Best Online Therapy for Postpartum Depression

LifeStance offers an extensive array of mental health services, including in-person and telehealth therapy; individual, family, and group services; medication management; and psychological assessments. It was founded with the vision of allowing each client to receive individualized services to meet their needs.

Some of LifeStance’s providers also specialize in postpartum concerns, including depression and anxiety. Its website even has free educational information about postpartum depression symptoms and treatment options.

Its assessment services, in particular, can help clients better understand their diagnosis and how their symptoms present. Each client has a unique experience even if their diagnosis is the same as someone else, so this individualized information can be invaluable in determining the best course of treatment.

At this time, LifeStance is available in 32 states and is working towards offering care nationwide. According to its website, LifeStance accepts most insurance plans and will work with your insurance to cover much or all of the cost of your care. However, it does not publish out-of-pocket costs of services for those without insurance.

Some clients have reported difficulty dealing with the billing department or customer service at LifeStance. Since it is a newer company, it may still be ironing out the kinks in this process. Regarding therapy services, 90% of users we surveyed reported that their providers’ qualifications were good to excellent.  Users also noted that LifeStance providers were responsive to their needs and responded quickly to messages and requests. Fifty-one percent said they’d still be seeing their LifeStance therapist six months from now.

Brightside Health is a platform that offers both individual therapy and medication management services and specializes in treating anxiety and depression, including postpartum concerns. Users start with a free assessment to determine whether Brightside is a good fit for their mental health needs, and they can sign up for one of three subscription options: medication only, therapy only, or both therapy and medication management.

Brightside’s website has free, self-directed self-care and mental health resources based on the tenets of cognitive behavioral therapy, which anyone can use to support themselves on their mental health journey. In addition, all clients have a symptom tracker that can help them see their progress and allow both the client and providers to quickly adjust treatment to meet unique needs, plus address side effects or symptoms.

All Brightside providers are trained in evidence-based treatment for anxiety and depression. In addition to regularly scheduled appointments, you can send your provider a message at any time to request an appointment, ask a question about your care, or request an adjustment in your treatment.

Of the users we surveyed, 86% reported having a generally positive experience overall with Brightside. Seventy-nine percent felt that most or all of their needs were met in their treatment, and 86% thought the qualifications of Brightside’s therapists were good to excellent. Seventy-four percent indicated that Brightside’s additional resources (such as the self-care courses and the symptom tracker) were good to excellent.

According to its website, Brightside is in-network with many insurance plans, so you may be able to get help covering the cost of your care. If you are uninsured or do not want to use your insurance, Brightside offers three subscription options:

• Medication management: $95/month
• Therapy: $299/month
• Medication + therapy: $349/month

In addition, students can get a discount on their Brightside subscription.

Group therapy can help people struggling with their mental health connect with others who have gone through similar experiences while also accessing support and competent services. When struggling with postpartum depression, you might feel alone or like others do not understand what you are going through. A group can help you feel connected to others experiencing similar struggles..

Circles connects users to a therapy group that meets their needs. When you sign up, you answer a series of questions about what you are experiencing, and the site offers words of support and recommendations for groups that might be a good fit, usually providing more than one option. If you do not feel the recommended group will meet your needs, you can request another group. Before joining, you can also request a free phone consultation with the group facilitator to address any questions or concerns that you may have. According to its website, Circles’ groups use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, which are often used to treat symptoms of depression. 

While the groups offered change, at the time of writing this article, Circles is offering a group called Postpartum Depression During the Holidays, as well as a group for coping with any depressive disorder. Groups are open-ended, so you can continue using the service for as long as you feel you need the support. Circles offers support to users in all 50 states, with groups meeting at a consistent time each week to make scheduling convenient and predictable. 

Although users need to provide their information for safety reasons and billing purposes, they can choose to be anonymous to other group members.

Circles users get the first week free so they can try out the service and see if it works for them. After the free trial, users pay $79 per month for weekly groups. Chat between sessions is free, and Circles has a library of free resources users can access at any time.

Circles received high praise for its therapists, with 86% of the users we surveyed indicating the therapists on the platform are responsive and have good communication, and 81% saying that the variety of providers available is very good or excellent. Eighty-two percent found the platform easy to use, and 80% ranked the platform as very good or excellent overall.

Each person seeking therapy for postpartum depression has unique needs and preferences regarding their care. Online-Therapy.com provides different subscription options offering a variety of types of care, which users can choose from to determine their own best fit. Online-Therapy is available in all 50 U.S. states and in several other countries.

