The Best Online Psychiatry Services

Thursday, September 19th

2024 Online Psychiatry Reviews

Sesame

• Monthly cost: $10.99
• Pay per appointment: $35 to $400
• Accepts insurance
• Offers non-addictive prescriptions via online appointments
• In-person appointment offered for conditions requiring controlled substances
• One-stop shop for mental health
• "A+” rating from the BBB

Sesame stands out as an ideal all-around service for individuals seeking online psychiatry. Sesame provides access to both online and in-person appointments.

2 options to book your psychiatrist

You have two primary options: directly booking with a psychiatrist, or opting for the Sesame Plus membership, which makes individual visits more affordable. Sesame offers on-demand appointments and prescription services through their platform, all at competitive prices.

Sesame is making waves in the industry

With just over 5 years of experience, Sesame sounds like the new kid on the block, but its services don't come across that way. Working similarly to a database, Sesame offers a range of different psychiatrists through its easy-to-use search function. You can limit your results to psychiatrists that are near you. You can also select things like the preferred gender of your psychiatrist, how soon you want your appointment, and the language you'd prefer to speak.

Flexibility in pricing structure

Sesame's pricing structure can vary based on the charges set by individual psychiatrists. Given Sesame's impressive range of partner psychiatrists, the cost for a single appointment can differ significantly. While appointment prices can fluctuate between $100 to $400, you can reduce these costs through the Sesame Plus membership, priced at $10.99 per month. With this membership, you also get a range of benefits, including appointment prices as low as $19, a discount of $20 to $30 off regular appointment prices, free lab work, reduced prices for in-person medical, and prescription fills as low as $5 through SesameRx.

Solid vetting system and you choose your psychiatrist

Safety is a top priority at Sesame, as all psychiatrists on the platform are board-certified. All psychiatrists provide detailed information about their licenses and education, and maintain a clean disciplinary record to practice on Sesame. Sesame has a few limitations: some providers may not be licensed in all states (though they are certainly licensed in the states where they do practice). Sesame addresses this by suggesting psychiatrists within your state and area. This just means that depending on where you're located, you may see different psychiatrists pop up as matches for you.

In-person appointments open up prescription options

Sesame offers online and in-person psychiatry services with the ability to prescribe medication if needed. Given Sesame's collaboration with a variety of psychiatrists, the conditions that can be prescribed for include but are not limited to ADHD, depression and anxiety, as well as other mood disorders like Bipolar. While online appointments don't allow you to get controlled substances, you can select to see an in-person psychiatrist from Sesame who can prescribe things like Adderall or Vyvanse, which makes this platform much more friendly to patients with ADHD or mood disorders.

Top-rated for mental health

In terms of credibility, Sesame holds an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, indicating accreditation and high standards. Customer reviews, averaging about 4.5 stars, highlight the platform's ease of use and the convenience of booking appointments. Many satisfied customers express feeling more cared for by Sesame than by their regular insurance or healthcare providers. Sesame's fast service is praised across both the medical and therapeutic domains, providing swift access to medication, even for customers dealing with complex concerns like Bipolar disorder.

All around best option

If you're seeking a comprehensive mental health experience, Sesame emerges as the go-to choice for online psychiatry. Whether opting for a by-appointment purchase or a membership with various benefits, Sesame allows you to customize your experience fully. Despite some psychiatrists being relatively expensive, the platform provides more affordable psychiatry, enabling you to prioritize based on your budget and locate the psychiatrist that's right for you. With offerings beyond psychiatry like therapy sessions and the added benefit of low-cost prescriptions, Sesame proves to be an all-in-one package, securing its position as our top pick among online psychiatry options.

Doctor On Demand

• Pay per appointment: $129 to $299
• Pay as low as $0 with insurance
• Partners with many work health plans
• Offers non-addictive prescriptions
• Psychiatrists required to have 15 years of experience
• "A” rating from the BBB

Doctor On Demand is a 24/7 virtual healthcare provider for both your physical and mental well-being. They offer services like urgent care, mental health support, preventative care, and primary and chronic care.

Founded by Dr. Phil

In terms of psychiatry, you can get access to licensed practitioners through your smartphone, tablet, or computer. As a private company founded by celebrity psychologist Dr. Phil, it has more than 800 employees and offices in San Francisco, Minneapolis, and New York. One standout feature: Doctor On Demand is one of the most popular spots for psychiatric care provided by employers.

10+ years in business

Established in 2013, the mission of Doctor On Demand is to improve global health through compassionate care and innovation, so that everyone has immediate and affordable access to a psychiatrist whenever and wherever needed. Top-rated psychiatrists are available to provide diagnoses and help determine if medication would be the most effective treatment for your mental health. Doctor On Demand offers appointments for both men and women aged 18 and older (and under 18 with parental consent).

