10 best online psychiatry services in 2025, according to mental health experts

Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: Not provided | States available: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Pennsylvania, Washington, Virginia, Georgia, Colorado, Oregon, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Kentucky, Florida, Ohio, Arizona, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Michigan and Washington, D.C. | Types of services offered: Individual and group therapy and medication management for adults

The stigma associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD) frequently prevents people from seeking the full range of treatments available. Although support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, can be helpful, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the first line of treatment for those with moderate to severe AUD. Despite its proven effectiveness, medication is vastly underused.

Monument is our top pick for AUD, as it aims to close this gap by offering MAT to those experiencing an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. In addition to its virtual support groups, forums and one-on-one therapy, you can meet with a practitioner to receive one of two medications shown to reduce alcohol consumption in those struggling with AUD. Furthermore, Monument doesn't take an all-or-nothing approach to alcohol. If you're aiming to simply cut back on your drinking rather than eliminate it, Monument will support you on that journey.

This wrap-around care distinguishes Monument from other providers, but that doesn't mean Monument is right for everyone. It doesn't offer treatment to those under 18, and it's unclear whether its providers are equipped to treat co-occurring disorders that often accompany AUD, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD or sleep disorders. While Monument accepts health insurance, if your insurance doesn't cover treatment, it's going to be expensive, with plans costing upwards of $249 per month.

Still, if you're struggling to reduce or stop your alcohol consumption, Monument's thorough treatment options could be what you need to succeed.

Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: About 24 hours | States available: All 50 states | Types of services offered: Individual therapy and psychiatry for teens (13+) to seniors

Brightside is our best overall option for online psychiatry due to its innovative approach to mental health treatment, focusing on efficiency and effectiveness. Research shows that 50% to 60% of individuals with depression have positive results from the first antidepressant they try. However, the remaining 40% to 50% often need multiple attempts to find the right medication, leading to delayed relief and significant emotional and financial strain. Brightside mitigates this trial-and-error process with advanced AI technology, increasing the chances of finding the right medication on the first attempt. Their AI predictor analyzes over 100 data points and evaluates over 1,000 medication combinations to predict the most effective treatment. Based on client data, this cutting-edge technology has led to 70% of Brightside’s patients finding an effective medication regimen on their first try.

In addition to its innovative medication management, Brightside uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is considered the "gold standard" of psychotherapy. CBT is proven to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health issues, from depression and anxiety to substance use disorders and psychosis, by helping people recognize and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.

Brightside also distinguishes itself by its willingness to work with clients experiencing more severe mental health conditions. While many online psychiatry platforms avoid clients at risk of self-harm, Brightside offers a Crisis Care treatment plan for those who are actively experiencing suicidal thoughts or who have recently attempted suicide. This approach uses the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) framework to combat self-harm, decrease suicide risk and improve the therapeutic relationship.

Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: Varies based on provider | States available: All 50 states | Types of services offered: Individual therapy for people 10 years and older; psychiatry for adults 18+

According to the 2024 State of Mental Health in America report, cost is a significant barrier to mental health care, with 1 in 4 adults who are experiencing mental distress unable to see a doctor because of financial restraints. However, our best low-cost online psychiatry option — LiveHealth Online — is breaking the mold by offering affordable access to psychiatric services.

The first psychiatry evaluation costs $185, with each follow-up a reasonable $80. The company also offers affordable talk therapy starting at $85 per session. If your psychiatrist recommends talk therapy, they can seamlessly refer you to a therapist within the same platform.

LiveHealth Online treats a broad range of mental health conditions including, but not limited to, depression, OCD and bipolar disorder. They offer flexible scheduling, allowing you to meet with your doctor when it's convenient for you.

Whether you're dealing with depression, OCD or bipolar disorder, LiveHealth Online provides flexible scheduling, making it easier for you to access the care you need. With insurance options available, this service is one of the most financially accessible ways to get the mental health support you deserve.

Cost: Varies based on insurance | Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: Within days | States available: 43 states and Washington, D.C. (Not available in Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico, North Dakota, Wyoming) | Types of services offered: Individual, couples and teen therapy; medication management, children (5+) to seniors

Talkiatry's approach to providing psychiatric care borders on revolutionary, and it's currently the most extensive psychiatric practice in the US, with over 300 care providers. It's our top option for families not only because they treat children as young as 5 but also because they prescribe controlled substances when necessary. This is important in the younger age group because psychostimulants are often used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which affects roughly 11% of children between the ages of 5 and 17. Talkiatry's ability to both treat and prescribe necessary medications to young people makes it an essential resource for families that need to address childhood mental health disorders.

