Online Therapy in Europe: 2025 Trends and What They Mean for You

Therapy has traditionally been thought of as an in-person experience: just you and your therapist sitting across from each other. This approach has been historically hailed as the ultimate way to provide mental care – but that is rapidly changing.

In the increasingly digitalised world, therapy is no longer confined to a specialist’s office. In this guide, we’ll discuss the challenges, benefits, and overall trends related to the rising online mental health care across Europe.

Why Online Care Is Growing So Quickly

Online counselling, first introduced in the 1960s, was primarily reserved for clients who lived in remote areas or needed to save time and money. Yet counselling and psychotherapy were typically provided in person before the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the global pandemic, things have shifted significantly, although many therapists still lacked the necessary experience or well-defined treatment protocols to provide online sessions, according to a study published in Healthcare. Nonetheless, they had to adapt their practices and learn in the process.

The younger generation is also driving the demand. According to the latest “Expat Therapy in Europe: Key 2025 Trends” report by My Expat Mind, online care is gaining increasing popularity among younger Europeans, and countries across the region are tailoring their approaches to meet that need. Now, 40 countries in the WHO European Region have some form of a national telehealth strategy or include telehealth in their broader digital health strategy. Some of the most used services are teleradiology, telemedicine, and telepsychiatry.

Another reason lies in the general destigmatization of therapy across Europe. Even in Eastern Europe, where mental health support has generally been looked down upon, social media advocacy and awareness campaigns are helping dismantle stigma around therapy.

The Benefits: Lower Costs and Better Accessibility

Online therapy has a number of clear benefits. It can offer clients in remote areas accessibility to counselling, eliminate travelling costs, and generally make treatment more flexible. Clients can now schedule therapy at the most convenient time, such as during lunch breaks, and get more privacy since they can avoid having to travel to a therapist’s office.

But if you think about the potential outcomes of such therapy, what should you expect? A study of 9915 articles measuring satisfaction of psychotherapy delivered by videoconference found that clients rated bond and presence at least as strongly as if they were having those sessions in person.

“In my experience, even though you work slightly differently \- and except maybe in a very few specific situations \- online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy,” says a Gestalt Therapist, Fanny Isnard Persson.

The Challenges: Infrastructure and Inequality

Therapists are still concerned about ethical and regulatory issues, given the lack of clear guidelines for online therapy.

A quantitative survey using the tool revised from the 2015 WHO Global Survey on eHealth, found that 59 % of European countries (30 out of 51\) issued new legislation, strategy, policy, or guidance to support telehealth, so regulations are still not universal – and sometimes are simply lacking – across the region.

Although there are certain benefits to privacy, digital therapy hides its own unique challenges: risks to data privacy and online safety. How does one make sure their data doesn’t get into the wrong hands? And who should bear responsibility in case the worst happens?

Additionally, the so-called “digital divide” continues to limit access. People living in rural areas could benefit from remote therapy – but struggle with internet connectivity and online access. Those from lower-income backgrounds may simply lack digital literacy to opt for online therapy, which can make it unequal in its very structure.

What Does the Future Hold?

Telehealth is now embedded in most European systems, so hybrid models (online \+ in-person) are now becoming the new norm across the region. Mental health platforms are growing increasingly specialised and tend to focus on a specific area, problem, or modality.

In turn, therapy costs are rising in all of Europe. Private therapy sessions now average around €65, with the highest costs observed in Western/Northern Europe (≈ €50-200/session) – and lowest in Eastern Europe (€30-€110/session), where stigma often prevents people from seeking help. In all of these cases, online therapy can present unique solutions to existing problems.

How to Choose an Online Therapist?

When exploring online therapy options, it’s important to recognise that not all platforms are created equal.

Differences in language availability, legal regulations, service models, and therapist qualifications can significantly impact your therapeutic experience and outcomes.

Here are some things to keep in mind before choosing an online therapy service.

Professional credentials & legal compliance

Whatever country you’re in, ensure that the therapists you’re considering are accredited and licensed for your country.

For example, if you’re in the UK, you would be checking for institutions like the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, the British Psychological Society, and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy – every country has its own equivalent. GDPR/data‑protection compliance is crucial, especially across borders.

Therapy types & provider expertise

Check which approaches are offered (CBT, mindfulness, couples therapy, etc.) and whether therapists have the right specialisations for your needs.

Language & cultural fit

If you're an expat or multilingual, pick a service with multilingual therapists familiar with your cultural context. In Southern Europe, for instance, therapy tends to be influenced by cultural norms like a greater emphasis on family and collective social networks, while therapy in Western Europe is generally considered more individualistic.

Accessibility & convenience

Evaluate how easy it is to book, reschedule, and access therapy across time zones, especially if you're mobile.

Cost structure & payment models

Compare pricing, sliding scales, insurance coverage, and billing structures to avoid surprises. Most insurers rarely reimburse teletherapy and typically end their coverage once you’re abroad, so keep that in mind.

Technology & privacy

Reliable, secure telehealth platforms matter. Watch out for technical glitches and ensure robust confidentiality features.

Care Without Borders

It’s important to remember that online therapy is not a replacement for in-person treatment – but a vital extension of it. People with different needs require therapy access globally, and treatment can offer a long-needed solution.

As Europe redefines what access to mental health means, one thing is clear – therapy no longer needs borders, time zones, or even waiting rooms. And everyone is encouraged to receive the help they need.

Sources

Békés, V., & Aafjes-van Doorn, K. (2020). Psychotherapists’ attitudes toward online therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 30(2), 238–247. https://doi.org/10.1037/int0000214

Monika Knudsen Gullslett, Ronchi, E., Lundberg, L., Larbi, D., Lind, K. F., Tayefi, M., Phuong Dinh Ngo, Tyrone Reden Sy, Adib, K., & Hamilton, C. (2024). Telehealth development in the WHO European region: Results from a quantitative survey and insights from Norway. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 191, 105558–105558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2024.105558

Moudatsou, M., Stavropoulou, A., Rovithis, M., & Koukouli, S. (2024). Evaluation of Online Counselling through the Working Experiences of Mental Health Therapists Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic. Healthcare, 12(4), 495–495. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12040495

Simpson, S. G., & Reid, C. L. (2014). Therapeutic alliance in videoconferencing psychotherapy: A review. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 22(6), 280–299. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajr.12149

World Health Organisation. (2024, October 10). The rise of telehealth in the European Region: insights from Norway. Who.int; World Health Organisation: WHO. https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/10-10-2024-the-rise-of-telehealth-in-the-european-region--insights-from-norway