Which online PTSD therapy takes insurance?

18 services here that name a trauma-focused therapy bill insurance in network: Alma, Amwell, Anywhere Clinic, Brightline, Cerebral, Doctor On Demand, Headway, LifeStance Health, Little Otter, Nema Health, NOCD, Rula, SonderMind, Spring Health, Talkspace, Thriveworks, Two Chairs and Within Health. 7 of them name Medicaid: Anywhere Clinic, Doctor On Demand, Headway, LifeStance Health, Little Otter, Rula and Two Chairs. What you pay depends on your plan's copay or deductible; each service's page and your insurer confirm it.

Does Nema Health take insurance, and what does it cost without it?

Yes: Nema Health's own pages say it bills insurance in network. Its pages do not name Medicaid as accepted. Without insurance: $275 per 50-minute therapy session and $400 for the 75-minute evaluation. Its service page lists the plans it names, with the page that states each one.

Can you get PTSD medication online?

Yes. 25 services here say on their own pages that their clinicians prescribe medication for PTSD by telehealth, after an evaluation and only when they judge it appropriate. By name: SSRIs (13), SNRIs (venlafaxine) (5), Prazosin (for nightmares) (7). The medicines approved for PTSD are not controlled substances, so the federal limits on prescribing controlled substances by telehealth do not apply to them. The National Center for PTSD says a person taking an SSRI or SNRI for PTSD may start to feel better in about 4 to 6 weeks, and needs to keep taking it to keep the benefits.

Which medicines are FDA-approved for PTSD?

sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil). Sertraline: PTSD, shown in adult outpatients; the label says safety and effectiveness are not established in children and teens for any use other than OCD (and major depressive disorder, OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and PMDD). Paroxetine: PTSD in adults only; not approved for children or teens (and major depressive disorder, OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder). Which one fits is a prescriber's decision.

How much does online PTSD therapy cost without insurance?

Prices are stated in different units, so compare them on each service's page. Among the services that name a trauma-focused therapy and publish a price without insurance: Amwell: ~$142/session; Anywhere Clinic: $150 evaluation; Brightline: $350 initial session, then $200 to $275 per ongoing session; Cerebral: $150 per session; Doctor On Demand: $134 for a 25-minute visit, $184 for a 50-minute visit; LifeStance Health: $210 to $432 per session; Little Otter: $200/session; Nema Health: $275; NOCD: $120 (30 min), $180 (45 min), $240 (60 min) per session; Rula: $150/session; SonderMind: $100 to $250 per session; Talkspace: $69/wk; Thriveworks: $200-$240 intake / $160-$195 follow-up; Two Chairs: $226/session; Open Path Psychotherapy Collective: $40 to $70 per individual session.

What about prazosin, benzodiazepines or MDMA for PTSD?

The National Center for PTSD lists venlafaxine (Effexor), an SNRI, with sertraline and paroxetine as the three antidepressants recommended for PTSD. The VA/DoD guideline suggests prazosin to treat nightmares that go with PTSD. The VA/DoD guideline recommends against benzodiazepines for the treatment of PTSD. The VA/DoD guideline says there is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD.

How do I know whether a therapist gives trauma-focused therapy?

The National Center for PTSD says to try to find a provider who focuses on evidence-based medications for PTSD or effective talk therapy for PTSD, such as CPT, PE or EMDR. The National Center for PTSD says to make sure the provider has experience treating people who have been through a trauma.

PTSD and trauma

Online PTSD and trauma treatment: CPT, EMDR and medication

Name: Online PTSD and trauma treatment: trauma-focused therapy, clinician training, medication and cost
Creator: OnlineTherapy.me
License: https://onlinetherapy.me/legal/terms

Which online services treat PTSD and trauma, which give a trauma-focused therapy (cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure, EMDR) and whether every clinician is trained in it, which prescribe medication for PTSD, and what each costs with insurance, with Medicaid or without, from their own pages. Every answer links to the page that states it.

PTSD facts checked · checked 3 d ago

21name CPT, PE or EMDR

3say every trauma clinician is trained

25prescribe for PTSD

94of 121 prices found on their own pages Nov 1, 2026

53 services compared here say on their own pages that they treat PTSD or trauma online. 47 give therapy for it and 21 of those name a trauma-focused therapy (cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure or EMDR), the therapies guidance puts first for PTSD; 3 say every clinician giving their trauma care is trained in it (Charlie Health, Nema Health and Within Health). 18 of the services that name one bill insurance in network, 7 name Medicaid. 25 say their clinicians prescribe medication for PTSD, most often naming SSRIs.

Trauma-focused therapy

47 services give therapy for PTSD or trauma

Every service here whose own pages name PTSD or trauma among what its therapists treat, grouped by what they say about trauma-focused therapy (cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure, EMDR, trauma-focused CBT, written exposure therapy): whether every clinician giving trauma care is trained in it, whether you choose one who specializes in trauma, whether one is named at all. General talk therapy is not trauma-focused therapy, so on a service that does not name one, ask for it by name.

Trauma-trained cliniciansSay every clinician giving trauma care is trained in it (3)

Service	What its pages say	Approaches named	With insurance	Price
Charlie HealthVisit site Intensive outpatientAges 8-64 AdultsTeensChildren Also prescribes	Gives trauma and PTSD treatment to kids, teens and adults through a virtual intensive outpatient program. Every client is paired with a primary therapist who specializes in trauma. A virtual intensive outpatient program for trauma with three group sessions, one individual therapy session and one family therapy session each week.	CBTDBTExposure therapyMindfulness-based Named for PTSD or trauma	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: states where intensive outpatient care is covered	No dollar price is stated; its trauma page says most clients (60%) pay $0 out of pocket.
Nema HealthVisit site Trauma & PTSD care Adults Also prescribes	Treats trauma, PTSD, complex PTSD and acute stress disorder in adults with intensive video therapy, peer support and optional medication management. Its cognitive processing therapy is delivered by licensed clinicians trained in the model, with ongoing supervision and case consultation. A three-phase PTSD program: a clinical evaluation, intensive CPT (most patients finish 12 sessions over 4 to 6 weeks), then an ongoing recovery phase called Rise.	Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)Prolonged exposure (PE)EMDR Named for PTSD or trauma	Bills insurance in network	$275 per 50-minute therapy session and $400 for the 75-minute evaluation.
Within HealthVisit site Eating-disorder careLimited availability Adults	Its eating-disorder teams treat co-occurring conditions including trauma and PTSD, in adult care and in its remote PHP and IOP. Its IOP page says its clinicians are hand-selected for specialized experience treating eating disorders and trauma.	Prolonged exposure (PE) Named for PTSD or trauma	Bills insurance in network	No self-pay price published

Service

What its pages say

Approaches named

With insurance

Price

Charlie HealthVisit site

Intensive outpatientAges 8-64

AdultsTeensChildren

Also prescribes

Gives trauma and PTSD treatment to kids, teens and adults through a virtual intensive outpatient program.

Every client is paired with a primary therapist who specializes in trauma.

A virtual intensive outpatient program for trauma with three group sessions, one individual therapy session and one family therapy session each week.

CBTDBTExposure therapyMindfulness-based

Named for PTSD or trauma

Bills insurance in network

Medicaid: states where intensive outpatient care is covered

No dollar price is stated; its trauma page says most clients (60%) pay $0 out of pocket.