In addition to therapy services, the platform includes prompts to improve mindfulness, insight, and coping skills. Users can access various resources to enhance their treatment, and you can change your subscription at any time based on your needs and financial resources.

When you sign up, Online-Therapy assigns you a therapist based on your reported needs, though you can request a male or female therapist based on your comfort and preference. All therapists use cognitive behavioral therapy and structure their therapy plan within an  eight-week program to help address anxious and depressive symptoms. This evidence-based and time-limited approach can help alleviate symptoms in an affordable way. However, Online-Therapy.com also offers users the flexibility to stay in the program for as long as they feel it is beneficial.

Therapists are available Monday through Friday and will answer messages on weekdays, and resources, worksheets, and self-guided resources are available any time. You can also download and save these resources to your device for use whenever you like.

The users who completed our survey had a positive impression of this platform. Eighty-five percent indicated that their overall experience with Online-Therapy.com was good to excellent, and 72% were able to get all or most of their needs met. Eighty-three percent were satisfied or very satisfied with the service, and 90% indicated the therapists qualifications were good to excellent. Eighty-two percent said they would recommend Online-Therapy.com to a friend or someone like them.

Online-Therapy.com is a four-tiered therapy subscription service.

• Basic: The Basic plan is $50 per week and includes worksheets, meditation activities, guided journaling, and unlimited messaging with a therapist.
• Standard: The Standard plan is $80 per week, including everything in the Basic plan as well as one 45-minute session per week and unlimited messaging with your therapist.
• Premium: For $110 per week, the Premium plan includes everything in the Standard plan, but with two 45-minute sessions per week as well as “express replies” to messages you send your therapist.
• Couples: This plan is also $110 per week and has the same features as the Standard plan, with service provided to couples.

Amwell provides online therapy services to all 50 states and offers specialized counseling for those dealing with postpartum issues. In addition to postpartum depression and anxiety, providers treat the "baby blues" and less severe postpartum stress. Amwell helps with fertility issues, relationship stress, sleep issues, and bereavement following pregnancy loss. Both individual and couples therapy sessions are available.

In addition to therapy services, Amwell employs prescribers who can help with medication management for postpartum depression. It does not prescribe controlled substances such as stimulants but can prescribe antidepressants and mood-stabilizing medications.

Amwell also has medical providers available for pregnancy and postpartum medical treatment. Sessions are available at any time that fits your schedule. Its platform is user-friendly and is adaptable even if you have slow internet or low bandwidth. The website’s Frequently Asked Questions page includes educational information for a variety of concerns and topics.

Amwell charges $109 per therapy session with a master's-level clinician and $129 per therapy session with a doctoral-level clinician. It accepts most insurance plans and EAPs, which will likely reduce the cost of care significantly for most clients.

Users we surveyed had high praise for Amwell, with 75% indicating that their overall experience with the company is very good or excellent. The therapist qualifications were rated highly 81% of the time, and 80% of users found the variety of services offered to be very good or excellent.

For those who are anxious or uncomfortable about video or phone chats, 7 Cups provides chat-based services. You can share at your own pace and re-read your messages before sending them, and there is no need to schedule sessions. This flexibility is particularly good for new parents who are recovering from birth while caring for a newborn. 

7 Cups offers active listening and support to all individuals, both those with diagnosable mental health issues and those who simply need to talk through life stressors faced by all people. While 7 Cups employs licensed therapists for ongoing support with its subscription service, users can also talk with trained listeners at any time for free. 

You can message your therapist at any time, and therapists will respond to messages on weekdays. You can review chats at any time to re-visit things you have shared as well as the therapist’s response. Therapists on 7 Cups also post blogs about various mental health topics.

7 Cups also has trained volunteers who can engage in live chat at any time you need additional support, as well as a discussion forum for peer support. It is important to note that the online forum is not confidential, as other users will be able to see posts. However, you can post under an anonymous username. Users can post about any topic and find threads that relate to their experiences.

7 Cups’ live chat with trained listeners is free, as is the community forum. Although this option is not a substitute for therapy, it can supplement ongoing therapy services or allow people immediate support to talk through stressors. Therapy services at 7 Cups are $150 per month for unlimited messaging with your therapist.

We surveyed users of 7 Cups in 2021, but not in 2022. However, in 2021, 66% of users indicated that the platform was superior to other services they had used in the past, and 85% would recommend it to a friend. Eight-one percent said they were likely or very likely to still be seeing their 7 Cups therapist in a year.

