Online Therapy & Psychiatry
Compare online therapy and psychiatry platforms — BetterHelp, Talkspace, Brightside, and Hers — on price, whether they prescribe medication, and insurance.
Online therapy typically costs about $65–$100 per week (often billed monthly, ~$260–$400/mo), while platforms that add psychiatry and medication management run roughly $95–$350 per month. BetterHelp and Talkspace focus on therapy (Talkspace also offers psychiatry and takes insurance); Brightside specializes in depression/anxiety with therapy plus medication; and Hers offers therapy and psychiatry within a broader platform. Prices are estimates — confirm with the provider.
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) in the US, available 24/7, or go to your nearest emergency room. Online therapy and psychiatry services are not for emergencies.
Online mental-health care has made therapy and psychiatry far more accessible: you can message or video-chat with a licensed therapist, and on some platforms a psychiatric provider can evaluate you and prescribe medication — all from home. This page compares the major services on cost, whether they offer medication management, and whether they take insurance, so you can match a platform to what you actually need.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Rx required | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
BetterHelp BetterHelp | ~$65–$100/wk | No | Flexible talk therapy at scale |
Talkspace Talkspace | Insurance or ~$70–$100/wk | No | Insurance coverage and/or medication options |
Brightside Health Brightside | ~$95–$350/mo | Yes | Depression/anxiety needing meds + therapy |
Brightside Health Brightside Health | $95/mo psychiatry; $349/mo combined | Yes | Anxiety and depression management, Want psychiatry plus therapy |
Cerebral Cerebral | $180/3 mo (medication plan) | Yes | Budget medication management, Common conditions (anxiety, depression, insomnia) |
Mindbloom Mindbloom | $165-215/session | Yes | Treatment-resistant depression, Anxiety |
Joyous Joyous | $129/month | Yes | Budget ketamine option, Want microdose, not high-dose sessions |
Rula Rula | $150/session (cash therapy) | Yes | Want to use insurance, Prefer per-session over subscription |
Grow Therapy Grow Therapy | $75-200/session (self-pay) | Yes | Want to filter by cash price, Want to use insurance |
Alma Alma | $130-380/session (self-pay) | No | Want to choose a specific therapist, Free consultation before committing |
Sesame Sesame | $79/visit (mental health) | Yes | Pay-as-you-go visits, Transparent upfront pricing |
Hims / Hers Mental Health Hims / Hers Mental Health | From $49/month | Yes | Anxiety and depression medication, Want a recognizable brand |
Klarity Health Klarity Health | Self-pay from $49 | Yes | ADHD diagnosis and treatment, Same-day access |
Prices are estimates that change frequently — confirm current pricing on each brand's site.
The Options, Compared
BetterHelp
Editor's PickTherapy service · not medicationLargest online therapy network (no medication)
BetterHelp is the largest online therapy platform, matching you with a licensed therapist for messaging plus weekly live video, phone, or chat sessions. It’s therapy only — no psychiatry or medication.
Best for: Flexible talk therapy at scale
Pros
- + Huge therapist network
- + Flexible communication modes
- + Quick to start
Cons
- − No medication/psychiatry
- − Generally not insurance-billed
- − Weekly cost adds up
Updated Jun 2026
Talkspace
Therapy + psychiatry serviceTherapy + psychiatry, widely insured
Talkspace offers both therapy and psychiatry (with medication management) and is covered by many insurance plans and employers, making it a strong pick when you want medication options or insurance billing.
Best for: Insurance coverage and/or medication options
Pros
- + Wide insurance coverage
- + Adds psychiatry/meds
- + Employer partnerships
Cons
- − Psychiatry costs extra
- − Messaging-heavy by default
- − Plan tiers can confuse
Updated Jun 2026
Psychiatry priced separately; often insurance-covered. Estimate — verify on site.
Visit Site →Brightside Health
Therapy + psychiatry serviceStructured therapy + medication for anxiety & depression
Brightside specializes in depression and anxiety with a structured, measurement-based model offering therapy, psychiatry, and medication management, plus crisis-care programs. It accepts insurance in many states.
Best for: Depression/anxiety needing meds + therapy
Pros
- + Evidence-based, structured
- + Combined therapy + meds
- + Focused on anxiety/depression
Cons
- − Narrower condition focus
- − Combined plans cost more
- − Controlled-substance limits apply
Updated Jun 2026
Therapy, medication, or combined plans; insurance in many states. Estimate — verify on site.
Prescription required
Visit Site →Brightside Health
Anxiety and depression management
Telehealth provider focused on anxiety, depression, and related conditions, combining psychiatry, medication management, and therapy under one subscription. Available in all 50 states and accepts major insurance plus self-pay.
