Best Online Grief Counseling for Those Navigating a Difficult Life Transition

Most Comprehensive: Mindful Care

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Key Specs

• Price: $50 to $100
• Insurance Accepted?: Yes
• Types of Counseling: Individual, group, psychiatry
  

Why We Chose It

Coping with a loss can cause or aggravate existing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Mindful Care provides users with short, on-demand counseling sessions to help in times of emotional need, plus more comprehensive support through group therapy, longer therapy sessions, and medication management.

Pros & Cons

Overview

Psychiatrist Tamir Aldad, MD, recognized that delays in access to counseling caused people to fall deeper into emotional unrest and towards self-medicating. This can be especially true for those coping with grief, which can correspond with an increase in depressive thoughts. Mindful Care was the first online therapy company to offer same-day appointments, according to its website. Users can make 20-minute micro appointments with a licensed counselor to either bridge the gap between longer sessions or to deal with an immediate non-emergency need. For those experiencing grief, these short sessions may help manage recent triggers, such as hearing a loved one's favorite song. 

Since these appointments are more immediate, there is no guarantee that users will get the same counselor each time. That said, recurring 40-minute sessions may be booked with the same provider.

Mindful Care also offers grief support groups. These "Mindfit" groups are moderated and guided by licensed counselors using common cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to help reverse and change unhealthy patterns, behaviors, and beliefs. Group therapy helps people move forward after grief since groups provide critical social support during times of loneliness and pain. When people feel less isolated, their physical and mental health tend to improve.

Plans & Pricing

Mindful Care offers per-session pricing, ranging from $50 for a 20-minute appointment and $100 for a 40-minute session. For group therapy, new participants must have a 20-minute consultation that costs $150; however, after that is done, each 60-minute group therapy session is $35. There is also a psychiatry option for people who may need medication management. The initial appointment is $175, and each 20-minute follow-up costs $75.

Flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA) payments are accepted, as are insurance plans from companies including:

• Aetna
• Cigna
• Humana
• Medicare
• UnitedHealthcare

Insurance can be a critical factor when deciding whether to attend grief counseling. Sixty-three percent of users who chose Mindful Care indicated they used insurance to help pay for it.

User Satisfaction

Mindful Care had strong showings in our user survey, with 92% indicating the services were excellent, very good, or good, and 0% reporting they were poor. Grief may aggravate or lead to anxiety, which 73% of users indicated led them to seek help, while 44% wanted help with depression. Of those who were no longer in counseling, 82% said Mindful Care met all or most of their needs, and 66% would return if they needed further counseling. One reviewer said, overall, they felt the group therapy sessions were very supportive and well-organized.

Best for Text-Based Therapy: Talkspace

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Key Specs

• Price: $276 to $516 per month
• Insurance Accepted?: Yes
• Types of Counseling: Individual, couples, teen
  

Why We Chose It

Talkspace has the tools and technology grieving people need, with support via text or chat and 24/7 access to counselors via chat. It’s also one of the largest online counseling providers, so there’s a higher chance you’ll have access to the type of counselor you’re looking for.

Pros & Cons

Overview

For people who don’t feel comfortable discussing their feelings aloud, the online text-based therapy offered by Talkspace may be a game-changer. Shy or uncertain individuals can chat with a trained counselor who can suggest coping skills and strategies. Talkspace has the technology in place for users to get some of the most comprehensive online grief support via chat. Talkspace counselors can even provide answers via voice and video to share with users.

Teens also need help coping with death and grief. Since teens are often very comfortable participating in conversations via text or chat, Talkspace may be a platform that gets them talking as well. The website provides valuable literature, online mental health quizzes, and a searchable database of information on conditions and therapy modalities. Talkspace’s three monthly subscriptions offer options for those who want to participate in live sessions with counselors and even attend virtual workshops.

Plans & Pricing

Talkspace is known for being budget-friendly, with three monthly packages to fit any budget. There is even a discount off the first month offered right from the homepage. The three packages are:

• $276 per month: Send messages (text, audio, video) to a provider and get one response per week (Monday through Friday).
• $396 per month: Participate in one live therapy session weekly, using either video, audio, or chat, plus messaging in between.
• $436 per month: In addition to the features above, users can participate in one live workshop a week with licensed counselors on various topics, including grief.