Nema HealthVisit site

Trauma & PTSD care

Adults

Also prescribes

Treats trauma, PTSD, complex PTSD and acute stress disorder in adults with intensive video therapy, peer support and optional medication management.

Its cognitive processing therapy is delivered by licensed clinicians trained in the model, with ongoing supervision and case consultation.

A three-phase PTSD program: a clinical evaluation, intensive CPT (most patients finish 12 sessions over 4 to 6 weeks), then an ongoing recovery phase called Rise.

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)Prolonged exposure (PE)EMDR

Named for PTSD or trauma

Bills insurance in network

$275 per 50-minute therapy session and $400 for the 75-minute evaluation.

Within HealthVisit site

Eating-disorder careLimited availability

Adults

Its eating-disorder teams treat co-occurring conditions including trauma and PTSD, in adult care and in its remote PHP and IOP.

Its IOP page says its clinicians are hand-selected for specialized experience treating eating disorders and trauma.

Prolonged exposure (PE)

Named for PTSD or trauma

Bills insurance in network

No self-pay price published

Choose a trauma specialistLet you choose a clinician who specializes in trauma (22)

Service	What its pages say	Approaches named	With insurance	Price
AlmaVisit site Insurance marketplace Ages not stated	Lists therapists who treat trauma and PTSD, searchable by insurance, format and openings. Members can filter its directory for therapists who treat trauma and PTSD.	Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)EMDR Named for PTSD or trauma	Bills insurance in network	No self-pay price published
Anywhere ClinicVisit site Therapy + psychiatry Ages not statedAlso prescribes	Psychiatric PTSD care by video: evaluation, diagnosis, treatment planning and medication management, with coordination or referral to a trauma-focused therapist. Its talk therapy page lists licensed clinical psychologists specializing in trauma, anxiety and depression.	Trauma-focused CBTEMDR Named for PTSD or trauma	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: varies by state: in network in 13 states and D.C. on its state pages; not Medi-Cal or Illinois Medicaid	$150 self-pay for new and follow-up visits.
BetterHelpVisit site Subscription therapy FTC order: $7.8 million over sharing health data for advertising Ages not statedAlso prescribes	Its licensed mental health professionals can help people with PTSD from home by phone, video or live chat sessions. Its FAQ says it has therapists who specialize in specific issues, trauma among them.	CBT Named for all its care	Bills insurance in network	$70 to $100 per week for therapy without insurance (subscription pricing).
BrightlineVisit site Pediatric care TeensChildren	Its therapists treat trauma in kids and teens, matching the diagnosis to an evidence-based approach, with trauma-focused CBT for symptoms after a traumatic event. Some Brightline clinicians list trauma-focused therapy (TF-CBT) as their expertise, and each child is matched with the clinician whose training and focus fit the child's needs.	Trauma-focused CBT Named for PTSD or trauma	Bills insurance in network	Self-pay therapy is typically $350 for an initial session, then $200 to $275 per ongoing session.
CerebralVisit site Therapy + psychiatry FTC order: health data shared for advertising and hard-to-cancel subscriptions, about $7 million Justice Department and DEA: non-prosecution agreement over controlled-substance prescribing, $3.65 million forfeited New York Attorney General settlement: more than $740,000 over cancellation practices Ages not statedAlso prescribes	Its Conditions Cerebral Treats page lists PTSD as treated with therapy and medication. Its therapist directory for Texas lists therapists specializing in Trauma and Abuse.	EMDR Named for PTSD or trauma	Bills insurance in network	Therapy is $150 per session, charged when booked.
Daybreak HealthVisit site Pediatric careLimited availability TeensChildren	Its therapists work with kids and teens on challenges including trauma, through online therapy sessions. Its clinicians specialize across 26 mental health conditions and are matched to each student; some clinician profiles list trauma among their specialties.	CBT Named for all its care	Bills insurance in network Takes Medicaid	No fixed price: cost follows the family's insurance cost-sharing, and in many cases school-district partnerships make sessions free to families.
Doctor On DemandVisit site Therapy + psychiatry Ages not statedAlso prescribes	Its therapists and psychiatrists treat PTSD and trauma by video, and members can choose therapists whose specialties include trauma and PTSD. Members can choose from therapists with different backgrounds and specialties, including trauma and PTSD.	CBTEMDR Named for all its care	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: some Medicaid managed-care plans	Without insurance, therapy visits start at $134 and psychiatry visits at $299.
Grow TherapyVisit site Insurance marketplace Ages not stated	Offers insurance-covered therapy for trauma and PTSD with clinicians who list them as specialties. Members can filter for therapists who list trauma, PTSD and related modalities as specialties.	Not named	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: most states, plan by plan	Therapy sessions average about $21 with insurance coverage, depending on the plan.
HeadwayVisit site Insurance marketplace Ages not statedAlso prescribes	Offers insurance-covered trauma and PTSD care from therapists and psychiatrists who list trauma and PTSD as specialties. Members can find therapists or psychiatrists with experience treating trauma and PTSD.	Exposure therapyEMDRCognitive processing therapy (CPT) Named for PTSD or trauma	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: select Medicaid managed care plans in some states	People with insurance pay as low as $0 per session, depending on location, age and coverage.
NOCDVisit site OCD therapy Adults	Its therapists treat PTSD that occurs together with OCD, using prolonged exposure (PE) for PTSD alongside ERP for OCD. All its therapists are trained in ERP for OCD and many are also trained in prolonged exposure for PTSD, so a member with both can be matched with one.	Prolonged exposure (PE) Named for PTSD or trauma	Bills insurance in network	Standard cash pay rate is $240 per session for its therapy; no separate PTSD price is stated.
OctaveVisit site Insurance marketplace22 states + DC Adults	Has a Trauma Center of Excellence, a group of licensed therapists with trauma-informed care training, for people who have experienced trauma. Members can be matched with therapists in its Trauma Center of Excellence, who have 20+ hours of trauma-informed care training and 2+ years of experience with adults.	Not named	Bills insurance in network	Individual therapy is $170-250 per session out of pocket, and most clients pay $28 per session with in-network insurance.
Prosper HealthVisit site Autism care Adults	Its therapists help autistic adults with trauma and PTSD alongside autism and ADHD. Some therapist profiles list Trauma + PTSD as a specialty next to autism.	Not named	Bills insurance in network	Self-pay therapy is $125 per session for autistic adults.
RulaVisit site Insurance marketplace Ages not statedAlso prescribes	Offers insurance-covered PTSD therapy by video, phone or in person with therapists who list PTSD as a focus. Rula matches members with in-network providers who list PTSD among their areas of focus.	EMDRCognitive processing therapy (CPT)Prolonged exposure (PE) Named for PTSD or trauma	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: managed Medicaid for select states and insurers; therapy only	With insurance, many patients pay $0 to $25 per session.
SonderMindVisit site Insurance marketplace Ages not statedAlso prescribes	Offers PTSD therapy online or in person with therapists who specialize in PTSD, and trauma-focused care for veterans. Members can be matched with or request a provider who specializes in PTSD or has trauma-focused training.	CBTCognitive processing therapy (CPT)EMDRProlonged exposure (PE) Named for PTSD or trauma	Bills insurance in network	With insurance, many clients pay an average copay of around $25; self-pay rates vary by provider and location.
Spring HealthVisit site Employer / EAP Ages not stated	Its employer-sponsored network lists PTSD among conditions it treats, with in-network specialty care for high-acuity conditions. Members can filter providers by specialty, including trauma.	CBTDBTEMDR Named for all its care	Bills insurance in network	Cost depends on how care is accessed; many employer benefits and health plans cover some or all therapy costs.
TalkspaceVisit site Therapy + psychiatry Teens Also prescribes	Its providers offer online therapy and prescribed medication for PTSD, including trauma therapy tailored to teens. For veterans, it matches members with therapists experienced in the issues veterans face.	EMDRCBT Named for PTSD or trauma	Bills insurance in network	$69/wk
ThriveworksVisit site Insurance marketplace Ages not statedAlso prescribes	Gives PTSD and trauma therapy. Members can view providers who specialize in PTSD and search by insurance, credentials and education.	CBTProlonged exposure (PE)Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)EMDR Named for PTSD or trauma	Bills insurance in network	Self-pay therapy is $200 to $240 for an intake and $160 to $195 for follow-ups; psychiatry is $300 to $375 for an intake and $210 to $300 for follow-ups.
Two ChairsVisit site Insurance marketplace27 states + DC Ages not stated	Its clinicians treat PTSD among the diagnoses its provider page lists. Some therapist profiles list Trauma and PTSD as a specialty, and one therapist is a certified EMDR clinician.	CBTEMDR Named for PTSD or trauma	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: Medi-Cal through Kaiser Northern California	Self-pay therapy is $260 for the first appointment and $226 per session after; psychiatry is $270 for the first and $245 per session after.
Open Path Psychotherapy CollectiveVisit site Therapist directory Ages not stated	Its therapist directory has a Trauma and PTSD specialty filter, and each independent therapist gives the care. Members can filter the directory by a Trauma and PTSD specialty and by modalities such as EMDR and prolonged exposure.	Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)Prolonged exposure (PE)EMDRTrauma-focused CBTCBTDBTACTMindfulness-based Named for all its care	Self-pay only	The per-session fee is $40-70 in the US.
PlushCareVisit site Telehealth platform Adults Also prescribes	Its primary care doctors evaluate PTSD and can prescribe medication, and its licensed online therapists provide therapy. Its New York therapist page lists a therapist who specializes in healing from traumatic experience and often treats PTSD.	CBT Named for all its care	Bills insurance: doctor and psychiatry visits only; therapy is self-pay	$169 per online therapy session without insurance.
ZencareVisit site Therapist directory Ages not stated	Its trauma specialty pages list vetted therapists and psychiatrists in each state who specialize in trauma, and each independent clinician gives the care. Members can browse therapists and psychiatrists in a state who specialize in trauma.	Not named	Depends on the provider	No self-pay price published
Included Health Employer / EAPEmployer or plan benefit Ages not statedAlso prescribes	Its members page lists PTSD and trauma among the things its Doctor On Demand mental health practice helps with and treats. Members can choose from therapists with different backgrounds and specialties, including trauma and PTSD.	CBTEMDR Named for all its care	Employer or plan benefit only Medicaid: through a sponsoring health plan	No self-pay price published