Best for: Anxiety and depression management, Want psychiatry plus therapy
Pros
- + Affordable self-pay psychiatry ($95/mo)
- + All 50 states
- + Accepts some Medicare and Medicaid
- + Combined medication plus therapy plans
Cons
- − Focused on anxiety/depression (narrower scope)
- − Medication cost is separate
- − Therapy-only plan is expensive
- − Not a fit for complex/controlled-substance needs
Updated Jun 2026
Self-pay: psychiatry-only $95/month, therapy-only $299/month (4 sessions), psychiatry plus therapy $349/month. Additional therapy sessions ~$59 each. Medication billed separately. HSA/FSA accepted; in-network with many insurers including some Medicare/Medicaid.
Prescription required
Visit Site →Cerebral
Budget medication management
Online mental health platform offering medication management, therapy, and combined plans for conditions like anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Subscription model with separate medication costs through its own pharmacy.
Best for: Budget medication management, Common conditions (anxiety, depression, insomnia)
Pros
- + Low-cost medication plan (~$60/mo)
- + In-house pharmacy can reduce drug cost
- + Therapy and combined plans available
- + FSA/HSA accepted
Cons
- − Not available in every state
- − Medication cost separate from plan
- − Past regulatory/compliance scrutiny
- − Limited controlled-substance prescribing
Updated Jun 2026
Medication plan $180 every 3 months (about $60/month), medication billed separately. Therapy $175/session or $795/3 months. Medication plus therapy $365/month or $885/3 months. FSA/HSA accepted; insured copay averages ~$30.
Prescription required
Visit Site →Mindbloom
Treatment-resistant depression
At-home ketamine therapy provider for depression and anxiety, delivering clinician-prescribed sublingual or injectable ketamine with guide coaching and integration support. Programs are sold in multi-session packages.
Best for: Treatment-resistant depression, Anxiety
Pros
- + Most established at-home ketamine brand
- + Includes coaching and integration
- + Cheaper than in-person IV clinics
- + Superbills for possible reimbursement
Cons
- − Expensive upfront (multi-session packages)
- − No insurance accepted
- − Controlled substance, at-home safety considerations
- − Not available in every state
Updated Jun 2026
New-client packages: 6 sessions $1,290 ($215/session), 12 sessions $2,220 ($185/session), 18 sessions $2,970 ($165/session). Returning clients as low as $129/session. Does not accept insurance; superbills provided for possible out-of-network reimbursement; HSA/FSA may apply.
Prescription required
Visit Site →Joyous
Budget ketamine option
Very-low-dose (microdose) oral ketamine program for depression and anxiety, designed so patients stay fully coherent rather than experiencing high-dose psychedelic sessions. Flat monthly subscription with daily check-ins.
Best for: Budget ketamine option, Want microdose, not high-dose sessions
Pros
- + Cheapest ketamine option ($129/mo flat)
- + No high-dose psychedelic experience
- + Daily monitoring and care team
- + HSA/FSA accepted
Cons
- − Only 29 states
- − Microdose evidence base is thinner
- − No insurance accepted
- − Controlled substance, self-administered at home
Updated Jun 2026
$129/month with a 3-month commitment, or $159/month flexible (no commitment). Includes medication, provider appointments, and care-team access. Insurance not accepted; HSA/FSA funds accepted.
Prescription required
Visit Site →Rula
Want to use insurance
Therapy and psychiatry marketplace (formerly Path) connecting you with licensed providers in all 50 states, with a strong focus on using your insurance for low copays. Transparent self-pay cash rates for the uninsured.
Best for: Want to use insurance, Prefer per-session over subscription
Pros
- + All 50 states
- + 100+ insurance plans accepted
- + Transparent cash rates
- + No subscription fee (pay per session)
Cons
- − Cash therapy ($150) pricier than subscription platforms
- − Best value requires in-network insurance
- − Provider availability varies by state
- − Less hand-holding than concierge models
Updated Jun 2026
Self-pay: $150/session individual therapy, $165/session couples/family. Psychiatry self-pay: $225 initial 60-min intake, $175 per 30-min follow-up. In-network average copay ~$15. HSA/FSA accepted; interest-free payment plans on request.
Prescription required
Visit Site →Grow Therapy
Want to filter by cash price
Nationwide therapy and psychiatry marketplace that helps you find providers who accept your insurance or offer transparent cash-pay rates. Pay-per-session model with no subscription fee.
Best for: Want to filter by cash price, Want to use insurance
Pros
- + All 50 states
- + Filter providers by cash-pay rate
- + Accepts many insurance plans
- + No subscription fee
Cons
- − Prices vary widely by provider
- − Quality depends on individual therapist
- − Self-pay can exceed $200/session
- − Marketplace, not a managed program
Updated Jun 2026
Therapists set their own rates; self-pay typically $75-200/session, prescribers $80-250+. No subscription fee — pay per session. Sliding-scale options available. HSA/FSA accepted; accepts many insurance plans.
Prescription required
Visit Site →Alma
Want to choose a specific therapist
Therapist-matching platform with 20,000+ providers across all 50 states, offering free 15-minute consultations before you commit. Helps you use insurance or pay out of pocket, including sliding-scale options.
