Partner content: This content was created by a business partner of Dow Jones, independent of the MarketWatch newsroom. Links in this article may result in us earning a commission. Learn More
Online psychiatric services include consultations, prescriptions and medication management. Learn more in our review of the best online psychiatrists.
Online psychiatry services can help you find certified psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs) to evaluate your mental health. After an initial consultation, your online psychiatrist can diagnose your condition, prescribe medication if needed and refer you to an online therapist.
During the last three years, people in the U.S. experienced an increase in anxiety disorders by 79% and depressive disorders by 66%, according to the American Psychological Association, and practitioners are struggling to keep up with the demand of people seeking help. Online therapy platforms have broadened how people can access mental health treatment, connecting more users to more professionals.
We researched several popular online psychiatrist platforms, compared features, looked at pricing and session types, and listed the pros and cons, to help you decide if one of these online psychiatry services is right for you.
Here’s what you should know when looking for the best online psychiatrist for receiving mental health help:
| Cost | $95 per month for psychiatry plus your pharmacy’s copay; $349 per month for psychiatry plus therapy | $299 per initial consultation plus $175 per follow-up session; other bundles available; $69–$109 for therapy | $30 average copay per session, varies by insurance | Varies by provider | Varies by provider | $348 for a 12-month supply, $234 for a 6-month supply or $147 for a 3-month supply of psychiatric medication; $99 per session for therapy |
| Accepts insurance | Yes, not including Medicaid | Yes, not including Medicaid or Medicare | Yes, not including Medicaid | Yes | No | N/A |
| Conditions treated | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Providers | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Prescribe medications | Yes, non-addictive medications | Yes, psychiatric | Yes | Varies by provider | No | No |
| Cost | $95 per month for psychiatry plus your pharmacy’s copay; $349 per month for psychiatry plus therapy | $299 per initial consultation plus $175 per follow-up session; other bundles available; $69–$109 for therapy | $30 average copay per session, varies by insurance | Varies by provider | Varies by provider | $348 for a 12-month supply, $234 for a 6-month supply or $147 for a 3-month supply of psychiatric medication; $99 per session for therapy |
| Accepts insurance | Yes, not including Medicaid | Yes, not including Medicaid or Medicare | Yes, not including Medicaid | Yes | No | N/A |
| Conditions treated | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Providers | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Prescribe medications | Yes, non-addictive medications | Yes, psychiatric | Yes | Varies by provider | No | No |
A psychiatrist is a board-certified doctor who specializes in mental health and can prescribe medication for certain conditions, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Psychiatrists can also refer patients to therapists for ongoing support.
Online psychiatry connects people with these kinds of psychiatric professionals through video therapy sessions, phone calls, email messaging and text messaging. Also called telepsychiatry, the convenience of online psychiatry increases patient access to mental health care. Telepsychiatry services benefit patients with mobility issues or residing in areas with limited access to in-person psychiatry.
Research suggests online psychiatry is just as worthwhile as in-person sessions. A literature review published in the September 2023 issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry examined the use of telepsychiatry in 32 studies treating psychiatric disorders. According to the review, most of the studies examined found telepsychiatry to be equally as effective as in-person treatment.
Yes, online psychiatrists can prescribe medications for the treatment of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. These include many types of antidepressants like SSRIs and SNRIs, some anti-anxiety medications and mood stabilizers, among others. Some may also offer online prescriptions for certain controlled substances, like medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
If you are looking for the best online psychiatrists for a child or a teen, Talkiatry is your best option. It has experts who work with children as young as five and adolescents, and it offers prescriptions for controlled substances to treat ADHD.
Some online psychiatrists can prescribe certain controlled substances, such as medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Specific controlled substances, including narcotics, benzodiazepines like Xanax and Klonopin, and stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin are subject to increased regulation because they have a greater risk of abuse or dependency. For that reason, many online psychiatry platforms cannot prescribe these medications.
If you need specific controlled substances to treat a mental health condition, check the platform website first to see whether a psychiatrist is able to prescribe them.
The prices for virtual psychiatry services vary depending on the provider. Generally, initial consultations are more expensive than follow-up sessions because they’re more comprehensive. At Talkspace, for example, the initial consultation is $299 while follow-ups are $175 per session. If you’re looking for the most affordable online therapy option, Brightside offers online psychiatry for $95 per month. Some platforms, like Brightside, accept certain insurance plans. In that case, your out-of-pocket cost could be minimal.
You can find online therapy that accepts insurance, but you’ll need to check with your provider to see the details of your coverage. Not all online mental health platforms take insurance, however, and you will need to make sure that the platform you choose accepts your insurance plan.
Yes, Medicare covers online psychiatry. Medicare helps pay for outpatient mental health services, including telehealth services like psychiatric evaluation and medication management.
Medicaid coverage varies by state and eligibility. You can check your state Medicaid profile and see if you’re eligible for Medicaid and if it covers behavioral health services like telepsychiatry.
Online psychiatry connects people with psychiatric professionals through video therapy sessions, phone calls, email messaging and text messaging. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication for various mental health conditions but do not provide therapy. However, psychiatrists can refer patients to online therapists. Some online psychiatry platforms offer medication and therapy.
The best online psychiatrist for you depends on a variety of factors, including your unique mental health needs and what makes sense for your budget. If you are someone looking for both therapy and precise medication recommendations, Brightside may be for you. Sesame is a platform for people who do not have insurance and seeking affordable care. If you need care inclusive of young children, adolescents or those in the LGBTQ community, try Talkiatry, whose providers offer a one-hour initial consultation. If you want to use your insurance, Talkspace may be a good option as it works with a number of major provider networks. Try Zocdoc if you want to find providers with same-day appointment availability, or if you want to search for providers who accept your insurance. Lastly, two newer platforms, Hims & Hers Health, make it easy to message your provider and renew or manage your prescriptions.
Yes, look for platforms such as the ones mentioned in this article that include licensed psychiatrists who are able to prescribe medication and make referrals for therapists. Make follow-up appointments to ensure that your medication is working or may need to be adjusted.
Yes, you can get anxiety medication online through all of the platforms mentioned in this article. It is a good idea to seek therapy along with medication to ensure your symptoms are being treated correctly.
Yes, research shows that online psychiatry can be just as effective as in-person psychiatry. Online psychiatry can be beneficial for people with mobility issues or those who live in areas with too few therapists who are available for in-person visits.
No, in most cases, a therapist is not authorized to prescribe medication but they can refer you to a psychiatrist who can.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides.
