6 Best Online Psychiatrist Platforms of 2023

We researched the leading online psychiatrist services to help you choose the best online psychiatrist for your needs. We found that the best online psychiatry options include Brightside, ZocDoc, Sesame Care, and three more mentioned in this guide.
This content is researched and written independently of the views or opinions of Everyday Health's editorial team. Everyday Health may earn a commission from purchases of featured products in this article.

Best Online Psychiatrist Services at a Glance

Online psychiatrist platforms offer a convenient way to access board-certified psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs) who can evaluate and treat mental illnesses from the comfort of your home, office, or other private space. We’ve researched the most popular online psychiatrist platforms, compared features, looked at pricing and session types, and listed the pros and cons, so you can decide which platform is right for you.

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.

Our Picks for Best Online Psychiatry Services

  • Best Online Psychiatrist Service Overall: Brightside
  • Best Online Psychiatrist That Takes Insurance: Zocdoc
  • Best Online Psychiatry Platform for No Insurance: Sesame
  • Best Online Child Psychiatrist for Kids 10 and Up: MDLive
  • Best Budget-Friendly Online Psychiatry: LiveHealth Online
  • Best Online Psychiatrist App: Doctor on Demand

Compare the Best Online Psychiatry Platforms in 2023

Platform

Cost

Appointment Types

Availability

Accepts Insurance

Providers

Brightside

$95 per month for medication management; $349 per month for therapy plus medication

Video; unlimited messaging for medication plus therapy plan

Depends on the provider, but most are available days, nights, and weekends

Yes

Board-certified psychiatrists and psychiatric NPs

Zocdoc

Depends on the provider

Video

Depends on the provider, but most are available days, nights, and weekends

Yes

Board-certified psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants

Sesame

Depends on the provider

Video

Depends on the provider, but most are available days, nights, and weekends

No

Board-certified psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants

MDLive

$284 for the initial visit; $108 per follow-up visit

Video; telephone

Depends on the provider, but most are available days, nights, and weekends

Yes

Board-certified psychiatrists

LiveHealth Online

$175 for the initial evaluation; $75 per follow-up visit

Video

Depends on the provider, but most are available days, nights, and weekends

Yes

Board-certified psychiatrist

Doctor on Demand

$229 for the initial consultation; $129 per follow-up visit

Video

Depends on the provider, but most are available days, nights, and weekends

Yes

Board-certified psychiatrist

Best Online Psychiatrist Service Overall: Brightside

Cost $95 per month for medication management; $349 per month for therapy plus medication

Accepts insurance Yes

Session types Live video; unlimited messaging for medication plus therapy plan

Qualifications Board-certified psychiatrists and psychiatric NPs

Our experience When our reviews team tested Brightside, our tester found it easy to switch providers to find the right fit. They didn’t report any issues with the platform and liked that there were self-guided lessons for skill-building and reflection.

Pros

  • Optional medication plus therapy plan for comprehensive treatment
  • Proprietary technology helps providers personalize prescriptions
  • Offers an app for iOS devices
  • Has 45-minute online therapy sessions and 30-minute psychiatry sessions

Cons

  • Can be costly if you want medication plus therapy
  • Doesn’t offer an app for Android devices

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.

Signing up for psychiatry on Brightside, mobile screen recording
You can add therapy when signing up for a medication plan.

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)
  • Therapy Plan $299 per month ($249 for the first month); includes unlimited messaging and four monthly video sessions with a licensed therapist
  • Medication Plus Therapy $349 per month, which is $45 less than purchasing each plan alone ($249 for the initial month)

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.

Best Online Psychiatrist That Takes Insurance: Zocdoc

Cost Varies by provider

Accepts insurance Yes

Session types Live video

Qualifications Board-certified psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants

Our experience We found that booking appointments with providers is straightforward and easy on Zocdoc. Most providers accept insurance, and it was easy to find available video sessions using the search tool.

Pros

  • Supports more than 700 individual insurance plans
  • Can scan your insurance card to find your exact insurance plan
  • Can help find in-network providers with your insurance to save you the most money
  • Can find next-day appointments

Cons

  • No guarantee of an in-network provider match
  • Some 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.

Searching for a psychiatrist to refill a prescription on Zocdoc.
You can find a psychiatrist licensed in your state to refill a prescription on Zocdoc.

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.

Best Online Psychiatry Platform for No Insurance: Sesame Care

Cost Varies by provider

Accepts insurance No

Session types Live video

Qualifications Board-certified psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants

Our experience Our reviews team tester found it simple to book an appointment on Sesame in a few clicks. When they tried to reach customer service, however, they could only do so by submitting a contact form, as there were no agents available through the live chat.

Pros

  • Mental health consultations available starting at $42
  • Prescription refill appointments available starting $39
  • Some medications available for $5

Cons

  • Appointment prices vary by location and provider
  • Not 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.

Searching for online psychiatry sessions on Sesame.
Sesame shows providers’ availability, cost, and whether they can prescribe “$5 meds” through the platform.