Many supportive services for postpartum depression use gendered language and rely on cisnormative and heteronormative assumptions about clientele. As such, LGBTQIA+ clients may feel othered or isolated when seeking this type of support. Postpartum Support International offers a variety of postpartum services, including those with an emphasis on inclusive language and medical experiences, to clients around the world. It specifically provides support and resources for individuals and families struggling following childbirth.

The organization provides free educational materials as well as events and resources to raise awareness about postpartum depression. It also offers a free guidebook for anyone looking to raise awareness and offer support in their local community.

Postpartum Support International has support groups for new parents as well as grief and loss groups for those who need it; for example, parents who have lost a child. It has a free weekly phone session anyone can join to receive support as well as information about services available. Additionally, it has peer support programs so users can receive support from others going through similar experiences. Although it does not directly offer therapy services, it has a directory of providers specifically trained and credentialed in postpartum support services.

Services through Postpartum Support International take into account different backgrounds and life experiences. For example, support services are available in both Spanish and English, for families who have undergone the adoption process, and for parents who have been incarcerated. In addition, the website indicates that Postpartum Support International emphasizes culturally informed support and working with LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Because Postpartum Support International provides a directory to find therapists but does not offer therapy directly, the plans, prices, and insurance acceptance vary by provider. Each profile includes information about the provider’s expertise and training, as well as contact information to learn more about payment plans and methods of payment accepted.

Racial disparities in access to healthcare and racism perpetuated by White healthcare providers contribute to higher rates of postpartum depression among Black people, Indigenous people, and other people of color. Culturally informed care is always important, and clients who have given birth need competent services that can address the systemic discrimination that puts them at higher risk for needing services.

All providers listed on Inclusive Therapists are required to make a commitment to the company’s mission statement of offering informed and affirming care to individuals of all backgrounds, and the company makes an effort to platform providers from a variety of backgrounds. Users search therapists and reach out directly to a provider who meets their needs.

Although each provider makes individual decisions about insurance credentialing and rates for service, many have sliding fee scales, and users can search for providers who accept their insurance plan. Providers on the platform offer individual, couples, group, or family therapy.

Inclusive Therapists has a blog and posts many free resources about mental health. Visitors can use this information to supplement therapy or to learn more about mental health.

The cost for services will vary depending on the therapist, the nature of their practice, and typical service rates in their geographic area. You can filter search results to only show providers who are in network with your insurance provider.

Clients report positive experiences with Inclusive Therapists, with 97% of those we surveyed indicating that they were able to find a provider who met most or all of their needs. In addition, 89% indicated that the directory is very good or excellent overall.

Specialists with Doctor on Demand have an average of 15 years of experience and extensive training in postpartum depression treatment. They can diagnose and treat the symptoms of postpartum depression, addressing the therapeutic and psychiatric needs of each client. Doctor on Demand provides flexible scheduling, can send prescriptions to any pharmacy, and offers urgent care services in case you cannot wait for an appointment.

While the company does not offer subscriptions, that means you only pay for the services you use. You can decide the frequency and length of your sessions, which are available seven days per week, so you can have appointments at your convenience and cancel anytime without penalty.

Psychiatrists with Doctor on Demand can prescribe mood stabilizers and antidepressants, but not controlled substances, including stimulants and benzodiazepines. However, antidepressant medication can treat symptoms of postpartum depression and reduce the probability that high-risk individuals will develop symptoms. Since antidepressants typically are safe to take during pregnancy or while chestfeeding, this treatment option is accessible to many parents.

You choose your provider and review profiles to determine who is the best fit for you. In addition to psychiatry and therapy, DoD provides urgent care services seven days per week. If you require a non-emergency, urgent session, you can make an appointment through the website.

Providers with Doctor on Demand are in-network with most insurance plans, though the company does not offer sliding scale or discounts, so the cost of care can be high for those who do not have insurance. Out-of-pocket rates are:

• Therapy: $129 per 25-minute session, $179 per 50-minute session
• Initial psychiatric consultation: $299
• Follow-up psychiatric visits: $129 each

Doctor on Demand has one of the highest rates of user satisfaction of all the platforms we surveyed, with 94% of users reporting an overall positive experience. Seventy-five percent of users were able to get most or all of their needs met using the platform, and 91% were satisfied with the qualifications of the therapists available. Seventy-nine percent would recommend Doctor on Demand to a friend.

