We Tested Over 65 Online Therapy Companies, and These Are the 9 We’d Recommend for Group Therapy.

Of the 65 online therapy companies we tested, Circles stands out as the best group option for divorce support. Circles is an online therapy platform dedicated to helping individuals navigate divorce and narcissistic abuse. Unlike many other therapy platforms that cover a wide range of issues, Circles focuses exclusively on these challenges, offering a specialized and supportive experience.

For just $15 per month, users gain access to unlimited audio-only group sessions, making it an affordable ongoing support solution. The audio format provides a level of privacy that can be especially helpful for those dealing with sensitive issues. Users can remain anonymous, creating a comfortable space where they can share their experiences without feeling exposed.

Our tester for Circles, Raki Swanson, praised the platform’s strong emphasis on educating users about narcissism. The intake process includes key questions such as “How has your narcissistic relationship affected other relationships?” and “How are you currently managing your narcissistic relationship?” This helps to ensure that users get matched with the appropriate support groups.

Not all of the companies we tested offer therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but of the handful that did, NOCD was by far the best, thanks to its exclusive focus on OCD as well as its extensive training for therapists.

While NOCD doesn’t offer group therapy, it does provide free support groups and informational webinars. Users can create an account at any time and begin attending support groups — even without attending therapy sessions. Because therapy sessions can range from $110 to $210 each, the free support groups allow people to access care without large out-of-pocket costs. The 60-minute group sessions are always moderated by a licensed therapist and occur weekly via Zoom.

I personally tested NOCD’s individual therapy and support groups. The group was helpful in reminding me that I am not alone in facing OCD, a mental health diagnosis that can be incredibly isolating. I greatly appreciated NOCD’s wide variety of topics and times for support groups, as I was able to easily find one that fit my busy schedule. At the time I tested it, there were seven group times offered on Tuesday alone!

In addition to testing therapy companies, we also tested directories. We found that Zocdoc was the best directory for group therapy, due to its user-friendly platform and the ability to schedule directly through the website.

Zocdoc lists therapists (and other healthcare professionals) and allows users to search for the best fit for them. You can filter results based on therapist qualifications, availability, accepted insurance, and session formats. Even before clicking on a particular therapist, users can view their credentials, Zocdoc rating, acceptance of insurance, and available times within the next two weeks. Search results are clearly labeled, making it easier to sift through the pages of therapist bios. You can search specifically for group therapy.

Our Zocdoc tester, Brittany Vargas, highlighted the impressive qualifications of the therapists she found in the directory. “The provider pool was much better than what I’ve seen on other platforms, and I loved seeing schedule info prominently displayed on each profile,” she says. She also appreciated the diverse demographics of the therapists, as well as the variety of therapy modalities represented. Zocdoc lists therapists trained in common therapy approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as lesser-known ones like Internal Family Systems and somatic therapy. Finding a therapist trained in more cutting-edge modalities can be important for users who have attended therapy in the past.

Of all 65 online therapy services we tested, The Dinner Party features, hands down, the most unique approach to coping with grief. Grief is a deeply personal experience, and oftentimes people who are going through it want to be around others who understand. That’s where The Dinner Party comes in.

Unlike traditional therapy or standard support groups, The Dinner Party gathers adults ages 21 to 45 who have experienced significant loss to share a meal in a relaxed setting — either in person or virtually. Participation in The Dinner Party group is free. However, the in-person gatherings follow a potluck style, so you may need to bring along a small dish or grocery item, such as pasta salad or a package of cookies.

By creating an informal space, The Dinner Party allows participants to talk openly about grief without stigma or prescribed expectations. What sets this model apart is its focus on peer connection and community involvement, rather than clinical treatment.

Groups, or “Tables” as The Dinner Party calls them, may focus on specific shared experiences, such as the loss of a loved one to suicide, or becoming a young widow or widower. Tables meet monthly, allowing consistent growth and connection without the commitment feeling all-consuming.

Our tester, Mary Sauer, praised the “inviting look” of the company’s website. After being accepted to a Table within a day of requesting it, she met via Zoom with 8 to 10 other participants. She also expressed a desire to continue attending the group after testing.

Of the online therapy platforms we tested that offer groups for substance abuse, Monument was the best option for alcohol use disorder. Its acceptance of insurance, overall affordability, and varieties of care stand out among other programs.

We appreciate Monument’s flexible approach to substance treatment. Unlike many programs that require complete sobriety, Monument recognizes that not everyone is ready or able to quit entirely. This ensures that people who continue to consume alcohol can still access support, rather than feeling discouraged or excluded from treatment options.

Monument operates on a monthly membership model, ranging from $14.99 to $249 per month. Memberships depend on the services you choose, which include community support, individual therapy, and medication management. The company’s therapist-led support groups and community chat forums can be accessed through the more affordable membership of $14.99 per month.

Monument’s support groups don’t just center on alcohol use but instead focus on many topics, including trauma, grief, parenting, self-esteem, family issues, anxiety, and depression. Groups allow either video and audio-only attendance, creating an opportunity for users to access care anonymously.

Beyond group support, users can further customize their treatment by using the self-guided tools Monument provides, including educational resources and coping mechanisms to aid in their recovery. Additionally, while the community membership allows people in every state to attend support groups, therapy and medication management services through Monument are only available in 21 states.

Grouport focuses on online group therapy, while also offering individual, couples, family, and teen therapy services. It also provides group therapy that centers on specific topics, although these groups are only available in three states. That said, the company’s DBT groups are its standout feature, and they are offered in every state. This nationwide availability makes it easier for people to receive DBT-based support without being limited by location.

Our Grouport tester, Katie Mannion, says that the DBT groups felt like an “educational workshop” rather than group therapy. That is a common description of DBT groups because the therapist provides education on a specific skill before letting participants role-play using the skill with one another. Groups with a DBT curriculum often function more like a class setting, where people learn about ways to manage their emotions, rather than a traditional group therapy setting.

During her testing experience, Mannion appreciated the group facilitator’s ability to provide emotional support to participants who shared their thoughts, while also continuing to move through the group’s content each week. “I felt like our leader did a really good job of making sure that everyone had the opportunity to participate,” she says.

Sondermind works with most major insurance providers, including Medicare, as well as health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, and employee assistance programs. For instance, Sondermind is in-network with plans from BlueCross BlueShield, CareFirst, CareSource, Cigna, ClaimDoc, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, Medicare, Oscar, and UnitedHealthcare.

Sondermind’s acceptance of insurance means that users don’t have to worry about paying huge out-of-pocket costs just to get the support they need. Instead, therapy seekers can focus on connecting with others and benefiting from group therapy, without financial stress getting in the way. With a large network of over 8,000 providers, the platform helps match you with a professional who takes your insurance — often within a few days. This is a game changer, since finding an in-network therapist on your own can be frustrating and time-consuming. Another advantage is how user-friendly Sondermind is, including its ability to let users filter their search results based on which therapists facilitate groups. There are virtual and in-person options, with both accepting insurance if needed.

Julia Childs Heyl, a clinical social worker and health writer, tested Sondermind’s services for us. She says that she looked forward to her sessions with Sondermind due to the “laid-back and direct demeanor” of her therapist — a trait she appreciates in a clinician.

LifeStance Health was by far the best of the services that offer hybrid group therapy options. We love its diverse range of group topics and its flexibility in terms of both online and in-person care.

Offering a broad selection of group therapy topics, including adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, grief, and parenting children with autism, LifeStance Health prioritizes supportive communities tailored to specific needs. This variety allows participants to connect with others facing similar struggles, while also benefiting from professional guidance in a structured, evidence-based setting.

However, group therapy through LifeStance Health is only available in 13 states, limiting access for many therapy seekers. With therapy prices ranging from $190 to $300, its services also might not be financially accessible without insurance.

Katie Mannion tested therapy services at LifeStance Health for us, finding the sign-up process quick, user-friendly, and straightforward. “Finding a therapist was relatively easy,” she says. However, she did point out a lack of transparency in terms of LifeStance Health’s pricing prior to sign-up. I encountered the same thing while searching for the cost of group therapy sessions, which did not yield clear results.

Of the 65 online therapy companies we tested, Mindful Care had the quickest availability. Its combination of immediate scheduling choices, attentive communication, and flexible therapy options positions it as a leading choice for individuals seeking effective online group therapy without being placed on a waitlist.

The company offers weekly one-hour group therapy sessions, as well as 20-minute individual “MicroTherapy” sessions. Users can choose to attend both group therapy and MicroTherapy, or whichever one works better for their needs and schedule. Additionally, Mindful Care provides medication management and substance use counseling for those who are interested.

A standout feature is the availability of appointments as soon as the same day. While it appears that groups meet at a specific time each day, this promptness is particularly beneficial for individuals who are seeking immediate support without prolonged waiting periods, which can be common with group therapy. Mindful Care allows new participants to join the group at any time, instead of waiting for a new group to begin.

Jen Sinclair, who tested Mindful Care’s services for us, found differences in comfort level within her group, evidenced by how frequently participants spoke. In her group of 10, some participants shared longer replies more often than others, indicating they had been attending the group longer. Having people who feel more comfortable sharing can make newer folks feel less put on the spot. She also appreciated her therapist’s “empathetic and gentle tone” while facilitating group discussions.

Even though Mindful Care is only available in six states (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, and Michigan), users can choose between virtual and in-person options.