We Tested Over 65 Online Therapy Platforms — Here’s Our Picks for Best Online Trauma Therapy
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We Tested Over 65 Online Therapy Platforms — Here’s Our Picks for Best Online Trauma Therapy

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Updated on January 14, 2025
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Trauma has become a hot-button topic, thanks to the rising awareness of its prevalence. Research shows at least 60 percent of men and 50 percent of women will experience a trauma in their life — and some trauma survivors never seek out treatment.

 Luckily, our culture has been responding to the reality of how common trauma is. Celebrities are speaking out about their experience, countless self-help books reflecting on trauma line bookshelves, and more therapists are receiving trauma-specific training.

Effective treatment for trauma often involves psychotherapy and, with the rise of online therapy, finding support couldn’t be more convenient. We’ve personally tested 65 therapy platforms and narrowed down our top 10 picks for the best online therapy for trauma. Read on to find the best treatment for you.

Our Top Picks for Best Online Therapy for Trauma

What if I’m Having Thoughts of Harming Myself?

If you or a loved one is experiencing significant distress or having thoughts about suicide and need support, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. If you need immediate help, call 911.

Best for Innovative Treatments

Innerwell

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Pros

  • Offers advanced treatments specifically for PTSD
  • Client portal includes additional resources like meditations and soothing music
  • Superb experience with quality of care
  • Accepts some insurance plans

Cons

  • Ketamine therapy is not a fit for everyone
  • Customer service can be slow to get ahold of
  • Cost: Innerwell’s out-of-pocket costs are as follows:
    • Talk therapy is $165 per 50-minute session. After the initial intake, you also have the option of booking 30-minute sessions for $100.
    • EMDR therapy is $165 per 50-minute session.
    • Psychiatry sessions are $350 for the initial 60-minute intake. 30-minute follow-ups are $200.
    • Ketamine treatment varies from $83 to $125, based on your unique treatment plan. Packages are available: An eight-dose package is $308 per month for three months and a 24-dose package is $492 for four months.
    • Psychedelic prep and integration session are $165 per 50 minute session, $100 per 30 minute session
  • Types of therapy offered: Individual, psychiatry, psychedelic therapy
  • Accepts insurance: Yes
  • Therapy session length: 50 minutes

With the rising research into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has come insight into how nontraditional treatments can provide massive relief. Rather than relying on traditional talk therapy, providers are turning to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy or less common forms of support like ketamine infusions. Innerwell offers both, making them our top pick for innovative treatments.

When you hear the word “ketamine,” you might be confused by how a party drug is now used to treat PTSD. But even just a single dose of ketamine can reduce symptoms of depression and PTSD for certain folks. Combining it with talk therapy boosts the benefits even more.

 If the idea of using ketamine is off-putting to you, we totally get it. That’s why we love that Innerwell also offers EMDR, a somatic therapy modality that helps individuals process distressing memories.

We had a great experience testing out talk therapy at Innerwell. Our therapist had spot-on interpretations, an excellent bedside manner, and impressive training credentials. The biggest drawback we stumbled upon was the customer service experience. When reaching out to receive an invoice for our sessions, we had to wait multiple days to get a response and even longer to receive the invoice. However, that annoyance felt minuscule in comparison to the benefits we experienced on the platform.

Best for Insurance

WellQor

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Pros

  • Sign-up is easy
  • Fantastic customer service
  • Matches you with a therapist
  • Offers therapy for teens

Cons

  • No medication management is available
  • Doesn’t list out-of-pocket rates on the website
  • Cost: According to the WellQor representative we spoke to, you can expect to pay $125 per session if not using your insurance. If you do have insurance, your final cost is dependent on your insurance coverage.
  • Types of therapy offered: Individual, couples, children (10-plus), family
  • Accepts insurance: Yes
  • Therapy session length: 50 minutes
Finding quality trauma therapy that’s covered by insurance with the convenience of online appointments is critical for many. Unfortunately, our nation’s insurance system makes this challenging. A recent study that reviewed an online therapy directory of over 175,000 therapists found that one-third didn’t accept insurance. This is thought to be partly due to the dismal reimbursement rates therapists receive when accepting insurance over cash pay.

