Best Free Online Therapy 2024

Free online therapy platforms do not exist, but some platforms may include free support groups or texting with trained volunteers. For example, Monument, an online therapy platform for alcohol use disorder, offers online support groups monitored by a therapist.
Who Can I Talk to Right Now for Free?
One platform to be wary of is 7 Cups. In search results for free therapy, it’s labeled “7 Cups: Free Online Therapist & Counseling,” although its text therapy services require a monthly fee, and available therapists are few and far between. 7 Cups does offer free access to peer-support chat rooms. We don’t recommend 7 Cups for online therapy, but some people may appreciate the platform for its ability to connect them with others who have similar conditions. It offers these free resources:
- Mental health support groups for anxiety, depression, eating disorders, psychosis, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder
- Peer groups for members of the LGBTQ+ community, students and young career professionals, young people of color, and people age 35 and older
- A group called the Hobby Zone where members can talk about their favorite pastimes, with options such as gaming, arts and crafts, gardening, and cooking
- Unlicensed volunteer listeners with whom users can message back and forth for free
Our reviews team tested 7 Cups, finding minimal vetting and training for volunteer listeners and poor moderation practices. For more information about this online counseling service, read our in-depth 7 Cups review.
The Crisis Text Line is another option you can use. Text HOME to 741741, and you can connect with a volunteer crisis counselor. Speaking with the counselor is free, and if you have a cellphone plan with T-Mobile, AT&T, or Verizon, texting with the Crisis Text Line is also free. For other phone networks, you’ll be charged standard messaging rates.
Volunteer listeners are trained in reflective listening, collaborative problem-solving, and crisis management. Listeners are not free online counselors or therapists. Licensed therapists and counselors train and study for many years to earn their accreditations, and a listener may not have the same level of experience or qualifications as a licensed professional.
Where Can I Find a Free Therapist or Counselor?
Some organizations, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), can help you find affordable or free psychotherapy near you. These resources may be available in person or online.
NAMI also has a helpline for connecting people to mental health resources. To chat with a volunteer, visit the NAMI HelpLine page and click “Chat with us.” Alternatively, you can text “helpline” to 62640 or call the NAMI HelpLine at 800-950-6264.
Beginning in 2020, therapists with the Therapy Aid Coalition have offered low-cost or free online counseling services to healthcare workers and first responders, even if they are currently unemployed. The Therapy Aid Coalition also provides free online mental health counseling after national crises.
CIMHS offers an interactive therapy program, specifically designed for depression, meant to be completed independently. It’s based on CBT and consists of eight sessions that teach concepts related to mood regulation. These self-paced sessions include illustrated examples with interactive questions, fictional characters and dialogues, practice worksheets, and quizzes.
The service supports health as a stand-alone or complementary therapeutic tool. Because it’s free and web-based, it’s accessible to many people.
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