Users also have the option to add on live video counseling sessions as needed for $65 each.

For those needing psychiatric care, an initial evaluation costs $249. Follow-up sessions begin at $125 each. Psychiatry sessions must be conducted over video, not via text.

Talkspace does accept a few insurance plans, such as Cigna and Optum, and some employer-sponsored plans. It also accepts FSA and HSA forms of payment. In our survey, 57% of users said that insurance helped them pay for Talkspace.

User Satisfaction

Grief and loss prompted 17% of users to turn to Talkspace for assistance. Related conditions, such as anxiety and depression, drove 55% and 45%, respectively, to seek help through Talkspace. Technology played a part in the decision for some users, with 56% reporting that Talkspace’s app and website were easier to use than other online therapy sites they had previously tried. One of our testers appreciated that you can be connected with a counselor as quickly as in 24 to 48 hours. When it came to matching them with counselors, 88% of users reported that the site did an excellent, very good, or good job doing so.

Best for Spouse Loss: BetterHelp

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Key Specs

• Price: $60 to $90 per week
• Insurance Accepted?: No
• Types of Counseling: Individual
  

Why We Chose It

The pain of losing a spouse can compound and grow into a major depressive event if left to fester. BetterHelp has one of the largest networks of providers worldwide, many of whom specialize in grief counseling.

Pros & Cons

Overview

When a long-term partner or spouse dies, those left behind may have difficulty processing and moving through their grief. People experience grief at different rates, and in the aftermath of losing a spouse, getting stuck in anger or sadness can be detrimental to long-term emotional health. BetterHelp has the reach to connect grieving spouses with licensed and qualified counselors who can provide the support needed to move forward. In fact, BetterHelp dedicates a portion of its website and blog to dealing with grief and gives valuable insight into what can be expected. Helping people understand that their feelings and experiences are normal can significantly affect their emotional recovery.

BetterHelp has several features that may help guide a grieving spouse along. Each client has a confidential portal, where counselors can leave messages and share resources for easy access. There is an electronic journal function that provides relevant prompts and encourages users to try it, either online or in their own space. Counselors may find sharing a journal beneficial in catering a counseling plan to the specific emotional needs of the grieving. Since these needs change, sometimes from day to day, sharing the journal may be beneficial to those on this tough journey.

Plans & Pricing

BetterHelp offers one subscription option; however, the price may fluctuate based on where you live and how high the demand for counselors is in that location (otherwise known as surge pricing). The subscription plan includes messaging with a counselor and one live session per week. Even though BetterHelp doesn’t accept insurance, 58% of users found the services very affordable or affordable. The company does grant price reductions based on financial need.

User Satisfaction

Seventy-six percent of users surveyed felt that BetterHelp met all or most of their needs, and 77% said they were very likely or likely to recommend the platform to other people. Even though BetterHelp doesn't allow users to choose their counselor, 66% indicated that they found getting matched very easy. One of our testers felt their counselor set a good pace for active conversation. Half of BetterHelp users said they believed the counselors on BetterHelp were better qualified than other online counselors they had used in the past.

Best for Pregnancy and Infant Loss: Hers Therapy

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Key Specs

• Price: $99 per session
• Insurance Accepted?: No
• Types of Counseling: Individual, psychiatry
  

Why We Chose It

Hers Therapy is adept at addressing the unique concerns that people who either have uteruses or identify as female can experience. The company’s practitioners also have experience helping those who have gone through the trauma of pregnancy and infant loss at some point in their lives.

Pros & Cons

Overview

According to the March of Dimes, about 10% to 15% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage within the first 12 weeks. In the second trimester, 1% to 5% of people will miscarry. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 1 in 175 pregnancies will end in stillbirth. People coping with the aftermath of miscarriage or infant loss are more likely to experience more significant anxiety and depression with subsequent pregnancies. Not only that, but 50% are likely to experience prolonged grief disorder, which the American Psychiatric Association says is characterized by "intense and persistent grief that causes problems and interferes with daily life."