Trauma-focused therapy namedName CPT, prolonged exposure or EMDR, without saying every clinician gives it (4)

Service	What its pages say	Approaches named	With insurance	Price
AmwellVisit site Telehealth platform Ages not statedAlso prescribes	Its licensed therapists provide virtual counseling for PTSD and trauma.	CBTCognitive processing therapy (CPT)Prolonged exposure (PE)EMDR Named for PTSD or trauma	Bills insurance: services covered vary by plan; some cover urgent care but not therapy	~$142/session
LifeStance HealthVisit site Therapy + psychiatry AdultsTeensChildren Also prescribes	Its psychologists and licensed therapists treat PTSD and trauma, and its psychiatrists prescribe medication for PTSD, in person and online.	EMDRCBTProlonged exposure (PE)Exposure therapyTrauma-focused CBT Named for PTSD or trauma	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: some plans; varies by state and provider	$210 to $432 per session
Little OtterVisit site Youth & family22 states + DC AdultsTeensChildren	Treats trauma and PTSD for parents, children and teens.	CBTTrauma-focused CBT Named for all its care	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: Minnesota's Blue Plus Medical Assistance	Therapy is a $350 assessment then $200 per session; psychiatry is a $500 assessment then $250 per session.
Lyra Health Employer / EAPEmployer or plan benefit Adults	Its clinical research page describes a blended care therapy program for PTSD symptoms studied in adults, and its FAQ lists PTSD among urgent needs its in-house support addresses.	Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)Prolonged exposure (PE) Named for PTSD or trauma	Employer or plan benefit only	Cost depends on the employer's plan; many members get a set number of therapy or coaching sessions at no cost.

No trauma-focused therapy namedTreat PTSD or trauma, but name no trauma-focused therapy (18)

