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 |
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 →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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