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Postpartum depression causes a persistent low mood after giving birth. This differs from the “baby blues” that many new parents experience. Online postpartum therapy can improve treatment access and may be effective for this condition.
- Best for confidentiality: Betterhelp | Skip to review
- Best option for choosing a therapist: Talkspace | Skip to review
- Best for skill building: Brightside | Skip to review
- Best for volunteer listeners: 7Cups | Skip to review
- Best for 24-hour access: Amwell | Skip to review
- Best for subscription service: Hers | Skip to review
- Best for quick access to care: Doctor on Demand | Skip to review
- Best for flexible service: Thriveworks | Skip to review
- Best for support groups: Postpartum Support International | Skip to review
- Best for membership-based services: TherapyTribe | Skip to review
- Best for cost-effective support: Sesh | Skip to review
Postpartum depression is a serious mental health condition that can affect every aspect of a person’s life, including their physical and mental health and their baby’s health. It typically develops more slowly, lasts longer, and is more severe than the “baby blues.”
A person with postpartum depression may benefit from seeking treatment from a medical professional.
Typical postpartum therapy
Medical News Today chooses online therapy using the following criteria:
- Type of therapy: services that offer talk therapy, psychiatry, and counseling
- Prescriptions: services that offer medication where necessary
- Availability: services that offer access to therapists in a timely manner
- Insurance coverage: services that accept a range of insurance providers
- Cost: services that fit a range of budgets
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these services. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best for confidentiality: Betterhelp
- Price: $60–90/week
- Special features: allows a user to create a “nickname” to protect anonymity
Betterhelp states that its practitioners are licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists, clinical social workers, therapists, and counselors.
People can communicate with their therapists through video conferencing, telephone, live chat, and text messages.
Based on online surveys, the company selects a therapist for the individual. However, if the therapist is not a good fit, a person can change therapists fairly easily. This service is reportedly available in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Pros
- safeguards confidentiality
- offers four ways of communicating with therapists
- provides unlimited texting with therapists
- expands access to postpartum therapy with a simple site and lower costs
Cons
- does not prescribe medication
- does not provide a diagnosis
- hard to know specific charges up front
- insurance may not cover costs
Best option for choosing a therapist: Talkspace
- Price: starting at $69/week for text messaging therapy; starting at $99/week for video + messaging therapy; starting at $109/week for video + messaging + access to weekly workshops; option to purchase additional live sessions for $65 each
- Special features: allows a user to choose their therapist from among three options
Talkspace offers users access to a variety of therapeutic services, all delivered through a private, secure online network.
After completing an online questionnaire, a person can choose from three potential therapists. The company states that this process can take about 48 hours. People can switch therapists if they choose.
A user and their therapist have a private chat room, where the person can review saved messages from their therapist. Although Talkspace does not accept Medicare or Medicaid, it partners with many health insurance providers. If a user has applicable coverage, their insurance will pay for their therapy and medications.
Pros
- option to select a therapist from three candidates
- can connect users with psychiatrists who can prescribe medication
- reportedly reasonably easy to reach therapists
Cons
- costs not clear until a person signs up
- can get expensive
- reports of potential company analysis of archived conversations using artificial intelligence
Best for skill building: Brightside
- Price: $299/month for 4 sessions + unlimited messaging; $59 for each additional session; $95/month for medication; $349/month for therapy and medication packages
- Special features: allows users to complete self-paced exercises to help them cope with depression
After a person completes an online assessment, this service pairs them with an online therapist for video counseling sessions.
A person can opt for a therapy package, a medication-only package, or a package that combines therapy and medication. Users also receive personalized audio lessons to learn healthy skills and habits.
Brightside bases its treatment on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It is available in all 50 states. Audio lessons can show users how they are making progress.
Pros
- offers three treatment packages to choose from, including medication
- focuses on depression and anxiety
- provides self-care lessons to reinforce progress
- accepts insurance
Cons
- no same-day access to treatment
- sometimes-slow responses from customer service
- lack of access to therapist bios
Best for volunteer listeners: 7Cups
- Price: free for volunteer virtual chat services; $150/month for messaging with a therapist
- Special features: option to connect with a listener right away
This online therapy option provides 24/7 access to trained volunteer listeners who can offer research-backed, evidence-based emotional support.
A person can either browse the company’s listener community to look for someone who is a good match or opt for the first available listener. The company states that its technology is anonymous and secure.
A person can also opt for online therapy. The company will match a person with a licensed therapist. The person receives access to unlimited messaging for $150 per month.