Service	What its pages say	Approaches named	With insurance	Price
AffectVisit site Addiction care Ages not statedAlso prescribes	Treats PTSD with a trauma-informed approach, using virtual therapy, medication management and digital support tools in its app. A trauma-informed digital care program in its app that combines therapy, medication and 24/7 support tools; the page says treatment length varies with goals and symptoms.	CBT Named for all its care	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: plans in 16 states; Florida and Texas plans closed to new members	No self-pay price published
Array Behavioral CareVisit site Therapy + psychiatry Ages not stated	Its virtual therapists and psychiatrists treat a range of conditions that includes Trauma and PTSD.	CBTDBT Named for all its care	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: Medi-Cal in California only	Self-pay therapy sessions cost $60 (30 min), $75 (45 min) or $107.50 (60 min); the initial psychiatry evaluation costs $425.
Bend HealthVisit site Pediatric care TeensChildren	It lists Trauma/PTSD among the conditions its care supports for kids, teens and young adults.	CBTDBTACT Named for all its care	Bills insurance in network	$399.99 per month for the Coaching & Therapy plan (coaching alone is $199.99 per month).
Boulder CareVisit site Addiction careLimited availability Ages not statedAlso prescribes	Its clinicians can diagnose and treat PTSD, along with anxiety, depression and insomnia, when these occur together with a substance use disorder.	Not named	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: varies by state	No self-pay price published
Brightside HealthVisit site Therapy + psychiatry AdultsTeens Also prescribes	Gives therapy and psychiatry for PTSD online, with 1:1 video sessions and messaging, plus pages for acute stress disorder and teen trauma.	CBT Named for PTSD or trauma	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: some plans in Oregon, North Carolina, Nebraska and Washington	Therapy is $299 per month for four video sessions and unlimited messaging (self-pay).
Eleanor HealthVisit site Addiction care Ages not statedAlso prescribes	Its licensed therapists treat PTSD, alongside depression, anxiety and other conditions, in virtual therapy and counseling sessions.	CBTDBT Named for all its care	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: stated as accepted in 7 states (FL, MA, NC, NJ, NV, OH, PA)	No self-pay price published
EquipVisit site Eating-disorder care Ages not stated	Its eating-disorder care teams include therapists who can provide trauma-informed care for patients who also have trauma.	CBTDBTExposure therapy Named for all its care	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: some states	No self-pay price published
Headspace CareVisit site Employer / EAP Adults	It gives individual video therapy to adults, and its therapist network includes therapists trained in treating trauma.	CBTACTDBT Named for all its care	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: select managed Medicaid plans only	Therapy sessions cost $149 out of pocket, or $0-$35 per session for most members using insurance.
MDLIVEVisit site Therapy + psychiatry Ages not stated	Its licensed therapists commonly care for patients who suffer from trauma, though no page names PTSD.	CBTMindfulness-based Named for all its care	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: through participating plans	Therapy costs $0-179 for an initial visit, depending on insurance.
MonumentVisit site Addiction careLimited availability FTC and Justice Department court order: ban on sharing health data for advertising, $2.5 million penalty suspended Ages not stated	Its licensed therapists list PTSD among the mental health areas they specialize in.	Not named	Bills insurance in network	$25 per video appointment with insurance; $100 per session self-pay.
OpheliaVisit site Addiction care Ages not stated	Builds a treatment plan for people dealing with both PTSD and addiction.	Not named	Bills insurance in network Takes Medicaid	No self-pay price published
Ria HealthVisit site Addiction care Ages not stated	Its coaches and counselors work with people who have trauma together with alcohol use disorder; the treatment itself is for alcohol use disorder.	CBT Named for all its care	Bills insurance in network	$175 to $449 per month
WellniteVisit site Therapy + psychiatry Ages not stated	Its PTSD page lets members find therapists who can help with PTSD.	Not named	Bills insurance in network	Out-of-pocket individual therapy session costs $75 and a couples session $135.
CalmerryVisit site Subscription therapy Ages not stated	Offers online counseling by text and video with therapists whose listed areas include trauma and PTSD.	CBTDBT Named for all its care	Out of network only	Plans start at $57 per week for messaging and reach $90 per week with four live video sessions, billed monthly.
Online-Therapy.comVisit site Subscription therapy Ages not stated	Offers a CBT-based online therapy program with a therapist that includes tools and exercises for post-traumatic stress symptoms.	CBT Named for PTSD or trauma	Out of network only	$60/wk ($48/wk for the first month with its 20% discount), billed monthly
SesameVisit site Cash marketplace Ages not statedAlso prescribes	Offers video visits with a licensed provider who assesses PTSD and discusses treatment, which may include therapy and medication.	Not named	Out of network only	Visit prices are set by each provider and shown before booking; Mental Health Rx is $79 per month.
Learn to Live Employer / EAPEmployer or plan benefit Ages not stated	Its Trauma program gives self-paced digital lessons that address mild to intense consequences of trauma; its terms say the service is not designed to treat clinical levels of trauma. Its Trauma program is a set of self-paced digital lessons.	CBT Named for PTSD or trauma	Employer or plan benefit only Medicaid: free through a sponsoring plan	$149 per program subscription for individuals without an employer, plan or school code.
Modern Health Employer / EAPEmployer or plan benefit Ages not stated	Its therapy service offers professional counseling for challenges including trauma, as an employer or health plan benefit.	CBTACTDBT Named for all its care	Employer or plan benefit only	No self-pay price published

Read from each service's own pages on Oct 30, 2026. 27 of these give therapy without prescribing. By approach: CBT 28, Exposure therapy 4, ACT 4, DBT 10, EMDR 16, Mindfulness-based 3, Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) 9, Prolonged exposure (PE) 10, Trauma-focused CBT 5. A service that names an approach does not promise every therapist on it uses it, unless its pages say so. Prices are stated per session, per month or per plan, as each source states them.

The guideline backs therapy by secure video. The VA/DoD guideline recommends secure video teleconferencing to deliver CPT, EMDR and PE when that therapy has been validated for video or when other options are unavailable. Prolonged exposure at home by video. A 2017 randomized trial of 132 veterans with PTSD found Prolonged Exposure delivered by home-based telehealth was non-inferior to in-person Prolonged Exposure at reducing PTSD scores after treatment and at 3 and 6 months. CPT by video, women. A 2015 randomized noninferiority trial of 126 women with PTSD (21 veterans, 105 civilians) found Cognitive Processing Therapy by video produced outcomes comparable to in-person treatment.

Checking that a therapist gives trauma-focused therapy

Ask for CPT, PE or EMDR by name: The National Center for PTSD says to try to find a provider who focuses on evidence-based medications for PTSD or effective talk therapy for PTSD, such as CPT, PE or EMDR.
Ask about trauma experience: The National Center for PTSD says to make sure the provider has experience treating people who have been through a trauma.

Medication

25 services prescribe PTSD medication online

Every service here whose own pages say its clinicians prescribe medication for PTSD. The medicines shown are the ones its pages name for PTSD; a service that names none still prescribes when its clinicians judge it appropriate. A prescription always follows a clinician's evaluation, never a purchase.

