If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, and other diagnosable mental health challenges, online psychiatry can connect you with a skilled practitioner who can prescribe medication and point you to other resources that may be beneficial, including therapy. The best online psychiatry services offer transparent rates and insurance policies, flexible scheduling, and highly trained specialists who you don’t have to wait weeks to see.
With a shortage of board-certified psychiatrists, mental health care can be hard to find, particularly for children.Online psychiatry or medication management services fill a need for immediate, convenient, and affordable support. Busy parents will appreciate the ease of finding and working with a practitioner, and you’ll save time by logging on to virtual sessions (instead of struggling to get everyone in the car). Plus, kids may feel more relaxed talking to specialists from the comfort of their homes—making online psychiatry a win-win for parents and kids. After reviewing 55 online therapy companies and surveying 105 users, here are our top picks for best online psychiatry services.
Best Online Psychiatry of 2022
- Best Overall:Teladoc
- Best for Depression:Ro Mind
- Best for Mood Disorders:Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center
- Best for Anxiety:Brightside Health
- Best for Postpartum Issues:Amwell
- Best for OCD:Wellnite
- Best Without Insurance:Talkspace
- Best With Insurance:Doctor on Demand
- Best With Flexible Appointment Times:Thriveworks
- Best for Cultural Sensitivity:Talkiatry
Best Overall:Teladoc
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Teladoc
- Price:Self-pay rates are $209 for an initial 45-minute evaluation and initial psychiatry appointments and $109 for 15-minute follow-up sessions
- Insurance accepted?:Yes
- Types of therapy:Individual, teen, psychiatry, medication management
Teladoc has been providing online physical and mental health care for 20 years. Over that time, it has become one of the most comprehensive and affordable virtual psychiatry platforms, offering appointments seven days a week with board-certified psychiatrists specialized in anxiety, depression, and more.
Accepts insurance
Serves all 50 states
You choose your provider
Must set up an account before seeing pricing or practitioner bios
No discounted subscription rates
记录的改善客户的心理ealth, including adolescents,Teladocis our number one pick for overall best online psychiatry platform for its flexibility, comparatively lower rates, and ease of use.
Teladoc提供精神病学和药物管理t for anxiety, depression, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health challenges, but its practitioners will not prescribe medications considered controlled substances by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, including Adderall, Xanax, and Klonopin.
Talk therapy is a separate service on Teladoc, but psychiatry patients have access to digital tools on the Teladoc app that use cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy to help with emotional regulation and behavior change.
The simple sign-up process at Teladoc starts with entering registration, insurance, and payment information. You will then have access to the provider directory to choose and schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist who meets your needs. In your initial session, your provider will suggest a treatment plan with follow-up visits. Our survey respondents reported that Teladoc had one of the easiest sites or apps to use.
The quality of care at Teladoc ranked among the highest in our survey of 55 online therapy platforms, with 94% of the 105 Teladoc users reporting that the provider qualifications at Teladoc were excellent, very good, or good. Ninety-two percent of our survey respondents saying they would rate its psychiatry and medication management services as excellent, very good, or good. What’s more, 80% said that all or most of their needs were met with Teladoc.
据Teladoc统计,75%的clients seeking anxiety treatment say their symptoms improved after four sessions. In contrast, among those suffering from depression, 76% reported that their symptoms improved after three sessions.
Self-pay rates are $209 for an initial 45-minute evaluation and initial psychiatry session, and $109 for 15-minute follow-up sessions.
Teladoc is in-network with many insurance companies. You provide insurance information during the registration process to see how much a visit will cost. Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) payments are also accepted.
Best for Depression:Ro Mind
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RoMind
- Price:$15 first month; $85 additional months
- Insurance accepted?:No
- Types of therapy:Individual education, medication management
Ro Mind is a targeted service that is efficient and easy to work with if you are struggling with depression, seasonal affective disorder, or anxiety. Its no-frills service focuses on medication management and online education (not therapy) related to mental health.
Focus on depression and seasonal affective disorder
Affordable care
Licensed healthcare providers
Does not accept insurance
Limited information on the website
Provider directory not accessible
If you’re suffering from depression or seasonal affective disorder,Ro Mindmakes treatment accessible and easy, even for parents and kids with busy schedules. Ro is a larger healthcare and medication management platform that addresses everything from sexual health to skincare, and Ro Mind is Ro’s division dedicated to mental health support.