In 2020, Hers expanded its offerings from sexual health and dermatology to include mental health support. It initially only offered free support groups, but after user demand, Hers added individual virtual counseling and therapy options for a flat $99 each.

Hers Therapy's focus on the mental health of people with uteruses and those who identify as female provides individual counseling and support groups that may help you continue moving through grief instead of becoming stuck in a perpetual cycle. The network of providers allows you to choose those with the credentials that most fit your needs, including grief and bereavement counseling. Psychiatric services may also help with medication prescription and management if needed.

Plans & Pricing

Hers Therapy does not accept insurance, but the company does take HSA and FSA payments. It charges a flat $99 per counseling session, but support groups are free. 

For people who need medication, the company offers psychiatric support to treat anxiety and depression for $85 a month, or $49 a month if paid three months in advance. Even without accepting insurance, 50% of users we surveyed said that the service was affordable, with 91% rating the prices as excellent, very good, or good.

User Satisfaction

Overall, Hers Therapy scored high in overall satisfaction with users, with 91% saying they felt the company was excellent, very good, or good. The quality of providers ranked high, with 73% reporting they were very satisfied or satisfied with the counselor options, and 72% of users felt like Hers Therapy met all or most of their needs. One tester felt Hers was a good fit for those looking for a “low-fuss, accessible option for talk therapy.” When asked if they would recommend Hers Therapy, 81% said they would be very likely or likely to, and 59% said they would return to the company should they need additional counseling in the future.

Best for Peer Counseling: Peer Collective

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Key Specs

• Price: $14 to $28 per session
• Insurance Accepted?: No
• Types of Counseling: Peer
  

Why We Chose It

Peer Collective provides access to vital support for those experiencing grief and loss. The company offers users an empathetic ear for a fraction of the cost of more traditional counseling services.

Pros & Cons

Overview

According to the Peer Collective site, its counselors are “at the intersection of a trusted friend and a traditional counselor," making them active listeners for anyone in need (although they are not licensed counselors). Peer Collective says it vets counselor applicants to ensure that they are highly empathetic and compassionate. And it only hires 3% of the people who apply to become peer counselors.

The purpose is simple: Peer Collective wants to reach the largest number of people in need, conveniently and at a cost that is unmatched. Same-day and next-day appointments are often available, and sessions can range from 30 minutes to an hour long. While there is no guarantee users will get the same counselor each time they book, the point is to have a trained person on the other end of the phone whose sole purpose is to listen. Peer Collective also trains its counselors to recognize the need for to recommend that users who need professional guidance see a licensed counselor.

Plans & Pricing

Peer Collective charges users per session. After one free peer counseling session, users pay between $14 and $28 for each subsequent one. There is no monthly or ongoing charge. Users only need to pay per session and can cancel anytime.

User Satisfaction

Peer Collective was not included our most recent user survey. However, based on the 2021 survey, 82% of users felt the platform was excellent, very good, or good, and 96% were very satisfied or satisfied with the counselor options. Peer Collective doesn’t match users and counselors, but 84% of users reported that they felt counselor qualifications were excellent or very good. Of those who previously took part in online counseling, 79% indicated that Peer Collective was better than services they had used in the past.

Best for Support Groups: Circles

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Key Specs

• Price: Free to $79 per month
• Insurance Accepted?: No
• Types of Counseling: Group

Why We Chose It

In the depths of grief, it can help to find a support network of people with similar experiences. Circles provides online support groups, so no one has to navigate their feelings alone.

Pros & Cons

Overview

Irad E. Chler and Dana Landa believed that support groups can be supremely helpful for those dealing with extreme life changes, such as grief and loss. They started Circles to give wider access to the invaluable experience an intimate support group can offer, especially one led by licensed mental health professionals.

Bereavement counseling in a group atmosphere can provide support for each member’s grief journey. When people come together as a community and share common experiences, it allows them to feel like they are part of something bigger. When those in need feel less alone, it can help them regain the emotional stability they experienced before the loss. 

