The 7 Best Online Psychiatrist Platforms in 2024: Medication Delivery…
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Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:Online psychiatrists can help people manage mental health conditions that may require medication. Read through our best online psychiatry picks for a place to start your search.
A quick look at the top online psychiatry platforms
Call 988 for mental health emergencies
Online psychiatry is not a substitute for emergency services. In the event of a mental health emergency — if you’re thinking about harming yourself or someone else — call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Telemedicine is a safe and convenient way to seek mental health services in an increasingly virtual world. If you’re considering seeing a psychiatrist but prefer to hold sessions remotely, online psychiatry may be an ideal arrangement.
Take a look at some of our picks of online psychiatrist services.
Healthline’s picks for the best online psychiatrist platforms
*Some names have been changed at the request of testers.
Best overall
Talkspace
4.8 (32.2k+) from App Store
Use code "HEALTHLINE85" for $85 off.
GET STARTED WITH TALKSPACE*Price may vary.
4.4out of 5healthline scoreHealthline's reviewBeing able to schedule and attend psychiatric visits from your smartphone is one of the reasons online therapy apps such as Talkspace are appealing. You can do everything at home.
After you fill out a brief assessment, Talkspace will match you with a licensed psychiatrist who can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medications, and conduct therapy sessions as needed.
Talkspace psychiatrists can help with an array of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders and depression. And you can switch psychiatrists at any time if you feel the match isn’t quite right.
Read our full review of Talkspace services.
Our score breakdownPricing & Insurance3.9Therapy Formats5Privacy5User Experience3Availability4.9What our tester says
“I found that Talkspace was very efficient to use. Sign-up was quick and easy, and the platform’s survey asked relevant questions about my mental health history that didn’t require a lot of time and work for me to complete.
“From there, the therapist I was matched with got in touch with me fairly quickly, and we got off to a smooth start discussing my stressors.
“However, I found that some of the communication seemed automated, as though the therapist had copied and pasted messages that she presumably sent to all of her climates, such as her upcoming availability.
“Those messages were frequent and made me feel a little bit like a number rather than her patient. But I understand if you are serving a large client/patient base that you may have to communicate in a way that is less personal.
“I also found that the service is on the expensive side, even compared to using mental health services with insurance. The cost can be up to $165 a week if not more, depending on the subscription you choose.”
— Christy Snyder, Healthline editor
“I found that Talkspace was very efficient to use. Sign-up was quick and easy, and the platform’s survey asked relevant questions about my mental health history that didn’t require a lot of time and work for me to complete.
“From there, the therapist I was matched with got in touch with me fairly quickly, and we got off to a smooth start discussing my stressors.
“However, I found that some of the communication seemed automated, as though the therapist had copied and pasted messages that she presumably sent to all of her climates, such as her upcoming availability.
“Those messages were frequent and made me feel a little bit like a number rather than her patient. But I understand if you are serving a large client/patient base that you may have to communicate in a way that is less personal.
“I also found that the service is on the expensive side, even compared to using mental health services with insurance. The cost can be up to $165 a week if not more, depending on the subscription you choose.”
— Christy Snyder, Healthline editor
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for medication delivery
Brightside Health
4.4 (1.8k+) from Brightside Health
*Price may vary.
3.8out of 5healthline scoreHealthline's reviewBrightside Health members are able to select a local pharmacy to pick up medication. Also depending on their insurance plans, some members can get their medications delivered to them.
This may be great for people with who take medication in conjunction with therapy, though people with other mental health conditions can seek treatment with Brightside.
Members get unlimited messaging with professionals who specialize in anxiety and depression treatment. Treatment plans include monthly video sessions with a licensed therapist and regular communication with your psychiatrist.
Read our full review of Brightside Health.
Our score breakdownPricing & Insurance4.3Therapy Formats5Privacy4User Experience3Availability2.8Pros & cons
Product details
Best for insurance coverage
Talkiatry Online Psychiatry
*Price may vary.
3.1out of 5healthline scoreHealthline's reviewTalkiatry is an online psychiatry platform that specializes in flexible scheduling and medication management. This service can help you manage a variety of mental health conditions, including:
To sign up for Talkiatry, you first take an online assessment that dives into your medical history and what you’re looking to address. After that, you’re matched with a psychiatrist based on your availability and needs. Your first virtual visit will take place within a few days of matching with them.
Talkiatry currently serves 43 U.S. states and works with many insurance networks. Additionally, children can use the platform if adolescent psychiatry is of interest, but parents have to be present for all virtual appointments.
Read our full review of Talkiatry.
