Best Online Therapy for Postpartum Depression

Talkspace provides mental health resources 24/7 right at your fingertips. It offers free online screening for postpartum depression, and those who would like to try or return to therapy can choose one therapist out of three suggested. Talkspace therapists have an average of nine years of experience and are guaranteed to respond to your messages daily five days a week. Therapy sessions are available through video, audio, or chat. 

Talkspace offers therapy and a variety of resources via the Talkspace app depending on the plan you choose. You can complete self-guided therapy, join group workshops, or track your progress with in-app assessments on a timeline created by your provider. These resources focus on providing users with skills such as identifying negative thoughts and improving coping skills. Although Talkspace therapists cannot prescribe medication, this personalized service is available through Talkspace Psychiatry.

Of the users we surveyed, 91% gave Talkspace an overall rating of good, very good or excellent. Sixty-nine percent of users felt the therapist's qualifications were good to excellent and 82% indicated the website was easy or very easy to navigate. 

Talkspace accepts some insurance plans. Rates below reflect out-of-pocket costs. 

• Messaging therapy: $69 per week; message your therapist at any time and receive daily responses on weekdays
• Video + messaging therapy: $99 per week; includes one weekly 30-minute video session and messaging
• Video + messaging + workshops: $109 per week; includes messaging, a live video session, and a weekly workshop

Brightside includes individualized care and evidence-based therapy for postpartum depression and anxiety through video sessions and messaging. You are connected to an expert, licensed provider in as little as 48 hours after completing a free online assessment. 

Brightside members can take additional steps to reduce anxiety and depression through the free self-care program. This program consists of 10 lessons to help build skills, resilience, and reduce symptoms of postpartum depression. Therapy is provided via weekly video sessions, unlimited messaging with your provider, and optional a la carte video sessions. Therapists respond to messages within 24 to 48 hours. Brightside also offers antidepressant medication management, which may be beneficial in treating postpartum depression.

Users we surveyed had a mainly positive experience with Brightside. Ninety percent gave Brightside an overall rating of good to excellent, and 75% said they were likely or very likely to recommend it to a friend. Additional resources provided by Brightside were rated good to excellent by 75% of users. 

Brightside may be covered through your insurance, though affordable out-of-pocket plans are also available. Pricing is dependent on the treatment plan you choose. 

• Medication: $95 per month plus a prescription copay or $15 per medication; includes an online psychiatric evaluation and ongoing support and monitoring of care. 
• Therapy: $299 per month; includes a personalized program with a licensed therapist, four weekly video sessions per month and unlimited messaging
• Medication + therapy: $349 per month plus a prescription copay or $15 per medication; combines both the medication and therapy plan and claims to give up to a 60% better chance of recovery

ForHers provides flexible and personalized mental health services to fit your schedule and your needs. Online therapy sessions are available on either a monthly or as-needed basis. If you and your therapist decide there is a need for medication to manage your postpartum depression, ForHers offers a separate subscription service for that. 

ForHers makes it convenient and affordable for you to manage any medications you may need through its psychiatry and medication management services. The process is simple: Complete a 10-minute online assessment, connect with a provider (usually within 24 to 48 hours) and receive medication delivered directly to your door a few days later. 

If you want to connect with other individuals experiencing some of the same postpartum depression symptoms, ForHers also offers anonymous support groups for free. Support groups are moderated by therapists who are able to answer questions in real time. Individuals can join anonymously by turning their camera off or joining under an alias.

ForHers also has a blog dedicated to postpartum depression resources. 

ForHers was among the highest rated in medication services in our survey. Our data showed 91% of ForHers users rated its medication services as excellent, very good, or good. Eighty-one percent of users were either likely or very likely to recommend its services to a friend. 

ForHers offers affordable plans for those who may or may not have insurance. The prices listed below are out-of-pocket costs. 

• Therapy: $99 per session 
• Medication (subscription required): $25 for first month; then $85 monthly or $49/month for a 3-month subscription

New Thriveworks members can sign up for therapy sessions online or by phone and schedule a same-day or next-day session. This provides new parents with quick and convenient sessions at home instead of waiting weeks and needing to secure childcare to see an in-person therapist. Thriveworks accepts insurance and also has affordable self-pay rates. Whether you are looking for therapy options as an individual, a couple, or a family, Thriveworks can support you. 

Thriveworks gives its clients the best of the best by selecting the top 4% of providers and giving clients the option of selecting their own therapist. Membership includes counselor support between sessions via phone, email, or text support. Prices per session may vary based on the time of day. Earlier sessions tend to be lower in cost.

Ninety percent of Thriveworks users had an overall positive experience, with ratings ranging from good to excellent. The convenient sessions, ease of sign-up, and counselor support between sessions all provide an opportunity for users to receive optimal care. When compared to other services they’ve used in the past, 86% of users said that Thriveworks was the better service. 

