Psychiatrist online services continue to grow in popularity as more people seek mental health care from home. While online therapy works well for many, those who need medication or more advanced treatment often turn to online psychiatry. In 2025, several major providers stand out for affordability, access and quality.
To identify the best online psychiatry services of 2025, the Forbes Health editorial team evaluated 19 providers. The review included more than a dozen criteria, such as cost, insurance acceptance, medication options, ADHD services and provider network size. Internal testers also completed real therapy sessions to verify each platform’s usability.
Prices listed reflect the lowest available rates at the time of publication and may change.
Best Online Psychiatry Services of 2025
1.Cerebral
- Rating: 5.0
- Cost: $180 every three months (medication only); $365 per month (medication + therapy)
- Services: Medication management, individual therapy, couples therapy
- Formats: Video or phone sessions with messaging between visits
- Providers: 350
- Insurance: Accepts most insurance; does not accept Medicare
Cerebral ranks highly for its accessible treatment options, strong provider network and flexible communication features.
2.Sesame Care
- Rating: 4.8
- Cost: $65 per month for the Mental Health RX subscription (Costco members only); individual visits priced separately
- Services: Online therapy, online psychiatry, medication management
- Formats: Video sessions, optional messaging; some providers offer in-person care
- Providers: 10,000
- Insurance: Does not accept insurance or Medicare
Sesame Care offers strong affordability and a large provider network, making it especially appealing for people without insurance.
3.Brightside Health
- Rating: 4.1
- Cost: $95 per month (psychiatry + medication only); $349 per month (psychiatry, medication + therapy)
- Services: Psychiatry, therapy, teen care, crisis care
- Formats: Video sessions and unlimited messaging
- Providers: 1,500+
- Insurance: Accepts insurance and Medicare
Brightside provides structured psychiatric care with a focus on mood disorders and anxiety, using measurement-based treatment.
4.Talkspace
- Rating: 4.1
- Cost: $299 for the initial evaluation; $175 for follow-ups every three months
- Services: Psychiatry, medication management, individual and couples therapy
- Formats: Video psychiatry, video therapy and messaging
- Providers: 5,000
- Insurance: Accepts insurance and Medicare
Talkspace stands out for its large provider pool and strong insurance partnerships.
5.Doctor On Demand
- Rating: 3.9
- Cost: $299+ for the first visit; $129 for follow-ups
- Services: Online therapy, couples therapy, psychiatry and medication management
- Formats: Video and audio through app; limited messaging
- Providers: Not disclosed
- Insurance: Accepts insurance and Medicare
Doctor On Demand offers quick scheduling and broad service options within a user-friendly platform.
How the Rankings Were Made
Forbes Health surveyed 43 online mental health providers and collected additional data for more than 35 metrics. Rankings were based on three major scoring categories:
General score (35%) — platform features, provider network size, transparency, privacy, inclusivity, app quality and third-party ratings
Specific psychiatry score (55%) — consultation fees, insurance options, ADHD services, subscription features, Medicare acceptance, controlled-substance prescribing rules and medication services
Survey completion (10%) — extra points for transparency
Twelve internal testers also evaluated the top platforms through live sessions to confirm basic functionality and user experience.
What Is Online Psychiatry?
Psychiatry focuses on diagnosing and treating mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. Treatment may include medication, therapy or both. Online psychiatry delivers this care through virtual appointments and messaging. It can also involve advanced treatments, such as ketamine therapy or electroconvulsive therapy, depending on the provider.
Psychiatry vs. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy helps people explore emotions, behaviors and thought patterns. Psychiatry, by contrast, also includes medical evaluation and medication management. Many people benefit from using both approaches together. Psychiatrists are medical doctors and may provide therapy as well, but sessions are usually shorter and medically focused.
What to Look for in an Online Psychiatrist
Experts recommend checking four key areas:
Credentials and licensure — Ensure the psychiatrist is board-certified and licensed in your state.
Specialization — Some providers focus on areas like ADHD, child psychiatry or sports psychiatry.
Treatment approach — Find someone whose style matches your needs and preferences.
Platform security — The platform should be HIPAA-compliant and use secure communication.
Many patients also prefer psychiatrists who can offer in-person visits if needed.
Cost of Online Psychiatry
Costs vary widely.
Sesame’s subscription starts at $65 per month, while Doctor On Demand’s first visit costs $299. Initial evaluations are usually more expensive than follow-up medication visits. If treatment includes both therapy and psychiatry, monthly costs may increase.
Insurance and Medicare Coverage
Medicare Part B covers online psychiatric evaluations, typically paying 80% of the cost. Medication management usually falls under Medicare Part D. Many top-rated platforms accept private insurance, though users should always verify coverage before scheduling.
Medication and Online Psychiatry
Most online psychiatrists can prescribe common psychiatric medications like SSRIs. However, many are not authorized to prescribe controlled substances such as stimulants, benzodiazepines or opioids. None of the platforms on this list currently prescribe controlled substances.
Changes Expected in 2026
The Ryan Haight Act, which regulates online prescribing of controlled substances, may return to stricter rules in 2026. Emergency COVID-era flexibility, which allows virtual prescribing without an in-person visit, ends on December 31, 2025 unless extended. If reinstated, many patients may need an in-person evaluation before receiving controlled-substance prescriptions.
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