Before registering at Ro Mind, you won’t be able to view a directory of providers to see their credentials or see which states they are licensed to practice in. You can, however, read more about Ro’s four medical advisors.
Ro’s two-minute initial online survey asks what you’ve been struggling with (depression, anxiety, sleep, or stress) and for how long. It covers possible events that could have caused these feelings, then asks you to create your account and pay for your initial visit. After you complete the online assessment and join, you’re matched with a licensed healthcare provider for a live video session within a few days.
On this initial 15- to 20-minute assessment call, your provider will collect more information about your issues and your medical and psychiatric history, discuss your symptoms, and develop a treatment plan, including prescriptions for relevant medications.
Prescriptions can be sent to a local pharmacy or via mail with two-day shipping. Ro doesn’t treat bipolar and other psychiatric conditions outside of anxiety and depression, and will not prescribe controlled substances, including benzodiazepines, stimulants, or opioids.
As a member, you get three subsequent monthly check-ins and can message your provider at any time, with responses expected within 48 hours Monday through Friday. Members also get access to a library of pre-recorded online education classes related to depression, anxiety, and sleep hygiene. While you can cancel any time, Ro Mind warns that you should talk with your doctor first to avoid negative side effects from discontinuing antidepressants.
Of the 105 clients we surveyed, 77% said they would rate Ro Mind’s medication management and psychiatry services as excellent, very good, or good, and 90% rated therapist qualifications at Ro Mind similarly. And 84% of users said they thought Ro Mind was better than other previously used services.
You must be a member to access any of Ro Mind’s benefits, including an initial visit. Your first month is $15 and subsequent months are $85. Each month you get up to three virtual visits with your provider, online messaging support, prescription refills, and access to Ro’s online course library. Ro does not accept health insurance or FSA and HSA payments. You can cancel any time, although Ro recommends checking in with your provider first.
Best for Mood Disorders:Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center
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Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center
- Price:Depends on insurance coverage; self-pay rates not listed
- Insurance accepted?:Yes
- Types of therapy:Individual, child and adolescent, medication management, psychiatry, family, group
Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center offers customized care plans for adults, adolescents, and children suffering from mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder. The center provides wrap-around services including family and group support, therapy, medication management, and nutrition and meal guidance to help you and your loved ones find lasting solutions.
Focus on mood (bipolar disorder and depression)
Accepts most major insurance providers
Offers family support
全面和铜stomized care plans
Treats children ages 8 to 17
Doesn’t list self-pay costs
Provider directory not accessible
Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Centeris a comprehensive psychiatric and therapeutic center offering inpatient, outpatient, and virtual treatment options for mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, and trauma-related disorders. Its medical and therapy staff is licensed in 21 states, with care extending to family and caregivers through online groups and resources.
Highly trained clinicians create customized care plans using cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, medication plans, and more. There is also an emphasis on nutrition and healthy eating.
Pathlight’s virtual programs started in 2016 and are carefully crafted to include individual, group, and family therapy as well as therapeutic and psychiatric support and nutrition and meal guidance. Mood services cover depression and bipolar disorder.
The process begins with a short online survey that asks about your location, condition, desired level of care, and your current experience. Then, you are connected with an admissions team member for a free 15-minute intake call, which will help you and Pathlight staff determine the best care options—including everything from residential programs to customized virtual sessions.
The Pathlight website offers abundant resources, with a blog, podcast, and ways to tap into community and group support.
Overall, 78% of the 105 Pathlight clients we surveyed said Pathlight’s medication management and psychiatry services were excellent, very good, or good, and 65% said they would recommend Pathlight to a friend.
Pathlight is an in-network provider with many insurance companies, including UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Kaiser Permanente, Magellan, and more. The customer care team will call your insurance company for you to see what they will cover.
If you pursue treatment at Pathlight, you and the admissions office will work together to determine your benefits and pricing. The website does not list self-pay rates, nor does it say whether Pathlight accepts FSA and HSA payments.
