the individual. Thriveworks offers educational resources on its blog, including information about the intergenerational impacts of trauma.

Thriveworks is presently available in 45 states for in-person or telehealth services. Clients can indicate their preference for in-person or online services as well as their mental health needs, and then choose from a list of available providers. Thriveworks reports that it strives to get people appointments quickly, often within 48 hours. Finding a therapist can be an uphill battle, and knowing you will be able to meet with your therapist quickly can make it easier for people to reach out.

In addition, Thriveworks offers individual and family therapy for all ages, so parents seeking to break the cycle of trauma within their family can use these resources to create positive change within their family.

According to Thriveworks’s website, the cost per session depends on your insurance coverage as well as your location. However, the out-of-pocket rate  for sessions at Thriveworks is typically $99. It does not have subscription plans, so you only pay for individual sessions.

Some of its locations are able to accept Medicare and Medicaid, but this varies.

Of the users we surveyed, 90% would rate Thriveworks positively overall, and 78% found a provider who met most or all of their needs. Regarding Thriveworks therapists, 88% of users found the qualifications good, very good, or excellent, 89% indicated that the number of providers available was sufficient, and 70% appreciated the additional resources available. Eighty percent would recommend Thriveworks to a friend.

Possibly due to its variety of trauma-related services and quick availability, 31% of Thriveworks users sought treatment for trauma or abuse. Additionally, 22% received trauma-specific care.

When many people think of relationship trauma, they think of domestic violence. However, relationship trauma can happen for a lot of reasons, including gaslighting and other forms of emotional abuse, abandonment, and toxic friendships. Regardless of the cause, trauma in a past relationship can make it difficult to connect with and trust those in your relationships going forward.

MDLIVE treats a myriad of presenting issues and concerns, including specializations in trauma, ending relationships, and starting new relationships. Past relationship trauma can make it difficult to move forward and develop new, healthy relationships, so MDLIVE can help regardless of where you are in your healing journey. It offers therapy as well as medication management, and the company strives to make both medical and mental health care accessible regardless of location or financial means.

According to its website, MDLIVE offers flexible scheduling, with providers offering weekend and evening availability for those with busy schedules. Users can review provider bios and expertise and choose a therapist who fits their needs. MDLIVE employs providers with a variety of backgrounds, including many with training in trauma disorders and trauma-informed care.

MDLIVE is in-network with most insurance plans and works with your insurance to decrease the cost of care. In addition to therapy, MDLIVE offers psychiatry, medical, and urgent care, so users can get all their care needs met through one convenient platform.

MDLIVE accepts most insurance plans to help cover the cost of care. For those who do not have insurance or do not want to use their insurance, sessions with your therapist are $108. Psychiatric care is $284 for the initial visit and $108 for follow-up visits. Therapy sessions are 45 to 60 minutes in length, and psychiatric sessions are 15 to 30 minutes.

Our survey indicated overall positive impressions for MDLIVE, with 91% rating it positively, and 83% were able to find a provider who met most or all of their needs. Ninety-four percent rated the therapist qualifications as good, very good, or excellent, and 84% would recommend MDLIVE to a friend. Additionally, 73% found it superior to other platforms they had tried in the past.

Twenty-eight percent of MDLIVE users sought therapy from the platform due to trauma or abuse, and 17% requested trauma-specific care.

Included Health is a platform that offers mental healthcare, primary care, specialty care, and urgent care for individuals with coverage through their employer, plus their dependents. It is available to the general public as well, and it is in-network with most insurance plans. It helps connect users with appropriate services and understand the benefits available to them through their employer or insurance plan.

In addition to treating various trauma-related disorders, Included Health’s website states that its providers can help with trauma related to grief and loss. We often overlook the impact of grief on our lives because it is a universal experience. However, grief is difficult to overcome because we never fully “get over” the loss of a loved one. In addition, when we lose someone in an unexpected or violent way, or when we do not have appropriate resources to cope, grief can be traumatic.

Included Health’s website says that it offers “therapy, psychiatry, and coaching integrated with our medical practice for whole-person health.” Users can get their various needs met through one platform. You can choose your therapist from the providers available after browsing their credentials and expertise to find someone who is a fit for your needs, and you can change providers at any time if you feel someone else would be a better fit.

