Calmerry is a subscription-based online therapy platform that offers individuals 18+ the option to connect with a therapist through live video sessions or text-based therapy. With Calmerry, you can choose from four monthly subscription plans costing $228 – $360, depending on the plan. Currently, Calmerry does not accept insurance and they earned 3 out of 5 stars during our independent review.
Calmerry At a Glance
Cost: $228 – $360 monthly
Insurance Accepted? No
Pros & Cons
Pros - Fast therapist matching and appointment scheduling
- Text-based therapy and live video therapy sessions available
- Available to individuals 18+ throughout the US
- Choose from three monthly subscription plans
- App and website are user-friendly
Cons - Does not accept any health insurance plans
- Unable to select your own therapist
- You can only read therapist profile after you purchase a subscription
- Messaging works more like email
Who Is Calmerry Right For?
- Those who are dealing with depression and anxiety
- Those who prefer text-based therapy
Preview Calmerry
Calmerry is a subscription-based online therapy platform that offers individuals 18+ the option to connect with a therapist through live video sessions or text-based therapy. With Calmerry, you can choose from three monthly subscription plans costing $228 – $360, depending on the plan. Currently, Calmerry does not accept insurance and they earned 3 out of 5 stars during our independent review.
With Calmerry, you are matched with a licensed therapist based on your answers to an initial questionnaire. Calmerry’s providers are all licensed therapists with master’s or doctorate degrees. Each therapist brings their own experience and therapeutic approach, so there is no standard treatment model. At the present time, Calmerry does not offer couples, family, or group therapy, or psychiatry, and does not serve children and teens.
Calmerry is worth a try if you are over 18 years old, dealing with depression or anxiety, and looking for online therapy. While Calmerry might be a good fit for some, there are certain groups of people who will need to seek out an alternative. People who are experiencing a crisis or severe mental health symptoms, those who are uncomfortable with technology, or anyone needing medication management will need to seek care elsewhere.
Why You Can Trust My Review
Emily Guarnotta is a PsyD. who specializes in perinatal and postpartum mood disorders, grief counseling for individuals who suffered a miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss, as well as infertility support and therapy for new parents and seasoned parents. Dr. Guarnotta has written for Choosing Therapy since 2020 and in the summer of 2022 began reviewing online therapy and psychiatry platforms. During her independent review, Calmerry earned 3 out of 5 stars overall, performing best in the categories of clientele served, geographic location, and online therapy cost. However, Calmerry underperformed in the categories of therapist selection and matching as well as insurance and out-of-network benefits compared to its competitors.
Review our scoring criteria for online therapy platforms here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
Firsthand Calmerry Reviews
Emily Guarnotta's Experience with Calmerry
Detailed Review of Calmerry – What is Calmerry?
Calmerry offers online therapy for individuals 18 years and older who are dealing with a range of mental health issues. Calmerry offers three subscription plans with all live therapy sessions lasting 30 minutes and you have the option to purchase additional sessions for an extra fee. Calmerry earned 3 out of 5 stars in the “Attending Live Video Sessions” category on our scoring rubric for the length of live sessions and ways to attend these sessions.
With Calmerry, you are matched with a licensed therapist based on your answers to an initial questionnaire. The matching is done by a staff member who considers your location, schedule, and symptoms when determining a good fit. There is no therapist directory, so you are unable to choose your own provider or view others. However, if you feel like your therapist is not a good fit, you can request a change by contacting the support team. I tried this feature myself and found changing therapists to be a quick and easy process. In addition to therapy, Calmerry also gives you access to a mood tracker and journal that your therapist can view, as well as video courses on topics like anxiety and depression. Calmerry earned a 4 out of 5 stars in the “Extra Features” category on our scoring criteria.
Calmerry’s providers are all licensed therapists with master’s or doctorate degrees. Each therapist brings their own experience and therapeutic approach, so there is no standard treatment model. Your therapist will share their own experience and approach with you when you start treatment. This is why Calmerry earned 3 out of 5 stars in the “Range of Therapist Specialties & Treatment Approaches” category on our scoring criteria.
While Calmerry does not accept health insurance, the costs of their subscription plans are more affordable than traditional in-person therapy and you may be able to use a coupon code or FSA/HSA benefits. Calmerry is also more affordable than other online mental health platforms. For example, Talkspace and BetterHelp offer similar plans that include messaging and live video therapy sessions, but their out-of-pocket costs are higher.
