Written by Klarity Editorial Team
Published: Jun 1, 2026

Finding the right mental health care can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re comparing different online providers, trying to understand what medications they prescribe, and figuring out which service actually accepts your insurance. If you’re researching telehealth options for ADHD, anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans now turn to virtual care for convenient, accessible treatment.
But not all telehealth platforms are created equal. Some have faced serious legal scrutiny for questionable prescribing practices, while others have shut down entirely. Meanwhile, new providers continue emerging with different approaches to care, pricing models, and medication policies.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the current landscape of mental health telehealth in 2026, comparing major providers across key factors: what conditions they treat, which medications they prescribe, where they operate, how much they cost, and whether they accept insurance. Whether you’re seeking ADHD treatment, anxiety management, or general psychiatric care, this article will help you make an informed decision.
The mental health telehealth industry has transformed dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic sparked its explosive growth. While virtual mental health care remains popular and effective, the industry has matured—and not always smoothly.
The Rise and Fall of ‘Quick-Script’ Platforms
Between 2020 and 2022, numerous startups promised easy access to mental health medications, particularly for ADHD. Companies like Done and Ahead marketed fast evaluations and quick prescriptions for controlled substances like Adderall. However, this convenience-first approach attracted regulatory scrutiny.
By 2024, Done Global faced federal criminal charges, with its CEO and president indicted for allegedly running a multi-million dollar scheme involving improper ADHD medication prescribing. The company effectively ceased operations, leaving thousands of patients scrambling for care. Ahead shut down in 2022 amid similar concerns about prescribing practices and financial sustainability.
Even industry leader Cerebral, which once served over 300,000 patients, stopped prescribing stimulant medications for new ADHD patients in May 2022. In 2024, Cerebral paid $3.6 million in fines and agreed to stricter compliance measures following investigations into its prescribing practices.
Why This Matters for Patients
These industry shakeups created uncertainty but also pushed providers toward more responsible, sustainable care models. Today’s telehealth landscape emphasizes:
For patients, this means you can now find more trustworthy options—but you also need to understand each provider’s specific policies and limitations.
Let’s examine how the leading platforms stack up across critical factors. This comparison includes both specialized mental health services and general telehealth providers that offer psychiatric care.
| Provider | Status | Conditions Covered | ADHD Stimulants? | Anti-Anxiety Meds? | Sleep Aids? | Weight Loss Meds? | States Served | Typical Pricing | Insurance? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cerebral | 🟡 Limited – Restructured after 2022 scrutiny | Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia, ADHD (non-stimulant only), Bipolar, PTSD | No (stopped new stimulant Rx in 2022) | No (no benzodiazepines) | No (no controlled sleep meds) | No | 50 states | $99/mo (medication management); $365/mo (therapy + medication) | Limited insurance accepted |
| Done | 🔴 Inactive – Federal prosecution | ADHD (was primary focus) | Yes (historically) | No | No | No | Previously 30+ states | $299 first month; $79/mo after | No (cash only) |
| Ahead | 🔴 Closed – Shut down 2022 | ADHD, Therapy | Yes (until closure) | No | No | No | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Brightside | 🟢 Active | Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, Insomnia – Does NOT diagnose or treat ADHD | No (explicit policy against stimulants) | No (no benzodiazepines) | No (no controlled sleep medications) | No | 50 states | $95/mo (medication only); $349/mo (therapy + medication) | Yes (many major insurers) |
| Talkiatry | 🟢 Active | Comprehensive psychiatry: ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar, OCD, PTSD, etc. | Yes (when clinically appropriate) | Yes (when medically necessary) | Yes (full prescribing authority) | No (mental health focus) | 43 states | $25-$400/visit (typically insurance copay; ~$250-300 self-pay initial evaluation) | Yes (in-network with major insurers) |
| PlushCare | 🟢 Active | Primary care + mild-to-moderate mental health | No (policy prohibits controlled ADHD medications) | No (no benzodiazepines) | No (no controlled sleep aids) | Yes (GLP-1s for qualified patients) | 50 states | $19.99/mo membership + $129/visit | Yes (most major insurers) |
| MDLive | 🟢 Active | Urgent care, primary care, therapy/psychiatry (depression, anxiety) | No (no stimulant prescriptions) | No (no benzodiazepines) | No | Limited (GLP-1s for diabetes, not weight loss) | 50 states | $0-$82/visit (typically covered by employers/insurance) | Yes (widely accepted) |