Pros
- has a free option
- allows users to select a specific listener or topic
- has a paid option that allows users to connect with a trained therapist
- offers texting with a therapist to accommodate complex schedules
Cons
- unclear backgrounds and credentials of listeners
- no access to medication
- potentially slow response time for texts
- age minimum of 18 years for paid therapy
Best for 24-hour access: Amwell
- Price: $109–129 for online therapy; $279 for first online psychiatry appointment; $109 for each 15-minute follow-up
- Special features: can connect users to professionals 24 hours per day
The Amwell approach is based on a telehealth model. The company states that the service can connect a person to board certified practitioners 24/7. Amwell contracts with psychologists and counselors for online therapy.
Online psychiatry is also an option, which means a person can receive a prescription for antidepressants if they need them.
Pros
- available 24/7
- partners with many insurance companies
- easy to access online or by phone
- available in all 50 states
Cons
- 15-minute limit for follow-up psychiatric visits
- not suitable for people with serious or life threatening conditions
- does not allow users to select their therapists
- involves an examination, which could be cursory, before prescribing treatment
Best for subscription service: Hers
- Price: $25 for the first month; $45/month or $85/month for a 3-month subscription
- Special features: options for subscription or payment by appointment
Hers is a subscription service that offers telemental healthcare. The emphasis is on psychiatric treatment.
To sign up for Hers, a person completes an online assessment and shares information on their medical history and symptoms. A licensed practitioner determines appropriate treatment, such as medication or counseling.
Hers states that it typically takes 24–48 hours to arrange an online evaluation. The company also offers online mental health counseling for $99 per visit, with no subscription required. If a person receives a prescription for medication, the service ships it to their home at no additional charge.
Pros
- options for both subscription and payment by appointment
- seemingly straightforward pricing
- affordably priced
Cons
- does not work with insurance companies
- potentially limited therapist availability, depending on location
- does not allow people to select or review therapists
Best for quick access to care: Doctor on Demand
- Price: $129 for a 25-minute session or $179 for a 50-minute session with a psychologist; $299 for an initial 45-minute session with a psychiatrist; $129 for each 15-minute follow-up
- Special features: adapts the urgent care model for online mental health care
Doctor on Demand adapts the urgent care model for online use. The company website offers easy access to online counseling, and its therapists can provide care for all behavioral health needs, including therapy, psychiatry, and specialty care.
A person can see a psychiatrist for access to prescription medications, a therapist for counseling, or both. Sessions can be 25 or 50 minutes long.
Pros
- reportedly provides quick access to care
- accepts insurance
- offers longer sessions than many other online providers
- can prescribe medications
Cons
- can get expensive without insurance
- limited therapist availability
- difficult to reach therapists between sessions
Best for flexible service: Thriveworks
- Price: varies depending on insurance, payment method, location, and options
- Special features: options for in-person, telephone, and video counseling
This service offers users the choice between in-person and online counseling. Online services include telephone and video counseling, and a person can telephone for an appointment. In-person counseling is available at the company’s 380 locations.
Counseling options include medication management, couples counseling, and child therapy. At 50–60 minutes long, sessions are longer than those of many other online therapy services.
Thriveworks works with many insurance companies, even including Medicaid at a few sites.
Pros
- offers 50- to 60-minute sessions
- accepts many forms of insurance
- offers sessions within 3–5 days of scheduling
Cons
- difficult to know the exact costs up front
- has in-person sites mainly in large cities
- offers psychiatry and medication management at only some sites
Best for support groups: Postpartum Support International (PSI)
- Price: toll-free hotline and free online support groups
- Special features: offers more than 30 specialty support groups 5 days per week
This organization’s mission is to promote awareness, prevention, and treatment of mental health issues due to childbearing.
PSI is not, strictly speaking, a therapy service. However, in pursuit of its broader mission, it does offer an online resource portal, a toll-free helpline, and online support groups led by trained facilitators.
Pros
- toll-free helpline available in English and Spanish
- online support groups with trained facilitators
- offers services to people of all genders
Cons
- does not offer ongoing counseling services
- cannot prescribe medication
- group facilitators and phone answerers may not be licensed professionals
Best for membership-based services: TherapyTribe
- Price: free to users; therapists pay $29.95/month for professional listing
- Special features: national listing of mental health care professionals based on location and specialty
TherapyTribe promotes access to mental health resources organized into “tribes” focused on concerns such as depression and anxiety.
In addition to informational resources, support, and encouragement, the site includes a national directory of mental health care professionals. Many of these professionals offer online counseling in states where they are licensed.
Therapists pay a fee to become members of TherapyTribe, which gives them access to the company’s listing service. Additionally, each therapist receives a turn-key website based on their directory listing.
Pros
- offers free access to mental health resources
- allows people to search for therapists based on their location and specialization
- reportedly easy to use for both therapists and people seeking care
Cons
- does not provide direct access to mental health treatment or clinicians
- no vetting of therapists before they become members of TherapyTribe
- targets therapists more so than people seeking care
Best for cost-effective support: Sesh
- Price: $30/session or $60/month for unlimited sessions
- Special features: support groups led by licensed therapists
Sesh offers users access to a wide range of support groups facilitated by thoroughly vetted licensed therapists.