Circles members participate in a 12-week group therapy cycle with consistent practices and lessons led by a counselor. Circles+ is its premium offering and costs $20 a week. With the Circles app, available on iOS and Android, participants can message each other and their counselor outside of sessions to deepen connections. A Circles+ subscription guarantees no more than 10 participants in each group, which can help provide a more tight-knit group experience. For someone who is unsure about group therapy, this smaller circle may be preferred.

Plans & Pricing

Circles has an active free community of support groups on an array of topics and categories. The paid version costs $79 a month and grants access to an assigned grief and loss group that includes a room chat and extra resources. The plan is intended to continue for three months; however, users can cancel anytime. 

There is a financial aid application for those who could benefit from the paid services but cannot afford them. For anyone new to an online support group experience, Circles offers a free week of one of the premium groups.

User Satisfaction

Users thought that Circles was beneficial, with 70% agreeing they were very likely or likely to recommend the company to others. Counselor qualifications were ranked relatively high, with 83% of users pleased with them, and 82% thought diversity in counselor choices was excellent, very good, or good. Overall, 80% said they had an excellent, very good, or good experience with Circles, and 79% said most or all of their needs were met. One of our reviewers mentioned that the sign-up process was easy and streamlined, and the tester they interviewed had a good experience with their counselor.

Most Affordable: Wellnite

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Key Specs

• Price: $75 or $195 per month
• Insurance Accepted?: Yes
• Types of Counseling: Individual, couples, teen, medication management
  

Why We Chose It

Wellnite offers users a low-cost plan that provides access to licensed counselors, psychiatrists, and doctors. Since the pain of grief can recur after initial counseling, Wellnite is affordable enough to resume services should they be needed in the future.

Pros & Cons

Overview

The loss of a loved one can trigger strong emotions, including depression, anger and anxiety, but many people never get treatment. Wellnite founders Paulo Gonzalez and Elisa Swan saw the need to extend diagnostic and treatment plans to people with signs and symptoms of these mood disorders who never got the help needed to treat them—often because they couldn’t afford it. 

Wellnite’s mission is clear from the start: “Your mental health is our priority.” In support of this assertion, Wellnite offers same-day consultations. For people who may be on the fence about whether they need grief counseling or if they may have depression, a delay of days or even weeks might cause them to reconsider. Same-day or next-day telehealth appointments end that hesitation and get the ball rolling. 

The company has a presence in over 40 states with plans to continue beyond as the demand for its services grows. It offers a directory of providers from which to choose, putting control in the hands of the user. This can be important to people who don’t want to go into a session with little or no insight into the counselor they're seeing.

Plans & Pricing

Wellnite has two subscription plans available:

Serotonin: For $75 a month, users get four chat coaching sessions, one appointment with a psychiatrist, and a month’s supply of prescription medication, if applicable.

Mindfulness: For $195 a month, users get all the Serotonin plan offers, plus two video calls each month with a counselor.

Wellnite only accepts PPO insurance plans currently, and 51% of users in our survey said they used insurance to pay. There are no promotions or coupons for Wellnite services at this time.

User Satisfaction

Of those who used Wellnite after trying another online therapy platform, 83% said Wellnite was better, and 46% found its website and app easier to use than others. One user reported that sessions were “very easy” to schedule at Wellnite. Regarding counselor choices, 63% found the options through Wellnite very satisfactory or satisfactory, and 81% thought the providers were well qualified. Overall, 80% of users found Wellnite's mental health services to be excellent, very good, or good.

Best for Insurance: MDLIVE

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Key Specs

• Price: $0 to $108 for talk therapy; $0 to $284 for psychiatry
• Insurance Accepted?: Yes
• Types of Counseling: Individual, psychiatry
  

Why We Chose It

MDLIVE is a comprehensive medical platform that provides users access to mental health services. For people who rely on insurance benefits to pay for grief counseling or therapy, MDLIVE is the way to go.

Pros & Cons

Overview

The cost of behavioral health care may determine whether someone decides to give counseling or therapy a try, even if they’re really struggling with grief. Not getting care can worsen symptoms of grief, but finding a provider that takes insurance may make it easier for you to manage it financially. That’s where MDLIVE comes in.

MDLIVE is a full-service telehealth medical clinic serving the physical and mental health needs of people who either can't get out to see a provider or prefer to do it all from home. While some services require in-person care, such as psychiatric emergencies, most can be accomplished via the platform's video or audio options. Since it operates as a medical clinic, MDLIVE accepts a number of health insurance plans. Ninety-two percent of users in our survey reported they had insurance, making MDLIVE an accessible option for them.

The intake at MDLIVE allows those seeking mental health services to indicate the reason for their visit and whether they want therapy or psychiatry. All providers at MDLIVE are licensed, and you get to choose a counselor based on your symptoms and state. You can stick with the same provider or change at any time. MDLIVE also tries to get all appointments scheduled within a week of a user reaching out—unlike in-person therapy, where new patients can wait a month or longer to be seen. While this quicker scheduling is more common on telehealth platforms, being able to use insurance benefits is not.

Plans & Pricing

MDLIVE charges per session and accepts most major insurance plans, including, but not limited to those from:

• Aetna
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Cigna
• Humana

The pricing depends on the specific terms of an individual's insurance benefits. Talk therapy prices range from $0 to $108 for a 45- or 60-minute appointment. For those needing medication management, a 15- to 30-minute psychiatry appointment runs $0 to $284 for the initial consultation and $0 to $108 for follow-ups.

User Satisfaction

MDLIVE scored high overall in our user survey, with 91% saying the care they received was excellent, very good, or good, and 83% reporting that all or most of their needs were met. One user indicated that she would use MDLIVE again for mental health, psychiatry, or other types of medical care. 

Ninety-four percent of users were very satisfied or satisfied with provider qualifications, and 91% reported satisfaction with the diversity of counselors. Of those who had used another telehealth service, 73% thought MDLIVE was better.

Best for Illness-Related Grief: Thriveworks

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Key Specs

• Price: $0 to $99 per session, depending on the provider
• Insurance Accepted?: Yes
• Types of Counseling: Individual, couples, group, teen, psychiatry
  

Why We Chose It

A chronic illness diagnosis can lead to grief, even while the ill person is still living. Thriveworks offers mental health support for those dealing with illness-related grief both online and, in some locations, in person.

Pros & Cons

Overview

A medical diagnosis that has the potential to shorten a lifespan can come as a serious blow to mental health, both for the person with the diagnosis, and anyone close to them. Diagnoses such as cancer or ALS can drastically change the future, and coping with this new reality is difficult. Grief isn’t only a reaction to the loss of a loved one but also to the loss of a future that is no longer possible. Thriveworks counselors work to counsel those with a chronic illness to teach real-life strategies and coping skills. What’s more, with a variety of counseling services available, Thriveworks can educate family members on the best ways to support their loved one who is ill and provide counseling services to get them through their grief as well.

Thriveworks counselors can help you set goals for walking through the stages of grief common to those dealing with a difficult diagnosis to reach acceptance. One particular benefit to choosing Thriveworks is that it has 380 offices that offer in-person therapy services. Having both options allows users some flexibility in how they receive care, which may prove especially beneficial for couples or family therapy.

Plans & Pricing

Thriveworks does accept some insurance plans, but this varies by provider. For some, there may not be an out-of-pocket cost. For those who don’t have insurance, Thriveworks usually charges $99 per session. Thriveworks once charged a monthly membership fee but has discontinued it. The company doesn't offer any discounts or free trials.

User Satisfaction

Of 105 users surveyed, 78% reported that all or most of their needs were met at Thriveworks, with 50% saying they plan on still using the service in a year. Of those who discontinued therapy, usually because they no longer needed it, 70% indicated that they would return to Thriveworks if they needed it again in the future. Overall, Thriveworks scored high, with a 90% excellent, very good, or good rating. One user commented that Thriveworks “can meet most people’s mental health needs in a convenient and straightforward manner.”