Service	PTSD medication	Insurance	Price
AffectVisit site Addiction care Ages not stated	Its prescribers, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners, are experienced in treating PTSD. SSRIs It does not prescribe controlled substances other than buprenorphine, such as benzodiazepines, stimulants or sleep medications.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: plans in 16 states; Florida and Texas plans closed to new members	No price published
AmwellVisit site Telehealth platform Ages not statedNames trauma therapy	Its psychiatrists provide ongoing medication management for PTSD. SSRIs Controlled substances cannot be prescribed through Amwell telehealth.	Bills insurance: services covered vary by plan; some cover urgent care but not therapy	Without insurance: $292 initial / $109-$169 follow-up
Anywhere ClinicVisit site Therapy + psychiatry Ages not statedNames trauma therapy	Its psychiatric providers offer PTSD medication management when clinically appropriate. Prescriptions require an evaluation and are never guaranteed.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: varies by state: in network in 13 states and D.C. on its state pages; not Medi-Cal or Illinois Medicaid	$150 self-pay for new and follow-up visits.
BetterHelpVisit site Subscription therapy FTC order: $7.8 million over sharing health data for advertising Ages not stated	Its psychiatric providers may evaluate and treat PTSD, among other conditions, through medication management. Psychiatry is provided through UpLift, and controlled substances are not prescribed.	Bills insurance in network	$70 to $100 per week for therapy without insurance (subscription pricing).
Boulder CareVisit site Addiction careLimited availability Ages not stated	Its clinicians can prescribe medication for PTSD, along with anxiety, depression and insomnia, when these occur together with a substance use disorder.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: varies by state	No price published
Brightside HealthVisit site Therapy + psychiatry AdultsTeens	Its psychiatric providers prescribe medication for PTSD when it is needed. SSRIs Its providers do not prescribe controlled substances.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: some plans in Oregon, North Carolina, Nebraska and Washington	Therapy is $299 per month for four video sessions and unlimited messaging (self-pay).
CerebralVisit site Therapy + psychiatry FTC order: health data shared for advertising and hard-to-cancel subscriptions, about $7 million Justice Department and DEA: non-prosecution agreement over controlled-substance prescribing, $3.65 million forfeited New York Attorney General settlement: more than $740,000 over cancellation practices Ages not statedNames trauma therapy	Its prescribers treat PTSD with medication alongside therapy. It does not prescribe controlled substances.	Bills insurance in network	Therapy is $150 per session, charged when booked.
Charlie HealthVisit site Intensive outpatientAges 8-64 AdultsTeensChildren	Psychiatry is part of its trauma treatment when clinically indicated. Psychiatry is available in most states, as needed, after an intake check of eligibility for a referral.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: states where intensive outpatient care is covered	No dollar price is stated; its trauma page says most clients (60%) pay $0 out of pocket.
Doctor On DemandVisit site Therapy + psychiatry Ages not statedNames trauma therapy	Its psychiatrists provide medication management for long-term conditions including PTSD. Its online psychiatrists cannot prescribe controlled substances.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: some Medicaid managed-care plans	Without insurance, therapy visits start at $134 and psychiatry visits at $299.
Eleanor HealthVisit site Addiction care Ages not stated	Its care can include medication for PTSD, alongside therapy, for people in recovery from substance use. Prazosin (for nightmares)	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: stated as accepted in 7 states (FL, MA, NC, NJ, NV, OH, PA)	Without insurance: $249 per month
HeadwayVisit site Insurance marketplace Ages not statedNames trauma therapy	Its psychiatrists provide medication management for PTSD. SSRIsSNRIs (venlafaxine)	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: select Medicaid managed care plans in some states	People with insurance pay as low as $0 per session, depending on location, age and coverage.
LifeStance HealthVisit site Therapy + psychiatry AdultsTeensChildren Names trauma therapy	Its psychiatrists prescribe medication for PTSD when appropriate, and its PTSD page names the medicines. SSRIsPrazosin (for nightmares) Online psychiatry can be used for some medication visits, and a controlled substance needs periodic in-person visits.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: some plans; varies by state and provider	Without insurance: $201 to $445 per session
Mindful CareVisit site Psychiatry9 states Ages not stated	Its same-day psychiatric care for PTSD can include medication, therapy or both. It does not prescribe controlled substances, habit-forming medications or long-acting injectables.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid managed plans; vary by state	Self-pay therapy is a $150 initial evaluation, then $100 for a 40-minute individual session or $50 for a 20-minute one.
Nema HealthVisit site Trauma & PTSD care Adults Names trauma therapy	Its psychiatrists provide medication evaluation and management for patients in its program. Medication management is part of its treatment plan, not a standalone service, and the page frames it as help for co-occurring depression, anxiety or sleep problems.	Bills insurance in network	$275 per 50-minute therapy session and $400 for the 75-minute evaluation.
RulaVisit site Insurance marketplace Ages not statedNames trauma therapy	Its psychiatric providers treat PTSD, and its patient support article names SSRIs or SNRIs as PTSD medicines. SSRIsSNRIs (venlafaxine)	Bills insurance in network	With insurance, many patients pay $0 to $25 per session.
SonderMindVisit site Insurance marketplace Ages not statedNames trauma therapy	Its psychiatry providers prescribe medication, and its article names SSRIs as an FDA-approved PTSD medicine. SSRIs	Bills insurance in network	With insurance, many clients pay an average copay of around $25; self-pay rates vary by provider and location.
TalkiatryVisit site Psychiatry Ages not statedNames trauma therapy	Its psychiatrists prescribe medication for PTSD. SSRIsSNRIs (venlafaxine)Prazosin (for nightmares)	Bills insurance in network	Most psychiatry visits cost patients $30 or less after insurance, depending on the plan.
TalkspaceVisit site Therapy + psychiatry Teens Names trauma therapy	Its psychiatric providers may prescribe medication for PTSD after an evaluation and diagnosis. SSRIsSNRIs (venlafaxine)Prazosin (for nightmares) It does not prescribe controlled substances or sedatives.	Bills insurance in network	Without insurance: $299 eval / $175 follow-up
ThriveworksVisit site Insurance marketplace Ages not statedNames trauma therapy	Its psychiatric providers prescribe medication for PTSD, and its pages say psychiatry availability varies by state. SSRIs Its FAQ says psychiatry availability varies by state.	Bills insurance in network	Self-pay therapy is $200 to $240 for an intake and $160 to $195 for follow-ups; psychiatry is $300 to $375 for an intake and $210 to $300 for follow-ups.
JoyousVisit site Ketamine therapy Ages not stated	Its providers prescribe low-dose ketamine, which its PTSD page presents as a potential off-label treatment for PTSD and trauma. Its providers do not work with patients who have a history of substance use disorder.	Self-pay only	Ketamine subscription from $129 per month with a three-month commitment, or $159 per month with no commitment.
Klarity HealthVisit site Psychiatry50 states Ages not stated	Its providers prescribe medication for PTSD online when appropriate. SSRIsSNRIs (venlafaxine)Prazosin (for nightmares) Not all providers prescribe all medications, particularly controlled substances.	Depends on the provider	PTSD care starts at $85 per its PTSD comparison table; each provider sets its own price.
MindbloomVisit site Ketamine therapy Adults	Its licensed clinicians prescribe ketamine off-label for PTSD as part of the program, taken at home.	Out of network only	Its ketamine program, which includes the PTSD program, costs $1,290 for 6 sessions for new clients ($215 per session).
PlushCareVisit site Telehealth platform Adults	Its primary care doctors can prescribe medication for PTSD after a qualifying evaluation, at the doctor's discretion. SSRIsPrazosin (for nightmares) Its doctors cannot treat all cases of PTSD and may refer patients to a psychiatrist or to in-person treatment.	Bills insurance: doctor and psychiatry visits only; therapy is self-pay	$169 per online therapy session without insurance.
SesameVisit site Cash marketplace Ages not stated	Its providers may prescribe medication for PTSD when appropriate. SSRIsPrazosin (for nightmares) Its providers do not prescribe controlled substances.	Out of network only	Visit prices are set by each provider and shown before booking; Mental Health Rx is $79 per month.
Included Health Employer / EAPEmployer or plan benefit Ages not statedNames trauma therapy	Its Doctor On Demand psychiatry page offers medication management for long-term conditions including PTSD. Its doctors cannot write prescriptions for controlled substances.	Employer or plan benefit only Medicaid: through a sponsoring health plan	No price published

Read from each service's own pages on Oct 30, 2026. Prices are stated per visit, per month or per plan, as each source states them, and the medicine is usually paid at the pharmacy on top. Of these, Affect, Anywhere Clinic, BetterHelp, Boulder Care, Brightside Health, Cerebral, Doctor On Demand, Eleanor Health, Headway, LifeStance Health, Mindful Care, Rula, SonderMind, Talkiatry, Talkspace, Thriveworks and PlushCare name Medicare.

The medicines

What the FDA has approved for PTSD

The PTSD medicines on their FDA labels, with what each label approves it for and the ages it states, what guidance says comes first, and what it says about the other medicines people ask about.

Medicine	Class	FDA label approves it for
Sertraline (Zoloft)	SSRI	PTSD, shown in adult outpatients; the label says safety and effectiveness are not established in children and teens for any use other than OCD (and major depressive disorder, OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and PMDD)
Paroxetine (Paxil)	SSRI	PTSD in adults only; not approved for children or teens (and major depressive disorder, OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder)

How many of the 25 prescribers above name each kind of medicine for PTSD: SSRIs 13, SNRIs (venlafaxine) 5, Prazosin (for nightmares) 7.

First-line therapy

The VA/DoD guideline recommends three individual, manualized trauma-focused psychotherapies for PTSD: Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Prolonged Exposure (PE).

Therapy before medication

The VA/DoD guideline recommends those individual psychotherapies over medication for treating PTSD.

Sessions

The VA/DoD patient summary says trauma-focused psychotherapies usually last about 8 to 16 sessions.

How long the medicines take

The National Center for PTSD says a person taking an SSRI or SNRI for PTSD may start to feel better in about 4 to 6 weeks, and needs to keep taking it to keep the benefits.

The antidepressant boxed warning

The Zoloft label carries the antidepressant boxed warning: antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies.

