Before diving into our picks for the best online psychiatrists of 2023, it’s important to note that psychiatrists are sometimes confused with online therapists and psychologists. Although all three can treat mental health conditions, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines a psychiatrist as someone who earns a medical degree followed by a postgraduate residency with a focus on the biological aspects of mental illness. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication, while psychologists and therapists cannot, although there are a few states that allow psychologists to prescribe medication if they receive additional training, according to the APA. Accepts insurance Yes Session types Live video; unlimited messaging for medication plus therapy plan Qualifications Board-certified psychiatrists and psychiatric NPs Pros:
Optional medication plus therapy plan for comprehensive treatmentProprietary technology helps providers personalize prescriptions
Cons:
Can be costly if you want medication plus therapyDoesn’t offer an app
Brightside offers personalized treatment for anxiety and depression with psychotherapy and medication. Evidence suggests that combining psychotherapy and medication for depression may be more effective than either treatment alone, according to the APA. The platform’s exclusive technology, PrecisionRx, analyzes a patient’s medical history and symptoms to help providers recommend a medication. Brightside coordinated an external analysis published in January 2022 in the journal Cureus, which indicated that the response rate of patients to the first medication recommended was 50 percent higher than a leading U.S. health system’s. Brightside has providers who treat a range of conditions related to anxiety and depression, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), seasonal affective disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder, insomnia, bipolar II, and postpartum depression. Brightside offers three treatment plans: therapy, medication, or medication plus therapy. If you want to work with a psychiatrist, you’ll need to sign up for the medication-only plan or medication plus therapy plan. If you opt for the medication-only plan, you will be matched with a psychiatric provider licensed in your state. The provider could be a psychiatrist or a psychiatric NP who can prescribe medication, assess and diagnose mental illnesses, and manage treatment plans. Psychiatric NPs have either a master’s or doctorate degree and experience working as a licensed nurse, according to Nurse.org. If you are matched with a psychiatric NP but want to see a psychiatrist who specializes in a specific concentration, you can contact the Brightside support team and request a change. If you opt for Brightside’s medication plus therapy plan, you’ll get the benefits of the medication-only plan as well as unlimited messaging and a weekly video session with a licensed therapist. The primary benefit of going with this plan is that you get access to in-depth psychotherapy and appointments with a psychiatric provider for medication. Brightside accepts insurance, including Aetna and Cigna. You need to create an account and enter your insurance information to verify coverage. Without insurance, plan costs are broken down as follows:
Medication Plan $95 per month ($45 for the initial month), plus $15 per medication or your pharmacy copay if you have insurance prescription benefits; medication is mailed to your homeTherapy Plan $299 per month ($249 for the first month); includes unlimited messaging and four monthly video sessions with a licensed therapistMedication Plus Therapy $349 per month, which is $45 less than purchasing each plan alone ($249 for the initial month), plus $15 per medication or your pharmacy copay if you have insurance prescription benefits
Unlike other online psychiatrist platforms on our list, Brightside does not offer an app. You can access the platform by using a browser on your mobile device. Video calls take place via Zoom. Brightside’s providers cannot prescribe medications that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration classifies as controlled substances. These include amphetamine (Adderall), alprazolam (Xanax), and clonazepam (Klonopin), among others. Brightside’s providers can prescribe medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors at their discretion. Read more in our detailed Brightside review. Use Brightside promo code “EDH60” for $60 off your first month of cash plans. Accepts insurance Yes Session types Live video Qualifications Board-certified psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants Pros:
Supports more than 700 individual insurance plansCan scan your insurance card to find your exact insurance planCan help find in-network providers with your insurance to save you the most moneyCan find next-day appointments
Cons:
No guarantee of an in-network provider matchSome reviews mention double-booked appointment times or later appointment times than offered on the website