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.

Best Online Child Psychiatrist for Kids 10 and Up: MDLive

Cost $284 for the initial visit; $108 per follow-up visit

Accepts insurance Yes

Session types Live video; telephone

Qualifications Board-certified psychiatrists

Pros

  • Available for ages 10 and up
  • Pay-as-you-go plan — no contract or monthly plan required

Cons

  • No home delivery for prescriptions
  • No 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.

Service selection menu on MDLive.
Parents can schedule an online psychiatrist appointment for their child after they create an MDLive profile for them.

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.

Best Budget-Friendly Online Psychiatry: LiveHealth Online

Cost $175 for the initial evaluation; $75 per follow-up visit

Accepts insurance Yes

Session types Live video

Qualifications Board-certified psychiatrist

Pros

  • Lower fees than other online psychiatrists
  • Ability to search for psychiatrists who are available nights and weekends

Cons

  • No home delivery for prescriptions
  • No 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.

A LiveHealth Online webpage explaining how its psychiatry services work.

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.

Best Online Psychiatrist App: Doctor on Demand

Cost $229 for the initial consultation; $129 per follow-up visit

Accepts insurance Yes

Session types Live video

Qualifications Board-certified psychiatrist

Pros

  • Highly rated by Apple and Google app store reviewers
  • May be able to see a psychiatrist on nights and weekends

Cons

  • One of the more costly online psychiatrist providers
  • No 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 Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot, reviews of the platform aren’t as favorable, with ratings of 1.22 and 1.5 respectively.

Choosing a mental health provider on the Doctor on Demand app.

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.

We Also Considered

Talkspace

Talkspace is an online therapy platform that provides individual therapy, couples therapy, and psychiatry. Users can connect to their psychiatry providers through live video sessions. Unlike its online therapy plans, Talkspace psychiatry sessions don’t come with unlimited messaging between patient and provider.

Talkspace psychiatry sessions can be helpful for individuals ages 18 and older looking for medication management. The Talkspace FAQ page states that its providers don’t prescribe controlled medications such as stimulants.

Talkspace has monthly subscription plans for online therapy, but psychiatry sessions are not subscription-based. You can purchase psychiatry sessions a la carte or in a bundle. Talkspace psychiatry sessions cost:

  • $249 for an initial psychiatry session
  • $125 for a follow-up session
  • $365 for an initial psychiatry session and one follow-up session
  • $565 for an initial psychiatry session and three follow-up sessions

Talkspace accepts some insurance plans. It has licensed psychiatrists and nurse practitioners providing psychiatry in all 50 states.

We reviewed the platform and its plans in detail in our Talkspace review.

What Is Online Psychiatry?

Online psychiatry, also called telepsychiatry, is a form of online therapy that connects users virtually to psychiatric professionals who can prescribe medications and help manage mental health care. Online psychiatrists generally offer video therapy sessions, phone consultations, email messaging, and text messaging communication.

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.

Psychiatrist vs. Psychologist vs. Therapist: What’s the Difference?

Psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists are all mental health professionals, but they have varying degrees of education and offer different types of care in their practices. Psychiatrists have the most advanced degrees and can prescribe medication, whereas psychologists and therapists cannot.

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.

What Conditions Can an Online Psychiatrist Treat?

An online psychiatrist can diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions, just like they can in person — from assessment and diagnosis to follow-up care, according to an article published in the World Journal of Psychiatry. This includes mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders, and substance abuse.

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).

Can Online Psychiatrists Prescribe Medication?

Yes, online psychiatrists can prescribe medications for the treatment of mental health conditions. Psychiatrists who are licensed in your state can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medications in person and online.

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.

Can Online Psychiatrists Prescribe Controlled Substances?

Yes, online psychiatrists can prescribe controlled substances for the treatment of mental health conditions, but many online psychiatry platforms do not.

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.

How Much Does an Online Psychiatrist Cost?

Online psychiatry services range in price from $75 to $300 per session. In general, the initial evaluation is more expensive and is a more comprehensive session than follow-ups. For example, MDLive charges $284 for the initial visit and $108 per follow-up visit. If your health insurance covers online psychiatry, this amount can sometimes go as low as $0.

Is Online Psychiatry Covered by Insurance?

Several telepsychiatry platforms accept health insurance, such as Brightside, Talkspace, and providers you can find through Zocdoc. Online psychiatry services publish a list of the carriers they work with on their websites.

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.

How to Choose an Online Psychiatrist

If you’ve decided to move forward with seeing an online psychiatrist, there are some important factors to consider when choosing the right platform and provider. For example, you’ll want to consider:

  • Cost of sessions and how it fits your budget
  • Whether you have a private area for sessions
  • Ability to change psychiatrists
  • Flexibility and accessibility for session times and days
  • Insurance benefits, if you’re using them
  • Online reviews, both positive and negative

Read our full guide to choosing an online therapy platform.