Best for Anxiety:Brightside Health
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Brightside
- Price:Self-pay rates are $95 a month for medication only; $299 a month for therapy only; $349 a month for medication and therapy
- Insurance accepted?:Yes
- Types of therapy:Individual, psychiatry, medication management
Brightside Health specializes in personalized care for anxiety, depression, and insomnia by offering a combination of medication management and therapy membership plans. You have your choice of medication only, therapy only, or the combination of the two at affordable rates, with licensed professionals able to serve clients 18 years and older in all 50 states.
Focus on anxiety and depression
Accepts insurance
Provider directory online
Available in all states
Appointments within 48 hours
More expensive than many other services
Primarily offers just one type of therapy service
May not take FSA or HSA payments
No free consultations or trials
Brightside Healthhas membership plans that honor the complexities of anxiety and depression by combining therapy and medication options. (According to Brightside, there is up to a 60% better chance of recovery with both medication and therapy.) Its customized care and expertise in general anxiety, phobias, panic disorders, and more helped Brightside earn the top spot on our list of best online psychiatry platforms for anxiety. Brightside specialists combine cognitive behavioral therapy, empathetic customer service, and clinicians with years of experience to provide customized treatment plans at affordable rates. The accessibility of care, plus specialties in more complex challenges like bipolar II or obsessive-compulsive disorder, and even sleep troubles, can help parents find relief without the time and energy it often takes to find an in-person provider with availability.
英航的过程始于一个在线评估sic symptoms and needs. Within 48 hours, you’re matched with either a psychiatric or therapy provider for a more thorough video consultation (15 minutes for medication management, 45 minutes for therapy). After your first session, you have weekly check-ins with your provider (30 minutes for therapy, via messaging for medication), and can message them in between sessions. Therapy services also include self-paced audio lessons that help you learn skills and habits to work through your depression or anxiety symptoms.
If you opt for a treatment plan that involves medication, the psychiatrists, physicians, and psychiatric nurse practitioners at Brightside Health use proprietary software, called PrecisionRX, to determine the right medications and doses for your unique challenges. Then, you check in weekly to adjust for what is or isn’t working. Brightside Health calls in your prescription. It doesn’t prescribe controlled substances like Xanax, Klonopin, or Ativan, though.
Brightside Health customers seem satisfied overall, with 93% of users surveyed reporting that Brightside’s medication management and psychiatry services were excellent, very good, or good.
Additionally, 79% said Brightside met most or all of their needs. Customer service plays a big role in Brightside’s customer satisfaction ratings, with 83% of survey respondents reporting that Brightside was excellent, very good, or good at connecting them to a therapist. Brightside claims that 85% of the people it works with feel better within three months.
Brightside Health accepts Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, and Anthem insurance. The platform is subscription-only and offers three plans:
- Medication:$95 a month, plus your copay of $15 a month for prescriptions, after an initial 15-minute intake; includes messaging with your provider for regular updates and medication adjustments
- Therapy:$299 a month for weekly 30-minute sessions (initial intake is 45 minutes) and unlimited messaging between sessions, as well as video lessons for skill-building; additional 30-minute sessions cost $59
- Medication and therapy:$349 a month, plus your copay or $15 a month for prescriptions. This plan includes the benefits of both of the other two plans at a $45 discount.
The website doesn’t say whether or not you can use FSA or HSA payments if your insurance doesn’t cover Brightside Health membership.
Best for Postpartum Issues:Amwell
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- Price:Self-pay rates are $279 for initial visit, then $109 to $129 for 15-minute sessions
- Insurance accepted?:Yes
- Types of therapy:Individual, couples, family, psychiatry, medication management
Amwell boasts high customer satisfaction for its psychiatry and therapy services, and its specialty in postpartum mental health services helps it stand out among online counseling and medication management platforms for families and new parents.
Specializes in postpartum and family care
Pay per session
Some therapists are available nights and weekends
Collaborative care plans
Does not accept insurance for psychiatry
Video sessions only
No free consultations
No subscriptions or bundle services offered
In our survey of 55 online therapy services,Amwelloutranked other online psychiatric services for postpartum issues due to its flexible scheduling, high user survey ratings, and specialization inpostpartum depressionand postpartum anxiety.
Amwell treats all major types of depression, including persistent depressive disorder, postpartum depression, psychotic depression, seasonal affective disorder, and bipolar disorder.
