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Last Updated on July 15, 2025 by Pen Pixel
Let me just say this out loud before I change my mind:
I hate that we live in a world where you can be dying inside and the only “help” you get is a chatbot asking, “How are you feeling today?”
Like, uhm, I’m crying in the dark. What do you think?
If you’ve ever downloaded a mental health app thinking it’ll fix you before your next breakdown, same.
If you’ve booked an online therapy session hoping this stranger in a pixelated box will finally “get it,” same.
And if you’ve stared at your phone after, wondering why you still feel heavy even after doing the work, you’re not alone.
The Key Takeaway.
So listen, not all online therapy and mental health apps suck, but most aren’t the miracle they claim to be. Talkspace (4/10) and Youper (3/10) feel cold, scripted, and way too corporate or robotic, I wouldn’t recommend them if you’re really struggling. BetterHelp (6.5/10) is okay if you get matched with the right therapist, but that’s a gamble. Woebot (5/10) is like a cute CBT chatbot that works for mild stress, not trauma. Sanvello (7.5/10) is great for tracking your patterns and doing gentle daily work, but gets limited unless you pay. Mindshift CBT (8.5/10) is my top pick, free, focused, and quietly helpful for managing anxiety in real time. And Shine (6/10)? It’s soft and validating, especially for Black and brown women, but don’t expect it to carry your whole healing journey. Use them for support. But don’t expect soul work from an app. That’s something only you and real therapist can truly do.
What’s Online Therapy?
It’s therapy. But through your phone, or laptop. No physical offices. Just a screen, a voice, and a Wi-Fi signal strong enough to carry your trauma.
Sometimes it’s voice calls. Sometimes video. Sometimes text. And sometimes, it’s just you typing to an app, hoping it’ll say something that makes you feel less insane.
- Sounds convenient? Yeah.
- Sounds a little cold and disconnected too? Yup.
But that’s the trade-off. Accessibility vs. intimacy. We’ll get into that.
My Online Therapy and Mental Health Apps Review.
Text-Based Therapy Feels Like Talking to Your HR Manager.
You ever tried pouring your heart out through a chatbox?
Typing “I feel empty and useless” while the therapist replies,
“Thank you for sharing. How long have you felt this way?”
Girl, what?! I just told you I’m on the edge and you’re sounding like Microsoft Word Help Assistant.
It’s like whispering a secret through a tin can and hoping someone on the other side hears the pain.
Spoiler: They don’t always. Not really.
Sure, it’s better than nothing.
But sometimes it’s also exactly nothing.
Video Calls Help… Until They Don’t.
Okay, this one? I had high hopes. Face-to-face, right? Human-to-human?
But here’s what happened.
I’d be spilling my guts out on Zoom, crying into my sleeve… and the therapist is just nodding. Smiling gently.
Sometimes I could literally see them glancing at their notes. Or worse, the time on the screen.
45 minutes later: “Okay, time’s up. Let’s pick up here next week.”
Ma’am, my soul is on fire. Can I get an extra 5 minutes or… a fire extinguisher?
It felt like buying a hug from a vending machine. It comes in a box, it’s pre-packaged, and it tastes like cardboard.
The Apps That Pretend They’re Your Friend? Please.
I’ve tried them. MOST of them.
- Mood trackers.
- Affirmation apps.
- AI therapists.
- Journaling prompts that ask, “What are three things you’re grateful for today?”
Okay. I’m grateful the building didn’t collapse on me this morning. Is that what you wanna hear?
The worst part? These apps act like they’re there for you but then hit you with a paywall mid-crisis.
“Upgrade to Premium to access emergency help.”
Are you mad? I’m spiraling and you want $10/month? You think my depression has a savings account?
It Works, But Only If You Know What You’re Looking For.
Okay, online therapy can work. Mental health apps can help. But only and I mean ONLY, if you:
- Know what you’re struggling with.
- Know the kind of support that helps you (emotional validation? structure? solutions?).
- Know how to advocate for yourself when the therapist isn’t vibing.
Because if not? You’ll spend months trauma-dumping on someone who doesn’t get you, all while paying to feel misunderstood.
And that can make your mental health worse. Yep.
No One Talks About the Guilt That Comes After.
This part is personal. But I know someone out there needs to hear it.
There were days I’d finish a therapy session, close my phone, and just sit there. Feeling worse. And then I’d start beating myself up for not “using the resources.”
- For still feeling empty after “doing the right thing.”
- For not getting better.
Nobody tells you that online therapy can feel like journaling out loud… And getting ghosted by your own progress.
The Good Side (Because Yes, It Exists).
Let me not act like it’s all trash. Because sometimes, it’s not.
- Some therapists online are angels.
- That CBT tool on an app? Helped me break a spiral.
- Some mental health apps? Literally saved my life once.
- That daily check-in feature? Reminded me to breathe.
- That emergency SOS button? Helped me feel seen, even if only by an algorithm.
And sometimes, knowing there’s something on your phone that kinda cares? That’s enough to get you through the next hour.
