Getting Started

How Does Total Life Therapy Work for Seniors?

By Total Life · July 7, 2026

Total Life works in four steps: (1) call or fill out a short form, (2) we verify your Medicare coverage, usually in minutes, (3) we match you with a licensed therapist who specializes in older adults, and (4) you meet from home by video or phone, typically within days. Most members with supplemental coverage pay $0 per session.

Check My Medicare Coverage

Step 1: Reach out, by phone or online

No app to download. No waiting rooms. No paperwork marathon. Here's what each step actually looks like.

Start however you're comfortable: answer a few short questions at totallife.com, or request a call back and talk to a real person. We'll ask about what's bringing you to therapy (grief, anxiety, low mood, a big life change, caregiver stress, or you're not sure, which is also fine), your schedule preferences, and whether you'd rather meet by video or phone.

Adult children and caregivers often make this first call on behalf of a parent, that's welcome. We'll coordinate with your loved one directly from there, with their consent.

Step 2: We verify your coverage, before you commit

Have your red, white, and blue Medicare card handy (or your Medicare Advantage card). Our team checks your Part B benefits and any supplemental coverage (Medigap, Medicaid, retiree plans) and tells you your exact cost per session before you book anything.

Original Medicare covers outpatient psychotherapy at 80% after the Part B deductible.
Supplemental coverage typically picks up the remaining 20%, which is why most Total Life members pay $0.
If you'd owe anything, you'll know the exact number up front. No surprise bills.

Step 3: Get matched with the right therapist

This is where a senior-focused practice differs from a general directory. All 200+ Total Life clinicians work with older adults as their focus, which matters, because depression and anxiety in later life often look different (fatigue, aches, sleep trouble, and memory complaints rather than obvious sadness) and are frequently missed by generalists (Recognizing Depression in the Elderly, PMC).

We match based on what you're facing (bereavement, retirement transitions, health anxiety, chronic illness, family strain), your preferences, and schedule. Not the right fit after a session or two? Tell us, rematching is easy and expected.

Most Total Life patients pay $0 out of pocket.

Covered by Medicare. Licensed therapists who specialize in adults 65+. Matched within 48 hours.

Get Started

Step 4: Meet from home, video or phone

Video: you get a link by text or email. One click opens your session, no app, no account, no password.
Phone: your therapist calls you at your appointment time. That's it.

Both are covered: Medicare permanently covers behavioral health telehealth delivered to your home, including audio-only sessions when video isn't workable or preferred (Telehealth.HHS.gov). And under current CMS guidance, no in-person visit is required to start or continue tele-mental health through at least December 31, 2027 (CMS Telehealth FAQ, Feb 2026).

Sessions are typically weekly, 45-60 minutes, for as long as they're medically necessary, Medicare sets no fixed session limit for outpatient psychotherapy.

What happens in the sessions themselves?

Your first appointment is a conversation, not a test: your therapist learns your history, what's changed, and what you want to be different. From there, treatment usually draws on approaches with strong evidence in older adults, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), problem-solving therapy, grief-focused work, and interpersonal therapy.

Throughout, Total Life practices measurement-based care: brief validated check-ins (PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety) track your progress in numbers, so treatment gets adjusted based on data, not guesswork.

What if I have technology trouble?

You call us, and a person helps you, before your session, during onboarding, anytime. And if video simply isn't your thing, phone sessions are a fully covered, clinically valid option, not a downgrade.

Ready to talk to someone?

Total Life is the largest Medicare-covered online therapy practice for seniors, available nationwide. Most members pay $0 out of pocket.

Book a free consultation

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a smartphone or computer for Total Life? +

No. Sessions can happen entirely over a regular phone call. If you do use video, it's one click on a link, no app or account.

Do I need a referral from my doctor? +

Not with Original Medicare. Some Medicare Advantage plans require one, we'll check when we verify your coverage.

How quickly can I see a therapist? +

Typically within days of your first call.

Can my son or daughter set this up for me? +

Yes, family members often make the first call. We'll then work with you directly, with your consent.

How long are sessions and how often? +

Usually 45-60 minutes, typically weekly, continuing as long as medically necessary.

Can I switch therapists? +

Anytime. Fit matters, and rematching takes one phone call.

This article is educational and not a substitute for professional care. If you or someone you love is thinking about suicide, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), it's free, confidential, and available 24/7. This is a sensitive topic; if you're personally struggling, help is available and treatment works.