Calmerry Special Programs
Calmerry offers a special program for businesses that would like to offer online therapy to their employees. Businesses can sign up and work out an agreement with Calmerry to cover some or all of the costs of services. To learn more, please visit Calmerry for Companies.
Calmerry Messaging Plan: Detailed Review
Calmerry’s messaging plan allows you to exchange messages with a licensed therapist. It does not include video sessions. This plan costs $228 monthly (advertised at $57 weekly), with the first month discounted to $198. Messaging includes unlimited text messaging five days per week, a personalized therapy plan, and access to free reflection tools. If you are ever unhappy with your therapist, you can change to a new one or cancel your account at any time.
Much like other subscription-based therapy platforms, Calmerry allows you to exchange messages with your therapist in your own ”virtual therapy room,” which you can access through the company’s website or app. These messages are not exchanged through phone text messages or email. A great perk to your “virtual therapy room” is it’s open 24/7 and you can send messages whenever you want. Most therapists are available to answer messages five days per week and will generally respond to messages one to two times each day. Some therapists do work more than five days a week, but this is less common. You can send as many messages as you’d like, but you may not get a response right away.
The therapist I was matched with was upfront with me about her working hours, so I knew when and how often to expect responses back from her. You can also send audio messages to your therapist if you feel more comfortable, but your therapist will respond with a written message. When I tried this plan, my therapist responded to my messages twice a day, which she had promised upfront before we started working together. Her responses seemed thorough and personalized to what I was experiencing.
What Is Therapy Like With Calmerry?
Calmerry’s messaging + 1 live video plan gives you access to unlimited messaging with your therapist, as well as one live video session each month. It includes all of the features of the messaging plan, where you can exchange messages directly with your therapist five days per week. Even though you can technically exchange unlimited messages, you can expect to receive one to two messages per day from your therapist on the days that they work. When I signed up, my therapist was upfront about her working hours and when I could expect to hear from her.
What distinguishes this plan from the messaging plan is that it also gives you access to one live 30-minute video session each month. The video session is also held through the company’s app with the same therapist that you exchange messages. Like the messaging plan, you will be matched with a therapist in just a few hours after you sign up. If you would like more than one therapy session per month, you can purchase additional sessions. The cost of one additional 30-minute session is $45, two 30-minute sessions are $84, and four 30-minute sessions are $160.
All communication with your therapist takes place through the website or app. In my experience, both the app and website were user-friendly and helpful. When I had questions, I contacted customer support by email and received an answer within an hour. For all of these reasons, Calmerry earned 5 stars in the “Client Interface & User Experience” category on our scoring rubric.
Calmerry Messaging + 4 Live Videos Plan: Detailed Review
This plan includes all of the features of the Messaging Plan, plus four 30-minute live video therapy sessions each month. The messaging + 4 live videos plan costs $360 monthly (advertised as $90 weekly) with the first month costing $293 ($73.25 weekly)
Top Rated Online Therapy Services
BetterHelp – Best Overall
“BetterHelp is an online therapy platform that quickly connects you with a licensed counselor or therapist and earned 4 out of 5 stars.” Take a free assessment
Online-Therapy.com – Great Alternative
In addition to therapy, all Online-Therapy.com subscriptions include a self-guided CBT course. Visit Online-Therapy.com
How Much Does Calmerry Cost?
Calmerry costs $228 – $360 monthly (advertised as $57 – $90 weekly) depending on the subscription option you choose. The first month of each subscription is offered at a discounted rate for new users. Most plans offer unlimited messaging with a licensed counselor who will answer your messages five days per week. Calmerry earned 5 stars in the “Online Therapy Cost” category on our scoring criteria for the clearly explained costs.
Calmerry offers the following subscriptions:
- Messaging Plan ($198 for first month, then $228 monthly): Advertised as $57 weekly, this plan includes unlimited messaging with a licensed counselor, a personalized therapy plan, and access to reflection tools. Therapist will respond 5 days per week. This plan is best for those who prefer messaging therapy.
- 4 Live Videos ($218 for first month, then $250 monthly): Advertised as $62.50 weekly, this plan gets you weekly live video sessions with a therapist, a personalized treatment plan, and all the tools in the app. Unlimited texting is available, but therapists aren’t guaranteed to respond 5 days per week like other plans. This plan is best for those who prefer video therapy.
- Messaging + 2 Live Video Sessions ($264 for first month, then $310 monthly): Advertised as $77.50 weekly, this plan includes everything in the messaging plan plus two live 30-minute video sessions with a licensed therapist. This plan is best for those who want a good mix of live sessions and messaging.
- Messaging + 4 Live Video Sessions ($295 for first month, then $360 monthly): Advertised as $90 weekly, this plan includes everything in the messaging plan plus four live video sessions with a licensed therapist. This plan is best for those who want weekly sessions, plus ongoing messaging with responses guaranteed 5 days per week.
Additional Live Sessions: If you would like more therapy sessions per month, you have the option to purchase additional sessions. The cost of one additional 30-minute session is $45, two 30-minute sessions are $84, and a bundle of four 30-minute sessions is $160.
Calmerry Financial Aid
According to Calmerry, the company offers financial aid to those who qualify. Depending on your financial situation, Calmerry may offer up to 30% off your monthly price for 3 months. Calmerry states they determine this on a case-by-case basis, so reach out to Calmerry customer support directly for details.
Online Psychiatry and Medication Management Covered by Insurance
Talkiatry can match you with a real psychiatrist who takes your insurance and is seeing new patients. They’re in-network with major insurers and offer medication management. Get started with a short online assessment
Who Does Calmerry Serve?
Calmerry is available in all 50 US states, but not internationally. The company specifically serves adults 18+ who are struggling with mild-to-moderate mental health symptoms. Calmerry does not offer therapy for children or teens, and it doesn’t offer group or couples therapy. Psychiatry isn’t available with Calmerry.
Going a bit further, Calmerry would be the best fit for someone who’s experiencing anxiety or depression, but the platform isn’t a good fit for people experiencing severe mental illness or particularly strong symptoms. If you need collaboration with other physicians, in-person care, ongoing labwork, or medications, you should consider other options. Thriveworks has in-person locations in select cities that might be a better fit.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for online psychiatry services, you can’t go wrong with Talkiatry if you’re in-network, or, if you don’t have insurance, then Brightside Health is your best bet.
Calmerry Vs Competitors
Over the past few years, many different online therapy services have emerged offering a range of services. These platforms vary in their subscription plans, cost, and services. Many of these plans also offer messaging and live video sessions and match you with a provider. Compared to most other platforms, Calmerry is a more affordable out-of-pocket option.
Cost: $228 – $360 monthly
Insurance Accepted? No
-
Text-based therapy and live video therapy sessions available -
Fast therapist matching and appointment scheduling
-
Does not accept any health insurance plans -
Messaging works more like email
Price: $260 – $360 monthly
Insurance Accepted? No
-
30k+ therapists available -
Same-day appointments available
-
Does not accept insurance -
Limited choice over initial therapist
Price: $276 – $436 monthly
Insurance Accepted? Yes
-
Many major health insurance plans are accepted -
Psychiatry and teen (13+) therapy available
-
Exact monthly costs vary -
Limited ability to choose your therapist
Calmerry Vs BetterHelp
Calmerry Vs Talkspace
Talkspace - Online Therapy With or Without Insurance
Your therapist can help you process thoughts and feelings, understand motivations, and develop coping skills. Covered by most major insurance plans. Talkspace also accepts Medicare in some states. The average copay is $15, but many people pay $0. Try Talkspace
User Reviews of Calmerry
Calmerry doesn’t have very many reviews on either the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, with fewer than 100 reviews on each platform, plus, many of those reviews are over a year old. So, it’s difficult to get a certain picture of what users think of Calmerry. Overall, it seems like users tend to enjoy their time with their therapist and think it’s a valuable service. However, complaints about customer service are pervasive, and the Android version of the app appears to have a lot of bugs.
Reviews from Apple App Store | 4 out of 5 stars | 63 reviews
- Positive reviews on the Apple App Store about Calmerry indicate that users tend to see positive changes after time with their Calmerry therapist. Others mentioned that the app has helped them overcome problems in their lives.
- Negative reviews on the Apple App Store about Calmerry focus on problems with billing and customer service. Additionally, some users pointed out that the app is somewhat glitchy and doesn’t have the best design. Many users noted that the free trial period is difficult to cancel.
Reviews from Google Play Store | 2.1 out of 5 stars | 64 reviews
- Positive reviews from the Google Play Store include reports of making progress on personal problems with the help of a Calmerry therapist, and that the therapists on Calmerry tend to be responsive, caring, and professional.
- Negative reviews from the Google Play Store focus on problems with the Android version of the app. Many users pointed out that the app is difficult to navigate, and has frequently occurring bugs that can impact therapy sessions. Others noted that Calmerry’s customer service is slow and often unhelpful.
Reviews from Trustpilot | 4.1 out of 5 stars | 50 reviews
- Positive reviews from users on Reddit about Calmerry point to the therapists on the app being of great quality – as long as you are matched with one that meshes well with you.
- Negative reviews from users on Reddit about Calmerry focus on poor quality matches with therapists, therapists that had little availability or didn’t respond quickly, and trouble with customer service. However, positive sentiments about Calmerry seem to dominate on Reddit.
Would You Like to Try Therapy?
BetterHelp has over 30,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $65 per week and is FSA/HSA eligible by most providers. Take a free online assessment and get matched with the right therapist for you.
Who May Want an Alternative to Calmerry?
While Calmerry might be a good fit for some, there are certain groups of people who will need to seek out an alternative. People who are experiencing a crisis or severe mental health symptoms, those who are uncomfortable with technology, or anyone needing medication management will need to seek care elsewhere.
Those in Crisis or With Severe Mental Health Symptoms
Calmerry’s therapists do not provide emergency coverage to those in an active crisis or with severe mental health symptoms. If you are experiencing a crisis or having suicidal thoughts, you should call 911 or 988, rather than reach out to your counselor. If you are dealing with a mental health condition that causes severe symptoms, such as bipolar disorder or severe depression, then Calmerry is not the right service for you. If you are experiencing a crisis or suicidal thoughts and would like to see a provider online, Brightside Health’s Crisis Care program may be a better fit.
To learn more about how Brightside may be able to help you, please read our comprehensive review of Brightside Health.
People Uncomfortable with Technology
If you are uncomfortable with technology, Calmerry will not be a good match for you. To find a great in-person therapist, you can look at an online therapist directory which will give you lots of options about therapists located in your state. There are also some online therapy platforms, like Thriveworks, that offer in-person services as well.
To learn more about how in-person therapy works with them, you can read our in-depth review of Thriveworks.
You Need Medication Management
Calmerry does not have psychiatric services available and is unable to provide a mental health diagnosis or medication. If you want to connect with a provider online, some great alternatives are Talkspace or Cerebral. Talkspace offers psychiatric services per session and Cerebral is a subscription-based service. Both platforms accept many major insurance plans, which would make out-of-pocket costs lower than listed.
To learn more about these services, please read our comprehensive Talkspace review and our in-depth Cerebral review.
Calmerry Review – Our Final Verdict
“Calmerry is an affordable out-of-pocket option for online therapy that earned 3 stars overall during our independent review. Whether you are looking to exchange messages or attend live video sessions, Calmerry gives you options for both plus the flexibility to choose between three different plans and is an affordable option compared to similar platforms like Better Help and Talkspace. Calmerry is worth a try if you are over 18 years old, dealing with depression or anxiety, and looking for online therapy. At the present time, Calmerry does not offer couples, family, or group therapy, or telepsychiatry, and does not serve children and teens.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What Credentials Do Calmerry Therapists Hold?
Calmerry’s therapists include licensed psychologists, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors. All therapists have master’s or doctorate degrees in their field and are licensed in the state(s) where they practice.
How Am I Matched With a Therapist on Calmerry?
Calmerry matches you with a counselor based on your answers to the initial survey. When you sign up, you are assigned a mental health assistant who reads through your survey answers and selects a counselor who would be a good fit. While there is a mental health assistant to assign you a therapist, this process does not allow for any input from the client. This process earned 1 star in the “Therapist Matching or Selection” category on our scoring rubric.
Can I Choose a New Therapist?
All of Calmerry’s monthly subscription plans allow you to request a therapist change. To do so, you can contact customer support at [email protected] to submit your request. Calmerry will then match you with another therapist in your state.