And the hour after that.
And sometimes… that’s all you need.
A Few Ones I Tried + Ratings.
Talkspace – 4/10.
Would I recommend? Nope. Keep scrolling.
Type: Paid Only (Subscription-based therapy. No free version at all.)
You Pay Before You Even Cry. 😒
Why I’m giving it a 4:
They market it like you’re getting constant access to a therapist, but it’s mostly asynchronous (delayed) texting, and not even frequent at that. You could pour your soul out at 9AM and get a generic response 48 hours later like,
“I hear you. Let’s talk more about that in our next session.”
Uhh, ma’am, I was having an emotional breakdown 2 days ago?? Where were you?
Also, it felt super corporate. Like you’re on a customer service chat, not a healing journey.
It was giving “Press 1 for trauma.” So yeah. NEXT.
BetterHelp – 6.5/10.
Would I recommend? Maybe, but only if you’re lucky.
Type: Paid Only (Also subscription-based, no free access).
Therapist roulette, but it’s expensive.
Why I’m giving it a 6.5:
I’ll be fair, BetterHelp can work if you land a unicorn therapist. But that’s the thing, you have to get lucky.
The therapist matching system is hit or miss. I got matched with someone who lowkey treated my sessions like checklist coaching. No emotional depth. Just goals and homework.
And yes, they switch you if you’re not vibing, but switching takes time, energy, and a bit of “therapist breakup” guilt no one talks about.
It’s decent. But it’s not giving soul-healing. It’s giving… “productivity-focused therapist who wants you to ‘reframe’ everything.”
Youper – 3/10.
Would I recommend? Nope. Hard pass.
Type: Freemium (Free to download, but you’ll hit a paywall for deeper features fast)
Free at first, but starts begging like a broke ex.
Why I’m giving it a 3:
It’s basically an AI therapist. That’s the whole gimmick.
A robot that says:
“I sense you’re feeling sad. Want to explore that feeling together?”
No. I’m not sad, I’m falling apart.
I get the appeal though, it’s instant, it’s private, and it kind of feels like talking to Siri with feelings. But after a while?
It just feels like you’re trauma-bonding with ChatGPT’s cousin.
Cold. Empty. Repetitive. If you need a place to vent without judgment, maybe. But don’t expect it to hold space for you like a human being can.
Woebot – 5/10.
Would I recommend? Only as an add-on. Not a main solution.
Type: Free.
Fully free, bless their cartoon heart.
Why I’m giving it a 5:
Another AI therapist vibe, but cuter. It uses CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) techniques and chats with you like a supportive cartoon character. Honestly, the first week? Kinda comforting. It helps you question your thoughts, shift perspectives, and giggle a little.
But the catch is that you outgrow it fast. After a while, it’s like talking to a cheerful therapist puppet that says the same things over and over again. It’s not deep. It’s CBT-flavored bubblegum. Good for a mini reset. But not for real, layered healing.
Sanvello (A.K.A. Able To) – 7.5/10.
Would I recommend? Yes, but with boundaries.
Type: Freemium.
Free version is decent, but they hide the good stuff behind a premium wall.
Why I’m giving it a 7.5:
This one surprised me. It’s a blend, mood tracking, journaling, CBT tools, mindfulness, even guided coaching sometimes.
It’s one of the only apps that doesn’t try to act like a therapist. It knows its lane and stays there.
You log your mood. You track patterns. You do mini mental workouts. And over time? You actually notice things.
Like, “Damn, I always spiral after 6PM.” Or, “I’m not sad, I’m overstimulated.”
Downside? The premium version hides a lot of the good stuff. So if you’re broke or saving coins? The free version feels a bit stingy.
Mindshift CBT – 8.5/10.
Would I recommend? YES!
Type: Free. Completely free. No subscriptions. No hidden fees.
Why I’m giving it an 8.5:
Free. Minimal. No gimmicks. Just solid, practical tools for people who are trying to manage anxiety without making it a personality trait.
It helps you identify anxious thoughts, challenge them, track what triggers you, and even offers little “quick relief” tools like breathing exercises or mindset shifts.
Best part? No ads. It’s the kind of app that’s not trying to brand your healing journey, just quietly support it. You know, like a chill big sister who doesn’t talk much, but knows how to calm you down when you’re spiraling.
Shine App – 6/10.
Would I recommend? Depends on your vibe.
Type: Freemium.
Free to start, but the affirmations and daily meditations you really need are usually premium.
Why I’m giving it a 6:
It’s soft. Gentle. Made for BIPOC women especially, so the affirmations and meditations feel personal, not generic. It gives “you got this” energy when you’ve got nothing left.
It’s not for deep healing. It’s for surviving the week. A lot of content is locked behind a paywall, and the vibe is more self-care than therapy. It’s like a cozy blanket.
Nice to have. Not enough to stop the storm though.
Online therapy and mental health apps are tools. Not solutions. They’re not supposed to fix you, they’re only supposed to support you. You’re the one who has to decide to stay one more day. No app can do that for you.