Our score breakdownPricing & Insurance3.3Therapy Formats1Privacy5User Experience4Availability2.3What our tester says
Our reviewer Sabi* (they/them) signed up with Talkiatry to find a psychiatrist they could open up to and for a checkup on their medication for anxiety and depression.
They’ve only had one other interaction with a psychiatrist when they were 19. “It was pretty cookie cutter. he gave me meds and we checked in 4 weeks later. There was no information on side effects (though I did my own research) and no check in about how I was feeling. I ended up not taking the meds.”
Sabi was very satisfied with Talkiatry. They said their psychiatrist seemed concerned about their symptoms, took nothing for granted, and provided individualized care. They loved the “ease of requesting refills, meeting and connecting with my professional, and the app itself.”
They said they would definitely recommend Talkiatry.
Our reviewer Sabi* (they/them) signed up with Talkiatry to find a psychiatrist they could open up to and for a checkup on their medication for anxiety and depression.
They’ve only had one other interaction with a psychiatrist when they were 19. “It was pretty cookie cutter. he gave me meds and we checked in 4 weeks later. There was no information on side effects (though I did my own research) and no check in about how I was feeling. I ended up not taking the meds.”
Sabi was very satisfied with Talkiatry. They said their psychiatrist seemed concerned about their symptoms, took nothing for granted, and provided individualized care. They loved the “ease of requesting refills, meeting and connecting with my professional, and the app itself.”
They said they would definitely recommend Talkiatry.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for comprehensive care
Doctor on Demand Online Therapy
4.9 (105+) from Doctor on Demand
*Price may vary.
3.6out of 5healthline scoreHealthline's reviewIf you want to choose your own psychiatrist rather than be matched with one, you may want to consider Doctor on Demand. The service’s virtual care includes 24/7 access to doctors, psychiatrists, therapists, and other medical experts from a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
In our 2022 Online Therapy Survey, Doctor on Demand was listed as one of the best online therapy and psychiatry platforms because of its wide array of services offered.
Though care is virtual, it’s still personal. Visits take place over a secure video connection. Your personal information will not be shared with anyone, including your primary care doctor, unless explicitly requested.
Read our full review of Doctor on Demand services.
Our score breakdownPricing & Insurance4.5Therapy Formats2Privacy5User Experience4Availability2.6What our tester says
Healthline editor Christy Snyder tried Doctor on Demand to try and find a more affordable psychiatrist.
It worked out because her insurance covered all the visit: “They do accept insurance, to my delight/surprise, and it was easy to determine eligibility.”
The sign-up process took about 10 minutes, and “I was immediately matched with psychiatrist options. I’d say I was given about five folks to choose from. I filled out a questionnaire…and I think the therapist matched well with my preferences.”
Snyder said that finding appointments was relatively easy, and there were options to meet during the day and night. When the time for her appointment came around, she got reminders via text and email, but when Snyder connected with her psychiatrist, the session “ended up being only an audio call. I would’ve much preferred (and thought I was getting) a video call. ”
Though the appointment went well, aside from not being on a video call, she was “prescribed the wrong dosage of one of my medications — it was literally four times what I told my doctor I was taking (400 mg vs. 100 mg). I didn’t know that until I received the medication, and now have to make it work for the next few months by cutting the pills.
“Had I picked it up at a pharmacy, I would’ve had the opportunity to check the prescription before agreeing to pay for it and taking it home. So, that’s one issue — the doctor may have misheard me, or the pharmacy got it wrong, etc. I’m really not sure.”
Snyder isn’t using the service at this time because of this mistake, and she says “isn’t sure what kind of privacy is provided in the apps or during sessions.”
Healthline editor Christy Snyder tried Doctor on Demand to try and find a more affordable psychiatrist.
It worked out because her insurance covered all the visit: “They do accept insurance, to my delight/surprise, and it was easy to determine eligibility.”
The sign-up process took about 10 minutes, and “I was immediately matched with psychiatrist options. I’d say I was given about five folks to choose from. I filled out a questionnaire…and I think the therapist matched well with my preferences.”
Snyder said that finding appointments was relatively easy, and there were options to meet during the day and night. When the time for her appointment came around, she got reminders via text and email, but when Snyder connected with her psychiatrist, the session “ended up being only an audio call. I would’ve much preferred (and thought I was getting) a video call. ”
Though the appointment went well, aside from not being on a video call, she was “prescribed the wrong dosage of one of my medications — it was literally four times what I told my doctor I was taking (400 mg vs. 100 mg). I didn’t know that until I received the medication, and now have to make it work for the next few months by cutting the pills.
