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Have you recently been suffering from stress, anxiety or depression? Do you feel like your mental health could be better? These are just some of the reasons why people seek out the services of a psychiatrist. A trained professional can help you gain a deeper understanding of these issues and can prescribe effective medications for you to deal with them.
There are many reasons why online psychiatry has become so popular. For one thing, it's far more convenient to talk from the comfort of your own home, rather than driving to a location you're not familiar with. It's good for people who feel shy or nervous because it's not face-to-face. You can talk about your issues in a more relaxed way.
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Sesame, with just over 5 years of experience, offers a flexible and comprehensive online mental health platform. Providing access to psychiatrists, Sesame offers the full package for prescription-seeking individuals. With an "A+" Better Business Bureau rating, Sesame's solid vetting system and its providers' ability to prescribe medications make it the top choice for a customizable mental health experience. Considering the wide array of mental health concerns covered by Sesame, it easily earns the top rating among online psychiatry options.
Doctor On Demand, in operation since 2013, is a virtual healthcare provider offering services for physical and mental well-being. Founded by celebrity psychologist Dr. Phil, the platform provides access to board-certified and licensed providers. Notable features include on-demand psychiatry: customers pay per appointment, with options for full insurance coverage. The platform covers a wide range of mental health concerns, excluding prescriptions for controlled substances for ADHD. With an "A" rating from the BBB and rave reviews, it's clear that Doctor On Demand is a top choice for customers with insurance, earning an excellent rating among options for online psychiatry.
PlushCare, established in 2014, offers same-day telehealth appointments for mental health care and psychiatry. With a $15 monthly membership and varying insurance copays, this platform is best for those whose insurance is accepted by PlushCare. The provider offers services for anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and ADHD, which is a bonus. PlushCare has an "A-" Better Business Bureau rating and 5-star reviews for its quick service and professional staff, making it a solid choice for insured customers. So in spite of pricing complexity for customers without insurance, and some limitations on what they treat, PlushCare earns a high rating and is worth your consideration.
MDLive, a major telehealth provider, offers a wide range of healthcare services, including psychiatry. With almost 15 years in the industry, MDLive stands out for its extensive insurance network, making it suitable for those seeking coverage for their psychiatric care. While praised for customer service, it falls short due to limited options beyond anxiety and depression, earning it a mid-tier rating. But if you're looking for something to get started in online psychiatry that won't break the bank, MDLive is worth a look.
Talkspace, established in 2012, offers psychiatry to adults and teens with one of the largest networks of mental health professionals. However, the platform's lack of pricing transparency and mixed customer reviews, including concerns about customer service and unexpected charges, place it in the mid-tier of online psychiatric care options. Despite its extensive offerings, Talkspace falls short of delivering a consistently satisfactory experience for users.
HealthTap, founded in 2010, is a telehealth service offering 24/7 access to psychiatrists and psychologists, medical doctors, and dentists. While the platform has over a decade of experience, there are limitations in psychiatric coverage. The pricing is lower than many competitors, but the lack of a unified payment plan may be a drawback. Customer reviews reveal poor experiences with customer service and medication management. So, despite an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, it falls short in addressing various mental health concerns and mood disorders.
Cerebral distinguishes itself by offering "medication services” (instead of using the word "Psychiatry”). Cerebral's offerings include therapy-only plans and medication plans that focus on non-controlled substances. The platform has mixed reviews, with a 3.9-star average on Trustpilot but a 1.3-star rating on the BBB. Considering that negative feedback centers on difficulties finding appointments (and you need appointments for your prescriptions), Cerebral receives a lower rating in our review.
Brightside Health, a mental health service specializing in online psychiatry, therapy, and medication management, disappoints with an average 1-star rating from customers. Despite its promises, the platform is expensive, offering shorter appointments and abrupt service termination without refunds. On top of those problems, the provider also excludes individuals meeting specific criteria, including patients with ADHD.
Live Health Online, a budget-friendly telehealth provider, offers talk therapy and psychiatry. Operating for over 10 years, it provides psychiatry services through a pay-per-appointment model, with an initial evaluation at $175 and follow-up appointments at $75. While the platform offers help for various psychiatry concerns, including mood disorders, it has received numerous complaints, leading to an "F" rating from the BBB and a 1.2-star average in third-party reviews. Live Health Online is missing ADHD care and we're concerned about their customer dissatisfaction, which raises a lot of red flags.
Talkiatry, established in April 2020, is a focused online psychiatry platform emphasizing medication management for adults and children. While it includes a fast intake process and unlimited email messaging, Talkiatry only accepts insured patients, limiting accessibility. With an "F" Better Business Bureau rating and numerous payment complaints, including surprise charges and high fees, Talkiatry falls to the bottom of our list. Their lack of transparency and financial concerns are worrisome.
Online psychiatry is also good for people who live far away from a professional. It doesn't matter if they're physically 10 miles away or 1,000 miles away - they're really just as close as your computer or smartphone.
With the impressive uptick in online services, the telehealth industry and online psychiatry have gained popularity. In fact, almost four in ten Americans (38%) utilize telehealth services to connect with medical or mental health professionals. The majority of individuals using telehealth or online psychiatry initiated their appointments after the onset of the COVID pandemic.
While 69% of telehealth customers opt for video formats, 38% prefer phone calls. Contrary to initial beliefs that telehealth and online psychiatry were inferior to in-person treatment, opinions have shifted. There's been a 40% increase in positive views of the telehealth industry since 2021. According to the National Center for Health Research, online psychiatry effectively treats trauma, anxiety, and depression. They found that online psychiatric appointments are just as impactful as in-person visits.
Whether you've been a regular patient seeking psychiatric help or you're considering taking a new step in managing your mental health, there are tons of online options to simplify your psychiatric journey. But where should you begin? The array of online psychiatric services, each offering different types of medications or specializations, can make choosing the right psychiatrist a challenging task.
If you're worried about how you select the ideal online psychiatry provider, we've got you. There are a number of factors you should consider to help make your decision.
To help you find the right Online Psychiatry service for your needs, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked today's most popular providers. We hope this information simplifies the process of finding a Psychiatrist so that you can start prioritizing your mental health in the privacy of your own home.
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