Talkiatry only accepts patients with insurance, which makes it inaccessible for some, but it means the company is held to specific medical standards. Furthermore, finding a psychiatrist who accepts health insurance can be difficult, so having a platform where you know your insurance will be accepted is a clear benefit. According to psychiatrist Dr. Tzvi Furer of Palm Tree Psychiatry, "Many private psychiatrists do not accept health insurance due to mental health parity laws and reimbursement rates." This allows Talkiatry's payment model to fill a vital niche in mental healthcare accessibility.

One potential downside is that although Talkiatry offers talk therapy alongside psychiatric care, it is not their primary focus. As a result, there may be uncertainty around wait times for therapy referrals, and access to talk therapy is only available to patients using their psychiatry services.

Furthermore, only a few of Talkiatry's talk therapy providers specialize in children and adolescents, so you may have to seek out a separate platform or resource if you’re looking for a strong focus on counseling.

That said, if multiple members of your family are in need of psychiatric care, Talkiatry is a great starting point, especially since it's equipped to treat some of the youngest members of your household.

Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until the first appointment: Within 24-48 hours | States available: District of Columbia and all states except Vermont | Types of services offered: Individual, pediatric and family therapy, couples counseling, psychiatry

Thriveworks is our top choice for online psychiatry when it comes to anxiety and depression. Known for being one of the most comprehensive platforms, Thriveworks offers a broad spectrum of mental health services for individuals of all ages. This makes them particularly well-suited to address common issues like anxiety and depression, along with their effects on the whole family.

The reality is, a parent's mental health has a direct impact on their children, both physically and mentally. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children whose parents report poor mental health are also more likely to experience poor mental, physical and emotional health. This is compounded by an increased likelihood to experience trauma, divorce and poverty, all of which negatively affect general health.

Thriveworks addresses this by providing care for the entire family. For example, if you have depression, not only can you receive medication through the platform's psychiatry program and therapy from a counselor, but so can your newly diagnosed teenager. This can happen while you and your partner are in couples therapy to discuss the impact of your depression on the relationship. By providing care for the entire family, Thriveworks sets family units up for success, regardless of who is facing anxiety or depression.

Thriveworks is also unique in that it offers in-person services in addition to online treatment. This means if you're unsatisfied with in-person or online treatment, you can switch to the other format while remaining with the same organization.

Anxiety and depression are common mental health disorders that need proper treatment to help patients find relief. Thriveworks' broad range of services enables entire families to feel supported throughout the treatment journey.

Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: Varies based on provider | States available: All 50 states | Types of services offered: Individual therapy and psychiatry for ages 13 and up

When it comes to online psychiatry with insurance coverage, Teladoc is the clear frontrunner. With over 20 years of pioneering experience in telehealth, Teladoc has developed a reputation for offering accessible and reliable mental health care that’s affordable and flexible.

What sets Teladoc apart for insurance holders is its integration with most insurance plans, making it easy to get the care you need without the stress of out-of-pocket expenses or complicated reimbursement processes. Unlike subscription-based platforms, Teladoc operates on a pay-per-visit model, so you’re only paying for what you use — giving you the freedom to schedule appointments on your terms without long-term commitments. You can also choose your own provider, increasing your chances of finding someone who meets your needs from the get-go.

Because of Teladoc's emphasis on convenience, both talk therapy and psychiatric visits are scheduled through the same straightforward portal. The portal allows you to schedule an appointment any day of the week between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. — regardless of your timezone. This flexibility offers greater support for anyone needing to be seen urgently — you won't have to wait weeks or months for an appointment that works for your schedule.

One downside of Teladoc is that, as a telehealth provider focused on a wide range of mild health conditions, it may not be the best fit for those dealing with more severe symptoms or complex, less common diagnoses. In such cases, a platform specializing in mental health care could offer more tailored support.

