Online Therapy as the New Normal: 4 Platforms That Change Mental Health Care

(Photo : Tatiana Syrikova)

In the world of mental health care, one of the biggest innovations in recent years has been the rise of online therapy platforms. Since 2020, Google Trends data has shown a steady rise in interest in this concept of telemedicine, clearly displaying its growth and high demand.

As the world has been grappling with the pandemic consequences and now is coping with the pre-recession pressure in the face of the wave of mass layoffs, mental health is more important than ever. With the increasing - and positive - emphasis on mental health being placed throughout society in recent years, it's no surprise that online therapy is gaining traction.

Still, online therapy isn't a new concept. Rather, it's a new normal with proven effectiveness, convenience, and accessibility. It's transforming mental healthcare, introducing such terms as "mental health hygiene," and helping millions of people make it an integral part of their lifestyle.

Today, there are dozens of digital platforms connecting clients with licensed providers. We've rounded up 4 platforms - Calmerry, Brightside Health, Online-Therapy.com, and Circles that are revolutionizing the mental healthcare landscape, offering something more than just virtual sessions.

Calmerry - all benefits of traditional therapy, enhanced with digital tools

Calmerry has made its presence known on the rise of online therapy services with the mission to address challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic - by providing accessible mental health care to people and helping therapists nurture their online practice.

Today, the company is changing online therapy by providing clients with all the benefits of traditional therapy, enhanced with digital tools. They say their mission is to make quality therapy an integrative part of people's lives.

Calmerry matches clients with licensed mental health professionals within 1 hour. They vet therapists who provide evidence-based treatment and support for a diverse range of emotional and mental health problems: from depression, anxiety, and emotional abuse therapy to parenting, self-esteem, life adjustments, and LGBTQIA+ issues.

Also, the company offers a B2B solution for SMBs to support workforce mental health.

Overall, Calmerry focuses on balancing the accessibility, flexibility, and cost-efficiency of online therapy services while offering digital tools that help people grow their mental health skills.

What's so special about Calmerry:

Client-focused, human-centered therapist matching process. When signing up for their online platform, users are asked about their individual needs and preferences so that they can be matched with the perfect provider for them. And request a switch for free to get the therapist they click with well.

Journaling and mood-tracking tools in a friendly bot Coa - free for everyone. This allows you to create an online diary where you can record your thoughts and feelings, as well as track changes in your mood patterns. This data can then be used to complement therapy sessions or as a self-care routine.

Self-help tips library - a comprehensive mental health toolbox filled with helpful resources such as self-guided therapy courses, video tips, and audio for reflections.

Helpful educational resources that people can incorporate into their mental health routine: assessments to track the mental health progress weekly, the Calmerry blog with tips from experts, their social media pages, free worksheets, webinars, mental health tests, and infographics

Brightside Health - data-driven online therapy, Crisis Care & psychiatry

For anyone looking for an innovative, every-step-tracked approach to mental health care, Brightside is definitely the option to explore. Brightside is leading the way when it comes to modern mental health care solutions and technological advances in the field.

Brightside's mission is to provide "life-changing anxiety and depression care" by offering holistic treatment plans tailored to each individual's needs and backed by data. To be more precise, this platform also offers treatment for other mental health problems, such as Bipolar Personality Disorder, insomnia, PTSD, and more.

Brightside provides a 3-tiered approach to tackling mental health problems, including FDA-approved medications, evidence-based online therapy, or both. Also, there's specialized Crisis Care + medication.

With its innovative Crisis Care program and personalized psychiatry services, as well as its proactive progress tracking system, Brightside is changing lives one step at a time - and making sure those steps are heading in the right direction towards better mental health outcomes overall.

What's so special about Brightside Health:

Crisis Care Program, specifically designed for people who are at an elevated risk of suicide.
The PrecisionRx tool designed to quickly pinpoint which medication/dose combination would be most effective for each client while also avoiding addictive medications.
Proactive Progress Tracker for depression and anxiety. Brightside has implemented a system to track clients' progress over time. They complete weekly check-ins so that their therapists can keep track of how they are feeling and whether or not their treatment plan needs to be adjusted accordingly.
Treatment for the full spectrum of anxiety and depression - from mild to severe.
Some insurance companies offer coverage for at least part of the cost of treatment through pre-approved plans such as Cigna or Aetna.

Online-Therapy.com - a holistic approach to therapy with a comprehensive toolbox

Online-Therapy.com has extensive expertise in the mental health care domain, operating since 2009. They highlight that they are a comprehensive online therapy platform based on science.

Online-therapy.com may be a good option for those self-motivated individuals or couples who want to take advantage of the proven benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Through this evidence-based approach, clients are empowered to identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which helps address a variety of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, phobias, and substance use problems.

The platform offers 3 different subscription plans, depending on individual needs in therapy. Each gives clients access to an array of valuable, clinically-reviews tools. Once people sign up and pay for a plan, they can use the online therapy program at their own pace. A therapist will give feedback on the progress after finishing any of the activities on the platform.

What's so special about Online-Therapy.com

Sections that work as a self-guided therapy program. Each section provides the necessary tools needed to identify and overcome mental health problems. The sections offer different formats to access the information: videos guided by Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, audio, or text.

Self-led worksheets with feedback from a therapist

Each section contains worksheets. Worksheets offer a unique way of working through the dynamic process of mental health treatment. With the guidance of a therapist, clients can use worksheets to reflect on their goals, progress, and challenges.

Activity plan as a great way to bring intention into life and work towards goals, tasks, or daily actions that bring joy.

Guided journal with prompts that can help reflect and start the day on a good note.

Yoga videos - the "happiness-toolbox" The simple videos that can provide the quick emotional boost clients need in moments of depression, anxiety, or stress.

Circles - revolutionary online support groups with Reflection tools

Circles is becoming one of the innovative platforms in psychological support solutions. Circles is an online platform that provides access to support groups. It focuses on connecting people who are experiencing the same issues in life.

Their vision is that being able to talk openly and honestly with others who understand what you're going through can be immensely helpful in dealing with difficult emotions and finding solutions to complex problems.

Each session is led by a qualified therapist - facilitator - who helps guide conversations and provide psychological insight into the topics discussed. This makes the experience less alone, as members can feel like they are part of a larger community of people going through similar struggles and experiences.

All meetings take place through a 60-minute video once a week. It allows anyone to join the session, no matter where they are located.

What's so special about Circles:

A diverse set of topics people can find support with: caregiving, plus-sized, fertility challenges, sobriety, veterans, narcissistic relationships, cancer, adoption, separation or divorce, chronic illness, disability, and more.

A structured 12-week program that proposes different topics each week.

Additional support between weekly video meetings. In its chat, Circles allows participants to connect with others and their facilitators who are struggling with similar issues. This provides an additional layer of support that isn't available in traditional therapy settings.

Self-help resources and Reflection tools. The members can benefit from self-help exercises with thoughtful questions, educational content from blogs, and free webinars.

A small closed circle of 10 people. And a minimum commitment is expected from the members.

On a final note

With its convenience and flexibility, online therapy is becoming an increasingly popular method for accessing mental health care. It offers various benefits such as anonymity, accessibility, cost efficiency, and more flexibility than traditional modalities do when it comes to scheduling appointments, searching for a therapist that meets your needs specifically, tracking your progress, and complementing online therapy with useful tools.

As technology advances further and more people turn towards this form of care, we may see even greater advancements in how we access mental health support in the near future and how we incorporate such a form of self-care into our daily routines.