Venlafaxine (Effexor)

The National Center for PTSD lists venlafaxine (Effexor), an SNRI, with sertraline and paroxetine as the three antidepressants recommended for PTSD.

Prazosin for nightmares

The VA/DoD guideline suggests prazosin to treat nightmares that go with PTSD.

Benzodiazepines

The VA/DoD guideline recommends against benzodiazepines for the treatment of PTSD.

MDMA-assisted therapy in the VA/DoD guideline

The VA/DoD guideline says there is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD.

Intensive care

When weekly therapy is not enough

What each service here says on its own pages about more intensive PTSD or trauma care (an intensive trauma program, an intensive outpatient program, partial hospitalization, residential treatment, ketamine, TMS). A service that does not mention them is not listed.

What the services say

Say they give it (9)

Anywhere Clinic: Its trauma recovery page lists off-label ketamine, offered only when clinically appropriate.

Brightside Health: Its online intensive outpatient program lists PTSD among the conditions it relieves, and is available in select states.

Charlie Health: Its trauma care is a virtual intensive outpatient program delivered from home.

Eleanor Health: Its intensive outpatient program is designed for trauma, with more structure than weekly sessions; many expanded care services are available through virtual care, depending on location and plan.

LifeStance Health: Its in-person TMS treatment is used for secondary conditions including PTSD, and it is not an online service.

Nema Health: Its intensive phase moves patients to an accelerated CPT schedule with multiple sessions per week.

Within Health: Its fully remote enhanced PHP and IOP both list PTSD and trauma among the co-occurring conditions they treat with an eating disorder.

Joyous: It offers low-dose ketamine as a potential off-label treatment for PTSD and trauma.

Mindbloom: Its PTSD program is built on 6, 12 or 18 at-home ketamine sessions over several weeks.

Given, by kind: Intensive trauma program 1, Intensive outpatient program 4, Partial hospitalization 1, Ketamine or esketamine 3, TMS 1.

Related conditions and ages

Kinds of trauma, and care for kids and teens

Which services' own pages name each kind of trauma or group they treat, and which say they treat PTSD or trauma in teens or children.

Complex PTSD (1): Nema Health
Military and combat trauma (4): Charlie Health, LifeStance Health, Nema Health, SonderMind
Sexual assault and abuse (2): Nema Health, Open Path Psychotherapy Collective
Childhood trauma (3): Charlie Health, LifeStance Health, Nema Health
Birth and perinatal trauma (1): Nema Health
First responders (1): Nema Health
Acute stress disorder (3): Anywhere Clinic, Brightside Health, Nema Health
Teens with PTSD or trauma (8): Bend Health, Brightline, Brightside Health, Charlie Health, Daybreak Health, LifeStance Health, Little Otter, Talkspace
Children with PTSD or trauma (6): Bend Health, Brightline, Charlie Health, Daybreak Health, LifeStance Health, Little Otter

Every online service for teens and kids, with ages and consent

How you pay

Trauma-focused therapy with insurance, Medicaid, or without

The services above that name a trauma-focused therapy and that a person can start on their own, by how they can be paid. Each answer is the same reading the site's plan pages use.

Name Medicaid (7)

Every service that names Medicaid

Free help

Free support, and the lines that answer now

Free lines for a crisis, sexual assault and veterans, and free tools and guidance for PTSD. Each entry is verified on its own official page.

PTSD Treatment Decision AidNationalOfficial guidance

The VA National Center for PTSD's Treatment Decision Aid explains effective PTSD treatment options and lets you compare them.

Who: Anyone weighing PTSD treatment options, including people who are not veterans
What it gives: Plain-language descriptions and videos for CPT, EMDR, PE, Present-Centered Therapy, Written Exposure Therapy and SSRI/SNRI medicines, a comparison chart and ideas for talking with your medical team
How to start: Open the decision aid at ptsd.va.gov/apps/decisionaid and read about each treatment, then build a comparison chart

National Center for PTSD: Find a ProviderNationalFree directory

The National Center for PTSD's Find a Provider page links to online locators for therapists, counselors and mental health professionals.

Who: Anyone looking for a PTSD therapist, counselor or prescriber; veterans have extra VA options on the page
What it gives: A list of locators for CPT, PE and EMDR therapists and for trauma specialists, plus tips on what to look for and what to ask about insurance and cost
How to start: Open the page and use the locator that fits the therapy you want; ask each provider about trauma experience and what insurance they accept

CPT Provider RosterNationalFree directory

The CPT Provider Roster lists mental health providers who have met rostering requirements and currently offer Cognitive Processing Therapy in a community setting.

Who: Anyone looking for a therapist who offers Cognitive Processing Therapy in the community
What it gives: A roster of mental health providers who met the requirements to be a CPT Provider or CPT Quality Provider, with state, city and contact information
How to start: Open the roster, filter by state or city, and contact a listed provider

Find a Certified PE Therapist (Penn CTSA)NationalFree directory

The University of Pennsylvania's Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety lists its certified Prolonged Exposure therapists by state and country.

Who: Anyone looking for a therapist certified in Prolonged Exposure
What it gives: A directory of CTSA Certified PE Therapists by state and country
How to start: Open the directory on the Penn Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety site and pick your state

Find an EMDR Therapist (EMDRIA)NationalFree directory

The EMDR International Association's directory helps people find its members who provide EMDR therapy near them.

Who: Anyone looking for a therapist who provides EMDR
What it gives: A searchable directory of EMDR International Association members providing EMDR therapy, with searches by location, name and other criteria
How to start: Search the directory by location; for emergencies, call 988

ISTSS Trauma Specialist DirectoryNationalFree directory

The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies runs a directory for finding a clinician, counselor or mental health professional in your area.

Who: Anyone looking for a clinician, counselor or mental health professional who works with trauma
What it gives: A directory searchable by discipline or specialty, special interests, populations served and languages spoken; ISTSS does not make specific referrals
How to start: Open the directory and search your local area

National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Get Help NowNationalFree directory

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network's Get Help Now page points families to its member centers for a referral.

Who: Families looking for help for a child who has been through trauma
What it gives: A list of crisis hotlines by topic and a list of NCTSN-affiliated centers by state for referrals; the Network says it cannot answer questions about personal situations
How to start: Open the Get Help Now page and use the list of NCTSN-affiliated centers by state

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineNationalCrisis line

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Who: Anyone
What it gives: Crisis counseling by call, text or chat (not therapy)
Cost: Free
How to start: Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org

Crisis Text LineNationalCrisis line

Crisis Text Line offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day to anyone facing mental health challenges.

Who: Anyone
What it gives: Text support from trained volunteer crisis counselors (not therapy)
Cost: Free
How to start: Text HOME to 741741

SAMHSA's National HelplineNationalHelpline

SAMHSA's National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service; callers without insurance are referred to state-funded programs, often ones that charge on a sliding fee scale.

Who: Anyone facing a substance use or mental disorder, and their families
What it gives: Treatment referral and information, 24/7, in English and Spanish (not counseling)
Cost: Free
How to start: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357), TTY 1-800-487-4889, or text your ZIP code to 435748

Veterans Crisis LineNationalCrisis line

The Veterans Crisis Line is free, confidential and available 24/7, and Veterans do not need to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to use it.