| Teladoc | 🟢 Active | Urgent care, primary care, mental health, dermatology | No (explicit policy against Adderall) | No (won’t prescribe Xanax or similar) | No (no Ambien or similar) | No (does not prescribe GLP-1 weight medications) | 50 states | $75-$95/visit (general); $200+ (initial psychiatry) | Yes (widely accepted) |
| Amwell | 🟢 Active | Urgent care, primary care, therapy/psychiatry, women’s health | No (cannot prescribe Adderall) | No (no benzodiazepines) | No (no controlled sleep medications) | Limited (possible for diabetes; not routine weight loss) | 50 states | ~$79-$99/visit | Yes (many major plans) |
| Hims/Hers | 🟢 Active | Anxiety, Depression, Hair Loss, ED, Skin Care, Weight Loss | No (no Schedule II stimulants) | No (no controlled substances) | No | Yes (GLP-1 weight loss programs) | 50 states + some international | $85/mo (medication plans); $99/session (therapy) | No (cash/HSA; some pharmacy insurance) |
One of the most critical differences between providers involves controlled substance prescribing—particularly for ADHD stimulants, anti-anxiety medications, and sleep aids. Here’s what you need to know:
ADHD Stimulant Medications (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse)
These Schedule II controlled substances face the strictest regulations. Currently, only Talkiatry among major telehealth platforms actively prescribes ADHD stimulants for new patients—and only through comprehensive psychiatric evaluations with licensed psychiatrists.
Most other providers either never offered stimulants or stopped prescribing them:
Why are providers so cautious? Federal regulations, DEA scrutiny, and the Done/Cerebral controversies made many platforms decide that the compliance risk outweighs the business opportunity. The Ryan Haight Act waiver (which temporarily allowed tele-prescribing of controlled substances during COVID) has been extended through December 2025, but its future beyond that remains uncertain.
Anti-Anxiety Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin)
Nearly all major telehealth providers refuse to prescribe benzodiazepines via virtual visits:
This conservative approach reflects concerns about dependence, withdrawal risks, and the challenge of monitoring patients remotely for signs of misuse.
Sleep Medications (Ambien, Lunesta)
These Schedule IV ‘Z-drugs’ are similarly restricted across most platforms. Providers typically offer non-controlled alternatives like trazodone, hydroxyzine, or mirtazapine for insomnia instead.
What This Means for You
If you genuinely need controlled medications for ADHD, severe anxiety, or insomnia, your best telehealth option is Talkiatry, which offers full psychiatric services through licensed psychiatrists. For other conditions or if you prefer non-controlled medications, platforms like Brightside (for depression/anxiety) or PlushCare (for broader primary care needs) may be appropriate.
Klarity Health bridges this gap by offering psychiatric care that includes appropriate prescribing of controlled medications when medically necessary—without the restrictive blanket policies of general telehealth platforms or the questionable practices of defunct ‘quick-script’ services. Our providers conduct thorough evaluations and create individualized treatment plans that may include therapy, non-controlled medications, or controlled substances when clinically appropriate.
Most major telehealth mental health providers now operate nationwide, but there are important exceptions.
| State | Cerebral | Done | Brightside | Talkiatry | PlushCare | MDLive | Teladoc | Amwell | Hims/Hers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Texas | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Florida | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| New York | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Pennsylvania | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Illinois | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Key Notes:
Why State Licensing Matters
Telehealth providers must employ clinicians licensed in your state of residence. This explains why some platforms have limitations—they haven’t yet recruited providers in every state. However, most established companies have achieved nationwide coverage as telehealth demand has grown.
For Klarity Health patients, we maintain a network of licensed providers across the United States, ensuring you can receive care regardless of where you live.
One of the biggest differences between providers is how they handle payment—and this dramatically affects your out-of-pocket costs.
Talkiatry, Brightside (partially), MDLive, Teladoc, and Amwell accept insurance from major carriers. This means:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Typical Costs with Insurance:
Cerebral, Done (formerly), Brightside (hybrid), PlushCare (hybrid), and Hims/Hers primarily operate on direct-pay models:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Typical Cash-Pay Costs:
Choose insurance-based care if:
Choose cash-pay care if:
Klarity Health offers both options: We accept many major insurance plans AND offer transparent cash-pay pricing ($149 for initial evaluations, $59 for follow-ups). This flexibility means you can choose the payment method that works best for your situation—and you’ll always know what you’ll pay before your appointment.
Understanding the true cost of mental health care requires looking beyond advertised prices to see what’s included and what’s extra.