Pay per appointment with options for insurance

Another standout feature of Doctor On Demand is that this provider doesn't require subscriptions like many of its competitors. Instead, you schedule and pay for each psychiatry appointment on the spot. However, it is a little more pricey this way when you need to do follow-up appointments. For example, your first psychiatric appointment (and evaluation) will cost $299. After that, your follow-up appointments will cost $129 for each 15-minute appointment (used mostly to judge how your medications are working and if you need to change dosage). On the other hand, this is often cheaper than getting a face-to-face appointment with a psychiatrist, and Doctor On Demand is covered by most insurance plans, meaning you could be paying nothing at all.

Vetting for degrees and multiple years of experience

The psychiatrists at Doctor On Demand go through an intense vetting process. This means that psychiatrists are required to show proof that they have a medical degree and license to prescribe medications. The best part? All of their on-staff psychiatrists have over 15 years of experience on average, so you know you're getting someone at Doctor On Demand who knows their stuff.

Covers most mental (and physical) health concerns

Doctor On Demand offers a range of treatments depending on your mental health concerns, from anxiety and depression to bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, postpartum concerns, OCD, PTSD, eating disorders, and more. The psychiatrists at Doctor On Demand are there to provide evidence-based medication options, including SSRIs like Zoloft, Lexapro, and Prozac, SNRIs such as Cymbalta and Effexor, as well as Wellbutrin, Buspar, Trazodone, Abilify, Strattera, and any other medication deemed appropriate by your psychiatrist for your symptoms, excluding controlled substances. This means there is limited treatment here for ADHD. However, there is a bonus to choosing Doctor On Demand as they offer a one-stop shop approach. You can get both your mental health and your physical health handled at Doctor On Demand, making it a top spot for easy medical access all the time.

Rave reviews praise all angles of this provider

Doctor On Demand is owned by the parent company Included Health, which is the name you'll need to look for to see the feedback from the Better Business Bureau. Included Health has an impressive "A” rating there, which gives credence to the reliability of Doctor On Demand. Further, according to tens of thousands of reviews on Doctor On Demand's mobile app listings, customers love this platform. With a 4.8-star average from the Google Play store and a 4.9-star average from the Apple store, Doctor On Demand shows an impressive amount of positive reviews. Some of the key takeaways from these rave reviews include comments about how quick and easy it is to get appointments, how hassle-free it is to get coverage through insurance, and how caring and professional the psychiatrists are.

Top option for customers with insurance

The bottom line is that Doctor On Demand is a powerhouse for customers with both private health insurance and insurance through work. Offering medical and psychiatric services, this one-stop shop has been in business for 10+ years and it shows. With their stringent requirements for psychiatrists, Doctor On Demand puts patients first, as shown in the rave reviews from those who've taken advantage of the platform and an impressive "A” rating from the BBB. Doctor On Demand only has two downsides: a lack of access to ADHD medication and high per-visit pricing for customers without insurance. However, this provider does offer treatment for an impressive number of other issues and prescribes SSRIs where necessary, so you can get complete treatment for almost any other condition. Given these factors, we've awarded Doctor On Demand an excellent rating in our review.

PlushCare

• Monthly cost: $15
• Pay per appointment: $30 to $129
• Accepts some insurance
• Offers non-addictive prescriptions
• One-stop shop for physical and mental health
• "A-” rating from the BBB

Standing out as a provider that can get you same-day service, PlushCare emerges as a convenient option for online psychiatry that you can access wherever you are. PlushCare offers short wait times, allowing you to connect with a provider swiftly. As a bonus, PlushCare accepts most commercial insurance plans, providing flexibility. The platform was founded in 2014 by Dr. James Wantuck and Ryan McQuaid.

Established by doctors to serve patients

PlushCare emerged as a telemedicine platform providing same-day appointments for primary, urgent, and mental health care, tailoring its services to individuals aged 18 and above. Navigating PlushCare's services allows you to access convenient online appointments. One of the primary benefits of PlushCare (aside from the short wait times) is that if you're uninsured or underinsured, paying without insurance remains a reasonable option.

Monthly fees and pay-as-you-go

Now, the pricing is a little complicated at PlushCare. No matter what, you have to pay for a $15-a-month membership. However, the rest is up to your insurance. If you have insurance, you're only responsible for your copay on appointments. PlushCare estimates this to be around $30 or less depending on your insurance plan. If you don't have insurance, you'll have to pay the full amount for an appointment. The first visit will cost $129 and any follow up appointments for psychiatry are $99. Considering that some of the pay-as-you-go sites charge similar prices without the added cost of a membership fee, PlushCare may not be the best financial option in terms of value for money. Plus, their care works best with commercial insurance (through your work), so getting that low-cost insurance deal may be harder here if you have private insurance (through the ACA Marketplace).

