Photo illustration: Alex Cochran for Yahoo News; photo: Getty Images
Mental health. Therapy. Self-care. Whichever term you prefer, it's no longer the hush-hush subject it once was. We've come a long way from those days, and with increased accessibility, changing attitudes and the rise of digital services, therapy isn't reserved for those dealing with a crisis. It's for anyone looking to level up their mental health game and thrive emotionally.
Therapy in 2024 is a whole new ball game. "The stigma around therapy has decreased a lot in recent years. More people are comfortable talking about mental health and seeking help because of increased media coverage and efforts for mental health advocacy," explains Shelby Harris, a clinical psychologist at Sleepopolis.
To learn more about therapy's evolution, Yahoo commissioned AYTM, an insights technology company that performs independent testing and research, to survey 750 people who have participated in some form of therapy, whether in the past or at the time of the survey. The firm assessed participation in, attitudes about and experience with therapy in various forms — in person, online and, in the future, potentially via artificial intelligence mediums like ChatGPT. The results take us beyond stereotypes and show us how therapy is becoming a fundamental part of wellness for people from all walks of life.
This survey covered everything from who's seeking help online to why some people still love in-person sessions. There are some surprising findings along the way — hint: Older adults are more open to AI-driven therapy than you might expect.
We spoke with three mental health and health care experts to help us unpack the most compelling findings. Whether you're a seasoned therapy-goer or just dipping your toes in, continue reading to learn about the current state of therapy and what it could mean for the future of mental health care.
Therapy is now a mainstream part of self-care. Across age groups, cultures and demographics, more people are turning to therapy to manage the stressors of modern life. "Today's mental health issues include stress from digital life, anxiety from social media and worries from global events," explains Harris.
Technology is a driving force in this transformation. With the rise of online therapy and mental health apps, more people are finding ways to access care. "More people are using online therapy and mental health apps, especially younger people and those in remote areas," Harris says. "People are also seeking therapy not just for serious issues but also for everyday stress and personal development." Overall, it's easier for people to receive help on their own terms. Key findings from the survey indicate that:
Openness to online therapy is high. While most respondents (61.2%) had ever tried only in-person therapy, 38.8% had tried online therapy, whether as a sole resource or in conjunction with in-person sessions. Of those who had tried only in-person therapy, 68% said they'd be open to trying online therapy.
Of the respondents, 43.2% preferred in-person sessions, but a combined 56.8% either preferred online therapy or had no preference.
The pandemic fueled openness to online therapy. Of those who had tried online therapy, 62.5% hadn't done so until the pandemic.
The possibility of AI-provided therapy isn't as taboo as you might think. While the majority of respondents said they wouldn't be open to therapy through AI platforms like ChatGPT, almost 21% said they would be (and roughly 10% weren't sure what ChatGPT or AI are).
Changing attitudes about therapy have contributed to this increased participation. "The stigma around therapy has decreased a lot in recent years," Harris observes. "More people are comfortable talking about mental health and seeking help because of increased media coverage and efforts for mental health advocacy." As therapy becomes more accepted, people from all walks of life feel empowered to seek support without fear of judgment.
It also helps that more insurance companies offer mental health coverage. This was spurred largely by the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which requires health insurance plans to provide more equitable coverage for mental health care treatment. And where inadequacies in mental health coverage still exist, increased advocacy surrounding mental health care has spurred changes to this act (with the most recent rules expected to go into effect in 2026).
Yahoo's survey results indicate that insurance coverage is particularly important to therapy seekers:
Insurance coverage is a primary concern of therapy seekers. Most participants (91.1%) had health insurance, and when given the option to select the top two reasons for choosing a particular therapist or therapy provider, 63.1% indicated that finding a provider who accepted their insurance was particularly important. Other top reasons for selecting a particular provider included: in-person/in-office sessions (32.5%), hours/availability (20.7%), the ability to prescribe medication (18.3%) and live video/online therapy sessions (11.1%).
With these insights in mind, let's unpack some other interesting (and potentially surprising) survey findings, highlighting how these trends play out across different demographics.