Who: Veterans, service members, Guard and Reserve members and those who support them, enrolled in VA care or not
What it gives: Crisis counseling by call, chat or text (not therapy)
Cost: Free
How to start: Dial 988 then press 1, chat online, or text 838255

NAMI HelpLineNationalHelpline

The NAMI HelpLine is a free, confidential service offering emotional support, information and resources by phone or text on weekdays; it is not a crisis line, and in a crisis NAMI points to 988.

Who: Anyone, for themselves, family or friends
What it gives: Emotional support, mental health information and resources from trained staff (not a crisis line, not therapy)
Cost: Free
How to start: Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text NAMI to 62640, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET

VA Vet CentersNational (300 community Vet Centers)Military and veterans

Eligible service members, veterans and family members can get free individual and group counseling at a Vet Center.

Who: Eligible veterans and service members, National Guard and Reserve included, and their families; VA health care enrollment is not required
What it gives: Individual and group counseling in a non-medical setting; many Vet Centers also offer phone or video appointments
Cost: Free
How to start: Call 877-927-8387 (24/7) or walk in to a Vet Center during clinic hours

Check first: Eligibility depends on service, such as service in a combat theater or military sexual trauma, so check whether you qualify.

PTSD Coach and PTSD Coach OnlineNational (app and website)Military and veterans

PTSD Coach, from VA's National Center for PTSD, is a free app that helps you learn about and manage symptoms after a trauma, and PTSD Coach Online is a desktop version with video coaches.

Who: Anyone who wants to learn about and manage symptoms after a trauma. Family and friends can also learn about PTSD and coping from the app.
What it gives: A self-help app and a desktop version with 17 tools, guided by video coaches, for sleep, trauma reminders, anger and other symptoms, plus symptom tracking and direct links to support. No clinician is involved.
Cost: Free
How to start: Download PTSD Coach for iOS or Android, or use PTSD Coach Online on a computer.

Check first: PTSD Coach is not meant to replace professional care.

Vets4WarriorsNational (24/7 by phone, chat, text and email)Peer support

Vets4Warriors provides live, free, confidential, 24/7 peer support to active-duty or transitioning service members, veterans and their families.

Who: Active service members, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families or caregivers. It operates independently of the VA and the U.S. military.
What it gives: Live, confidential peer support from trained veterans and military family members (not trained counselors), who listen, connect you to resources and follow up on every call until an issue is resolved. Peers respond by phone, email, chat or text.
Cost: Free (its mission is to provide live, free, confidential, 24/7 peer support)
How to start: Call 855-838-8255, 24/7, or use Talk to Us on vets4warriors.com to call, request a call, chat or email.

Check first: Peers are trained in peer support, not trained counselors, so this is not therapy.

RAINN National Sexual Assault HotlineNationalHelpline

RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline connects people 24/7 with a live person trained to help after sexual assault or abuse.

Who: Anyone who has been sexually assaulted or abused, or a person who loves someone who has
What it gives: Confidential support from a trained specialist, resources for healing, referrals for long-term support in your area and information about the laws in your state
Cost: Free
How to start: Call 800.656.HOPE (4673), chat online, or text HOPE to 64673

Primary Care PTSD Screen (PC-PTSD-5) self-screenNationalFree screener

The National Center for PTSD posts a short PTSD self-screen and says only a mental health provider can say for sure whether you have PTSD.

Who: Anyone who has been through a frightening, horrible or traumatic event and wonders whether they have PTSD
What it gives: A five-question self-screen on the National Center for PTSD page to help you decide whether to be assessed further, which you can share with a doctor
How to start: Read the questions on the Do I Have PTSD? page and answer yes or no for the past month; 3 or more yes answers suggest you may have PTSD and should see a provider

National Domestic Violence HotlineNationalHelpline

The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers free, confidential support around the clock to people experiencing relationship abuse.

Who: People experiencing relationship abuse, and concerned friends and family members
What it gives: Support and resources from trained advocates by phone, chat or text
Cost: Free
How to start: Call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233), chat live on thehotline.org, or text START to 88788

Childhelp National Child Abuse HotlineNationalHelpline

The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is a safe, nonjudgmental space for anyone concerned about or affected by child abuse.

Who: Anyone concerned about or affected by child abuse, including adults who were abused as children
What it gives: A safe, nonjudgmental conversation with a counselor by call, text or chat; it is not a reporting line and is not connected to 911
How to start: Call (800) 422-4453, text GO to 800.422.4453, or use the live chat on the site

Disaster Distress HelplineNationalCrisis line

The Disaster Distress Helpline is a toll-free, multilingual crisis support service open 24/7 for people in distress after disasters.

Who: Residents of the US and its territories who are in emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters
What it gives: Crisis counseling, information on recognizing distress, referrals to local crisis call centers and healthy coping tips
Cost: Toll-free
How to start: Call or text 1-800-985-5990

1in6 Online Support GroupsNationalPeer support

1in6 offers free, counselor-facilitated, text-based peer support groups for men age 18 and older who have experienced sexual abuse or assault.

Who: Men age 18 and older who have experienced sexual abuse or assault
What it gives: Weekly, text-based, counselor-facilitated peer support groups of up to 10 people, anonymous and with no audio or video; the page says this is peer support, not therapy or a crisis service
Cost: Free (cost-free)
How to start: Pick a group time on 1in6.org/support-group-chat, choose an anonymous display name and start typing

DoD Safe HelplineNationalHelpline

DoD Safe Helpline is a secure, confidential and anonymous crisis support service for members of the Department of War community affected by sexual assault.

Who: Members of the Department of War (Department of Defense) community and their loved ones affected by sexual assault
What it gives: Secure, confidential, anonymous crisis support specially designed for sexual assault survivors in the military community
How to start: Call 877-995-5247 or use the online or app helpline at safehelpline.org

Trauma Recovery Network (EMDR HAP)Local associations listed by stateNonprofit care

Local volunteer groups of EMDR-trained therapists, listed by state, that are required to provide six to ten pro bono EMDR therapy sessions to TRN clients.

Who: People affected by trauma near a local Trauma Recovery Network association
What it gives: Pro bono EMDR therapy sessions from volunteer EMDR-trained therapists in local associations
Cost: Free (pro bono sessions)

About PTSD and online care

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event and involves intrusive memories or flashbacks, avoidance of reminders, negative shifts in mood and thinking, and heightened arousal that last more than a month.

How online care helps

Trauma-focused therapies are effective and can be delivered by video, so online therapy is a reasonable option for many people with PTSD, ideally with a clinician trained in a specific trauma protocol. Complex trauma, active suicidality, significant dissociation, or co-occurring substance use may need higher-acuity or in-person care; in an emergency call or text 988 or call 911.

Approaches with evidence

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) an APA strongly-recommended trauma therapy that targets the unhelpful beliefs that develop after the trauma
Prolonged exposure (PE) APA strongly-recommended, involving gradual, guided processing of trauma memories and avoided reminders
Trauma-focused CBT a strongly-recommended CBT variation adapted to process the traumatic experience
EMDR eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, conditionally recommended and widely used for PTSD

What to look for

Ask whether therapists are trained in a specific trauma protocol (CPT, PE, trauma-focused CBT, or EMDR), not just general counseling.
Check for psychiatry or medication support, since an SSRI is sometimes used alongside trauma therapy.
Confirm how the service handles crises, dissociation, or symptom spikes that can occur during trauma processing.
Verify insurance or session cost, since trauma-focused courses typically run roughly 8 to 15 sessions or more.