“Had I picked it up at a pharmacy, I would’ve had the opportunity to check the prescription before agreeing to pay for it and taking it home. So, that’s one issue — the doctor may have misheard me, or the pharmacy got it wrong, etc. I’m really not sure.”
Snyder isn’t using the service at this time because of this mistake, and she says “isn’t sure what kind of privacy is provided in the apps or during sessions.”
Pros & cons
Product details
Best for flexible scheduling
MDLIVE Online Therapy
3.6 (11.9k+) from Trustpilot
*Price may vary.
4.7out of 5healthline scoreHealthline's reviewOne of the pain points of scheduling doctor’s appointments is sticking to conventional business hours. MDLIVE’s online psychiatry services may appeal to people with tight schedules since the service offers appointments during the evenings and weekends. Doctors are on call 24/7 for around-the-clock mental health care.
Online appointments can take place over the phone or via video chat. If you don’t want to wait weeks for a psychiatric appointment, you can usually schedule an appointment through MDLIVE within days. Though your psychiatrist may live in a different city than you do, they can send prescriptions to your local pharmacy for pickup.
Read our full review of MDLIVE services.
Our score breakdownPricing & Insurance4.5Therapy Formats4Privacy5User Experience5Availability5Pros & cons
Product details
Best for comprehensive care
Amwell Online Therapy
4.9 (43.1k+) from App Store
*Price may vary.
3.6out of 5healthline scoreHealthline's reviewAmwell isn’t just an online therapy and psychiatry service. It also covers other types of medicine, with board certified doctors available for direct-to-patient communication. If you’ve ever wished you could speak with your care team from the comfort of your home, Amwell is one solution.
For behavioral health services, Amwell has a network of more than 100 board certified psychiatrists who specialize in medication evaluations and ongoing medication management.
Amwell psychiatrists can address mental health conditions such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, cognitive disorders, depression, insomnia, OCD, and PTSD.
While some online psychiatry services offer only mental health care, Amwell offers collaborative care, so your psychiatrist and primary care doctor can communicate.
Read our full review of Amwell services.
Our score breakdownPricing & Insurance4.5Therapy Formats3Privacy4User Experience4Availability2.6Pros & cons
Product details
Best for quick access to care
LiveHealth Online Telehealth
4.9 (63k+) from App Store
If you need help with medication management, you may need to see a psychiatrist regularly. And if you’ve never seen a psychiatrist and would like an initial evaluation, LiveHealth Online is a good option because the platform allows à la carte appointments without requiring an ongoing subscription.
If you’re worried about the quality of online mental health services, telemedicine is a specialty of LiveHealth Online. All doctors are specifically trained to perform health visits online, so you don’t miss out on the face-to-face experience of in-person appointments.
Our score breakdownPricing & Insurance0Therapy Formats0Privacy0User Experience0Availability0Pros & cons
Product details
A comparison of the best online psychiatry platforms
-PricingInsuranceServices offeredTalkspacestarts at $69 per week; $25 or less copayscovered by some health planstherapy and psychiatry that covers a range of conditions, such as anxiety and depressionBrightside Healthstarts at $95 per monthcovered by Cigna and Evernorth in every state where Brightside functions except Minnesota24/7 appointments for psychiatry/medication management and therapyTalkiatryaverage is $25 per appointment with insurance coverage but can cost $325 to $414 without insuranceacceptedpsychiatry, medication managementDoctor on Demandstarts at $79 for a 15-minute consultationcovered by some health plans, but you have to create an account to know whether your network is acceptedtherapy and psychiatry that covers conditions such as PTSD, eating disorders, OCD, and depressionMDLivevaries based on insurance companycovered by some health planspsychiatryAmwellstarts at $99 for therapy; $199 for psychiatry plus $95 follow-up visitscovered by some health planspsychiatryLiveHealth Onlinevaries based on professionalaccepted for psychiatrypsychiatryHow we chose the best online psychiatry platforms
Healthline editors considered many factors when choosing the best online psychiatrist platforms, including quality, ease of use, industry standards, privacy, and user ratings.
Each service on this list has a network of board certified psychiatrists who offer telehealth appointments, so you can get a diagnosis and arrange prescriptions without setting foot in a doctor’s office.
After our list of key features, each platform goes through our rigorous vetting process, overseen by a team of mental health experts. This process uses specific criteria to ensure we’re making the best recommendations. This is how we evaluated the scoring system.
Factors we consider in the vetting process include:
It’s important to note that you may not meet with a licensed psychiatrist when using one of these services. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants can also prescribe medications for mental health conditions, so you may meet with one of those professionals instead.
What can I expect from online psychiatry?
Online psychiatry usually involves scheduling an appointment with a psychiatrist and meeting with them virtually via a desktop computer, laptop, or mobile device somewhere with a secure internet connection.