Best for: Want to choose a specific therapist, Free consultation before committing
Pros
- + 20,000+ providers, all 50 states
- + Free 15-minute consultations
- + In-network with major carriers
- + Sliding-scale and HSA/FSA/EAP options
Cons
- − Self-pay rates run high ($130-380)
- − Directory, not a managed program
- − No published flat self-pay price
- − Provider quality varies
Updated Jun 2026
Out-of-pocket session cost ranges $130-380 depending on provider; many offer sliding scales for out-of-network care. In-network with major carriers (Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Oxford, UnitedHealthcare). HSA/FSA and EAP accepted.
Visit Site →Sesame
Pay-as-you-go visits
Cash-pay telehealth marketplace where providers set transparent, upfront prices for therapy, psychiatry, and medication refills. Does not bill insurance, keeping per-visit prices low. Costco partnership offers member rates.
Best for: Pay-as-you-go visits, Transparent upfront pricing
Pros
- + Upfront cash prices, no surprises
- + Medication visits as low as $29
- + No subscription required
- + Costco member pricing
Cons
- − Does not bill insurance
- − Provider quality varies
- − Not a continuous managed program
- − Prices set per provider
Updated Jun 2026
Provider-set cash prices; mental health visits commonly start around $79, with medication management visits as low as $29. Mental Health Rx subscription $79/month for ongoing access. Does not accept insurance. Optional Sesame Plus membership ($10.99/mo or $99/yr) for further discounts.
Prescription required
Visit Site →Hims / Hers Mental Health
Anxiety and depression medication
Direct-to-consumer telehealth platform offering online psychiatry and medication management for anxiety and depression, with optional add-on therapy. Cash-pay, no insurance required, available nationwide.
Best for: Anxiety and depression medication, Want a recognizable brand
Pros
- + Inexpensive entry price (from $49/mo)
- + Recognizable, well-funded brand
- + Nationwide
- + Optional therapy add-on
Cons
- − No controlled substances prescribed
- − Does not treat ADHD, bipolar, schizophrenia, or OCD
- − Medication and therapy priced separately
- − Narrow condition scope
Updated Jun 2026
Mental health care starts around $49/month (often billed ~$147 every 3 months); medication management around $85/month, optional counseling ~$99/session. No insurance required. Does not prescribe controlled substances; does not treat ADHD, bipolar, schizophrenia, or OCD.
Prescription required
Visit Site →Klarity Health
ADHD diagnosis and treatment
Healthcare marketplace connecting you with 2,000+ independent licensed providers for online psychiatry, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and therapy across all 50 states. Both cash-pay and insurance accepted, with provider-set pricing.
Best for: ADHD diagnosis and treatment, Same-day access
Pros
- + All 50 states, 2,000+ providers
- + Strong ADHD focus
- + Same-day appointments
- + Cash-pay and insurance options
Cons
- − Pricing and insurance vary by provider
- − Marketplace, not a managed program
- − Quality depends on individual clinician
- − Controlled-substance prescribing varies by provider
Updated Jun 2026
Provider-set pricing; self-pay starts around $49, with some 60-min therapy sessions ~$129. Accepts major insurance and cash-pay; no subscription fee. HSA/FSA accepted. Klarity is a marketplace and does not bill insurance directly for all providers.
Prescription required
Visit Site →Frequently Asked Questions
How much does online therapy cost without insurance?▼
Subscription therapy platforms typically cost about $65–$100 per week, usually billed every 4 weeks (roughly $260–$400/month), for messaging plus live sessions. Platforms that add psychiatry and medication management run about $95–$350/month. Some services accept insurance, which can substantially reduce cost. Prices are estimates; confirm with the provider.
Which online services can prescribe medication?▼
Therapy-only platforms like BetterHelp do not prescribe medication. Talkspace, Brightside, and Hers offer psychiatry with medication management where appropriate, via licensed psychiatric providers. Note that prescribing of controlled substances (for example, certain ADHD or anxiety medications) is restricted online and varies by platform and state.
BetterHelp vs Talkspace vs Brightside?▼
BetterHelp is the largest therapy-only network with flexible matching. Talkspace offers therapy plus psychiatry and is widely covered by insurance and some employers. Brightside specializes in depression and anxiety with a structured therapy-plus-medication model. The right choice depends on whether you need medication, want to use insurance, and prefer messaging or live sessions.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person?▼
For many common concerns like anxiety and depression, research suggests teletherapy can be comparably effective to in-person care and improves access. It may be less suitable for severe or complex conditions that need higher levels of care. If symptoms are severe, talk to a clinician about the right level of treatment.
Medical disclaimer: This page is general information, not medical advice. Listings are aggregated from public sources and prices are estimates that may be out of date — confirm current pricing, services, and provider credentials directly with each clinic. Talk to a licensed clinician before starting any medication or treatment.
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