For online psychiatry that takes insurance, Zocdoc may be a good option. You can narrow your search by more than 700 individual insurance plans, including popular providers like Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare. This can make it easier for you to find a low cost online psychiatrist. Zocdoc will show you the top-rated psychiatrist options available near you, prioritizing in-network providers with early availability that work with your insurance. According to the Maryland Insurance Network (PDF), in-network providers have agreements with your insurance company to provide care at a certain rate, which will save you the most money. The exact cost of your video visit will depend on your insurance, deductible, and copay. Zocdoc will also show you out-of-network options. You will need to check your individual insurance plan to see if it will reimburse part of your visit. During your search, you can also customize the results by psychiatric options. For example, if you just need a refill of your medication, and don’t need a diagnosis or to try a new medication, you could find a primary care provider through Zocdoc to take care of your medication management. You can schedule your appointments on Zocdoc, and you will either have your video appointment through the Zocdoc website or a third-party video service, like Zoom. Find more online therapy services that take insurance to expand your options. Accepts insurance No Session types Live video Qualifications Board-certified psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants Pros:
Mental health consultations available starting at $42Prescription refill appointments available starting $39Some medications available for $5
Cons:
Appointment prices vary by location and providerNot available in all states
Sesame offers online psychiatry services for those without insurance, including mental health consultations, telehealth psychiatry appointments, and prescription refills. Our reviews team was able to find a virtual prescription refill, or telefill, appointment with a popular and highly rated family nurse practitioner for $39. Once you start your search, Sesame will display the top online psychiatrist options in your area, prioritized by same-day appointments, those who offer $5 medications, and popular providers with positive reviews. Our reviews team found many providers offering convenient appointments on weekends and after business hours. You can also cancel up to three hours before your appointment. If you’re interested in $5 prescription medications from Sesame, look for a label that says “$5 meds” on your provider’s profile. If prescribed medication, Sesame will deliver your medication for free to your door. The list of $5 psychiatric medications it offers include:
amitriptyline (Endep)bupropion SR (Wellbutrin SR)bupropion XL (Wellbutrin XL)buspirone (Buspar)citalopram (Celexa)escitalopram (Lexapro)duloxetine DR (Cymbalta)fluoxetine (Prozac)hydroxyzine hydrochloride (Atarax)mirtazapine (Remeron)nortriptyline (Pamelor)paroxetine (Paxil)sertraline (Zoloft)venlafaxine (Effexor)venlafaxine XR (Effexor XR)
Learn more in our Sesame Care review. Use Sesame Care promo code “BETTER50” for 50 percent off your first visit. Accepts insurance Yes Session types Live video; telephone Qualifications Board-certified psychiatrists Pros:
Available for ages 10 and upPay-as-you-go plan — no contract or monthly plan required
Cons:
No home delivery for prescriptionsNo on-demand appointments available
MDLive is a comprehensive telehealth platform that provides services for both medical and mental health care, including therapy and psychiatry. MDLive psychiatrists can treat kids ages 10 and over, with parental consent. This service may help parents provide their children with the help they need, considering that more than half of U.S. children with a treatable mental health disorder don’t receive treatment from a mental health professional, according to a study published in December 2019. A shortage in child psychiatrists was cited as a driving factor, with 70 percent of U.S. counties lacking one. To see an MDLive psychiatrist, create an account and answer a few questions about where you live and any health concerns your child is experiencing. You can then browse the directory of psychiatrists and request an appointment that works with your schedule. Many MDLive psychiatrists offer evening and weekend appointments, which may be convenient for parents trying to schedule appointments for kids outside of school hours. Our reviews team’s April 2022 survey of 1,000 online therapy users revealed that evening and weekend availability was the most important factor for 35 percent of respondents when choosing an online therapy platform. MDLive does not offer on-demand mental health appointments. When our reviews team tried the platform, the first available appointment was seven days out. Your wait time will vary depending on your chosen provider’s schedule and the number of providers licensed in your state. Members talk directly with a psychiatrist via live video or phone. Parents of kids under age 18 need to be present at the start of each session to consent to the visit, but the provider will then determine whether the parent should stay for the rest of the session. If a psychiatrist believes that medications are warranted, they will write a prescription and send it to your chosen pharmacy for you to pick up. The cost depends on how much your pharmacy charges and whether you have an insurance copay. MDLive psychiatrists cannot prescribe DEA-controlled substances and other medications, including those that have a potential for abuse. MDLive is in network for multiple health insurance companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, and others. You can register for an account for free to see whether it accepts your insurance. Without insurance, the initial consultation costs $284, and follow-up visits cost $108, which your psychiatrist might schedule for medication management. Read our review of the best online therapy for teens to find more options for teenagers and parents. Accepts insurance Yes Session types Live video Qualifications Board-certified psychiatrist Pros:
Lower fees than other online psychiatristsAbility to search for psychiatrists who are available nights and weekends
Cons:
No home delivery for prescriptionsNo subscription plans
LiveHealth Online’s psychiatry services are one of the most budget-friendly of the platforms we considered for best online psychiatrist. The cost is $175 for the initial evaluation and $75 per follow-up visit. If you have insurance, these rates can be even lower. LiveHealth Online accepts most Blue Cross Blue Shield health plans. The cost for prescriptions depends on how much your pharmacy charges and whether you have an insurance copay. LiveHealth Online psychiatrists cannot prescribe DEA-controlled substances. With LiveHealth Online, you can sign up in minutes, browse the directory of profiles and qualifications, and select the provider who specializes in a clinical interest that meets your needs: for example, anxiety, depression, OCD, bipolar disorder, panic attacks, or PTSD. When you’re ready to move forward, you can schedule an appointment from a computer or mobile device or by calling a toll-free number. We registered for an account within minutes on a Friday, indicated that we were looking for psychiatry services, and were presented with a psychiatrist who was available on Sunday, with three separate time slots to choose from. If you need more in-depth talk therapy than an online psychiatrist can provide, LiveHealth also offers a pay-per-visit online psychology platform for seeing a therapist or psychologist. These sessions cost $80 to $95, depending on the provider. Read more about the most affordable online therapy options, including some that offer medication management. Accepts insuranceYes Session types Live video Qualifications Board-certified psychiatrist Pros:
Highly rated by Apple and Google app store reviewersMay be able to see a psychiatrist on nights and weekends
Cons:
One of the more costly online psychiatrist providersNo subscription plans
According to our survey, the most important factor when choosing a platform was positive reviews online. Doctor on Demand has a user-friendly app that received the highest Google and Apple app store reviews among the best online psychiatrist platforms we picked, with 4.9 out of 5 stars from the Apple app store and 4.8 out of 5 stars from Google Play. You can also use a browser on your laptop or tablet to access its services. On the BBB and TrustPilot, reviews of the platform aren’t as favorable, with ratings of 1.22 and 1.5 respectively. Doctor on Demand’s app is easy to use. After downloading it, you only need to enter your name, phone number, gender, and date of birth to start. It then uses your location to find board-certified psychiatrists licensed in your state. You can filter your results based on factors such as appointment availability, language spoken, and focus area (e.g., grief or postpartum depression). The app also makes it easy to verify insurance benefits. Once you enter your member ID and group ID in the app, Doctor on Demand will verify your coverage and confirm how much your session will cost. If your employer covers this service, you can input that information during sign-up, too. Without insurance, the platform charges $299 for the initial visit, which averages 45 minutes, and $129 for 15-minute follow-up visits. You can easily manage your prescription via the app if your psychiatrist prescribes medication. It took us less than a minute to find and save our local pharmacy’s information. The cost for prescriptions depends on how much your pharmacy charges and whether you have an insurance copay. Doctor on Demand’s psychiatrists cannot prescribe DEA-controlled substances. Online psychiatry is designed to offer patients convenience, increasing access to mental health care. Telepsychiatry services can be especially beneficial for patients who live in rural areas or areas that have high demand for psychiatric services but too few psychiatrists. People with mobility issues and people who are struggling with mental health symptoms like anxiety or depression may also benefit from online psychiatry. A literature review published in Community Mental Health Journal examined the use of telepsychiatry in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in 14 studies. According to the review, a majority of the studies examined found telepsychiatry to be equally effective or more effective than in-person treatment. The review also found that all the studies reported either no difference in patient satisfaction between telepsychiatry and in-person treatment or greater patient satisfaction with telepsychiatry. Fortunately, you can find online treatment from any of these different types of mental health professionals through a variety of platforms. Below, we break down the differences between psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor or physician with several years of training as a psychiatric resident who can diagnose and treat complex psychiatric conditions with medication, according to the APA. Psychiatrists often do initial evaluations, diagnose conditions, and prescribe medications for mental health conditions, with follow-up appointments focusing on medication management.
Psychologist
A psychologist may have a PsyD (doctor of psychology) or a PhD (doctor of philosophy), but they are not a medical doctor and, therefore, cannot prescribe medication — unless they are licensed in Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, or New Mexico and have received additional training on how to prescribe medication, according to the APA. They can diagnose and treat mental health conditions, learning disabilities, and behavior disorders.