Treatment of postpartum depression, or the feeling of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion following the birth of a child, may involve care from primary care doctors, psychiatrists, and therapists—and Amwell covers all of these areas. There is an emphasis on family care at Amwell. In addition to conscientious postpartum care, the providers at this online medical, psychiatric, and therapeutic service also offer individual therapy to children and adults and relationship counseling to couples.
Plus, if all of your doctors work at Amwell, you can take advantage of the collaborative care plan, meaning your psychiatrist and primary care doctor can communicate with one another about your treatment.
Of the Amwell clients we surveyed, 86% said that all or most of their needs were met by the services they received. Both the quality of practitioner and customer service at Amwell is top-notch, with 70% of survey respondents reporting they would return to Amwell if they were starting the process over. Most survey respondents (78%) said they would recommend Amwell to a friend, and 91% said Amwell’s psychiatry and medication management services were excellent, very good, or good.
Amwell does take insurance (126 plans) and you pay per session. It takes FSA and HSA payments as well. The first psychiatric appointment at Amwell is $279 and subsequent sessions are 15 minutes long and cost $109 to $129.
Best for OCD:Wellnite
- Price:Self-pay rates are $95 a month for medication management and $245 a month for medication management and therapy
- Insurance accepted?:Yes
- Types of therapy:Individual, couples, teen, family, psychiatry, medication management
With a diverse roster of psychiatrists and therapists, Wellnite offers effective, affordable, and convenient psychiatric and therapeutic treatment for adults and teens suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), among other mental health challenges.
Accepts insurance
Reasonable self-pay rates
Offers psychiatry and therapy for OCD
Diverse roster of providers
You can choose your provider
Subscription-only options
OCD, often marked by obsessive thoughts and repetitive behaviors, can be hard to treat with just medication or therapy. WithWellnite, you have access to both, making this platform our choice as the best for OCD treatment. OCD treatment (medication management plus cognitive behavioral therapy) extends to teens, couples, and families of those with OCD.
Step one at Wellnite is to take a quick online mental health survey. From there, you are assigned to or can choose a board-certified doctor who is certified to practice in your state and will develop your treatment plan. Unlike some other services that offer psychiatric care from nurse practitioners, Wellnite employs only doctors for psychiatry sessions.
Wellnite offers 30-minute initial psychiatric assessments over the phone or video and recommends monthly check-ins with a therapist. If you opt for the therapy and medication plan, you can choose whether you do two 30-minute sessions or one 60-minute session with your monthly plan. Therapy can help you or your family members manage the intrusive thoughts and shame that often accompany OCD. Both plans include wholesale pricing and free delivery on any prescriptions, with appointments conveniently available on weekends, and during early and late hours, in addition to the regular nine-to-five workday.
Wellnite also emphasizes the role gender identity, sexual orientation, and family conflict can play in mental health, making it stand out as a great choice for folks navigating complex relationships, intersectional identities, and complex mental health challenges.
Of the 105 Wellnite clients we surveyed, 75% said they would rate Wellnite’s psychiatry and medication services as excellent, very good, or good, and 75% also reported that all or most of their needs were met at Wellnite. Sixty-seven percent also reported that the platform has an easy sign-up process and is a good value for the money.
Self-pay rates are $95 a month for medication management and $245 a month for medication management and therapy. The medication-only plan includes one 30-minute psychiatric consultation, while the therapy and medication option include one 30-minute psychiatric consultation plus two 30-minute therapy sessions or one 60-minute session.
Wellnite takes some insurance, and also offers sliding-scale rates. An intake specialist can help you determine if your insurance will cover your care. It also accepts FSA or HSA cards.
Best Without Insurance:Talkspace
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Talkspace
- Price:Self-pay rates are $249 for an initial evaluation and $105-$125 for follow-up sessions
- Insurance accepted?:Yes
- Types of therapy:Individual, couples, teen, psychiatry, medication management
With reasonable self-pay rates, expertly matched care, and scheduling flexibility, Talkspace is a good place to either start or continue your therapy or psychiatry journey, especially if you don’t have insurance benefits.