 Luckily, WellQor accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare, and has highly qualified therapists on staff, even some who are EMDR-certified.

When testing the service, we were very impressed by our provider’s credentials — she was EMDR-certified and held a high standard of professionalism. WellQor’s impeccable customer service also blew us away. When the issue of canceling and rescheduling appointments came up due to a provider being impacted by a natural disaster, the clinical director called us personally to sort things out. This personal touch left us feeling cared for. We wish this service offered medication management, but if that is a need of yours, consider checking out Talkiatry.

grouport transparent logo

Best for Group Therapy

Grouport

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Pros

  • Wide range of groups available
  • Can be matched with a group
  • Reasonable out-of-pocket costs

Cons

  • Doesn’t accept insurance
  • DBT groups require a 12-week commitment
  • Cost: The majority of groups are priced at $35 per week, billed monthly at $140. Grouport’s dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills group is $25 per week and is initially billed for 12 weeks, costing $299. Any DBT sessions beyond those first 12 weeks are billed on a monthly basis.
  • Types of therapy offered: Group therapy for adults
  • Accepts insurance: No
  • Therapy session length: 60 minutes
A big challenge of healing from traumatic events is the feelings of isolation and shame that often come up. While individual therapy is very helpful in navigating these feelings, the importance of social connection cannot be overlooked. According to recent research, group therapy can be a critical part of healing from trauma, thanks in part to its focus on minimizing social isolation.

 This led us to test various online group therapy platforms, assessing the quality of care, pricing, and variety of available groups. We found Grouport to be a reasonably priced platform that offers groups focused on anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), grief and loss, relationship issues, and trauma and PTSD.
While testing Grouport, we especially enjoyed the dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) sessions. DBT is a form of therapy that teaches skills rooted in mindfulness and other well-established techniques to cope with overwhelming emotions and minimize distressing thoughts and actions. There are variations of DBT that are specifically for PTSD and have been shown to decrease symptoms of PTSD.

 While the DBT groups are billed for 12 weeks upfront, which may be a drawback for some, we saw the merit in that approach. DBT reaps the best results when used consistently. Grouport doesn’t accept insurance, but groups are relatively affordable on this platform.
OurRitual Logo

Best for Couples Therapy

OurRitual

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Pros

  • Strong focus on psychoeducational content
  • Plenty of tools to use between sessions
  • Unique, holistic approach to couples therapy
  • Can utilize services with or without a partner

Cons

  • Does not accept insurance
  • Have to reach out to customer service to switch providers
  • Cost: With a partner, you will pay $260 per month for weekly sessions and program access. If you commit to six months, the cost is $208. Without a partner, you can opt for weekly sessions at $160 per month or $100 per month for biweekly sessions. All services require a three-month commitment.
  • Types of therapy offered: Individual and couples therapy
  • Accepts insurance: No
  • Therapy session length: 20 to 50 minutes
Part of what makes trauma recovery difficult is that it can negatively impact romantic relationships.

 This only highlights the need for a holistic approach to healing, one that focuses on the individual, their social support, and their relationships. Yet, couples therapy can be tricky since there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. OurRitual is an online service for couples that offers tons of psychoeducation, plenty of ways to receive therapy, and the opportunity for self-guided work between sessions. We felt this innovative approach and the ability to have varied levels of support should earn the platform a spot on our list.

Some couples find themselves never getting around to therapy because of the time commitment. But OurRitual offers the opportunity to opt for 20- or 50-minute sessions. We liked the therapist we worked with at OurRitual, appreciated that each member of the couple had a separate portal to communicate with the provider, and found all the tools included extremely helpful. The self-guided resources designed to be used between sessions include video content, exercises, and journal prompts that all work to cultivate skills for better relational functioning.