Mindful Care offers mental health care services, including individual therapy, group sessions, and medication management services, for individuals in New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Florida, Connecticut, and Michigan, with the goal of expanding its services to all 50 states. It specializes in personalized mental health care to meet each client’s individual needs.

One of Mindful Care’s areas of specialization is treatment for grief and bereavement. Grief following pregnancy loss can feel insurmountable, and the providers at Mindful Care aim to help clients through this time.

Clients of Mindful Care can schedule regular therapy appointments with their provider six days per week. They can enroll in groups, have individual sessions, or use both. If needed, clients can also schedule urgent “MicroTherapy” sessions, which are 20 minutes in length and allow clients to address urgent mental health needs as they arise. (This service is not a replacement for crisis intervention if someone experiences a mental health emergency.)

In addition to individual therapy and support groups, Mindful Care offers coaching and medication support for those recovering from addiction. If a client already in recovery experiences a relapse, or a client develops a substance use disorder following a pregnancy loss, they can receive support for this issue on Mindful Care as well.

Mindful Care receives high user satisfaction in our survey, with 92% of respondents indicating that their overall experience with the platform was positive. Eighty-two percent reported that their provider was able to meet most or all of their needs, and 83% were satisfied with the variety of providers available. Although Mindful Care indicates that you might not be able to choose your provider, 84% of users had a positive experience getting matched to a provider.

Mindful Care is in-network with commercial health care, Medicare, Medicaid, and managed plans. For those paying out of pocket, the price depends on the service.

• Individual therapy: $150 for the initial evaluation, $100 for a 40-minute follow-up appointment, and $50 for an urgent, 20-minute session
• Group therapy: $35 per session
• Medication management: $175 for the initial evaluation and $75 per follow-up appointment
• Addiction recovery treatment: $49 per month subscription

Postpartum depression can put stress on a relationship. When one parent is experiencing postpartum depression, the other might struggle with how to provide support. In addition, if both parents are struggling following the birth of their child, they might not be able to support each other in addition to working through their own symptoms. Couples therapy can be an important component of treating postpartum depression.

Couples Therapy Inc. has therapists in several states who can offer this support. Depending on your family’s needs, you can attend an intensive weekend retreat to improve your relationship, or you can participate in ongoing weekly sessions, either in person or online.

In addition to postpartum depression, Couples Therapy Inc. can help couples overcome infidelity, improve their sex life, and make decisions about whether or not to get divorced. Postpartum depression can cause many issues or exacerbate pre-existing tensions in a relationship, so this additional expertise can be important. Couples Therapy Inc. also offers "hopeful spouse counseling," also known as “couples counseling for one.” Individual members of the couple can meet with a therapist to address what they might be bringing to the relationship.

Couples Therapy Inc. has a self-guided, free course that couples can complete at their own pace. The course can supplement ongoing couples therapy or provide resources and communication skills.

The website for Couples Therapy Inc. states that ongoing session rates vary based on the therapist. Because couples therapy is typically not covered by health insurance, the company does not bill your insurance company.

The intensive weekend retreats offered by Couples Therapy Inc. cost between $3,500 and $6,500.

Despite the high cost of weekend intensives and being out-of-network for insurance, 75% users of Couples Therapy Inc. indicated that the cost of service was excellent or very good for the value.  Ninety percent  of users rated the services positively overall, and 90% rated the therapist qualifications as good to excellent.

Therapy services are not affordable for everyone, and while peer support is not a substitute for traditional therapy, it can be helpful. The Online PPD Support Group has free-to-join forums for a variety of topics, including military support, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, birth stories, treatment options, and adoption. Administrators provide answers to frequently asked questions and book and video recommendations for education.

Users can log in any time of the day or night to share what they are experiencing, and others can respond with support or advice. Your profile can be anonymous, and you only have to share information that you are comfortable disclosing. However, users should be aware that everything they post is publicly visible. Even people who are not registered users can view posts on the forum. This means your posts and replies are not confidential, but those who might not want to post their own story can learn from things that others have shared.

It is important to remember that peer support through an online forum is not therapy and cannot substitute for psychotherapy treatment for postpartum depression. That said, users can normalize each other’s experiences and provide feedback about what has helped, and this can help those adjusting to having a new baby or struggling with strong emotions after childbirth. Peer support has benefits but is not the same as receiving counseling from a trained and licensed mental health professional.

The Online PPD Support Group is free to use, but users are welcome to make donations to support the website and platform if they are able.