Reasonable self-pay rates
Accepts insurance
Licensed in all 50 states
You pay before you’re matched
Care provider bios aren’t listed
Founded in 2012,Talkspaceaims to provide convenient, affordable, personalized care. It is Talkspace’s overall quality of care and affordable self-pay rates that make it our choice for best online psychiatry platform without insurance. While Talkspace offers psychiatric services only to people over the age of 18, its beginner-friendly website and intake process will help parents identify and treat anxiety, depression, OCD, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, insomnia, and other challenges that relate to overall mental health and family and parenting dynamics.
Talkspace ensures that your medication is prescribed by board-certified psychiatrists and nurse practitioners who specialize in mental health, instead of by physicians who aren’t as familiar with the challenges you may be facing. According to Talkspace, four out of five prescriptions for psychotropic drugs are written by physicians who are not psychiatrists—a problem the company wants to help solve.
After filling out a simple questionnaire about what you are struggling with, whether you’ve been prescribed medication before for mental health issues, your gender identity, the preferred gender of your psychiatrist, your age, location, and how you’d like to pay (out-of-pocket or via one of many insurance providers), you’re then asked to pick a payment plan. After that, you’re matched with a psychiatric provider who is licensed to practice in your state.
According to Talkspace customer service, Initial psychiatry assessments and follow-up sessions last as long as is necessary for treatment. You schedule follow-up sessions as needed with your provider. Video is the only option for psychiatric care. The Talkspace psychiatry team can prescribe and help you manage medication, but will not prescribe drugs classified as controlled substances.
Beyond quality care, Talkspace offers additional resources on its site, including quizzes to help you understand your behavioral patterns and moods and a mental health newsletter.
Ninety percent of users surveyed said they would rate Talkspace’s psychiatry and medication management services as excellent, very good, or good. Seventy-six percent of users said they thought the service was a good value for the money, and 97% said it was better than other services they’d used in the past.
An appointment with a Talkspace online psychiatrist costs $249 for an initial evaluation. Follow-up appointments are $125, unless you buy a package: $365 for your initial evaluation plus one follow-up appointment, or $565 for your initial evaluation plus three follow-up sessions.
Costs will vary with insurance coverage. Premera, Cigna, Optum, Gatorcare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and more are all accepted. Talkspace also takes FSA and HSA payments.
Best With Insurance:Doctor on Demand
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Doctor on Demand
- Price:Self-pay rates are $299 for a 45-minute session, $129 for 15-minute follow-up sessions
- Insurance accepted?:Yes
- Types of therapy:Individual, psychiatry, medication management
Doctor on Demand accepts most insurance plans and its unique app helps you assess how much your visit will cost in advance, keeping the guesswork out of budgeting. Its 24-hour care is an asset to any family. Plus, its emphasis on collective care allows therapists, primary care physicians, and psychiatrists to collaborate, offering comprehensive treatment.
Accepts insurance
Transparent insurance costs
Offers collaborative care
Psychiatric bios available
Available in all 50 states
Account setup required before requesting service
No discounted subscription plans
Doctor on Demand, founded in 2013, is a full-service physical and mental health platform that emphasizes compassion and collaborative care. Its site has unique features that allow you to enter your insurance information and get the cost of your session beforehand.
It offers 24/7 psychiatric support and emphasizes compassion and collaborative care with board-certified physicians, including psychiatrists, and licensed psychologists in all 50 states. The team will then collaborate to take a 360-degree approach to your physical and mental health.
Once you’ve signed up with Doctor on Demand, you can look at psychiatrist bios and schedule an appointment, or opt to take an assessment to see if you might benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, particularly for anxiety and depression. Doctor on Demand psychiatrists also treat post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and more, but will not prescribe controlled substances, such as codeine, oxycodone, Xanax, Klonopin, or Ativan.
While the website is a little clunky, Doctor on Demand has highly regarded services and staff, with psychiatrists who have an average of 15 years of experience. If you’re not sure you need a psychiatrist, you can start with a therapist and then switch over, or work with both.
Of the clients we surveyed, 84% said they would rank Doctor on Demand psychiatry and medication management services excellent, very good, or good. In addition to its exceptional service and experienced, diverse therapists, clients liked the insurance policies at Doctor on Demand, with 58% saying their services were covered by insurance.