Service multiple conditions with prescriptions

Delving into PlushCare's online psychiatry offerings reveals virtual appointments for individuals aged 18 and older. PlushCare focuses particularly on anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders, and even helps with ADHD. While they don't prescribe controlled substances, there are plenty of alternatives. Some of the medications you can expect to access through PlushCare include:

• BuSpar (Buspirone)
• Celexa (citalopram)
• Cymbalta (duloxetine)
• Effexor (venlafaxine)
• Intuniv (guanfacine)
• Latuda (lurasidone)
• Lexapro (escitalopram)
• Luvox (Fluvoxamine)
• Paxil (paroxetine)
• Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Remeron (mirtazapine)
• Rexulti (brexpiprazole)
• Strattera (atomoxetine)
• Trintellix (vortioxetine)
• Vistaril (hydroxyzine)
• Viibryd (vilazodone)
• Vraylar (cariprazine)
• Wellbutrin (bupropion)
• Zoloft (sertraline)

All psychiatrists are board-certified

PlushCare ensures that every psychiatrist on their site is 100% board-certified. The psychiatrists offer a broad range of expertise across various specialties and treatment modalities. Although there aren't a lot of details about what exactly those treatments might entail, you can be sure that you can get your prescriptions at PlushCare. The search feature at PlushCare helps you choose your own psychiatrist based on what needs you have, so you can look through the credentials of the psychiatrists yourself and choose one that has the experience or specialization in a particular mental health concern that you're worried about.

Top-rated site with professional psychiatrists

PlushCare has an impressive reputation. With an "A-” rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, as well as a whopping 5-star average from reviewers who use the mobile app, PlushCare stands out as one of the fan-favorite sites for online psychiatry. Customers love that they are connected to a psychiatrist so quickly, and many praise the ease of access to medications. While PlushCare doesn't prescribe controlled substances, their inclusion of ADHD treatment via other medications is a huge plus. Many of the user reviews include compliments for specific psychiatrists with comments mentioning how kind and professional they are.

A solid choice for insured customers

PlushCare is a competitive option for online psychiatry, especially if you have insurance. With this provider, you might be looking at just $15 a month if your copay is $0. However, fewer private insurance policies are accepted at PlushCare than with some of its competitors. On top of that, we weren't super impressed with the pricing for customers without insurance. On the other hand, PlushCare does offer prescription options for patients with ADHD (that aren't controlled substances) which has been hard to find at other psychiatric services in our evaluation. They don't offer everything we'd like to see, and the pricing is unnecessarily complex, but they do offer solid psychiatric care and an impressive reputation to back it up. It's definitely worth checking out before you make your choice, especially if you have insurance.

MDLive

• Pay per appointment: $108 to $284
• Accepts insurance
• Requires all psychiatrists to have been practicing for 4+ years
• Offers non-addictive prescriptions
• One-stop shop for physical and mental health
• "A+” rating from the BBB

MDLive is one of the largest telehealth providers in the United States. The company offers both general healthcare services and psychiatry appointments for a one-stop shop approach to health and wellness.

Works with insurance companies

While psychiatry isn't the primary focus of this provider, MDLive stands out for its extensive collaboration with various insurance companies across the U.S. This broad network sets it apart, making it a potential choice for those looking to get their prescriptions covered by insurance. However, MDLive's psychiatric offerings might not match up to industry leaders in terms of quality.

Almost 15 years in the industry

Established in 2009 and currently owned by Evernorth, a subsidiary of Cigna, MDLive is one of the older companies in our review, offering many years of experience. The company is HIPAA compliant, follows the GDPR, and operates under strict regulations as a licensed telehealth provider. This robust background keeps your privacy safe when using MDLive. Plus, getting started with this platform is a breeze. After providing basic personal details, you'll answer a short survey to help the system understand your treatment needs. The platform then presents matching psychiatrists sorted by availability.

Pay per appointment with insurance options

MDLive charges per meeting rather than a subscription plan, and pricing varies based on the type of treatment you're seeking. A psychiatric evaluation (the first step in determining what medications you might need) costs $284. For follow ups to check on how the meds are treating you, the cost is $108 per appointment. Notably, this is much less than some of the other pay-per-visit costs out there. Plus, MDLive works with most insurance companies, since the company has one of the largest insurance networks out there.

All psychiatrists have 4+ years in practice

MDLive offers psychiatrists who specialize in various fields, but the limited number might impact your choices. MDLive emphasizes having highly qualified specialists, although details about their vetting process are limited. We did find out that, on top of the degree requirements, all Psychiatrists looking to work with MDLive must be at least 4 years post residency (basically, they've been working as professional psychiatrists for at least 4 years) in order to qualify.