You’ll need to meet with a psychiatrist to be evaluated for medications before you can start using them. Meeting with a psychiatrist online can help you get treatment quickly and without needing to travel to a physical location, making appointments easier to schedule.
An online psychiatric appointment isn’t much different from an in-person one. You’ll likely be able to see, hear, and interact with your psychiatrist using a telehealth platform or app. Your psychiatrist will be able to:
Online psychiatry can be just as beneficial as in-person psychiatry, especially if you’re not able to make it to in-person appointments.
However, there are some possible downsides. You may have difficulty establishing a trusting relationship with your psychiatrist online, and you won’t be able to undergo other physical exams during your appointment.
How to choose the best online psychiatrist
When considering seeking the help of a psychiatrist, you might first want to consider why you’re looking for help. Some psychiatrists may provide general care, but some specialize in certain conditions, such as ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders.
Your primary care doctor may offer you suggestions for choosing a psychiatrist or even refer you to one in your area. If you’re looking for online services or a telehealth provider, the list above can be a good starting point.
Other factors to consider when picking the best online psychiatrist for you include insurance coverage, overall cost, and types of professionals.
If you don’t already have a therapist and you want to find one, this may be an important factor to consider. Therapists can work with psychiatrists to help create a plan of action for you.
Commitment level is also something to keep in mind. Certain online psychiatry platforms may require or offer a subscription. You may want to decide what level of commitment you’re looking for before signing up for anything. For example, are you already taking medications and looking to manage them, or are you interested in learning about your options?
Psychiatrist vs. therapist: What’s the difference?
Psychiatrists can prescribe medications and other treatments to manage more complex mental health issues. Psychologists, or therapists, can help you address symptoms through talk therapy by teaching you coping skills and offering behavioral changes.
Either mental health professional can offer guidance in terms of exploring any symptoms you’ve noticed, and they can help you take the necessary steps toward finding relief or treatment.
Who should sign up for online psychiatry?
Many people put off meeting with a psychiatrist out of fear or nervousness. If you’re not sure whether you should sign up for online psychiatry, consider your health history and any sudden changes in the way you feel physically and mentally.
“Individuals that are experiencing changes in their mood, sleep, and appetite, or have thoughts of harming themselves or other people, should consider seeing a psychiatrist,” explained Tamir S. Aldad, MD, psychiatrist and CEO of Mindful Care.
“If the patient feels that their symptoms are mild, starting with a therapist might be appropriate. Combining talk therapy with treatment involving medication has been shown to have better outcomes for some patients,” Aldad said.
Scheduling an online psychiatry appointment can also be a good fit if you need a psychiatric diagnosis, prescription medication, or a second opinion.
It’s important to listen to yourself and understand that some events may require the guidance of a professional to help you work through feelings or events in a healthy way.
Cost of psychiatry services
If your health insurance plan doesn’t cover psychiatry services or you can’t find an online platform in your network, platforms generally accept direct payment. Online platforms usually accept all the major debit and credit cards.
Otherwise, here are a couple other ways to pay for psychiatry services:
Alternatively, you may be able to receive reimbursement from your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) or set up a payment plan to pay over time.
Frequently asked questions about online psychiatry platforms
Can online psychiatrists prescribe medication?
A psychiatrist may prescribe medication, therapy, or both upon making a diagnosis.
However, on some service platforms, online psychiatrists may not be able to prescribe certain medications, such as stimulants and controlled substances. These categories include some drugs used to treat ADHD and panic attacks.
Traditionally, there have been limits to the types of medication that online medical professionals — including psychiatrists — can prescribe.
Some medications, such as controlled substances, typically require an in-person visit. But the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the Drug Enforcement Administration to loosen some of these rules.
Now, medical professionals can prescribe controlled substances without an in-person visit. But this may change in the future.
Medications an online psychiatrist may prescribe include:
A psychiatrist may prescribe medication, therapy, or both upon making a diagnosis.
However, on some service platforms, online psychiatrists may not be able to prescribe certain medications, such as stimulants and controlled substances. These categories include some drugs used to treat ADHD and panic attacks.
Traditionally, there have been limits to the types of medication that online medical professionals — including psychiatrists — can prescribe.
Some medications, such as controlled substances, typically require an in-person visit. But the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the Drug Enforcement Administration to loosen some of these rules.
Now, medical professionals can prescribe controlled substances without an in-person visit. But this may change in the future.
Medications an online psychiatrist may prescribe include:
Can my psychiatrist also do therapy?
Many people see a psychiatrist because they can
Posted : 2024-08-29 10:49
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