Self-pay rates are $299 for a 45-minute session, and $129 for 15-minute follow-up sessions. Doctor on Demand accepts most insurance plans, as well as FSA and HSA payments. It can also help you figure out exactly how much your visit will cost if you use insurance benefits. There are no discounted subscription plans.
Best With Flexible Appointment Times:Thriveworks
- Price:Self-pay rates start at $99 for a 50-minute initial evaluation; membership for premium services starts at $39 a month
- Insurance accepted?:Yes
- Types of therapy:Individual, psychiatry, medication management
Thriveworks offers online therapy, psychiatry, and medication management, and has over 380 brick-and-mortar locations. It provides psychiatry in 24 states and has exclusive supportive video content, and text, email, and phone support between sessions.
Accepts insurance
Offers premium membership services
Psychiatrist directory by state
Providers only licensed in 24 states
BecauseThriveworksoffers so many touchpoints for communication, as well as online and in-person appointments seven days a week, it’s our choice for the psychiatry platform that is best for flexible appointment times.
If you join the Thriveworks membership program, you get services that insurance generally won’t cover, including unlimited messaging with your therapist or psychiatrist via phone and email and a 24-hour Q&A hotline, among other benefits both online and in-person. Its Ask-a-Coach public chat feature allows you to submit general mental health inquiries that will be answered by a clinician within 24 hours. Even Thriveworks’ cancellation policy is more accommodating than most, giving you 23.5 hours in advance to cancel with a refund.
This platform cuts to the chase, with no initial assessment form or sign-up. You go directly to the practitioner directory and book an appointment, then set up an account. New clients are guaranteed same- or next-day appointments. Unfortunately, these streamlined and easy-to-use services are only available in 24 states, where Thriveworks psychiatrists are board-certified.
Ninety-eight percent of users surveyed said its medication and psychiatry services were excellent, very good, or good, and 76% said their experience receiving these services was better or significantly better than other services used it the past. Eighty-eight percent said their doctor’s qualifications were good to excellent.
Self-pay rates start at $99 for a 50-minute initial evaluation; membership for premium services starts at $39 a month.
Thriveworks takes some insurance, as well as FSA and HSA payments.
Best for Cultural Sensitivity:Talkiatry
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Talkiatry
- Price:Depends on your insurance
- Insurance accepted?:Yes
- Types of therapy:Individual, child, teen, psychiatry, medication management
Talkiatry prioritizes hiring highly trained, board-certified clinicians from diverse backgrounds and with diverse identities, making it one of the most inclusive online psychiatry platforms we’ve reviewed. It’s also great choice for families who use health insurance (there are no self-pay options).
Diverse practitioners
Thorough psychiatrist bios
Accepts insurance
Free 15-minute consultation
No self-pay options
No discounted subscription plans
Only available in 30 states
Asks for a lot of personal information before you’re able to schedule
Talkiatryis a newer, insurance-only site that pairs you with one of more than 100 psychiatrists to help you evaluate your mental health needs and manage medication. Founded in 2020, Talkiatry now has practitioners covering 30 states and takes more than 60 insurance plans. With diversity in mind, Talkiatry’s website reads: “Our clinical team is led by experts in the field, adheres to the highest standards of care, and represents a diverse range of specialties and identities.”
Talkiatry clinicians specialize in major mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, OCD, and bipolar, in addition to treating children over the age of 6.
The process at Talkiatry starts with a five-minute assessment that asks why you’re seeking support and what you’re struggling with. It also asks if you’d like to work with someone specializing in LGBTQIA+ care. This assessment feels more intrusive than other initial online psychiatry questionnaires, requiring a home address and your insurance ID.
填写表单后,你安排一个免费的15-minute intake call with a care coordinator to determine who may be the best practitioner match. The service promises your first appointment will be within three days. Once you’re matched, you’ll have an initial 60-minute evaluation session. Follow-up sessions are 30 minutes long. If you’d like to incorporate therapy, Talkiatry will create a psychiatrist-therapist team for you.
Talkiatry is probably not for you if you are dealing with an eating disorder, personality disorder, schizophrenia, substance abuse, self-harm, or suicidality.
Eighty-nine percent of survey respondents reported that the psychiatry and medication management services at Talkiatry were excellent, very good, or good, and 70% said Talkiatry met their needs. What’s more, 89% said the diversity of Talkiatry practitioners was excellent, very good, or good.