Best for Multiple Diagnoses: Brightside

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Key Specs

• Price: $95 to $349 per month
• Insurance Accepted?: Yes
• Types of Counseling: Individual, psychiatry
  

Why We Chose It

Managing depression and anxiety in the wake of loss may require a multi-faceted approach. Brightside focuses its care on mitigating these common mood disorders through talk therapy and medication, and in doing so, can better address grief in general.

Pros & Cons

Overview

Approximately 280 million people in the world have depression, with 21 million of those in the U.S. Depression can have a major impact on your quality of life and make it feel difficult to impossible to carry on with everyday activities. When you’re dealing with depression along with the loss of a loved one, the downward spiral can intensify. Brightside focuses on treating people with depression, anxiety, and related disorders that may grow out of or intensify due to grief. 

Brightside’s team of providers can support those trying to find their footing after loss, and, in doing so, help alleviate the depression that may result. Counselors may use a combination of medication and talk therapy, depending on the individual. What’s more, with suicide as the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S., Brightside has created a framework to mobilize in the event someone reaches out to indicate they are in danger of self-harm. In select states, Brightside also offers a crisis support system for people dealing with suicidal thoughts and ideations. This crisis care is unique among online therapy platforms. It provides a swift and comprehensive evaluation with a trained clinician to determine if the person qualifies for Brightside's crisis program or needs in-patient treatment or hospitalization.

Plans & Pricing

Brightside offers three monthly subscriptions. A free assessment gives users an indication of the type of services the company recommends.

• Therapy only costs $299 per month, and includes four video counseling sessions a month (additional sessions can be added for $59 each) and unlimited messaging with a counselor.
• Medication only costs $99 per month and provides a 15-minute psychiatric appointment, ongoing monitoring, and medication delivered every month.
• Bundling both therapy and medication costs $349 per month.

Brightside does accept some insurance carriers, including

• Aetna
• Anthem
• Cigna
• UnitedHealthcare

User Satisfaction

User survey data indicated that Brightside is a popular choice for those dealing with anxiety (60%), depression (51%) and grief (16%). Overall, the company scored a very high 90% satisfaction rating of excellent, very good, or good, with 79% of users reporting that the company met all or most of their needs. Three-quarters of Brightside users would recommend the company to others and 62% of those who stopped therapy said they would return if needed. One tester said, “Both therapists I met with offered outstanding care, which likely has to do with their ten years of experience. They were kind and responsive.”

Best Directory: TherapyDen

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Key Specs

• Price: Varies
• Insurance Accepted?: Yes
• Types of Counseling: Individual, teen, couples, family, children's

Why We Chose It

With so many online counseling choices out there, people looking for specific services, such as grief counseling, may find themselves lost. TherapyDen provides a comprehensive listing of provider options with inclusion in mind, making it easier to search for an affirming grief counselor and/or one they identify with.

Pros & Cons

Overview

Knowing where to begin the search for grief counseling is the first step in finding the support you need. For marginalized communities, in particular, finding an affirming and empathetic counselor may prove difficult. TherapyDen allows users to search for mental health support with a variety of filters, allowing BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals to find similarly identifying counselors if desired. You can also search for providers by insurance accepted, religious affiliation, and treatment modalities.

TherapyDen is not a telehealth platform, so it does not maintain control over the providers in its search directory or offer services directly. Unlike competitors, such as Psychology Today, TherapyDen doesn't charge providers to be listed in its directory. While this opens the door for more minority and underrepresented providers to be included, it also means that there is no vetting or verification process. However, users can cross-search counselor bios to find ratings or complaints if they are concerned.

Plans & Pricing

Since Therapy Den is a directory of providers and not a telehealth platform to host them, insurance coverage and pricing vary. Some counselors do offer free consultations and accept insurance. Even though there is no uniform pricing or insurance system among TherapyDen providers, 75% of users surveyed said they used their benefits to pay for care.

User Satisfaction

TherapyDen’s search filters were a hit, with 75% of users reporting that they were satisfied with the diversity among providers, and 80% of users saying the directory was very good or good at connecting them with counselors. The directory was easy to use, according to 75% of users, and while 70% would recommend TherapyDen to others, 75% said they would return to find another provider if needed.