Well-being | 5.2.2026
How effective is online psychotherapy and what options are available?
Do you tend to overthink or often feel low or anxious? Mental health struggles are on the rise, but in-person therapy can be hard to access with long waits common. Online psychotherapy can be a good and equally effective alternative that enables you to start treatment sooner. We look at whether online therapy can help, the options available and what health insurance covers.
How does online psychotherapy work in Switzerland?
Computer or app-based online psychotherapy involves programmes designed to support mental health and treat mental disorders. A therapist supports you during the one-to-one therapy over video call, chat or e-mail.
With web-based self-help programmes, also known as digital health applications (DiGA), you largely complete exercises yourself using an app. A specialist will assess whether the programme is suitable for you prior to you starting it. Depending on the model, consultations take place via chat or e-mail.
What are the advantages of online psychotherapy?
Many people are hesitant about seeking professional help for mental disorders. This can be due to various reasons, ranging from shame to apprehension about visiting a therapist. Online therapy offers multiple advantages in such cases. It can make starting therapy easier if you:
- Are unable to access in-person therapy.
- Need immediate help without waiting.
- Want to bridge the gap while waiting for in-person therapy.
- Want to receive therapy in your own home due to other health conditions.
- Want to avoid travelling long distances.
- Want a flexible therapy schedule.
- Want to choose from a wide range of options tailored to specific mental disorders.
- Want to receive therapy anonymously because you are afraid of how those around you may react (only possible with certain providers).
Pulse – supplementary outpatient insurance from KPT
Pulse supplementary outpatient insurance from KPT focuses on early detection and prevention. It provides you with benefits that go beyond those offered by basic health insurance, including contributions towards digital psychological services, check-ups, cancer screening, a wider range of medication, emergency rescue, glasses and/or laser vision correction. It also helps to subsidise fitness and sport activities, and comes with travel and holiday insurance included.
When is online therapy not recommended?
Online therapy is not suitable for people with serious mental disorders, alcohol and drug problems, depression or suicidal thoughts. In such cases, treatment may need to involve medication and even inpatient treatment, which is not possible with online therapy.
If you find yourself in an acute crisis, please phone the 24/7 crisis line on 143, where specialists will provide you with free, anonymous assistance.
What options are available?
In Switzerland, there are various providers of online psychological self-assessments, apps and online training courses, digital directory platforms and online therapy services. The Federation of Swiss Psychologists (FSP) provides a guide to help people find legitimate and high-quality services. We present some of these below.
Klenico – mental health check
How does Klenico work?
- As a digital psychological service, Klenico provides an online mental health check . This gives you somewhere to start if you are feeling tense, sad, irritated, hopeless or anxious and are unable to fully understand your feelings.
- Your mental stresses and strains are recorded through the completion of an online questionnaire.
- You receive an interactive assessment report with scientifically based tips.
- If desired, you can discuss the results with a psychotherapist in an online video consultation.
- You receive a written assessment of your mental health and recommendations on suitable treatment options.
How much does Klenico cost?
- The online mental health check costs 60 francs. The consultation with a therapist starts at 159 francs.
- You will be directly invoiced for the costs and can settle them through your supplementary insurance depending on your cover.
Aepsy – the Swiss mental health portal
How does Aepsy work?
- The Swiss platform Aepsy provides a network of certified psychologists and psychotherapists who offer psychological coaching and psychotherapy to help you find a therapist online.
- A specially developed matching algorithm helps you choose from over 200 Swiss specialists.
- You record the challenges and difficult emotions you are experiencing in a questionnaire.
- The algorithm proposes suitable specialists.
- You make the right choice for you and have free, online initial consultations with the specialists.
- If you like a specialist, you can book further sessions or communicate with them in an encrypted chat.
- If you are not satisfied, you can meet other psychologists and psychotherapists.
- Aepsy offers therapy and psychological counselling for individuals, couples and families – both online and at practice locations.
How much does Aepsy cost?
- Psychological coaching starts at 69 francs and online psychotherapy at 150 francs per session. The precise price depends on the psychologist.
- You use the platform to pay for the sessions directly.
- There is no mandatory subscription.
- A tool informs you whether and to what extent your health insurer will cover the cost through your supplementary insurance.
HelloBetter and WePractice – online therapy services
How do HelloBetter and WePractice work?
- WePractice gives you access to HelloBetter online therapy courses.
- HelloBetter offers clinically validated psychological online therapy courses on topics such as sleep, stress and burnout, panic, depression, vaginismus and chronic pain.
- You complete the course independently at home.
- WePractice psychologists support you during the online therapy course. You choose one of three suggested specialists.
- You have an initial consultation and further video or chat consultations with this specialist.
- With 16 sites in German-speaking Switzerland, WePractice is a group practice that specialises in psychological psychotherapy.
How much do HelloBetter and WePractice cost?
- A HelloBetter online therapy course with the support of a professional from WePractice costs 595 francs. Depending on your cover, it may be possible to settle the costs through your supplementary insurance.
- One-to-one sessions with state-recognised psychotherapists start at 170 francs per hour. The costs are covered under basic health insurance (minus deductible and excess) subject to a medical prescription.
How effective is online psychotherapy?
According to the Department of Psychology at the University of Zurich, numerous studies have shown that the effectiveness of online psychotherapy is similar to that of conventional psychotherapy. Online therapy is most effective when used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social phobia and panic disorders.
As a pioneer of online psychotherapy, Thomas Berger, Professor of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at the University of Bern, has empirically proven the effectiveness of this form of therapy on multiple occasions. He found that the effectiveness of online programmes is similar to that of conventional psychotherapy as long as a specialist is involved. He believes that blended therapies, which combine in-person sessions with online tools, have a particularly promising future.
To what extent is online therapy covered by insurance?
Basic health insurance
Basic health insurance only covers the cost of psychotherapy subject to a diagnosis and a medical prescription. In some cases, registered psychotherapists can provide the therapy online.
Supplementary insurance
Supplementary insurance generally pays contributions towards online psychotherapy without a diagnosis as a form of early intervention or early detection. Payment depends on the psychotherapist’s training and the therapy programme selected.
Please contact your health insurer for advice on your individual situation.
Pulse – supplementary outpatient insurance from KPT
Pulse supplementary outpatient insurance from KPT focuses on the early detection and prevention of health risks. It provides you with a comprehensive range of benefits and cost contributions that go beyond those offered by basic health insurance, including contributions towards digital psychological services, cardiovascular and other medical check-ups, cancer screening as well as the cost of medication, emergency rescue, treatments and visual aids. Pulse furthermore provides you with contributions towards fitness and sport activities that promote good health. It even includes travel and holiday insurance.
Well-being means different things to different people. With Pulse, you take charge of your health and decide what you really need.
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Stefania Grassi is a KPT product manager and passionately committed to the development of advanced health insurance products. She uses her extensive experience in product development, market analysis and trend monitoring to share valuable insights into the world of insurance solutions on our blog.