Something to be aware of is that OurRitual requires an initial three-month commitment for services — if you terminate early, you will be charged an extra $50. This may be an issue for some, but couples therapy typically requires at least three months' worth of sessions before you’ll see results.

brightside health logo

Best for Crisis Care

Brightside Health

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Pros

  • Guided lessons for use between sessions
  • Offers a crisis care program
  • Accepts insurance

Cons

  • Heavy focus on tracking progress may be frustrating for some
  • Only offers CBT
  • Cost: There are multiple plans available through Brightside Health. Costs are:
    • Psychiatry is $95 per month and includes a psychiatric provider evaluation and brief check-ins. The cost of medication is not included.
    • Therapy sessions are $299 per month. This includes weekly 45-minute therapy sessions, unlimited messaging with your provider, and access to guided lessons between sessions
    • To access both the psychiatry and therapy sessions, you can expect to pay $349 a month.
    • The crisis care plan includes psychiatry services and costs $299 per month.
  • Types of therapy offered: Individual, psychiatry
  • Accepts insurance: Yes
  • Therapy session length: 45 minutes

With nearly all the online therapy platforms we’ve tested, crisis care isn’t available. If you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts and disclose that in your intake paperwork, you will be told to contact emergency services. While we applaud online platforms for not working with clients they aren’t equipped to properly support, this leaves some folks with minimal options for help when they need it the most. Brightside Health has introduced a crisis care program, setting them apart from other therapy services out there. The program is research-driven and evidence-based.

We already loved Brightside Health’s services — when testing the platform, we found its providers to be fantastic, enjoyed the lessons provided between sessions, and appreciated that it accepts insurance.

When we learned about the crisis care program, we were intrigued to learn more about the specific treatment model used. The program uses the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) framework, which has been shown to decrease suicidal ideation, giving us even more assurance that this program can help many struggling with suicidal thoughts. This framework emphasizes close collaboration between the therapist and the client. The client can expect to work with their therapist to craft both a safety plan and treatment plan, offering an empowering approach to decreasing suicidal behavior.

 Patients displaying an elevated suicide risk or who have had a recent suicide attempt can be seen at Brightside within 48 hours.
Just a note for those who want to use Brightside’s regular therapy services — it focuses heavily on tracking progress and uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as its preferred modality, which may not be a fit for everyone. CBT targets the origin of distressing behaviors and emotions by identifying the thoughts that influence them and working to make adaptive changes in thinking.

Talkiatry transparent logo

Best for Psychiatry

Talkiatry

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Pros

  • Easy to get started
  • Specializes in treating PTSD
  • Will match you with a psychiatrist

Cons

  • Only provides care to those with insurance
  • Not easy to switch providers
  • Cost: Since Talkiatry only provides care to those with insurance, the final cost is dependent on your insurance coverage.
  • Types of therapy offered: Individual therapy for adults, psychiatry, crisis care
  • Accepts insurance: Yes
  • Therapy session length: 45 minutes
Medication can be a useful part of trauma treatment (though it generally is not as effective as trauma-focused psychotherapy), with some of the most common treatments including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

 However, accessing psychiatric care can be difficult due to a low number of providers accepting insurance, long waitlists, and high out-of-pocket costs. A recent study conducted across five states found over half of psychiatrists contacted weren’t accepting new clients.

 Talkiatry is an online psychiatry platform that provides care exclusively to those with insurance, thus expanding access for many. Plus, PTSD is one of its main specialties.

When we tested Talkiatry, we were able to get started very quickly. We were matched with an in-network therapist and had our first session scheduled within two days. Our provider was easy to talk to, and we could easily review her training and credentials on the website — no digging involved.

It is worth noting that Talkiatry only provides care to those with insurance. If this presents a roadblock for you, consider exploring Brightside Health’s psychiatry plan.

Best for Ease of Use

Alma

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Pros

  • Can find in-network therapists
  • Easy search process
  • Plenty of options

Cons

  • Some therapists are not accepting new patients
  • Appointment wait time varies
  • Cost: Since Alma primarily caters to those with insurance, your final cost may vary based on your insurance coverage. Out-of-pocket costs can vary from as low as $80 to over $250.
  • Types of therapy offered: Individual, couples, children, and family therapy
  • Accepts insurance: Yes
  • Therapy session length: Varies based on provider, typically 50 minutes

Finding the right therapist can be hard work. You want someone you click with, who’s also equipped to treat the issues you’re facing. Not to mention ensuring they accept your insurance. Yet, when looking for a trauma therapist, you shouldn’t have to compromise on any of these things. Alma, an online therapy directory focused on providers who accept insurance, makes it easier to find the care you need.

We like Alma’s attention to detail. When searching for a provider, you will be asked what you’d like to focus on, the approach you’d like your therapist to take, any identity preferences you have for your therapist, and even if you want to the option meet in person or virtually. If paying out of pocket, you can indicate the price range you can afford during sign-up. If not, you’ll note what your insurance is. When using your insurance benefits, if you have Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Oxford, or UnitedHealthcare (UHC), you can use Alma’s cost estimate to get an idea of your final cost before booking (though note that this is not a firm number).

Grow

Best Availability

Grow Therapy

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Pros

  • Accepts a wide variety of insurance plans
  • Easy to change providers
  • Offers couples and family therapy

Cons

  • Video platform can have an unstable connection
  • Therapist availability can vary
  • Cost: Since this is a directory, it will vary based on the provider and typically range from $150 to $275. Costs could be lower, depending on your insurance coverage.
  • Types of therapy offered: Individual, couples, children, teens, family, psychiatry
  • Accepts insurance: Yes
  • Therapy session length: Varies based on provider, typically 50 minutes

Deciding to go to therapy isn’t easy. Between the fear of the unknown, the reality of facing the pains of your past, and the daunting task of finding someone you click with, you might have avoided taking this step for a long time. Chances are, once you made up your mind, you didn’t want to wait any longer. While some platforms keep you waiting for weeks, we were set on finding a company that offers sessions with quick availability. Grow Therapy has tons of therapists to choose from, accepts insurance, and offers a variety of appointment times.

When we tested Grow Therapy, we were able to connect with our provider within four days of signing up, though there is no guarantee your preferred therapist will be available that quickly. We were also impressed with how our therapist handled tech issues. These come with the territory of online therapy, but she made sure to rectify the situation by moving us to a new video conferencing app. We also found solace in the fact that in the event things didn’t go well, it was easy to switch therapists. With this in mind, we recommend a bit of patience and open expectations as you navigate potential therapists on the platform.

ZocDoc Logo Transparent

Best Directory

ZocDoc

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Pros

  • Can see therapist’s schedules before booking
  • May be able to schedule an appointment immediately, pending therapist availability
  • Wide variety of clinicians

Cons

  • Some providers don’t accept insurance
  • Some therapists have outdated availability on their profiles
  • Cost: Since ZocDoc is a directory, the final price will vary based on the clinician. However, you can expect out-of-pocket costs to range from $150 to $550.
  • Types of therapy offered: Individuals, couples, children, teens, family, psychiatry
  • Accepts insurance: Yes
  • Therapy session length: Varies based on provider

If you can’t already tell based on some of our previous picks, we love a directory service. They’re easy to use and offer access to a wide range of providers offering all sorts of specialties and services. We find there’s also more freedom than with a subscription service. For example, with a subscription service, you’re beholden to that certain platform, whereas with a directory, you can switch therapists freely and even have consultation calls before making a commitment. ZocDoc caught our eye because it is extremely easy to use and has excellent availability. When you’re ready to get help, you probably want to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. ZocDoc makes this easier than ever.

When we tested ZocDoc, we ended up working with someone who just might be the best therapist we’ve ever had — and it only took a few minutes of searching to find her. A lot of directories only provide the therapist’s contact information, leaving the ball in your court to reach out and find a time you both can meet.

ZocDoc allows you to book directly through the site without requiring you to sign up for a subscription, making the process incredibly easy. However, keep in mind that not all therapists keep their current availability up-to-date on their website. While that is frustrating, we know this can happen across various platforms and isn’t unique to ZocDoc.