Minimal offerings for medications

MDLive could be your go-to platform if you're looking for psychiatric treatment and need flexibility in scheduling. However, according to the details on the website, MDLive has a pretty narrow scope for treatments and medications. The only things listed on MDLive in terms of specializations include stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma. While the site states that it can help with "more” than that, there aren't any details about what those other areas of focus might be. Like most sites on our list, MDLive won't prescribe controlled substances, leaving ADHD patients behind. Further, the site doesn't list what prescriptions it does offer, but it does provide a laundry list of medications you can't receive from MDLive. Considering the offerings at other providers, this sets MDLive behind a fair amount.

Solid reputation

On a positive note, MDLive excels in customer service, with rave reviews attesting to their responsiveness. The provider holds an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau. On top of that MDLive has a fairly good rating from reviewers. On average, the provider has earned a 3.6-star rating out of 5. Praise for MDLive includes comments on their customer service which is particularly easy to work with. Customers repeatedly said that MDLive's staff went "above and beyond” in helping them resolve any issues that popped up. Customers also loved how easy it was to sign up and start getting psychiatry appointments.

Mid-tier option due to limited specializations

In general, MDLive stands as a trustworthy telehealth giant, garnering positive reviews for almost 15 years. Yet, certain drawbacks, including a limited psychiatrist pool and limited medications for conditions outside of anxiety, depression, and trauma make this a less helpful option for those specifically looking for psychiatry. While the ratings are fantastic and MDLive has an "A+” rating from the BBB, its offerings are just about average. For this reason, MDLive gets a solid rating in this review, sitting around the middle of the pack.

Talkspace

• Monthly cost: $30 to $100
• Accepts insurance
• Offers non-addictive prescriptions
• Includes full range of mood disorders
• "B” rating from the BBB

When you land on Talkspace's homepage, the prospect seems exciting. This provider offers psychiatry appointments for adults and teens to get diagnoses and prescriptions.

Hit and miss

As a prominent player in telehealth, Talkspace has one of the largest networks of mental health professionals. However, their initial allure begins to fade as you delve deeper into the platform. While it hits the mark in some areas, we can reveal some concerns that set it apart from its higher-ranked competitors.

Around for 10+ years

Established in 2012 by Roni and Oren Frank, Talkspace originated as a text-based therapy service and has since evolved into a prominent player that offers online psychiatry too. The features available to you depend on the subscription you choose. These can include unlimited text messaging with your psychiatrist, video appointments, and audio messages. The psychiatry appointments focus on providing medication management assistance, concentrating on helping you obtain your prescriptions with 15-minute appointments to check in on your well-being.

Pricing structure lacks transparency

While Talkspace presents an impressive array of features, the real differentiator with this provider is its pricing structure. Talkspace uses a subscription model for payments. However, the company isn't super upfront about what those costs will look like. It depends on your particular needs and on whether or not you have insurance. According to Talkspace, you can expect to pay as little as $30 per month if you have insurance. If you're paying for yourself without help, the price per month ranges from $60 to $100, though it isn't clear what makes the price go up and down from the site's details.

Solid vetting process focused on experienced practitioners

One place where Talkspace steps up its game is that this provider places significant emphasis on therapist credentials. All Talkspace psychiatrists have completed a minimum of 3,000 hours of clinical experience, restricting their practice to the state where they hold their licenses.

Covers full range of mood and other disorders

If you're looking for a full package of possible diagnoses and treatments, you're in the right place. Talkspace's psychiatrists address issues such as stress, anxiety disorder, social anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), insomnia, and panic disorder. And for medications, Talkspace offers evidence-based medication prescriptions, encompassing SSRIs (Zoloft, Lexapro, Prozac), SNRIs (Cymbalta, Effexor), Wellbutrin, Buspar, Trazodone, Abilify, Strattera, and any non-controlled substance deemed medically appropriate by the Talkspace psychiatric prescriber.

Mixed reviews raise questions

Despite Talkspace's stature as a frontrunner program, customer reviews reveal a surprisingly mixed satisfaction rate. On average Talksapce was rated just 2.9 stars out of 5 from third-party review sites. On the bright side, Talkspace does have a "B” rating from the Better Business Bureau, which isn't too shabby, but not as impressive as some of its competitors. Dissatisfied customers voice concerns about inadequate customer service, feeling "scammed" by charges for unrendered services, and difficulties in changing psychiatrists when a match feels unsuitable. On the other side, reviews praised particular psychiatrists, though these were fewer and further between than the complaints.

Falls to mid-tier due to complaints

While Talkspace might seem promising on the surface, particularly with features like teen psychiatry, it falls short when it comes to customer satisfaction. The confusing price tags, coupled with substantial customer service issues, overshadow the platform's excellent roster of psychiatrists. Despite its extensive offerings, Talkspace fails to deliver on its promises to customers, settling it right in the middle of the pack for this review.

