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7 Best Online Therapy Apps for OCD: Which Is Suited to You?
If you’re looking for an effective online therapy provider, these mental health care tools can prove handy.
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is among the most common mental health conditions, affecting roughly 70+ million individuals worldwide. Given the substantial number of people who struggle with OCD symptoms, it’s essential for online therapy services to be widely accessible.
Thankfully, the newfound availability of online OCD therapy opens doors to those who may have previously struggled to access specialized treatment from mental health professionals.
If you’re yearning to take control of your OCD symptoms via online therapy, you’re in the right place. This article explores the best providers for online OCD therapy and dives into the basic components of treating OCD digitally, including pros, cons, and costs.
Discover the top online therapy for OCD apps and embark on your journey toward better mental health.
- Accessible therapy via text, video, and audio messages
- Unlimited messaging support
- Access to a wide network of licensed therapists
- Provides medication management services to users 18 years and older
- Various methods of communication, including chat rooms, phone calls, video calls, and live chats
- Access to support groups
- Digital journaling
- Connects users with licensed counselors and therapists
- Weekly check-ins
- Provides ERP therapy
- In-app tracking of OCD symptoms and progress
- Live video sessions with therapists
- Homework assignments to reinforce therapy
7 Best Online Therapy Apps for OCD
It’s important to ensure you invest your time and money into effective and reputable OCD treatment.
To help you choose a suitable online therapy platform to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, we have shortlisted 7 of the best online OCD therapy platforms currently available, accompanied by each provider’s key features, pros, and cons.
#1 Talkspace
- Text, video, and audio message therapy
- Unlimited messaging support
- Wide network of licensed therapists
- Medication management
Talkspace stands out as an innovative online therapy platform that caters to a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, as well as relationship issues.
Among its digital services, Talkspace provides specialized OCD treatment, connecting those suffering from symptoms of OCD, such as hit-and-run OCD, with licensed therapists.
It delivers convenient methods of online therapy, enabling patients to choose between text, video, and audio message communication. These options are especially beneficial to individuals with busy lifestyles and those who don’t enjoy traditional face-to-face therapy.
Users can also receive medication management when using this platform, enabling them to further treat their symptoms.
Overall, Talkspace delivers a tailored approach to patients, empowering them to find therapists suited to their needs and preferences. Users also have the flexibility to switch therapists at no additional cost, further fostering a supportive environment for OCD sufferers.
#2 BetterHelp
- Access to support groups
- Digital journaling
- Licensed counselors and therapists
- Weekly check-ins
BetterHelp is a popular online counseling platform that has over 2 million clients. This platform provides a variety of therapy options, including text chats, video therapy sessions, and phone call consultations, enabling users to speak to licensed therapists 24/7.
By offering round-the-clock support, this platform delivers a supportive and flexible network that accommodates busy lifestyles.
To ensure the well-being of users is maintained, the platform offers weekly check-ins and enables individuals to keep a digital journal where they can record their emotions and symptoms.
BetterHelp also offers additional services, including group therapy sessions, where patients can privately express their thoughts and feelings with other OCD sufferers.
From coping strategies to encouragement, this service delivers people with a supportive community of like-minded individuals who face the challenges of living with OCD.
This can help minimize feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression, which are symptoms often experienced by OCD sufferers.
#3 NOCD
- Provides ERP therapy
- In-app tracking
- Live video sessions with therapists
- Homework assignments
NOCD is an online therapy platform specifically catering to individuals with OCD by offering exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, an evidence-based form of treatment for individuals with OCD.
This platform offers self-guided ERP therapy, enabling users to engage in treatment at a pace that suits them. It also delivers video sessions with accredited therapists who are specially trained to treat patients with OCD.
To ensure users maintain their progress, the app offers homework assignments where individuals can engage in DIY exercises to keep their symptoms at bay.
It also provides in-app tracking tools, such as a symptom tracker, offering users personalized insights that can help them better understand themselves and manage their OCD.
There’s also access to an in-app supportive community of individuals who have OCD, where people can share their thoughts and feelings and seek helpful advice and motivation from each other.