Subscription Traps:Cerebral and Brightside require monthly subscriptions that continue charging even if you don’t schedule appointments. Multiple patients have reported difficulty canceling subscriptions, continuing charges after requesting cancellation, or being billed for months they didn’t use services.
Medication Costs:Almost no telehealth provider includes medication costs in their fees. You’ll pay separately at the pharmacy—and these costs vary dramatically:
Therapy vs. Medication Management:Many platforms advertise low prices for ‘medication management’ (brief check-ins with a prescriber) but charge significantly more if you want actual therapy. For example:
Scenario 1: Depression treatment with medication
Scenario 2: ADHD treatment (for those who can get stimulants)
These examples show that insurance-based care usually wins for frequent, ongoing treatment, while selective cash-pay services can be more affordable for occasional visits than subscription models.
Price and policies matter, but the quality of your actual care experience is paramount. Here’s what real patients report about major providers:
Talkiatry generally receives positive reviews for:
Common complaints include:
Brightside earns praise for:
Frustrations include:
Cerebral has struggled with reputation after 2022:
Hims/Hers receives varied feedback:
Done (before shutdown) had particularly negative reviews:
Based on patient experiences across platforms, the hallmarks of quality virtual mental health care include:
Klarity Health prioritizes these quality indicators by matching you with a dedicated provider who conducts thorough evaluations, creates personalized treatment plans, and remains available between appointments for questions or concerns. Our providers aren’t rushed through appointments or pressured to prescribe—they focus on finding the right treatment approach for your unique situation.
Some providers have expanded beyond standard anxiety and depression treatment to offer specialized services:
The explosion of GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) for weight loss created a new telehealth market in 2023-2025:
Important note: The FDA issued warnings in 2025 about telehealth companies marketing compounded (non-FDA-approved) versions of these medications. Ensure any weight loss program uses FDA-approved medications or clearly discloses the use of compounded alternatives.
With Done and Cerebral no longer prescribing stimulants, and Ahead shut down, patients seeking ADHD treatment via telehealth face limited options:
Post-traumatic stress disorder requires specialized expertise:
Most telehealth platforms serve adults (18+) only, but some have expanded:
Klarity Health focuses on adult mental health but can provide referrals to trusted providers for younger patients when needed.
The telehealth industry continues evolving rapidly, with significant regulatory developments affecting how providers operate:
During COVID-19, regulations were relaxed to allow prescribing controlled substances via telehealth without an initial in-person visit. This waiver has been repeatedly extended and currently runs through December 31, 2025.
What happens in 2026? The future remains uncertain. Congress may:
Why this matters to you: If the waiver expires, getting ADHD stimulants or anxiety medications via telehealth may become significantly more difficult or impossible in some states. Providers are preparing contingency plans, including partnerships with local clinics for required in-person visits.
The Done indictment represented the first criminal prosecution of telehealth executives for improper controlled substance prescribing. The DOJ’s message was clear: ‘convenience’ cannot override proper medical evaluation and prescribing standards.
Industry response: Providers have implemented:
Some states have enacted additional telehealth rules:
These state-by-state variations mean providers must maintain complex compliance systems—one reason some platforms don’t operate in all 50 states.
Choosing the right telehealth mental health provider depends on your specific needs, location, insurance situation, and the condition you’re treating.
If you need ADHD stimulant medication:Your realistic telehealth options are limited to:
If you’re treating depression or anxiety with non-controlled medications:Consider:
If you need both mental health care and other medical services:
If you’re concerned about cost:
If you want comprehensive psychiatric care:
Among all these options, Klarity Health occupies a unique position by addressing the main gaps left by other providers:
We offer ADHD treatment including stimulants when appropriate – Unlike PlushCare, Teladoc, or Brightside (which don’t), but with responsible prescribing unlike the defunct Done or troubled Cerebral.
We provide transparent, affordable pricing – Our per-visit model ($149 initial evaluation, $59 follow-ups, $25 medication refill requests) costs less annually than Cerebral or Brightside subscriptions, without locking you into monthly charges you may not use.
We accept both insurance AND cash pay – You choose what works best for your situation. Have insurance? Great, we’ll work with it. High deductible or no coverage? Our cash prices are competitive and clear upfront.
We prioritize quality over volume – Our providers conduct thorough evaluations (not rushed 10-minute assessments) and create individualized treatment plans. You’ll see the same provider for continuity of care.
We’re available nationwide – Unlike Talkiatry’s 43-state coverage, Klarity Health serves all 50 states with licensed providers.