Talkspace

Best Subscription Service

Talkspace

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Pros

  • Various plans to choose from
  • Can engage in live chat therapy sessions
  • Has a user-friendly app

Cons

  • May not be the best fit for teens
  • Sessions are only 30 minutes
  • Cost: Talkspace has multiple plans designed to meet different needs and budgets:
    • Messaging therapy plans cost $69 a week and are billed on a monthly basis. With this plan, you can message your therapist anytime and expect responses within normal business hours.
    • Video and messaging plans cost $99 a week and are billed on a monthly basis. In addition to unlimited messaging, you can also access four 30-minute sessions a month.
    • If you’d like access to workshops centered on a variety of mental health topics in addition to the video and messaging plan, you can expect to pay $109 a week and be billed on a monthly basis.
    • Couples therapy is $109 a week for 30-minute sessions, billed on a monthly basis.
    • Psychiatry services are $299 for the initial evaluation and follow-up sessions are $175 each.
  • Types of therapy offered: Individuals, couples, teens, psychiatry
  • Accepts insurance: Yes
  • Therapy session length: 30 minutes
An easy way to get started with therapy is to look for a subscription service: they’re affordable, offer a set number of sessions per month, and will match you with a therapist. However, not all subscriptions are alike. When looking for a therapist specializing in trauma, you’ll want to have plenty of options. Just because someone has trauma-specific training doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be a good fit — and we know the relationship between the therapist and client is one of the most consistent predictors of clinical success.

 You also may want to opt for a platform that offers medication management if needed. Talkspace hits all of these points — you have various plans to choose from, plenty of therapists to consider, can change providers easily, and have access to psychiatry services.

Something we liked about Talkspace was its messaging feature. While we don’t love it as the sole form of therapy through the app, we found it to be a great addition to the video sessions. For example, we were able to message our therapist and provide some information on the issues we wanted to work on. Our therapist responded quickly, with responses that were detailed enough to address what we said, but not so long it felt overwhelming. Since we had the opportunity to connect beforehand, we felt our time spent during the video session was much more productive.

While we enjoyed both individual and couples therapy, we didn’t love the teen therapy sessions. We tested the teen therapy messaging sessions and found them to be lacking in structure and noticed it was easy to forget to respond, making them a poor fit for those who need targeted trauma treatment. But if you stick to a plan with messaging and video, remember you can change therapists at any time, so we’re confident you can find some solid support through this service.

Comparison Table

Price
Therapy Formats
Types of Therapy Offered
Number of Sessions Per Month
Therapy Session length
Accepts Insurance
Medication management available?
Innerwell
$83–$350
Video
Individual, psychiatry, psychedelic therapy
Varies; pay-per-session
50 minutes
Yes
Yes
Sign Up
WellQor
$125 per session
Video
Individual, couples, children (10-plus), family
Varies – pay-per-session
50 minutes
Yes
No
Sign Up
Grouport
$25–$35 per week, billed on monthly basis
Video
Group therapy for adults
4
60 minutes
No
No
Sign Up
OurRitual
$100–$260 per month
Video
Individual and couples therapy
4 session per month for couples; option for 2 session per month for individuals
20 50 minutes
No
No
Sign Up
Brightside Health
$95–$349 per month
Video
Individual therapy for adults, psychiatry, crisis care
4
45 minutes
Yes
No
Sign Up
Talkiatry
Varies based on insurance coverage
Video
Psychiatry for children, teens, and adults
Varies; pay per session
60 minutes for initial intake; follow-up sessions vary
Yes
Yes
Sign Up
Alma
Varies based on insurance coverage; out-of-pocket estimates range from $80 to over $250
Video
Individual, couples, children, and family therapy
Varies – pay per session
Varies based on provider, typically 50 minutes
Yes
No
Sign Up
Grow Therapy
Varies based on provider, typically ranges from $150 to over $275
Video
Individual, couples, children, teens, family, psychiatry
Varies; pay per session
Varies based on provider, typically 50 minutes
Yes
Yes
Sign Up
ZocDoc
$69–$109 per week, $299 for the initial psychiatry session and $175 for follow-ups
Video, messaging, audio
Individuals, couples, teens, psychiatry
4
30 minutes
Yes
Yes
Sign Up

Other Noteworthy Services We Tried

When putting together this article, we found a few other companies that might be a good fit. BetterHelp was a strong contender for the Best Subscription Service. It costs between $260 and $400 for four 30-minute sessions per month. However, we opted against this one because they don’t offer psychiatry services.