HealthTap

• Monthly cost: $15
• Pay between $44 to $59 for extras
• Offers non-addictive prescriptions
• Large psychiatrist network
• "A+” rating from the BBB

HealthTap is a service that prioritizes the benefits of having a psychiatrist at your fingertips, ready to help you whenever you need it. HealthTap is a telehealth service that provides 24/7 access to a one-stop shop network of psychiatrists and other medical professionals.

Virtual appointments and AI analyzer

HealthTap offers live virtual psychiatry appointments, a free Q&A library answered by experts, and an AI-powered symptom analyzer. This means in some cases you can get quick answers to your questions without waiting for an appointment. HealthTap psychiatrists work with you to create a personalized treatment plan, and if necessary, they can refer you to outside specialists.

13+ years of experience

HealthTap was founded in 2010. With Series A funding from notable sources like the Mayfield Fund, Eric Schmidt's Innovation Endeavors, and Mohr Davidow Ventures, HealthTap's interactive platform is backed by a network of nearly 140,000 licensed psychiatrists worldwide. Through peer reviews and specialized medical professionals, HealthTap is committed to providing accessible and trustworthy healthcare services, shaping the future of virtual psychiatric appointments.

May not cover your mental health concerns

However, there are a few downsides. The most important? There's a long list of mental health concerns that HealthTap doesn't treat, so despite the one-stop-shop approach of this provider, you may not find everything you need.

Monthly payments and pay-per-appointment

The pricing for HealthTap is much lower than many competitors. Starting as low as $15, you can get access to their monthly membership. This includes a variety of things free of charge like:

• Texting with your psychiatrist
• Q & A
• Care for your kids
• Prescription writing
• Treatment plans

With the monthly subscription, you can also expect discounted rates for other parts of your care, like $44 or less for regular doctor visits, and $59 or less for urgent care appointments. This includes psychiatric appointments, which is highly impressive. However, paying monthly and by appointment might be complicated for some customers who are looking for one simple payment plan. On the other hand, the lower-than-average cost to subscribe is a huge bonus with HealthTap.

Psychiatrist selection lacks transparency

HealthTap has a network of over 140,000 licensed professionals available for live video or text chat appointments. But we struggled to find details about how members of this network are vetted. Based on the process we saw on the website, determining whether a psychiatrist is right for you is up to your own judgment. All of the psychiatrists near you are listed with their details, degrees, and years of experience. So, you can browse through the different options to pick out the psychiatrist who meets your requirements. However, there doesn't appear to be a provider-wide policy (or at least one that's transparent to the customers) on how different psychiatrists are selected for the network.

Missing help for many mood disorders

Whether you're dealing with depression, chronic fatigue, or sleep issues, HealthTap has services for you. You can find concerns like anxiety, school stress, excessive worry, relationship and family issues, loss, alcohol overuse, sexual health concerns, or women's health, with specialists and medications available to you. However, there are some major diagnoses notably missing from HealthTap's lineup. The concerns they don't cover include:

• Suicidal thoughts
• Drug addiction or detox
• Prescription smoking cessation
• ADD or ADHD
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia or psychosis
• Hallucinations or delusions
• Psychiatric conditions under 18
• Competency certification
• Controlled substances, narcotics, or stimulants
• Medical marijuana prescriptions
• Antipsychotic medications

Considering that many of the major concerns that require prescriptions are on the "do not” list for HealthTap, this may not be the best "one-stop shop” for psychiatry overall.

Poor reviews for customer service

While HealthTap has an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau, consumer reviews show a completely different story. On third-party review sites like Sitejabber and Trustpilot, HealthTap only has an average rating of 2.1 stars out of 5. Customer complaints ranged from angry reviews about specific psychiatrists to feeling like the site mismanages medications. A regular complaint across review sites was that dealing with the customer service team at HealthTap is a hassle, and many customers came away from the experience feeling like HealthTap didn't care about them or their needs.

Not worth the low price

While there are some benefits to using HealthTap, like the very low monthly payments, it may not be ideal for customers looking for serious psychiatric help. With a laundry list of mental health concerns not covered by HealthTap, it's clear that if you have a particular type of mood disorder or are seeking medication for those concerns, you won't find what you need at this provider. Considering the complaints in the reviews, HealthTap falls down the ratings even with an "A+” from the BBB and incredible pricing. Despite its incredibly low price and variety of options for medical and psychiatric care, its inability to help many patients with psychiatric concerns lowers their score.

Cerebral

• Monthly subscription from $99 to $365
• Works with some insurance
• Offers non-addictive prescriptions
• Includes ADHD treatment
• Effective medications

Cerebral is a little different from the other psychiatry providers in our review. Rather than calling their services psychiatry, they provide "medication appointments”.