Benefits of Online Psychiatry vs In-Person

One of the main benefits of online psychiatry is that it makes care accessible to people who live in areas that have a limited number of psychiatrists. This promotes equality of access and a sense of empowerment among patients, according to research published in the World Journal of Psychiatry.

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.

What to Expect at Your First Online Psychiatrist Consultation

If you’re new to online psychiatry, you may have questions about what to expect at your first appointment. The good news is that most virtual platforms do a nice job of explaining the process and what to expect. The main focus during the first online psychiatric appointment among all platforms on our list is to cover health history and determine a plan for treatment.

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 them
  • How these behaviors affect work, school, and relationships
  • Any physical and mental health symptoms you’re experiencing
  • Personal 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.

Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online Psychiatrist

If you’ve decided to move forward with seeing an online psychiatrist, there are some important factors to consider when choosing the right platform and provider. For example, you’ll want to consider:

  • Cost of sessions and how it fits your budget
  • Whether you have a private area for sessions
  • Ability to change psychiatrists
  • Flexibility and accessibility for session times and days
  • Insurance benefits, if you’re using them
  • Online reviews, both positive and negative

How We Research and Evaluate Online Psychiatrists

Our reviews team extensively scrutinizes any service we research and recommend, including the online psychiatry space. We only recommend online psychiatry platforms we believe will make a difference for our readers.

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 make an informed approach to evaluating each online psychiatry platform.

We evaluated each company based on the session types they offer, whether or not they also offer online therapy, the credentials of their providers, their business reputation and reported customer satisfaction, the ease of registration, and how easy it is to use the service. More importantly, we considered the cost, payment options, and whether the company accepts insurance. We always try to recommend a range of choices for all budgets, with special consideration for lower budgets.

After our experts select the best online psychiatry platforms, a practicing and independent licensed mental health professional reviews our picks to ensure that every selection we recommend is appropriate for the users we identify.

Why Trust Our Online Psychiatrist Review

We independently investigate and recommend products and services we believe will enrich the lives of our readers and meet their specific needs. We’ve spent hundreds of hours carrying out in-depth research on the online therapy market. You can trust our review because we did the legwork for you in these specific ways:

  • Spent 292 hours personally testing video, audio, and chat therapy sessions on eight popular online therapy platforms
  • Mystery shopped each of the brands
  • Surveyed 200+ users of specific online therapy platforms, including BetterHelp, Brightside, and Talkspace
  • Contacted the brands’ customer service teams to ask questions and gauge responsiveness
  • Became customers of online therapy providers ourselves
  • Consulted six leading psychologists and psychiatrists
  • Read hundreds of verified customer reviews from trusted third parties such as the BBB and Trustpilot
  • Read thousands of academic articles and studies on the latest mental health research

The Bottom Line

Seeking help from an online psychiatrist can be a convenient and effective way to access mental health treatment and medication management. There are several telehealth and online mental health platforms but not all have psychiatrists, so check the fine print before signing up if you need medication management. All of the platforms included in this roundup allow you to request a provider who can prescribe psychiatric medications (e.g., a psychiatrist or psychiatric NP), which is noted in each section.

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.

In Emergency Situations

If you are in crisis, waiting for an online therapy appointment may not be safe. In case of an emergency, call 911. This includes plans to harm yourself or others. If you’re having suicidal thoughts, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Help is available 24/7.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, and social worker?

Psychiatrists have a medical degree followed by a postgraduate residency with a focus on the biological aspects of mental illness. Since they have a medical degree, they can prescribe medication. In contrast, psychologists have a graduate degree in psychology with a focus on human behavior, according to the APA. Social workers attend graduate school in social work and must have either a master’s in social work or a licensed clinical social worker degree. All these professionals must have a license granted by their profession in each state they practice in.

Is online psychiatry as effective as in-person psychiatry?

Whether online psychiatry is as effective as in-person psychiatry depends on several variables such as the mental health condition being treated, the psychiatrist and client relationship, and the number of sessions and treatment frequency. There are limited studies referencing telepsychiatry compared to in-person treatment, making it difficult to determine whether the two methods are equally successful in treating mental health conditions, according to a review published in September 2020 in The American Journal of Psychiatry. That said, the APA points to research showing that telepsychiatry and online therapy can be effective and increase access to care. Another review found that telepsychiatry is effective across multiple age groups and clinical settings.

Do I need a referral for an online psychiatrist?

None of the platforms on our list require a referral. If you’re using health insurance to help pay for psychiatry sessions or medication, check your insurance plan first to see whether they require a referral.

Are online psychiatrists legit?

Online psychiatrists are as legitimate and effective as in-person psychiatrists. Online psychiatrists are licensed by a state medical board, can diagnose a wide range of mental health conditions, and prescribe medication accordingly.

Can I see a psychiatrist online?

Yes, you can see a psychiatrist online. Telepsychiatry services like Brightside, ZocDoc, and Sesame Care offer online psychiatry services in much the same way an in-person psychiatrist does. Psychiatry services can include assessments, diagnoses, treatment planning, and medication management.

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