Another company that narrowly missed our list was Octave. We considered nominating Octave for best couples therapy. While Octave offers quality care, we found that OurRitual’s specific focus on couples therapy and integrating a variety of tools between sessions felt like a better fit for the needs of a couple where one or both parties have experienced trauma. Additionally, Octave is pretty pricey — without insurance, you can expect to pay upwards of $200 per session.

How We Tested the Best Online Therapy Companies for Trauma

To find the best online trauma therapy services, we assigned a roster of folks to try out over 65 therapy companies. Our testers vary from those who have spent years in therapy and are well-versed in the field to those who are mental health providers themselves. Each platform was assessed based on its ethics, quality of care, affordability, provider training and qualifications, and general ease of use. Each tester was tasked with trying out up to a month of services. We asked them about what did and didn’t work for them, places they saw room for improvement, and what they believe the platform does best.

This round-up was penned by a licensed clinical social worker. I own a private practice where I help individuals heal from anxiety, depression, and trauma. I’ve tested over a dozen online therapy platforms and have a decade of experience writing about mental health, racial disparities, and barriers to quality care.

What to Look for in a Therapy Platform

When looking for a therapy platform that can help you address trauma, you’ll first want to ensure the company provides trauma therapy. Then, explore the types of therapy offered and what makes them best suited to treat trauma conditions. If you can’t find that information easily on the website, don’t be afraid to reach out to an intake coordinator or customer service representative. This is your mental health and you should feel empowered to gather all the information you need to move forward.

Consider the type of platform you’d like. If you find the prospect of pouring over therapist profiles, figuring out payment, and running the risk of potentially having to start all over if your first therapist doesn’t work out feels overwhelming, consider a subscription service. A big benefit of subscription services is that they typically match you with a therapist, making them a great fit for therapy newcomers. Our favorite subscription services are Brightside Health and Talkspace.

For those who have experience in therapy and know the type of provider and modality they’d like, a directory may be a great fit — we love Alma and ZocDoc.

Am I a Good Candidate for Online Therapy?

Most likely. Online therapy is great for a lot of different conditions, including trauma and PTSD. However, if you’re in crisis not all platforms will be a fit for you. Brightside Health's crisis care program is specifically designed for those struggling with suicidal thoughts or who have had a recent attempt. Keep in mind that it isn’t a replacement for emergency services, and pending the severity of your crisis, you may need to dial 988 or head to the nearest emergency room.

What Is the Difference Between Therapy and Psychiatry?

Therapy is a type of mental health care that uses both verbal and somatic techniques to help alleviate mental distress. Psychiatry is a form of mental health care that focuses on prescribing medication to decrease symptoms of mental health disorders. Both are important cornerstones of mental healthcare and are sometimes used together by psychiatrists. 

How Can I Afford Therapy?

First, assess what your budget is by looking at the monthly amount you can afford to spend weekly and dividing it by four, that way you can have the option to engage in weekly sessions. Even if it’s just $25, there may be options for you.

Next, call your insurance provider and ask about any mental healthcare benefits you have. Request a list of in-network therapists — that way, you may be able to see a therapist and only pay a nominal copay. It’s also worth asking your insurance company to review your out-of-network benefits. Then, it’s time to find a platform or provider within your budget. If none of the options on this list are within your price range and you’re either underinsured or uninsured, consider Open Path Collective. It’s a directory of providers who offer sessions for $40 to $70 each.