Concerns with billing practices

Though you can't get prescription meds without seeing a Psychiatrist with a medical degree, their "medication appointments” designation makes Cerebral feel a little less "official” than some of the other providers in our review. On the positive side, there's the flexibility to use the online psychiatry anywhere as Cerebral has psychiatrists licensed across all 50 states. On the downside, availability is limited, direct messaging to your provider isn't an option, and there is ongoing scrutiny related to prescribing and billing practices, which raises concerns.

Open for 3 years

In just three years of operation, Cerebral has emerged as a tech-savvy platform led by skilled clinicians. This platform's approach is grounded in a promise to prioritize an inclusive range of clinicians, with half of their practitioners coming from minority backgrounds. Furthermore, Cerebral clinicians specialize in delivering supportive and ethical care for the LGBTQIA+ community, fostering a safe and understanding therapeutic environment. However, while Cerebral offers access to psychiatrists licensed in all 50 states, you may still find their options limited.

Prices from $99 to $365

There are two different plans to choose from that include psychiatry services at Cerebral. However, neither of them say "Psychiatry” which might be confusing to some. If you just want medication (standard psychiatry), you can sign up for $99 per month. This includes weekly check-ins on how the medication is going for you. If you want medication and someone to talk to (psychiatry and therapy bundle), the cost is $365 per month. This includes the same check-ins as the medication plan but also offers weekly 45-minute therapy appointments to help support your mental health concerns. You can get some of this covered by insurance, but customers agree that they struggle to get Cerebral on board with that kind of billing.

No details on "rigorous screening”

One thing we didn't love about Cerebral was the limited information on how they choose and source psychiatrists. The provider claims to have a "rigorous screening process” though it offers no details on what that process looks like. Cerebral says that it requires ongoing training with monthly evaluations so the Cerebral staff stays up to snuff. However, the details of these measures are vague with no information on where psychiatrists graduated from or how many prescribers have MDs (vs. nurse-practitioners).

Offers help through non-controlled medications

There isn't a particular focus or specialization at Cerebral, though they do offer a lot of options for depression, anxiety, and ADHD, which is helpful. You'll be prescribed non-controlled medications that don't include euphoric or addictive properties. You won't experience cravings, hazardous behaviors, or prolonged addictive behavior associated with these medications. However, similar to most antidepressants, you might experience withdrawal effects if you stop or reduce these medications without consulting with your prescriber first. This also means that many standard medications for ADHD won't be included in your prescriptions either.

Mixed reviews and no BBB ratings

While Cerebral appears to be doing okay for itself with a 3.9-star average reputation on Trustpilot, the company doesn't get any love from the Better Business Bureau. On the BBB, Cerebral has an "NR” rating and just 1.3 stars out of 5 from reviewers. With mixed reviews, we checked out both sides. On the positive end, customers are praising the medication options. Those who were afraid to get addicted to medication or use habit-forming prescriptions preferred Cerebral's approach with non-controlled substances. However, customers who complained noted that they struggled to get their psychiatry appointments and medication covered by insurance and many patients complained that Cerebral appointments (for new sign-ups) were scarce and hard to find times for.

Not impressive with limited prescriptions

While Cerebral doesn't stand out as being particularly impressive with high prices and a general lack of detail on their vetting process, it does have one bonus: customers are saying they have success with the medications prescribed by Cerebral. However, if you're looking for true psychiatry, you may find Cerebral's "medication appointments” confusing. Like our last-place pick, Cerebral only offers medications that aren't controlled substances, missing out on major prescriptions like Ritalin or Adderall. The main thing that gave Cerebral a leg up compared to its closest competitor is that they offer alternative treatments for ADHD rather than just discounting them entirely.

Brightside Health

• Monthly subscription from $95 to $349
• Works with some insurance
• Offers non-addictive prescriptions
• Specializes in anxiety and depression
• "A-” rating from the BBB

Brightside Health is a mental health service that specializes in online psychiatry appointments for specific disorders. Open for just over five years, the platform is specifically designed to help adults dealing with depression or anxiety. Positioned as a monthly subscription service, Brightside offers a medication plan so that you can easily get your prescriptions from your Brightside Health psychiatrist.

Minimal help for $95 per month

Brightside Health presents customers with a Psychiatry plan that includes weekly appointments and the ability to get your medications prescribed. This plan costs $95 per month. If you want to talk through your problems on top of getting medications, you'll have to pay more for the Psychiatry + Therapy plan which costs $349 per month. Thankfully, Brightside Health does take insurance from some providers, which can help keep the cost of psychiatric appointments down.

Employs only psychiatrists from US medical schools

Within the Brightside platform, a provider network is in place, featuring psychiatrists, physicians, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and therapists. All psychiatrists in Brightside's network have graduated from US medical schools and maintain current licenses. The platform is supported by a clinical advisory board responsible for evaluating both the psychiatrists and cases within Brightside Health. Members of this board have graduated from top institutions in the US and abroad.