We treat a comprehensive range of conditions – From ADHD and anxiety to depression, insomnia, PTSD, and even emerging areas like PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) and binge eating disorder—conditions that other platforms may not address or refer elsewhere.
Most importantly, Klarity Health operates in the ‘Goldilocks zone’ of telehealth mental health care: We’re neither a general platform that refuses to treat complex conditions nor a questionable service that over-prescribes. We provide legitimate, evidence-based psychiatric care that balances accessibility with responsibility.
Can I really get prescribed Adderall or other ADHD medications online?
It depends on the provider. Currently, Talkiatry and Klarity Health can prescribe ADHD stimulants after comprehensive evaluation by licensed psychiatric providers. Most other platforms (Teladoc, PlushCare, Brightside, etc.) have policies prohibiting stimulant prescriptions. The regulatory landscape may change in 2026 when the Ryan Haight Act waiver expires.
Why did Done and Cerebral stop prescribing ADHD medications?
Done faced federal criminal charges for allegedly misprescribing controlled substances without proper medical evaluation. Cerebral voluntarily stopped prescribing stimulants in 2022 under regulatory scrutiny and paid $3.6 million in fines for past practices. Both situations highlighted concerns about overly rapid prescribing without adequate patient evaluation.
Are telehealth mental health services as effective as in-person care?
Research shows telehealth psychiatry can be equally effective as in-person care for many conditions, particularly depression, anxiety, and medication management. Some situations still benefit from in-person treatment, including severe psychiatric emergencies, complex diagnostic evaluations, or when building initial therapeutic relationships. The key is finding a provider who conducts thorough assessments regardless of format.
Will my insurance cover telehealth mental health services?
Many insurance plans now cover telehealth mental health visits at the same rate as in-person appointments. Providers like Talkiatry, Teladoc, and MDLive are in-network with major insurers. Always verify your specific plan’s coverage—copays and deductibles apply just as they would for in-person psychiatry.
What’s the difference between a subscription model and per-visit pricing?
Subscription models (Cerebral, Brightside) charge a monthly fee whether or not you have appointments that month. They work well if you need frequent check-ins but can be wasteful if your needs are less regular. Per-visit pricing (Talkiatry, Klarity Health) means you only pay when you actually have an appointment, which typically costs less annually for stable patients.
Can telehealth providers prescribe medications for weight loss?
Some can. Hims/Hers and PlushCare prescribe GLP-1 medications (Wegovy, Ozempic) for weight management. Most mental health-focused platforms (Brightside, Cerebral, Talkiatry) do not offer weight loss services. Be cautious about providers offering compounded versions of these medications, as the FDA issued warnings about safety and legality concerns in 2025.
What happens if my telehealth provider can’t treat me?
Responsible providers will refer you to appropriate care. This might happen if you need in-person assessment for safety reasons, require treatments the platform doesn’t offer, or have conditions outside their scope of practice. Platforms focused on specific conditions (like Brightside, which doesn’t treat ADHD) should clearly communicate these limitations upfront.
Finding the right mental health care provider shouldn’t feel like navigating a maze. Whether you’re managing ADHD, working through anxiety or depression, or seeking help for another mental health concern, you deserve clear information and quality care.
Ready to get started with Klarity Health?
Our licensed psychiatric providers conduct thorough evaluations, create personalized treatment plans, and prescribe medications when appropriate—including controlled substances for ADHD, anxiety, and insomnia when medically indicated. You’ll see the same provider consistently for continuity of care, and we’re available via secure video visits at times that fit your schedule.
Schedule your confidential evaluation today and take the first step toward feeling better. Most patients are seen within days, not weeks—and you’ll always know exactly what you’ll pay before your appointment.
The information in this article is based on verified research and reporting from authoritative sources:
Associated Press – ‘Top executives of Done health charged in $100M Adderall scheme’ (June 14, 2024) apnews.com
TIME Magazine – ‘Why Online Therapy Startups Are Falling Short’ (November 1, 2022) time.com
TechTarget Healthcare IT News – ‘Pushing ADHD telehealth prescriptions costs Cerebral millions’ (November 6, 2024) www.techtarget.com
FinvsFin Consumer Health Reviews – ‘Hims Anxiety Treatment Review: Cost, Medications & Process’ (December 9, 2025) finvsfin.com
Associated Press – ‘FDA warns telehealth companies over weight-loss drug claims’ (September 16, 2025) apnews.com
This article was verified as accurate as of January 4, 2026, with information confirmed through provider websites, official policy pages, recent news reports, and DOJ press releases.
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