If your employer offers benefits through Included Health, your medical, specialty, urgent care, and therapy may be free for you and your dependents. For those who do not have a plan through their employer, Included Health works with most insurance plans, and your cost will depend on your copay or deductible.

Included Health’s website does not indicate its costs if you are paying out-of-pocket.

Respondents in our survey had an overall positive experience with Included Health, with 84% ranking it good, very good, or excellent overall and 87% indicating it was superior to other platforms they have used in the past. Seventy-six percent found the platform helpful in matching them to a therapist, and 79% were satisfied with the qualifications of the therapists on the platform. In addition, 72% would recommend Included Health to a friend.

Of those we surveyed, 22% sought treatment for trauma or abuse, and 10% received trauma-focused care.

Group therapy can be an effective and affordable treatment option. Trauma survivors might find comfort and support by connecting with others who have gone through similar experiences. Mindful Care offers SAFE, a 12-week psychotherapy group aimed at helping trauma survivors.

SAFE includes cognitive behavioral and interpersonal interventions to develop skills to manage trauma symptoms, including developing and using healthy coping mechanisms, engaging in appropriate self-care, and pursuing healthy relationships. Group sessions are 60 minutes long and meet weekly.

In addition to group therapy, Mindful Care offers individual therapy and medication management. Therapy consists of both typical individual therapy sessions and “microtherapy,” brief, 20-minute sessions when you just need to connect and check in with your therapist. It focuses on evidence-based care to alleviate mental health issues and meet individual needs.

Clients can connect with an individual therapist in addition to participating in the group if desired. Additionally, those who feel they would benefit from medication management can get a referral for psychiatric care. Providers offer care for trauma and a variety of other mental health issues that can be secondary to trauma, including substance use, depression, anxiety, and anger.

Mindful Care accepts a huge variety of insurance plans and is a Medicare and Medicaid provider. For those paying out-of-pocket, services are priced at the following rates:

• Therapy intake: $150
• Therapy follow-up: $100 for a 40-minute session, $50 for a 20-minute “microtherapy” session
• Group session: $35
• Psychiatry intake: $175
• Psychiatry follow-up: $75

Twenty-one percent of Mindful Care users sought support due to abuse, and 15% indicated that trauma was their primary reason for seeking services. In addition, 17% sought trauma-specific care.

According to our survey, 92% of Mindful Care’s users were satisfied with the care they received, and 82% were able to find a provider who met most or all of their needs. An incredible 95% rated the therapist qualifications positively, and 83% would recommend the company to a friend. Sixty-six percent would use it again themselves.

If you are looking for a therapist who understands you, Clinicians of Color is a directory that allows you to search for a provider based on your needs and preferences. Many of the therapists listed specialize in treatment for issues related to trauma, and users can search for a provider who takes their method of payment or who is within their budget.

Clinicians of Color emphasizes the importance of finding a therapist who understands you, with an additional emphasis on social justice. This includes acknowledging the harm the mental health system has caused BIPOC clients and communities, while working towards systemic changes to prevent further harm. Clinicians who list themselves on this directory indicate support of these goals as well.

In addition to finding a therapist, potential clients can browse Clinicians of Color’s blog, which covers a wide variety of topics about mental health, social justice, and self-care. Those who are hesitant about starting therapy can learn about the process and better understand the difficulties they are having through this educational resource.

While Clinicians of Color does not currently have providers in all states, it lists more than 12,000 therapists and continues to grow.

Each therapist on Clinicians of Color sets their own rate. Many accept insurance and have sliding scale fee options available to make therapy affordable.

Of the 25 directories we researched, Clinicians of Color received the highest overall positive rating from the 180 users we surveyed, with 84% rating it positively overall. Seventy-five percent found the website to be user-friendly, and 95% were able to find a therapist who met most or all of their needs. Ninety-four percent were satisfied with the therapist options available on the platform.

Thirteen percent of users indicated that they sought therapy specifically for trauma, and 23% received either trauma-focused or trauma systems therapy.