#4 OCD Challenge
- Structured self-help program
- Interactive modules and exercises
- Progress tracking
- Educational resources
- Self-guided treatment
OCD Challenge is an online self-help therapy program that provides users with relevant tools and guidance to help manage OCD symptoms at home.
Rather than connecting users with a mental health care professional, this platform empowers people to become their own therapist by delivering an interactive and customizable user experience.
Through interactive modules, structured self-help programs, and educational resources, users can treat and manage their symptoms of OCD.
To ensure people can seamlessly navigate OCD Challenge, the platform features a user-friendly interface, making it easy to add goals, access resources, and track progress.
This self-guided approach enables users to work at their own pace and gain a deeper understanding of their OCD so that they can successfully manage their symptoms independently.
#5 Liberate: OCD Fighter
- Interactive tools
- ERP exercises
- Daily tracking
- Educational resources
- Digital diary entries
- Mindfulness and relaxation exercises
Liberate: OCD Fighter is an app-based platform that provides a user-friendly experience designed to facilitate long-term control of OCD through specialized tools and techniques.
This platform boasts a variety of helpful, intuitive tools, including goal setting, compulsion tracking, thought analysis, diary entries, and helpful educational resources.
These features combine to create a supportive virtual environment where users can actively manage and understand their OCD symptoms.
The app also provides mindfulness and relaxation exercises. This is beneficial for OCD sufferers as it may help people cultivate a deeper awareness of their emotional wellness, which can directly impact their OCD symptoms.
Mindfulness and relaxation practices can alleviate anxiety and stress, which are common triggers for symptoms of OCD. This, therefore, promotes a calmer state of mind, enabling users to positively progress on their healing journey.
#6 Amwell
- Accredited healthcare professionals
- Video call sessions
- Flexible scheduling
- Provides urgent care
- Offers second opinions
Amwell is a telehealth service provider that delivers medical, therapeutic, and psychiatric services. As part of Amwell’s vast range of services, users can be connected with licensed healthcare professionals, including those who specialize in OCD therapy.
This comprehensive platform enables people to complete online video sessions with therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists, offering convenient and accessible therapy that seamlessly blends into everyday life.
Aside from online therapy, Amwell also delivers medication management. This allows patients to receive prescriptions for medicine that can further help treat their OCD symptoms.
The platform also provides urgent care for individuals experiencing crisis. This ensures users can receive immediate assistance from a trained medical professional when they most need it.
Given that psychosis and OCD are closely linked, it is not uncommon for individuals with OCD to experience sudden distress or unpleasant thoughts. This feature is a commendable aspect of the app, as it ensures individuals have access to help during such critical moments.
#7 Talkiatry
- Team of expert psychiatrists
- Video call sessions
- Flexible scheduling
- Offers medication management
Talkiatry is a mental health platform equipped with a team of licensed psychiatrists who deliver specialized OCD treatment. It connects individuals with a psychiatrist, depending on their symptoms and concerns, to ensure people receive tailored help.
In using this platform, users receive personalized treatment plans that align with their individual needs. When booking therapy, individuals have the flexibility to choose a schedule, allowing users to engage in video-call therapy sessions at a time that best suits them.
Users also have access to medication management, allowing them to receive specialized prescriptions to support the treatment of their OCD.
Talkiatry is available to people with health insurance, making it both accessible and inexpensive so long as you have coverage.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Online OCD Therapy?
Due to its accessibility and convenience, online OCD treatment has emerged as a popular alternative to in-person therapy. However, there are some limitations presented by this newfound digital approach.
We have provided the key pros and cons of online OCD therapy to help you make an informed decision on whether this is the right path for you.
How Much Does Online OCD Therapy Cost?
The average cost of online therapy for those who don’t have health insurance ranges between $40 and $70 per session per week. This is significantly cheaper than individual in-person therapy, which has an average cost of $150 per session.
It’s important to keep in mind that the price of online OCD therapy will differ depending on the provider you choose, the type of professional you see (such as a psychotherapist, counselor, or psychologist), and whether you have healthcare insurance.