Can I use my FSA or HSA Funds?
Yes, you can use FSA or HSA funds for therapy subscriptions with Calmerry.
How Do I Cancel My Calmerry Subscription?
Calmerry allows you to cancel your subscription with a full refund before your first session. You cannot cancel once you have started sending messages or having video sessions with your therapist. To cancel, you can email customer support at [email protected].
Does Calmerry Offer Refunds?
Calmerry offers refunds on a case-by-case basis. Before considering a refund, the company encourages you to consider changing therapists. If you are unhappy with your services, you can send an email to [email protected] explaining your situation. They may extend your subscription at no cost or offer a partial or full refund at their discretion.
Is Calmerry HIPAA Compliant?
Calmerry’s services are fully HIPAA compliant. All private information is encrypted and Calmerry earned 5 stars in the “Privacy & HIPAA” category on our scoring rubric.
You can learn more by reading Calmerry’s Privacy Policy or Calmerry’s Terms and Conditions.
History & News About Calmerry
- Year Founded: 2020
- Founder: Alex Vitchenko
- Headquartered In: Wilmington, DE
- Publicly Traded? No, privately-held
Calmerry was founded in 2020 by CEO Alex Vitchenko. The goal was to make therapy more affordable and accessible. Calmerry was born as an online platform where licensed providers could connect with clients in a comfortable virtual environment. In 2021, the company secured $5 million in funding to put toward increasing the number of providers on the platform and adding more mental health tools.1
In 2022, Calmerry launched B2B, a program that allows businesses to offer affordable mental health care to their employees.2 The B2B program allows businesses to develop a mental health program for their company and monitor their employees’ progress. Since its founding, more than 600 licensed therapists have joined Calmerry and helped serve over 47,000 clients. The company plans to continue to grow and expand access to mental health care in the coming years.
Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
-
Startup Around. (2021, April 26). Calmerry raises $5 million in seed funding. Retrieved from: https://startuparound.com/read/1619468421.897894/single.html
-
Calmerry. (2022, September 14). Calmerry launches B2B solution to support workforce mental health. Retrieved from: https://us.calmerry.com/blog/calmerry-news/calmerry-launches-b2b-solution-for-companies-to-build-workforce-mental-health-culture/
We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.
Author: Emily Guarnotta, PsyD (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, M.D. (No change)
Primary Changes: Updated entire article to new format, added article summary block, added “Why You Can Trust My Review” section and “Firsthand Experiences” section; reviewed and revised the entire article for factual accuracy and readability.
Author: Emily Guarnotta, PsyD (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, M.D. (No change)
Primary Changes: Updated costs for BetterHelp in Vs. section.
Author: Emily Guarnotta, PsyD (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, M.D. (New medical reviewer)
Primary Changes: Reassessment of Calmerry; Verified and fact-checked information throughout; added first-person point-of-view; style updates throughout.
Author: Emily Guarnotta, PsyD
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD
Your Voice Matters
Leave your own reviews!
Have you used an online therapy company? Have you tried an online psychiatry service? Do you use a meditation or mindfulness app? We’d love to hear about your experience!
We want to hear about the companies you love and the companies you wish you never used.
Leave your feedback for our editors.
Share your feedback on this article with ChoosingTherapy.com’s editors. If there’s something we missed or something we could improve on, we’d love to hear it.
Our writers and editors love compliments, too. :)
Talkspace - Online Therapy With or Without Insurance
Your therapist can help you process thoughts and feelings, understand motivations, and develop coping skills. Covered by most major insurance plans. Talkspace also accepts Medicare in some states. The average copay is $15, but many people pay $0. Try Talkspace
Best Online Therapy Services
There are a number of factors to consider when trying to determine which online therapy platform is going to be the best fit for you. It’s important to be mindful of what each platform costs, the services they provide you with, their providers’ training and level of expertise, and several other important criteria.
Best Online Psychiatry Services
Online psychiatry, sometimes called telepsychiatry, platforms offer medication management by phone, video, or secure messaging for a variety of mental health conditions. In some cases, online psychiatry may be more affordable than seeing an in-person provider. Mental health treatment has expanded to include many online psychiatry and therapy services. With so many choices, it can feel overwhelming to find the one that is right for you.