A person signs up by downloading the app and filling out a questionnaire. They can then review the different group therapy session topics and times and select sessions that work for them.
Sessions are 30–60 minutes long. The first session is free when a person signs up. Sessions have 2–10 attendees.
Pros
- costs less than one-on-one therapy
- wide variety of topics available
- support group sessions with licensed therapists
Cons
- offers only supports groups, which are not the same thing as therapy
- age minimum of 18 years to use this service
- no access to prescription medications
Below we compare the best options for online postpartum therapy
Price | Format | Insurance accepted? | Therapist choice | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Betterhelp | $60–90/week | • video conferencing • telephone • live chat • text messages | the company does not submit claims — an individual must submit them if their policy covers the service | the company selects the therapist. |
Talkspace | • starting at $69/week for text messaging therapy • starting at $99/week for video + messaging therapy • starting at $109/week for video + messaging + access to weekly workshops • optional additional live sessions $65 each | • phone • video message • chat | partners with many employers, U.S. health plans, employee assistance programs, and educational organizations | a user can choose from three options. |
Brightside | • $299/month for 4 sessions and unlimited messaging • additional sessions $59 each • $95/month for medication • $349/month for therapy & medication packages | • video sessions • unlimited messaging • audio lessons | • partners with several insurance companies • HSA/FSA eligible | the company selects the therapist. |
7Cups | • free for virtual chat with volunteer listeners • $150/month for therapist | • virtual chat for free • unlimited messaging | no mention of insurance on the website | • users can select a volunteer listener. • the company matches users with paid therapists. |
Amwell | • $109–129 for online therapy • $279 for the first online psychiatry appointment • $109 for each 15-minute follow-up | • video • phone • chat | partners with many insurance companies | • users can select online therapists. • the company may assign psychiatry appointments. |
Hers | • $25 for the first month • $45/month or $85/month for a 3-month subscription | online appointments | does not work with insurance companies | the company selects the therapist. |
Doctor on Demand | • $129 for a 25-minute session or $179 for a 50-minute session with a psychologist • $299 for an initial 45-minute session with a psychiatrist • $129 for each 15-minute follow-up | video conferencing | works with many insurance companies | users can select. |
Thriveworks | varies depending on insurance, payment method, location, and options | • in-person • telephone • video counseling | works with many insurance companies, even Medicaid at some sites | users can select. |
Postpartum Support International | free | • toll-free hotline • online support groups | — | this service does not work with therapists. |
TherapyTribe | free | • online informational resources • directory | — | — |
Sesh | • $30/session • $60/month for unlimited sessions | online group therapy | no | — |
Research has shown that online postpartum therapy can help strengthen a person’s ability to:
- self-regulate their emotions
- maintain psychological flexibility
- practice self-compassion
Early studies show that online postpartum therapy options that use principles of CBT may be helpful in reducing symptoms of postpartum depression.
Look for postpartum therapy options that include
Postpartum depression is more than the “baby blues.” It is a form of depression that research suggests
Symptoms of postpartum depression
Symptoms of postpartum depression
- difficulty sleeping
- changes in mood
lack of energy - frequent bouts of tears and sadness
- loss of appetite
- lack of interest in daily activities
- fears for one’s baby
- fear of injury
- feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- thoughts of harming one’s baby
- thoughts of suicide
Researchers estimate that
Additionally, studies have shown that online postpartum therapy can help reduce symptoms of depression.
Postpartum depression is a serious condition, and a person who has this condition should seek treatment from a qualified professional. However, in addition to treatment, a person may want to adopt self-care practices
- making sure to get enough rest
- sharing feelings and thoughts with family, friends, and loved ones
- joining a support group for people with similar concerns
- avoiding making major life changes
- getting help with caring for their baby and other activities of daily life
Is online postpartum therapy covered by insurance?
It depends on the provider. Some online postpartum therapy services do not accept insurance at all. Others have partnership arrangements with several insurance companies.
Does postpartum depression have a treatment?
Different postpartum therapy options exist. The standard recommendation for people with moderate to severe postpartum depression is a
Online postpartum therapy is an additional option. Some online therapy services offer access to prescription antidepressants.
How does postpartum therapy help?
How long does postpartum depression last?
Postpartum depression is different for every person. Some people who have experienced this condition say they still feel symptoms
Postpartum depression is a mental health condition that occurs after giving birth. It involves a persistent low mood, among other symptoms, and is different from the more common “baby blues” that many parents experience.
A person who believes they may have postpartum depression may benefit from consulting a healthcare professional. Online postpartum therapy can be a convenient way to access treatment, and there are many options available.