According to the survey, 72.3% of respondents have no children under 18 at home, despite 63.5% being within the typical child-rearing age range of 18 to 54.
"Child-free people often have more money and free time since they don't have kids to care for," Harris says. "This makes it easier for them to go to therapy regularly and focus on their mental health without the added stress of parenting duties.
"As more people focus on self-care and personal growth, those who are child free might be more likely to invest in therapy. Without the demands of parenting, they can concentrate on their own well-being and personal development," she explains.
Read more about the potential impact of more child-free adults seeking therapy than parents.
Those with lower incomes are accessing therapy in surprising numbers. A notable 27.6% of survey participants earned less than $24,999 a year. The increased availability of affordable options, such as teletherapy and community-based mental health services, challenges the idea that therapy is unreachable for this group.
Research shows that higher levels of stress, often tied to financial instability and housing insecurity, make mental health care essential for many low-income individuals. "As public discourse on mental well-being grows, more individuals in lower-income brackets are recognizing the importance of seeking help, which may motivate them to pursue therapy despite financial constraints," explains Quint Boa, psychotherapist and company director at Synima.
Read more about why mental health participation in lower income communities is so important.
Despite the growing ubiquity of digital options, 43.2% of respondents said they still prefer in-person therapy, while 34.3% prefer online and 22.5% have no preference.
This statistic reinforces the irreplaceable value of in-person therapy. "People like in-person therapy because it gives them a direct, personal connection with the therapist, which helps build trust," explains Harris. "Plus, meeting face-to-face allows both the client and therapist to see and understand body language, facial expressions and tone of voice, which are essential for good communication and empathy." Our survey respondents agreed, with many noting that online therapy feels "too impersonal."
While online therapy provides convenience and flexibility, the trust and rapport fostered through face-to-face interactions remain critical for many.
Read more about why most people still prefer in-person therapy and why a hybrid model may be the best long-term solution.
Perhaps one of the most unexpected findings of our survey: the openness of middle-aged and older adults to trying AI-driven therapy. While only 20.9% of all respondents indicated that they would consider therapy through ChatGPT or AI, a significant portion of these individuals — 45.3% — are over 45. This challenges the assumption that only younger generations are comfortable with technology in mental health care.
Christopher Norman, board-certified geriatric nurse practitioner with the National Council on Aging, offers this explanation: "Older adults may be starting to accept AI therapy because technology is increasingly a regular part of health care and daily life." He adds, "The privacy and availability of AI therapy may also attract those who feel uneasy about traditional therapy sessions due to stigma or judgment. It's also convenient, especially for people who may have functional or transportation limitations."
Respondents over 45 years old cited reasons including "convenience," "anonymity" and "something new" for their openness to AI-generated therapy.
Read more about why older adults might be interested in trying AI-generated therapy.
Therapy is no longer viewed as an emergency mental health solution — it's an everyday tool for managing modern life. With more people embracing therapy, thanks to digital platforms and lessening stigma, mental health treatment is becoming a staple of self-care.
That said, it's also clear from our survey that many of the best online therapy providers haven't gained widespread name recognition. Of the platforms surveyed, BetterHelp had the highest name recognition, with 36.2% of respondents indicating that they'd heard of the platform. This was followed by Teledoc (35.3%), Talkspace (20.9%), Doctor on Demand (12%) and Brightside (10.2%).
Recognition of other platforms like Amwell, Cerebral, Circles, Thriveworks and Talkiatry was significantly lower, and 33.8% of respondents didn't recognize any of these platforms.
This finding indicates that there's still room to grow in the development and expansion of online mental health care resources. If you're considering online therapy, check out Yahoo's top picks for the best affordable online therapy providers, the best online psychiatry platforms, the best online therapy providers for anxiety, the best online therapy for couples, the best online therapy resources for the LGBTQ community and the best culturally sensitive online therapy resources.
Quint Boa, psychotherapist and company director at Synima
Shelby Harris, clinical psychologist at Sleepopolis
Christopher Norman, board-certified geriatric nurse practitioner with the National Council on Aging
Content concerning mental health is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical or health advice. Consult a medical professional for questions about your health. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, call 911, local emergency services, or 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline).