Some of what a breakup stirs up is bigger than a good friend and a breakup playlist can hold — and reaching for real help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Talking to a licensed therapist is one of the most effective and most-endorsed ways through a hard season. Below are options we'd genuinely point a friend to, compared plainly, plus low-cost and free routes so cost is never the reason you go without.
An honest heads-up: a few of the links below may be affiliate links, so we might earn a small commission if you sign up — never at any cost to you. Anything that earns us something is clearly labeled, and your wellbeing always comes before any commission. See our
disclosure.
BetterHelp
Most popular
The largest online therapy network — fast matching with a licensed therapist, message any time plus weekly live sessions.
Best for: getting started fast
Messaging + live
~$65–$100/wk (billed monthly)
Financial aid available
Honest note: hugely convenient and quick to start, but BetterHelp settled an FTC complaint over sharing user data — review its privacy settings before you sign up. It also doesn't bill insurance directly. Pricing varies by location; check current rates.
Talkspace
Takes insurance
Online therapy that works with many insurance plans and employer benefits — and can add psychiatry/medication if you need it.
Best for: using insurance
Messaging + live
Psychiatry available
Often covered by insurance
Honest note: the strongest option if you want to use insurance or an EAP, which can make it far cheaper than self-pay. Self-pay plans exist too — check current pricing and your coverage.
Online-Therapy.com
Structured CBT
A guided cognitive-behavioral-therapy program — a licensed therapist plus worksheets, journaling, and tools you work through week to week.
Best for: wanting structure & tools
CBT toolkit + therapist
Tiered weekly plans
Honest note: great if you like a clear framework and homework between sessions rather than open-ended talk. Not insurance-based; check current plan tiers.
Regain
Couples / relationship
Relationship-focused counseling — for couples trying to work through things together, including after an affair, or for solo work on relationship patterns.
Best for: relationship & affair recovery
Solo or joint sessions
Messaging + live
Honest note: run by the same company as BetterHelp, so the same privacy caveat applies. A fit if the goal is repairing or understanding the relationship, not just moving on from it.
Brightside
Therapy + medication
Clinical care for depression and anxiety — therapy, psychiatry, and medication management in one place, and it works with many insurers.
Best for: if meds may help too
Therapy + psychiatry
Takes many insurance plans
Honest note: the right call if your low mood feels clinical, not only situational, and you want the option of medication alongside talk therapy. A doctor should always guide medication decisions.
Does online therapy actually work?
Yes — research consistently finds online therapy effective, and across the breakup literature, talking to a professional is one of the resources people rate as most helpful after a hard relationship ending. See our guides on why heartbreak hurts and surviving betrayal for the research.
How much does it cost, and will insurance cover it?
Self-pay online therapy commonly runs somewhere around $65–$100 per week, usually billed monthly, and most platforms offer financial aid. If you want to use insurance, start with a service that bills it (like Talkspace or Brightside) or check whether your plan reimburses out-of-network sessions.
Therapist or an AI companion app — which is right for me?
They do different jobs, and both can have a place. A companion app can be a comforting, always-there space to talk things through and feel a little less alone. But if you're really struggling — or your low mood just isn't lifting — a licensed therapist is your best bet: a trained professional who can actually treat what you're going through. If in doubt, start with a therapist.
What if I don't click with my therapist?
Switch. Fit matters enormously, and every reputable platform lets you change therapists easily. A bad match isn't a sign therapy won't work for you — it's a sign to try a different person.