Variety of medication options

The psychiatry plan at Brightside Health offers a variety of medication options. You can find prescriptions for a variety of mental health concerns including:

• Amitriptyline / Elavil
• Fluvoxamine / Luvox
• Aripiprazole / Abilify
• Gabapentin / Neurontin
• Benztropine / Cogentin
• Hydroxyzine / Vistaril
• Bupropion / Wellbutrin
• Lamotrigine / Lamictal
• Buspirone / Buspar
• Mirtazapine / Remeron

Specializes in non-addictive prescriptions

Brightside Health offers medications focusing on effective treatments like SSRIs and SNRIs, which are nonaddictive. Brightside Health, unfortunately, does not prescribe controlled substances, such as Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, or stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin, so customers looking for those specifically (for ADHD or other concerns) will need to look elsewhere. On the other hand, you can find help for a range of conditions, including depression, bipolar II, anxiety, phobias, OCD, panic disorders, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and insomnia.

Lots of exclusions

However, Brightside may not be suitable for individuals meeting specific criteria. The platform recommends consulting a Primary Care doctor if you have attempted suicide, engaged in ongoing, high-risk self-harm behavior, undergone involuntary psychiatric hospitalization recently, been diagnosed with schizophrenia, exhibited symptoms of psychosis, been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder I or experienced symptoms of mania, faced substance abuse problems, been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, dealt with an eating disorder featuring high-risk symptoms, or been diagnosed with kidney or liver disease, seizures, or long QT. You can also be excluded from help at Brightside Health if you attempt to get treatment for ADHD. Since most (if not all) of these conditions require medications, it's clear that Brightside Health is leaving a lot of potential psychiatric patients behind.

Customers say try another psychiatry platform

Despite the seemingly positive practices on the surface (minus the laundry list of things Brightside Health won't help you with), customer experiences show that this might not be a great place to put your faith. While Brightside Health holds an "A-" score at the Better Business Bureau, customer reviews consistently average 1-star ratings, highlighting concerns about overpricing and unreliable service. Complaints include patients being abruptly dropped from prescription programs without warning, leading some to feel that the company "holds medication hostage" until an outside physician is consulted.

One-star service

Despite positioning itself as a promising option with prescription services, Brightside Health turns out to be one of the most disappointing platforms on our list. Even though this online psychiatry service makes grand promises on its website, the reality is far from impressive, evident in its 1-star ratings from patients. Brightside appears to be more expensive compared to other services and providers, and considering Brightside is missing medications for a large number of psychiatric concerns, it's clearly not serving psychiatric patients in the best way it can. Numerous customers reported being abruptly dropped from the service without warning, and to add to the frustration, they were not refunded for the incomplete service. For a more satisfying online psychiatry experience, you'll want to opt for a higher-rated resource.

Live Health Online

• Pay per appointment: $75 to $175
• Accepts insurance
• Offers non-addictive prescriptions
• Psychiatrists required to have board certification

Live Health Online is one of the more budget-friendly pay-per-appointment providers in our review. This telehealth company offers psychiatry appointments and medication at extremely competitive rates.

Very affordable

On the plus side, Live Health Online treats a range of common mental health complaints like depression and anxiety as well as some mood disorders like bipolar and complex concerns like PTSD. Their service offers a unique option that's much more affordable for patients who don't have insurance.

10+ years serving patients online

Live Health Online is a partnership between telemedicine company Amwell and insurance provider Anthem, Inc. Established in 2012, Live Health Online started as a platform for 24/7 urgent care visits. Now, it has expanded to provide accessible behavioral health services and psychiatry. The provider offers psychiatry through a single evaluation and then follow-up appointments to make sure that any medications or prescriptions are doing what they're supposed to do. With over 10 years in the industry, Live Health Online initially seems like an impressive option at lower costs than its competitors.

Pay as you go

Live Health Online offers psychiatric medication management with board-certified psychiatrists. The platform guarantees you'll see a psychiatrist in less than 14 days, making sure you're not waiting for a match with your MD. In terms of cost, Live Health Online operates on a pay-per-appointment model, eliminating sign-up and monthly subscription fees. Psychiatric appointments cost $175 for the initial evaluation and follow-up appointments are only $75 each. This is over $100 cheaper than Live Health Online's nearest competitor, which is highly impressive for customers who need to worry about appointments without insurance. If you have a health plan or insurance that covers mental health, your costs will be even lower.

Choose your own psychiatrist

According to Live Health Online's FAQ, all of their practicing psychiatrists have to be board certified, which is the bare minimum requirement to practice. Beyond this, we couldn't find any details about the vetting process for psychiatrists at Live Health Online. Once you sign up, you can see all of the psychiatrists who specialize in the area that you want to work on. This leaves you to dig through all the credentials for yourself and make a decision about which psychiatrist might fit best.