Comparison Table
Discreet therapy sessions
Licensed therapists
Flexible scheduling Affordable pricing plans
Various therapy options
Unlimited sessions
Therapist matching
Flexible scheduling
Evidence-based treatment
User-friendly interface
Supportive community
Designed for OCD
Designed to treat OCD
Cost-effective
Self-paced learning
Educational resources
Designed for daily use
Various tools
Mindfulness and relaxation exercises
Educational content
Registered healthcare professionals
Multiple services offered
Flexible scheduling
Provides medication management
Covered by many health insurance providers
Specialized OCD treatment
Licensed therapists
Personalized plans
Response times can vary
Limited health insurance coverage
No medication management
Response times can vary
Limited therapy
No medication management
No medication management
Lack of human interaction
Less personalized guidance
No medication management
Limited OCD therapy
Limited communication methods
Only for in-network insurance plans
Appointment costs differ
Limited to 30 US states
How We Chose the Best Online Therapy Apps for OCD
In order to effectively select the best therapy apps for OCD, we meticulously evaluated three key components: quality, price, and brand reputation. In doing so, we were able to provide a comprehensive overview of the most effective and reliable platforms.
Quality
To gain a well-rounded overview of each app’s quality, we looked at various elements. One area we examined was the user experience provided by each app, which involved identifying how easy they are to navigate, the available resources provided, the degree of personalization available, and similar.
We also looked at the qualifications of the available therapists delivered by each platform. This involved checking to see whether they possess the relevant qualifications and expertise needed to treat patients with OCD.
Price
Upon assessing the pricing of OCD therapy apps, we took into account several elements. We compared pricing models from different platforms, including the subscription options available and pay-per-session options offered, to unveil the cost-effectiveness of each app.
We also looked at the insurance coverage offered by each digital therapy provider to explore which app provides the most affordable coverage.
Finally, we reviewed each app’s availability of free trials and discounts to assess how accessible their services were to new users.
Brand reputation
To evaluate the brand reputation of each provider, we explored customer reviews and testimonials, scrutinized each platform’s commitment to ethical therapeutic practices, and assessed the quality and responsiveness of each app’s customer support.
We also looked into their achievements within the industry by searching for any awards and certifications, as these indicate positive recognition from mental health organizations, which reflects the app’s credibility.
A Word From Our RD
Mental health is integral to our overall well-being. It impacts our happiness, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, which is why it’s essential to ensure we treat it with care.
OCD, in particular, is a mental health condition that requires expert treatment. By treating OCD, your repetitive thoughts, overwhelming impulses, and feelings of anxiety can become manageable and even disappear, providing you with relief and the ability to take back control of your life.
There are many ways you can treat OCD, including medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, or a combination of both. You may even find simple at-home exercises, like meditation or simply taking a walk, an effective way of alleviating your symptoms of OCD.
Whichever type of therapy you opt for, it’s paramount to ensure you are seeking help from a qualified professional to ensure you reap the benefits of effective treatment.
FAQs
Online therapy can be exceptionally effective if you suffer from OCD. Many virtual therapy platforms provide evidence-based therapy, such as exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, which is clinically proven to be an effective treatment for OCD.
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy is recognized as the most effective treatment for OCD. Many digital mental health support platforms deliver this type of therapy, ensuring individuals with OCD receive effective and beneficial treatment.
The 6-step therapy for OCD is broken down like this: assessment, exposure, response prevention, homework, and maintenance. This engaging framework systematically addresses obsessions and compulsions to help individuals overcome their OCD and regain control of their lives.
Conclusion: Who Stands Out?
The ever-evolving world of digital therapy has made treatment more accessible than ever.
Whether you’re seeking medication management, exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), there’s a multitude of digital platforms available that can help you combat the effects of OCD.
While there are many wonderful online therapy apps designed to treat OCD, we found that three particularly stood out from the rest: Talkspace, BetterHelp, and NOCD.
These leading platforms excel due to their wide range of tailored features, including medication management, access to licensed therapists, and proven treatment methods, like ERP therapy.
As individuals search for accessible and effective ways to manage their OCD, these platforms shine as beacons of support, enabling people to regain control of their lives through unique and exclusive online methods and tools.