Therapist
A therapist is an individual who has been trained in and practices one or more types of therapy to treat mental or physical disorders or diseases. In the context of mental health, the term is often used synonymously with psychotherapist, according to the APA. This can include psychologists and social workers who use therapeutic techniques like psychotherapy or talk therapy to help people understand and resolve problematic behaviors, beliefs, feelings, and relationship issues. There are times when online psychiatry services may not be the best option. “Online psychiatry is great for managing chronic mental health conditions that are stable. However, a person should not rely on online psychiatry during an emergency or if they are experiencing thoughts of harming themselves or others,” says Michael J. McGrath, MD, medical director at the Ohana Retreat addiction treatment center in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. Dr. McGrath advises calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room in these situations, rather than using online psychiatry. Other resources include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357). Keep in mind that some states have restrictions on online prescribing. For example, some states may require an in-person evaluation before moving to telepsychiatry. The practice of prescribing medicine is regulated by state medical boards. Contact your state medical board to better understand the online prescribing requirements and restrictions in your state. Controlled substances are regulated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Psychiatrists must register with the DEA to prescribe controlled substances. Controlled substances are subject to stricter regulation due to their potential for addiction and abuse. In fact, the telepsychiatry platform Cerebral was criticized for its controlled substance prescribing practices. If you need controlled substances for mental health treatment, be sure to verify that the online psychiatrist you choose is able to prescribe them. Keep in mind that just because some online psychiatrists accept insurance, your provider may not be in-network. Out-of-network providers are typically more expensive. Additionally, you may have a deductible or copay that could affect your total cost. Finally, insurance carriers can choose whether or not to cover your appointment based on medical necessity at the time of service. An article from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (PDF) explains that health insurance plans typically define “medically necessary services” as those involved in the diagnosis, treatment, or cure of health conditions, illnesses, diseases, or injuries, and that are considered part of the accepted standards of general medical care. In other words, be sure to contact your health insurance provider before and after your first appointment to better understand your benefits and ensure your claims are submitted in a timely manner. You may also be able to use your HSA or FSA account to pay for online psychiatry appointments. Check with your account provider to make sure. Explore your options for online therapy that takes insurance to discover more platforms that accept insurance.
Cost of sessions and how it fits your budgetWhether you have a private area for sessionsAbility to change psychiatristsFlexibility and accessibility for session times and daysInsurance benefits, if you’re using themOnline reviews, both positive and negative
Read our full guide to choosing an online therapy platform. Online psychiatry can offer a more laid-back and comfortable atmosphere for patients as well, according to Joshua Flatow, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist at Pacific Mind Health in Los Angeles. Some people would not benefit from online psychiatry, however, according to Dr. Flatow, including “people having deep delusions and paranoia, and experiencing intense fear,” he says. According to University Hospitals, the psychiatrist may ask you about the following during your initial evaluation:
Any behaviors that are bothering you, when they occur, how long they last, and what triggers themHow these behaviors affect work, school, and relationshipsAny physical and mental health symptoms you’re experiencingPersonal and family health history, including mental health
Once the health history and mental health evaluation are complete, the psychiatrist or psychiatric NP will discuss a treatment plan with you that may include medication, therapy, and a follow-up plan. Just like during in-person visits, if you make a mutual decision with the psychiatrist about medications, they can send a prescription electronically to the pharmacy of your choice or directly to your home, depending on the platform.
Cost of sessions and how it fits your budgetWhether you have a private area for sessionsAbility to change psychiatristsFlexibility and accessibility for session times and daysInsurance benefits, if you’re using themOnline reviews, both positive and negative
Together, we’ve researched prominent brands through the experiences of real customers collected by trusted third-party reviews sites such as the BBB and Trustpilot. We’ve also consulted with independent psychologists and other mental health professionals to better understand why people seek out online therapy and read the latest research on the efficacy of online therapy versus in-person therapy. When evaluating each company, we’ve considered the session types they offer, the modes of therapy they specialize in, the credentials of their therapists, their business reputation and reported customer satisfaction, the ease of registration, and how easy it is to use the service. Price, payment options, and whether the company accepts insurance are crucial components to consider. We always try to recommend a range for all budgets, with special consideration for lower budgets. After our experts select the best online therapy platforms on the market, a practicing and independent licensed therapist reviews our picks to audit each company as a whole and ensure that every selection we recommend is appropriate for the users we identify.
Engaged in ongoing independent researchMystery shopped each of the brandsContacted the brands’ customer service teams to ask questions and gauge responsivenessBecame customers of online therapy providers ourselvesReviewed academic research into the efficacy of online therapy versus in-person therapyRead hundreds of verified customer reviews from trusted third parties such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and TrustPilot
When comparing providers, Brightside can be helpful for people new to therapy and medication management. For psychiatry telehealth appointments with insurance, consider an option like Zocdoc, while those without insurance should consider Sesame, especially with its $5 anxiety and depression medications. If you are seeking psychiatric care for a minor, MDLive is our top pick for adolescents, since the platform’s board-certified psychiatrists treat individuals ages 10 and up, with parental permission. LiveHealth Online may be a good option for online psychiatry if cost is a priority. According to our survey of online therapy platforms, cost was the most important factor to 39.5 percent of respondents when choosing a platform. If the convenience of a highly rated app is important to you, Doctor on Demand is our pick. You can also reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357). The SAMHSA helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-days-a-year treatment referral and information service for individuals facing mental or substance abuse disorders.