Sources

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): An estimated 3.6% of U.S. adults had PTSD in the past year and 6.8% experience it in their lifetime.
American Psychological Association (APA): The APA Clinical Practice Guideline strongly recommends CBT, cognitive processing therapy, and prolonged exposure for adults with PTSD, and conditionally recommends EMDR.

Questions

Online PTSD treatment, answered

Can you get trauma-focused therapy for PTSD online?: Yes. 21 services here name a trauma-focused therapy (cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure, EMDR, trauma-focused CBT or written exposure therapy) among the therapy they give by video. 3 say every clinician giving their trauma care is trained in it: Charlie Health, Nema Health and Within Health. 22 let you choose a clinician who specializes in trauma. On the others, ask for CPT, prolonged exposure or EMDR by name when you are matched. The VA/DoD guideline recommends three individual, manualized trauma-focused psychotherapies for PTSD: Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Prolonged Exposure (PE).
Which online PTSD therapy takes insurance?: 18 services here that name a trauma-focused therapy bill insurance in network: Alma, Amwell, Anywhere Clinic, Brightline, Cerebral, Doctor On Demand, Headway, LifeStance Health, Little Otter, Nema Health, NOCD, Rula, SonderMind, Spring Health, Talkspace, Thriveworks, Two Chairs and Within Health. 7 of them name Medicaid: Anywhere Clinic, Doctor On Demand, Headway, LifeStance Health, Little Otter, Rula and Two Chairs. What you pay depends on your plan's copay or deductible; each service's page and your insurer confirm it.
Does Nema Health take insurance, and what does it cost without it?: Yes: Nema Health's own pages say it bills insurance in network. Its pages do not name Medicaid as accepted. Without insurance: $275 per 50-minute therapy session and $400 for the 75-minute evaluation. Its service page lists the plans it names, with the page that states each one.
Can you get PTSD medication online?: Yes. 25 services here say on their own pages that their clinicians prescribe medication for PTSD by telehealth, after an evaluation and only when they judge it appropriate. By name: SSRIs (13), SNRIs (venlafaxine) (5), Prazosin (for nightmares) (7). The medicines approved for PTSD are not controlled substances, so the federal limits on prescribing controlled substances by telehealth do not apply to them. The National Center for PTSD says a person taking an SSRI or SNRI for PTSD may start to feel better in about 4 to 6 weeks, and needs to keep taking it to keep the benefits.
Which medicines are FDA-approved for PTSD?: sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil). Sertraline: PTSD, shown in adult outpatients; the label says safety and effectiveness are not established in children and teens for any use other than OCD (and major depressive disorder, OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and PMDD). Paroxetine: PTSD in adults only; not approved for children or teens (and major depressive disorder, OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder). Which one fits is a prescriber's decision.
How much does online PTSD therapy cost without insurance?: Prices are stated in different units, so compare them on each service's page. Among the services that name a trauma-focused therapy and publish a price without insurance: Amwell: ~$142/session; Anywhere Clinic: $150 evaluation; Brightline: $350 initial session, then $200 to $275 per ongoing session; Cerebral: $150 per session; Doctor On Demand: $134 for a 25-minute visit, $184 for a 50-minute visit; LifeStance Health: $210 to $432 per session; Little Otter: $200/session; Nema Health: $275; NOCD: $120 (30 min), $180 (45 min), $240 (60 min) per session; Rula: $150/session; SonderMind: $100 to $250 per session; Talkspace: $69/wk; Thriveworks: $200-$240 intake / $160-$195 follow-up; Two Chairs: $226/session; Open Path Psychotherapy Collective: $40 to $70 per individual session.
Is there online trauma therapy for kids and teens?: 8 services here say on their own pages that they treat PTSD or trauma in teens or children: Bend Health, Brightline, Brightside Health, Charlie Health, Daybreak Health, LifeStance Health, Little Otter and Talkspace. The Zoloft label carries the antidepressant boxed warning: antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. A parent or guardian usually has to consent; the teens and kids page lists each service's ages and consent rules.
Does trauma therapy work by video?: The VA/DoD guideline recommends secure video teleconferencing to deliver CPT, EMDR and PE when that therapy has been validated for video or when other options are unavailable. A 2017 randomized trial of 132 veterans with PTSD found Prolonged Exposure delivered by home-based telehealth was non-inferior to in-person Prolonged Exposure at reducing PTSD scores after treatment and at 3 and 6 months. A 2015 randomized noninferiority trial of 126 women with PTSD (21 veterans, 105 civilians) found Cognitive Processing Therapy by video produced outcomes comparable to in-person treatment.
What if weekly therapy is not enough for PTSD?: 9 services here say they give more intensive trauma care: Anywhere Clinic: Its trauma recovery page lists off-label ketamine, offered only when clinically appropriate; Brightside Health: Its online intensive outpatient program lists PTSD among the conditions it relieves, and is available in select states; Charlie Health: Its trauma care is a virtual intensive outpatient program delivered from home; Eleanor Health: Its intensive outpatient program is designed for trauma, with more structure than weekly sessions; many expanded care services are available through virtual care, depending on location and plan; LifeStance Health: Its in-person TMS treatment is used for secondary conditions including PTSD, and it is not an online service; Nema Health: Its intensive phase moves patients to an accelerated CPT schedule with multiple sessions per week; Within Health: Its fully remote enhanced PHP and IOP both list PTSD and trauma among the co-occurring conditions they treat with an eating disorder; Joyous: It offers low-dose ketamine as a potential off-label treatment for PTSD and trauma; Mindbloom: Its PTSD program is built on 6, 12 or 18 at-home ketamine sessions over several weeks.
What about prazosin, benzodiazepines or MDMA for PTSD?: The National Center for PTSD lists venlafaxine (Effexor), an SNRI, with sertraline and paroxetine as the three antidepressants recommended for PTSD. The VA/DoD guideline suggests prazosin to treat nightmares that go with PTSD. The VA/DoD guideline recommends against benzodiazepines for the treatment of PTSD. The VA/DoD guideline says there is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD.
How do I know whether a therapist gives trauma-focused therapy?: The National Center for PTSD says to try to find a provider who focuses on evidence-based medications for PTSD or effective talk therapy for PTSD, such as CPT, PE or EMDR. The National Center for PTSD says to make sure the provider has experience treating people who have been through a trauma.

OnlineTherapy.me is an informational data platform, not a medical provider, pharmacy, insurer or legal adviser. What each service offers, its prices and prescribing policies are its own statements on the dates shown and can change. Only a qualified clinician can diagnose PTSD or decide whether a medication is appropriate; never stop or change a medication without your prescriber. If someone is in danger or thinking about suicide, call or text 988, or call 911.

Keep going

Compare deeper

Trauma and PTSDThe condition page: what trauma care involves online and the evidence behind each approach.Therapy for veteransVA video care, Vet Centers, free nonprofit therapy for veterans, and which services take TRICARE.Anxiety treatmentWhich services prescribe anxiety medication online and what each says about benzodiazepines.Depression treatmentPTSD and depression often come together: which services prescribe antidepressants and which medicines they name.Online EMDR therapyWhere you can get EMDR by video, how to find a trained EMDR clinician, and the research on EMDR online.Insurance plansWhich online services take Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross, Medicare, Medicaid and more.Find your matchAnswer a few questions and get a shortlist that fits your needs and budget.