Helps with most mood disorders

Live Health Online offers psychiatric appointments for those 18 and above. When meeting with one of their psychiatrists, you can expect help with stress, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Bipolar Disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and more. And, Live Health Online will prescribe all non-controlled medications. Unfortunately, that means that ADHD is notably missing from the list (again), which might be a problem for patients struggling with ADHD.

Complaints across the board

If you're thinking "Those prices are too good to be true,” you might be right. According to our research into Live Health Online's reputation, there are some serious red flags. For one, Live Health Online has an "F” rating from the Better Business Bureau. On top of that, third-party reviews show that this provider only has a 1.2-star average out of 5. Many of the complaints lodged against Live Health Online are regarding the medication side of its offerings, and the fact that so many customers have concerns about the company is a red flag for us. One complaint that was particularly eye-opening is that if your psychiatrist cancels the appointment, you'll still get charged, even though you're not at fault for the late cancellation. Given these concerns, it might be safer to take care of your mental health somewhere else.

Not a supportive company for psychiatry

While Live Health Online is affordable, it just doesn't do it for psychiatry. Missing some of the most important problems like ADHD care as well as a host of complaints from customers, Live Health Online falls easily to the bottom of the pack. While we'd love to send you to a low-cost psychiatrist, this one just isn't worth the hassle. With an "F” rating and 1.2 stars on average, they've earned a low rating in our review.

Talkiatry

• Pay per appointment price changes depending on insurance
• Accepts some insurance

One of the only options in our review that focuses entirely on psychiatry, Talkiatry stands out as a platform that offers medication for both adults and children. Talkiatry's strengths lie in its fast intake process, acceptance of many health insurance plans, and specialization.

Fast intake process

The platform facilitates unlimited email messaging with providers, to put you in communication with your psychiatrist whenever you have questions. However, while their intake process is fast, there is a general absence of same-day appointments, and patients on Medicaid or without health insurance may not be accepted for care at Talkiatry.

Newest option out there

Talkiatry was established in April 2020 by Robert Krayn, who serves as the co-founder and CEO, along with co-founder Dr. Georgia Gaveras. The motivation behind founding the business was the recognition of significant flaws in the mental health care system. As one of the newest services for online psychiatry, Talkiatry has a narrow focus on mental health that makes it much easier to find what you need quickly on the site compared to some other sites we evaluated that included medical and dental in their offerings.

Only accepts insured patients

Talkiatry adopts a per-appointment payment model, and its billing process is designed for simplicity. However, there's one snag. According to our research, you'll only be accepted to Talkiatry if your insurance works with their platform. This is a huge limitation that could prevent many of the people who need or want psychiatric help from accessing it. If you do have insurance that's accepted, you can join the platform and expect copays of around $30 for your appointments.

Lacks transparency on vetting

Despite searching the site and its FAQ section, there weren't a lot of details on how psychiatrists are accepted to Talkiatry. Of course, psychiatrists do need verified degrees, licenses, and certifications to write prescriptions, so you can rest easy on that account, but we would love more transparency about how psychiatrists are selected by this particular platform.

Impressive list of mental health concerns

Talkiatry stands out as an online psychiatry platform that offers medication for individuals aged 5 and older. While primarily focused on virtual psychiatry, it also provides referrals to therapists when necessary. The platform aims to simplify the psychiatry process, offering diagnosis, prescription medication, information on treatment styles, and ongoing care. Talkiatry's features include a comprehensive one-hour initial appointment and convenient communication through email on the Healow app. It sets itself apart by offering online prescriptions for specific controlled substances, such as ADHD medications, enhancing its service offerings compared to competitors that don't offer those. If you're accepted to the platform, you can expect treatment options for anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), insomnia, PTSD, and ADHD.

Payment complaints across the board

The lack of transparency for psychiatrist selection may be a red flag pointing to some larger issues. During our research into Talkiatry's reputation, we found some pretty concerning stuff. First, Talkiatry holds an "F” rating from the Better Business Bureau. On top of that, its score with third-party review sites is just 1.3 stars out of 5 on average. Complaints include frustration about surprise charges on patients' credit cards, incorrect fees, and extremely high charges despite having insurance. Frustratingly, the only response that the company has had to complaints like this is to remind customers that their insurance coverage is to blame for pricing, with no attempt to resolve the issue with the customer directly.

Better options available

The bottom line? Talkiatry doesn't offer a good deal. While the company does serve a decent number of mental health concerns and disorders, there's a huge glaring problem: you can only join if you have insurance. And even then, you might still be out hundreds of dollars. Given these issues plus low ratings and "F” score from the BBB, Talkiatry sits low in our ratings. There are better options available.