FAQ

Is online therapy private?
Yes, online therapy is legally mandated to be private. Thanks to HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, content from your sessions is legally required to be kept confidential. However, if your provider has reason to believe you are a danger to yourself or others, there are limits to your confidentiality. Your therapist is ethically obligated to explain how they adhere to HIPAA in your beginning sessions, but if they don’t, be sure to ask them to explain everything to you.
When considering the differences between online therapy and in-person therapy, the biggest thing you’ll notice is the convenience. Rather than fighting a commute and sitting in a waiting room like you might when heading to an in-person appointment, you simply find a private space with a strong Wi-Fi connection for your online therapy appointment. However, some prefer the feeling of in-person therapy because the dedicated physical space to process unsettling emotions can feel therapeutic in itself.
Online trauma therapy isn’t much different from in-person trauma therapy. You’ll just notice that some modalities will be adapted as needed. For example, in EMDR therapy, your therapist may use special software that allows them to control the pace of the bilateral stimulation used during sessions. If opting for ketamine-assisted therapy, your provider may have specific instructions on how to set up your space for your session. You can always ask your therapist to explain what you should expect from online trauma therapy in your first session or at any point thereafter.

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Julia Childs Heyl, MSW

Author

Julia Childs Heyl, MSW, is a California-based clinical social worker and mental health writer. Her writing often focuses on mental health disparities and uses critical race theory as her preferred theoretical framework. She has been published by Verywell Mind, Health, Parents, Shape, Yahoo, and more.

In her clinical work, Julia specializes in treating people of color experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma through depth therapy and EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) trauma therapy. Identifying as a holistic-minded clinician, Julia views mental health as a relationship between the soul, self, and systemic structures in our lives. Her formative training includes developing mental health programming specifically for Black survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and conducting research on generational trauma within the Black community.

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Amy Marschall, PsyD

Tester

Amy Marschall, PsyD, is a freelance mental health writer and a licensed clinical psychologist.

She received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut, in 2015. She completed her pre-doctoral internship through the National Psychology Training Consortium (Central Region) and her post-doctoral residency at Family Psychological Center P.A. in Harrison, Arkansas.

Dr. Marschall has been a licensed psychologist since 2016 and currently owns a private practice, RMH-Therapy, where she provides therapy primarily to children and adolescents and does psychological evaluations. Her clinical specializations include trauma-informed care, neurodiversity-affirming care, rural mental health, and tele–mental health. She is licensed to practice psychology in Florida, Montana, New York, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, and is in the process of registering with PsyPact. She is also a registered psychologist in New Zealand and provides ADHD assessments through ADHD Online and therapy services through Spring Health, Lyra Health, and Modern Health.

She is also the clinical director of A Change for Better, an organization promoting affordable and accessible mental health care and resources, and the chair of the clinical committee at the ACFB Fund, a charitable organization that funds mental health services. She is also the resident neurodiversity expert with Grayce.

As a mental health writer, she has contributed to Parents, Health, and Spring Health, among other outlets.

In her spare time, Marschall enjoys reading, making jewelry, and spending time with her cats.

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Erin Heger

Tester

Erin Heger is a freelance journalist with more than 10 years combined experience in health writing and healthcare advocacy. Her reporting and essays have covered mental health, wellness, fitness, nutrition, and healthcare policy. You can find her byline in The Atlantic, Business Insider, HuffPost, and many other publications.

Before freelancing full time, Erin worked in healthcare advocacy as a community organizer for a reproductive rights organization and as a health insurance navigator at a community health center.

As a writer, Erin strives to empower readers with clear, accessible information to help readers make the best choices for themselves and their families.

Outside of work, Erin enjoys reading fiction, listening to podcasts, running, and watching reality TV. She lives in Kansas City with her husband and three children.

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Brittany Vargas

Tester

Brittany Elyse Vargas has been a professional writer and journalist for over a decade and has been exploring topics around mental health, mind-body medicine, health, wellness, and psycho-spiritual development for the past 20 years.

As a trauma-informed health journalist, she is a regular contributor to Everyday Health, Medscape and Verywell Mind. Her byline has also appeared in Yahoo Life, Shape, Integrative Practitioner, Business Insider, and BBC Travel, among others.

Brittany is also a certified Reiki Master who has been practicing since 2010.

She received her bachelor's degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara and is a proud Californian. In her spare time, she loves practicing yoga, dancing, hiking, and traveling.

