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These services offer access to a largenetwork ofpre-vetted, highly qualified psychiatrists, many of whom accept insurance.
Take a look at ouronline therapy methodology.
Easy-to-use platform
Appointments available 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. One thing we especially appreciated was Teladocs simple online scheduling system.
It was much more user-friendly than the ones at other online providers we looked at.
VERY WELL MIND / Amelia Manley
They were good listeners who offered thoughtful insight and actionable advice.
Despite this, the conversation was comfortable, and there were good observations that were helpful.
“Scheduling was simple and I was surprised at how quickly I was able to book something once registered.
Sign-up was extremely easy and straightforward.
Plus, evening and weekend appointments were much more limited than options during standard business hours.
But in general, we were able to schedule a visit with our providers of choice within a week.
Also, Teladoc does not treat psychosis, substance use, or eating disorders.
Overall, we were impressed with Monuments offerings and service model for AUD.
We love how uniqueMonumentis as a specialized telehealth platform for people with alcohol use disorder.
First of all, simply offering high-quality treatment online is a boon to patients with AUD.
For those concerned with the stigma, it may prove easier to seek care online.
They also cannot treat any co-occurring use of other substances.
Monument is also not available nationwide.
Brightside stood out among the competition for its focus on tracking patient progress to ensure improvement.
One thing we liked about Brightsides care model was that it offers coordinated psychiatry and psychotherapy services.
We were consistently impressed by the high quality of care we received at Brightside.
Not only did we find highly qualified providers, but they were also personable and warm.
“I live with anxiety and this year it was at its peak.
After having panic attacks for the first time, I finally decided to try therapy.
So far, therapy has been helpful and I’m glad I gave it a shot.”
Among the 82 companies we assessed, Talkiatry stood out for its ability to prescribe controlled substances.
Talkiatry also treats children as young as age 5, a rarity among online psychiatry providers.
Child psychiatry is another crucial care shortage area for mental health treatment.
What impressed us most was Talkiatrys long sessions.
Then we could select a provider from a list of those with availability or peruse suggested matches.
One area we had to investigate before recommending Talkiatrys medication management services was its record of responsible prescribing practices.
This is a particularly important concern when a service provides psychiatric care for young children.
Its not uncommon for telehealth companies to get into hot water for allegedly overprescribing certain psychiatric prescriptions.
In our survey, three-quarters of Talkiatry users reported having between two and four appointments before being prescribed medication.
“The app makes it very easy to access my account and access any messages my provider sends.
At Thriveworks, things are straightforward and simple.
Providers with specialized training in psychiatry are better equipped to diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe the appropriate medications.
As for psychiatry services, Thriveworks says most users can see a provider within seven days of signing up.
We found that provider availability for adult therapy was much more robust than for psychiatry or child/teen services.
With simple scheduling and acceptance of insurance, Doctor on Demand makes it easy to find affordable care quickly.
And we found that psychiatrist appointment openings were far more plentiful than therapy sessions.
This was helpful to have before we booked any appointments.
This wide appointment availability comes with caveats, of course.
We were also concerned that there was nothing denoting LGBTQIA+ ally or BIPOC cultural sensitivity on provider bios.
Explicitly designating themselves as culturally aware and/or queer-affirming is increasingly important for mental health providers.
After the initial $185 psychiatric intake appointment, follow-up visits with a psychiatrist are $80 each.
Even better, you dont need to pay a membership fee or pre-pay for a large bundle of sessions.
We assigned two people to test its mental health services, one from California and one from Ohio.
That means you could truly access care from just about anywhere.
It was clear that providers had experience and expertise in delivering mental health care online.
This is a special skill that we have discovered not all online providers possess.
We had a mix of good and not-so-good experiences with LiveHealth Online’s services.
In addition, the app was easy to navigate and the in-app sound and video quality were great.
The company states you should be able to find an appointment within 14 days.
The longer wait time likely reflects LiveHealth Onlines popularity with customers who appreciate the low cost of its services.
If paying out of pocket, the affordability and overall quality make LiveHealth Online worth the wait.
MDLIVE is an easy-to-use telehealth platform offering comprehensive mental health services.
MDLIVE asserts that its clinical data pipe is the largest in the nation.
Plus, the company is available in all 50 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico.
We were impressed by the providers experience levels and varying types of expertise.
Most providers had at least several years of experience.
it’s possible for you to choose your provider directly from an easy-to-navigate index when you register.
Most providers who treated us were equal parts helpful and compassionate, professional and approachable.
Among the downsides we discovered at MDLIVE were technical issues with video sessions.
We also had some difficulties putting in insurance and having scheduled appointments disappear, which was frustrating.
Another area of potential concern is whose interests the company prioritizes.
Cigna now owns MDLIVE and insurance companies are known to guard their bottom line above all else.
Like most telehealth services, MDLIVE does not prescribe controlled substances.
Online psychiatry services are typically not intended for people in severe distress or crisis.
What If I’m Having Thoughts of Harming Myself?
Online psychiatrists often cannot treat more severe mental health conditions or prescribe controlled substances.
For these services, in-person psychiatry would be necessary.
Are All Prescribers of Mental Health Medication Psychiatrists?
What Is the Difference Between Teletherapy and Telepsychiatry?
Teletherapyis a more general term referring to psychotherapy conducted remotely online.
How Do You Know Online Psychiatrists Are Qualified?
Do I Need to Currently Be Seeing a Psychiatrist to Receive Medication?
Sometimes if a medication is very stable, routine prescribing can be continued by a primary care provider instead.
Do Online Psychiatrists Accept Insurance?
This depends on the psychiatrist and the platform.
All of the telepsychiatry services listed in this roundup accept several health insurance plans.
University of Michigan School of Public Health: Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center.
American Psychiatric Association.What are anxiety disorders?.
American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?.
U.S Department of Health and Human Services.Protecting youth mental health: The Surgeon General’s Advisory.
Association of American Medical Colleges.A growing psychiatrist shortage and an enormous demand for mental health services.
Association of American Medical Colleges.Exploring barriers to mental health care in the U.S.