There are no self-pay options at Talkiatry; you have to use insurance. It also accepts FSA and HSA payments. Talkiatry has a 48-hour cancellation policy. If you miss your session after that, you’ll be charged $100.
Final Verdict
Teladoc是我们的首选网络精神病学年代最好ervice because it offers affordability, flexibility, accessibility in all 50 states, an easy-to-use platform, and highly trained and regarded psychiatrists. Teladoc has refined its virtual therapy and psychiatry process and approach over the last 20 years and as a result, has a fine-tuned website and sign-up process that builds confidence and trust.
If you’re looking for specialized services, there are plenty of options. For example, if you’re suffering from postpartum depression, we recommendAmwell, while patients with seasonal affective disorder may want to seek help from the experts atRo Mind.
Compare the Best Online Psychiatry
Company | Price | Is Insurance Accepted? | Accepts FSA or HSA | Types of Therapy |
---|---|---|---|---|
TeladocBest Overall | Self-pay rates are $209 for initial 45-minute evaluation and psychiatry appointments; $109 for 15-minute follow-up sessions | Yes | Yes | Individual, teen, psychiatry, medication management |
Ro MindBest for Depression | $15 first month; $85 additional months | No | No | Individual, medication management |
PathlightBest for Mood Disorders | Depends on insurance coverage; self-pay rates not listed | Yes | N/A | Individual, child/adolescent, medication management, psychiatry, therapy, family, group |
Brightside HealthBest for Anxiety | Self-pay rates are $95 a month for medication only; $299 a month for therapy only; $349 a month for medication and therapy | Yes | N/A | Individual, psychiatry, medication management |
AmwellBest for Postpartum Issues | Self-pay rates are $279 for your initial visit; $109 to $129 for a 15-minute session | Yes | Yes | Individual, couples, family, psychiatry, medication management |
WellniteBest for OCD | Self-pay rates are $95 a month for medication management; $245 a month for medication management and therapy | Yes | N/A | Individual, couples, teen, family, psychiatry, medication management |
TalkspaceBest Without Insurance | Self-pay rates are $249 for an initial evaluation; $105-$125 for follow-up sessions | Yes | Yes | Individual, couples, teen, psychiatry, medication management |
Doctor on DemandBest With Insurance | Self-pay rates are $299 for a 45-minute session; $129 for 15-minute follow-up sessions | Yes | Yes | Individual, psychiatry, medication management |
ThriveworksBest with Flexible Appointment Times | Self-pay rates start at $99 for a 50-minute initial evaluation; membership for premium services starts at $39 a month | Yes | Yes | Individual, psychiatry, medication management |
TalkiatryBest for Cultural Sensitivity | Depends on your insurance | Yes | Yes | Individual, child, teen, psychiatry, medication management |
Guide to Choosing the Best Online Psychiatry
What Is the Difference Between Therapy, Medication Management, and Psychiatry?
Psychiatry is the subsection of mental healthcare where mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder are diagnosed and treated with medication management. Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners can legally prescribe medications that address psychiatric disorders.
Talk therapy can often complement medication through skill building and frameworks for behavior change and self-compassion, but therapists cannot prescribe medication.
Is Online Psychiatry Effective?
Many sites boast success in treating diagnosable mental health disorders, and research shows that in-person and online psychiatry can have the same impacts.The efficacy of online psychiatry or therapy, however, depends on several factors, including the quality of care and your adherence to a treatment plan.
“Basically, clients love [online psychiatry],” saysAmy Marschall, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist certified in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and telemental health. “Providers can make accurate diagnoses and provide care, and treatment outcomes are solid.”
To make your online psychiatry experience more natural and efficient, Dr. Marschall recommends finding a provider who is trained in and familiar with online treatment and different technology options. This can help ensure your confidentiality and comfort.
What Types of Online Psychiatry Services Are Offered?
There are a variety of online psychiatry services. They include:
- Addiction counseling
- Family therapy
- Couples counseling
- Treatment for mental health disorders
- Medication management
When starting a journey to address your mental health challenges, it’s helpful to speak to your primary care physician about your symptoms. You can also turn to the free assessmenttools and resourcesonline to get a sense of what you are facing (but not to self-diagnose). A medical doctor can refer you to psychiatric care for further evaluation.