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Simone Scully

Tester

Simone Scully is the editorial director for service commerce and marketplace content at Everyday Health. She has nearly 15 years of experience as a professional health and science journalist, covering topics such as the psychological impacts of living with chronic conditions, nationwide gaps in menopause healthcare, grief, neonatal loss, and the latest wellness trends over her career. Her byline has been published by over 35 publications, including Healthline, Well+Good, InStyle, Psych Central, Romper, Narratively, Nautilus magazine, and more.

Before joining Everyday Health, Simone was an editorial director of health and parenting commerce and service content at Dotdash Meredith. She oversaw a team of editors and writers that published content across nine different sites, including the Verywells, Parents, Health, and Shape. Prior to this, she also worked as an editor at The Weather Channel's Weather.com, Upworthy, theSkimm, and Business Insider. A project Simone oversaw at Weather.com on the health and environmental impacts of global water shortages won several awards in 2020, including the CMA award for Best Series of Articles, an IAC award, and an Eppy award, among others.

Simone received a master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, where she focused on science and health long-form reporting and photojournalism. Her master's thesis explored the treatment of prolonged grief disorder following a miscarriage or the loss of a child. She was also awarded the John Horgan Award for Critical Science and Health Journalism at graduation.

Born in Minnesota, Simone lived 14 years in France until she graduated high school, then three years in London to get her bachelor's degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She currently lives in the Hudson Valley of New York with her husband, son, dog, and cats. When she's not working, you can find her writing fiction or plays, hiking in national parks, or tending to her garden and indoor plants.

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Katie Mannion

Tester

Katie Mannion is a St. Louis–based writer and occupational therapy assistant with clinical experience across multiple healthcare and education settings.

As a writer, Katie covers an array of topics, but is particularly focused on health, mental well-being, and skincare. Her work has been featured in publications such as People, SheKnows, and Yahoo, among other outlets.

In her free time, she enjoys kickboxing, watching reality TV shows, and spending time with her son.

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Jen Sinclair

Tester

Jen Sinclair Is a freelance health and wellness writer who has spent the last two years writing feature articles and reviews of mental health and medical services and products. Her work has been published by Verywell Mind, Verywell Health, Health, and Parents. Prior to this, she worked for six years as a copywriter and blog writer for several legal and healthcare businesses, and as a paralegal for 15 years.

Jen currently lives with her husband and children in St. Augustine, Florida, where she enjoys spending time outdoors paddling waterways, driving around with the top off her Jeep, or trekking around with her writer hiker pals.

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Raki Swanson

Tester

Raki Swanson is a Minnesota-based freelance health writer and married mother to two adult children. She has experience covering mental health, fitness, food, and lifestyle topics, as well as significant experience reviewing and testing products for the Marketplace team, including online therapy, fitness gear, and food.

She received a bachelor's degree in applied psychology from St. Cloud University in Minnesota. She has also worked as a business development manager at a Fortune 500 company in Minnesota, and spent several years living in the south of France while growing up, which inspired her love of travel and food.

When she's not writing, you can find her reading, blogging, and enjoying being an empty nester with her husband, two dogs, and tabby cat named Kevin.

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EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
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  6. Bohus M et al. Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (DBT-PTSD) Compared With Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) in Complex Presentations of PTSD in Women Survivors of Childhood Abuse: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry. July 22, 2020.
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  10. Nakao M et al. Cognitive–behavioral therapy for management of mental health and stress-related disorders: Recent advances in techniques and technologies. BioPsychoSocial Medicine. October 3, 2021.
  11. Mansour M et al. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Narrative Review of Pharmacological and Psychotherapeutic Interventions. Cureus. September 8, 2023.
  12. Sun CF et al. Low availability, long wait times, and high geographic disparity of psychiatric outpatient care in the US. General Hospital Psychiatry. September-October 2023.
  13. Stubbe DE. The Therapeutic Alliance: The Fundamental Element of Psychotherapy. Focus: Journal of Life Long Learning in Psychiatry. October 18, 2018.
Additional Sources