• Per session: $60 to $130, depending on time of appointment and therapist selected

The group support and resources provided by Circles are unmatched. After you complete a short questionnaire, you are matched with a group of people who are also experiencing a similar situation of grief and loss. Each meeting is led by a qualified facilitator. After you sign up with Circles, you can attend your first meeting within a week. Circles even offers a free one-on-one call with your facilitator to get to know them and answer any questions you may have. Meetings occur once a week, for 60 minutes, with a group of 10 people or fewer. 

Aside from the call with the moderator, Circles does not offer one-on-one therapy. However, it does have additional resources available at no cost such as 24/7 chat, self-help exercises, blogs and webinars.  

Circles was not included in our company review and user survey data is not available.  

• $79 per month 
• Free trial lasts one month
• No commitment; plan can be canceled at any time 

LifeStance Health focuses on providing compassionate care while also integrating an evidence-based approach. It provides individual and group therapy, medication management, and psychiatric appointments. Lifestance emphasizes the importance of using a combination of psychotherapy, medications, supplements, and dietary and lifestyle changes to overcome mental health challenges. Although LifeStance services are currently only available in 32 states, the company continues to expand. It does accept some insurance plans. If you do not see yours listed, contact LifeStance, and they may still be able to help. 

You can search for a provider on the LifeStance site, or call an office near you. Search filters include location, treatment areas, and languages spoken. Many providers specialize in women’s health, including postpartum depression. Patients are provided with unique and free resources such as how-to guides, a podcast, and a blog. 

Eighty-five percent of users said Lifestance was better or much better than other services they’ve used in the past. Our survey also showed that 92% of Lifestance users reported at least some of their needs were met by their therapist, and 88% of users gave it an overall rating of good to excellent. 

Sessions are $75 to $300 per session, if paying out of pocket. Patients are responsible for the cost of services not reimbursed or covered by insurance.

With Doctor on Demand, you get access to therapists within days of signing up as well as 24/7 coaching support. All therapists are U.S.-based and come from a variety of backgrounds. When signing up, you can browse therapists and select one based on their qualifications and specialties. Many Doctor on Demand therapists specialize in postpartum depression and women’s health. Once you find the therapist that is right for you, you select a video consultation date and time that best fits your schedule. 

If you choose to combine therapy with medications, Doctor on Demand psychiatrists can send medications directly to a pharmacy of your choice.  

Doctor on Demand was one of the higher ranking companies among our users. It had 94% of users rating it as good to excellent overall. Doctor on Demand provides high-quality therapists to choose from which can make a difference in the care you receive. Ninety-one percent of our users rated their therapist qualifications between good and excellent. 

Consultation costs could be as little as $0 with insurance. The visit costs listed below reflect out-of-pocket costs. 

• Psychologist: $129 for 25-minute session or $179 for 50 minutes
• Psychiatrist: $299 for an initial consultation (45 minutes); $129 for 15-minute follow-up

Teladoc offers a combination of flexible and convenient care while also allowing you to personally choose the right therapist or psychiatrist for your postpartum health needs. Signing up with Teladoc is an easy process, and you can schedule a therapist or psychiatrist session within minutes of registering. Once you complete a health questionnaire identifying your specific needs, you can choose a provider. 

Teladoc offers the flexibility of both therapy and medication management services by phone or video at a convenient time. Visits are 45 minutes for the initial visit and 15 minutes for the follow-up visits. Your provider will create a treatment plan for you at your initial visit with either psychotherapy options, medications, or a combination of the two. Your provider will also suggest an expected number of visits for your specific needs. Teladoc also offers a blog on different topics, including maternal health and how to prepare for therapy visits.

Teladoc’s rating was unmatched among other companies. Ninety-seven percent of Teladoc users gave it an overall rating of good to excellent. Teladoc also ranked high among companies that were likely to be recommended to others. Our survey found that 86% of users were likely or very likely to recommend Teladoc to a friend. 

Teladoc accepts insurance, if your insurance does not provide coverage for online therapy, out-of-pocket costs apply. 

• Therapist sessions: Initial visits are $99
• Psychiatrist sessions: Initial visits are $229

Amwell offers nationwide therapy and medication management at home or on the go through its website and app. Enrolling with Amwell only takes minutes, making this a convenient option for new parents who may be pressed for time. Once enrolled, you can view and select a provider and schedule a session that works best for you, sometimes that same day. Amwell gives you the option to view provider experience as well as ratings before booking. 

While Amwell therapists do not prescribe medications, they collaborate with physicians and psychiatrists within Amwell who can prescribe treatment when you need it. Amwell also offers lactation support.

Eighty-eight percent of Amwell users rated the company as good to excellent overall. With its convenience, affordability and support options, it is no surprise that 88% of users also said it was better to much better than similar services they’d used in the past. 

If therapy is part of your insurance benefits plan, you are only responsible for the copay or deductible. For those who are uninsured or not covered through their insurance, the costs below apply. Costs vary by provider type:

• Master’s level therapist: $109 per session
• Doctoral level therapist: $129 per session
• Psychiatry consultation: $279