How Do I Choose an Online Psychiatrist?
There are a variety of factors to consider when choosing which online psychiatry service is best for you. These include:
- Price
- Scheduling flexibility
- Treatment options and specializations
- Available support in between sessions
- Diversity and qualifications of providers
- Insurance coverage
- Whether a company offers medication management combined with therapy
If you are looking for treatment for a specific mental health disorder, you may want to start with online platforms that specialize only in that to keep it simple. If you are not sure what issues you are facing, larger, medically focused platforms such as Teladoc can be a great place to start for an initial assessment and guidance on next steps.
Who Is Online Psychiatry Right For?
It can sometimes be hard to tell when you’re struggling with a diagnosable mental health issue. In many cases, symptoms can come and go, and may be mistaken for or attributed to other things, like your environment, diet, sleep schedule, the state of the world, or even learning disabilities.
But when patterns that interfere with your daily life continue to persist, you should seek a professional opinion on what role mental health issues may play. Online psychiatry is right for you if you have a mental health diagnosis, or if you suspect you may have one and want help figuring it out.
Research shows that mental health challenges likedepression can impact your entire family, making it even more important to seek help for yourself so that it will ripple out to those you love and live with. And as a parent,seeking help for your children can improve their quality of life.
Online psychiatry is often more accessible than in-person options, especially for busy families, allowing you and your loved ones to access care without spending time and money on travel. Plus, you may feel more at ease in your own environment.
“Online services mean you can be seen from the safety of your home,” says Dr. Marschall. “Online services are also great for people in rural areas for whom an in-person appointment could mean a three-hour drive each way, or those who don't have time for a commute even if it is shorter.”
What If I'm Having Thoughts of Harming Myself?
If you are in crisis, having suicidal thoughts, or feel you may harm yourself, call 988,the national suicide and crisis lifeline. This is not the time to seek help through a therapy or psychiatry website. The trained staff at the suicide and crisis lifeline can help you address and deal with immediate mental health issues. This number is preferred over 911, where the person who picks up may have little training in mental health.
If you are considering calling 988, please know that your local police department will be notified of the emergency and will often be the first to respond. This type of intervention can be traumatic and often damaging or fatal, particularly in communities of color that may have experienced police brutality and tension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Online Psychiatrists Accept Insurance?
Each online psychiatry service is different. Many accept some insurance plans, but this is specific to the service. If insurance information is not obvious on the website, check the FAQs or call customer service to find out which plans, if any, are accepted.
What Do Online Psychiatrists Do?
Online psychiatrists do the same thing as in-person psychiatrists. They diagnose mental illness and then develop treatment plans that often involve medication to help you manage disorders like depression and anxiety.
How Does Online Psychiatry Work?
Most online psychiatry services start with a simple questionnaire that collects basic information about who you are and what you are facing to match you with the best psychiatrist to address your needs. The doctor then uses the information and further information gathered during your intake consultation to treat you, and if needed, prescribe medication. Follow-up sessions will also be scheduled to allow you to check in with your doctor and vice versa to make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
Can Online Psychiatrists Prescribe Medication?
Yes, online psychiatrists can prescribe medications, including antidepressants and many anti-anxiety medications. These are often called into your local pharmacy or mailed directly to you. There are some medications that many online psychiatry services will not prescribe, namely, medications considered controlled substances by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, including Adderall, Xanax, and Klonopin.
Methodology
我们的方法来评估在线治疗比较anies is comprehensive and data-driven. To fairly and accurately review the best online therapy programs, we sent questionnaires to 55 companies and surveyed 105 current users of each. This allowed us to directly compare services offered by gathering qualitative and quantitative data about each company and its users’ experiences.
Specifically, we evaluated each company on website usability, sign-up process, subscription offerings, client privacy protections, and how easy it is to change therapists. We then looked at therapist qualifications, the types of therapy offered quality of care, client-therapist communication options, session length, medication management practices, and the therapist assignment process. Finally, we looked at cost, value for money, whether the company takes insurance, overall user satisfaction, and the likelihood clients would recommend them.Read our full online therapy methodology to see how we evaluated each service.
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