Online Therapy That Takes Insurance

What separates the top picks for online therapy that takes insurance?

All four platforms on this page accept insurance, but they split on how you pay and who you see. Talkspace scores 8.3 and is in-network with most major insurers — our testers paid $0–$25 copays. Its cash price is $69, and video sessions run 30 or 45 minutes, not 50. Talkiatry scores 8.0 and has no cash option at all: you need qualifying insurance, and psychiatrists are employees with 60-minute intakes. Brightside Health also scores 8.0, with a $299 cash price, weekly video sessions only, and symptom tracking every session. Amwell scores 7.4 at $109 per visit, with no subscription and no messaging between visits.

What should you check before buying?

Insurance and cost carry 25 of the scoring weight, so start there. Confirm your plan is accepted before you book — Talkiatry turns you away without qualifying coverage, and Amwell's per-visit price is high without insurance. Therapist quality and matching is weighted 30, the largest single factor, so ask how switching works. Access and flexibility (20) covers session length and format: Talkspace's 30 or 45-minute video sessions and Brightside's video-only model both limit how you meet. Privacy is 15, and tools 10 — Brightside's measurement-based tracking is the clearest example of the tools category in this group.

• Check in-network status first, then the copay.
• Decide whether you want messaging between sessions — Talkspace has it, Amwell does not.
• Ask about session length and whether phone is an option.
• If you need psychiatry, Talkspace, Talkiatry and Brightside all offer it.

Talkspace

Best for people who want therapy, psychiatry and teen therapy under one account, with daily message replies between sessions. The $69 cash price is high if you only want messaging.

Talkiatry

Best for psychiatry-first care with 60-minute intakes and employed psychiatrists. Expect about a week to the first appointment in our tests, and no cash route.

Brightside Health

Best for anxiety and depression care with symptom tracking every session and coordinated psychiatry. Not built for couples or general life coaching.

Amwell

Best for a one-off visit without a subscription — book and pay per visit, on the same platform as urgent care.

Talkspace suits anyone who wants therapy, psychiatry and messaging in one account with insurance covering most of the bill. Talkiatry is for psychiatry-first patients with qualifying coverage, and Brightside Health fits anxiety or depression care where you want progress measured each session. Amwell works when you want a single visit without a subscription.