Insurance Accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: One week | States available: All 50 states | Types of services offered: Individual talk therapy, couples therapy, individual teen therapy, psychiatry with medication management

Talkspace is our choice for therapy and medication management due to its comprehensive and flexible treatment approach. While its reputation is built on talk and message-based therapy, Talkspace also offers integrated medication management, making it a robust option for those seeking a full spectrum of mental health care.

By combining talk therapy with medication management, Talkspace ensures that you're not only addressing emotional well-being but also having your medication needs carefully managed by licensed professionals. This dual approach allows you to receive coordinated, optimized care.

The flexibility of Talkspace's subscription model is another advantage. You can easily adjust the balance between therapy and medication management based on your needs. You can also choose between the convenience of messaging therapy or regular video sessions. And should you find a medication regimen that works well for you, Talkspace allows you to scale back on therapy without completely eliminating it, offering the unique benefit of its continuing support on your own terms.

While Talkspace accepts insurance, out-of-pocket costs can be on the higher side. An initial psychiatry visit is $299, with follow-ups at $175. Therapy costs $69 weekly for messaging and $99 weekly for up to four 30-minute live virtual sessions per month, plus messaging.

Talkspace's flexibility, ability to combine medication and therapy and wide array of delivery methods make it ideal for anyone looking to manage their therapy and medication needs under one roof.

Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: Within a week | States available: All 50 states | Types of services offered: Individual therapy and psychiatry for children and adults

As the name suggests, Doctor on Demand —- our top choice for flexible scheduling — provides medical care where and when you need it most. Not only are psychiatrists available 7 days a week, but the appointments are short, making it easy to fit one into a busy schedule. The initial evaluation is only 45 minutes long, and each follow-up is only 15 minutes. 

While appointments may be on the short side, Doctor on Demand doesn't limit patient care to more common disorders such as anxiety and depression. Rather, they treat a full range of psychological illnesses — everything from postpartum depression and anxiety to PTSD, grief and loss. Doctors also specialize in diverse populations including the LGBTQ community. And because the platform offers psychiatry and therapy, your psychiatrist can refer you to an appropriate therapist based on your needs.

Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: Within a week | States available: All 50 states and Puerto Rico | Types of services offered: Individual therapy and psychiatry for children and adults

If you have an older child or an adolescent who needs psychiatric care, you’re not alone. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, nearly half of all teens have experienced a mental illness at some point in their lives. And while finding and accessing mental health care can be a challenge across all age groups, it’s especially difficult for minors, as not all providers want to serve those under 18. Fortunately, MDLive provides mental healthcare for children ages 10 and older, making it our favorite pick for online psychiatry for teens.

MDLive offers appointments 7 days a week and in the evenings, so you don't have to pull your child out of school for them to receive treatment. Furthermore, its providers specialize in issues that affect families, such as LGBTQ identity, divorce and parenting challenges. These issues affect children regardless of whether they’re directly experiencing them or other family members are at the center of the situation. MDLive provides psychiatry and talk therapy so that kids can receive all their mental healthcare from a single company.

Furthermore, MDLive offers other forms of healthcare, including primary care, urgent care and dermatology. If you’d like to receive most of your healthcare virtually, MDLive provides a wide range of services.

Insurance accepted: Yes | Time until first appointment: Varies by location. Ranges from same-day to 2 weeks | States available: All 50 states | Types of services offered: Individual, couples, family, psychiatry, talk therapy available to children 10+ and teens

Amwell is best for user-friendliness, thanks to its intuitive, seamless experience from start to finish. Even if tech isn't your thing, Amwell makes accessing mental health services a breeze.

One of Amwell's standout features is its simple, streamlined interface. Every step, from signing up to booking an appointment and attending sessions, is straightforward, with clear instructions and minimal confusion. With just a few clicks, you can browse available psychiatrists, select appointment times that work for you and connect to video consultations.

You can access care from your laptop or phone anywhere — at home, work or on the go. The mobile app is highly rated for its reliability, fast loading times and ease of use, making it simple to attend virtual appointments directly from your smartphone.

Other impressive features include the availability of same-day appointments, allowing you to get the help you need without long waits. You can also choose a therapist or psychologist based on specific factors such as geography, specialties and availability, ensuring you find the right fit.

Furthermore, Amwell accepts a wide variety of insurance providers, making it a practical option for those who want to use their existing coverage.