Best online clinics for Wegovy

The landscape of online mental health care has undergone dramatic changes in recent years. What started as a promising revolution in accessible psychiatric treatment has evolved into a more regulated, mature industry—one where quality and safety now matter as much as convenience.

If you’re exploring telehealth options for ADHD, anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions in 2025, you’re navigating a very different market than existed just three years ago. Some providers have shut down entirely. Others have drastically changed their prescribing policies. And new regulations continue to reshape how virtual psychiatry operates.

This comprehensive guide breaks down where the major telehealth mental health providers stand today, what medications they will (and won’t) prescribe, and how to find legitimate, effective care online.

The Rise and Fall of ‘Easy Access’ Telehealth Psychiatry

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated telehealth adoption dramatically. Emergency federal regulations allowed providers to prescribe controlled substances—including ADHD stimulants and anti-anxiety medications—via video visits without requiring an in-person examination.

For patients who had struggled for years to access psychiatric care, this felt revolutionary. Suddenly, you could see a provider within days instead of waiting months for an appointment.

But the rapid expansion came with significant growing pains. Some companies prioritized growth and convenience over clinical appropriateness. By 2022, federal regulators began investigating several telehealth startups for allegedly prescribing controlled substances too liberally and without adequate medical evaluation.

The most dramatic example: Done Global, an ADHD-focused telehealth company, saw its top executives criminally indicted in June 2024 for allegedly defrauding insurance programs and inappropriately distributing millions of doses of Adderall. The company had been processing ADHD evaluations in as little as 10 minutes and allegedly pressured providers to prescribe stimulants to maintain revenue targets.

Similarly, Ahead (HelloAhead) shut down operations in 2022 amid financial and operational challenges. And Cerebral, once valued at $4.8 billion, stopped prescribing stimulants for new ADHD patients in May 2022 after facing intense scrutiny from regulators and the media. The company later settled with federal authorities for $3.6 million over its past prescribing practices.

These shake-ups haven’t ended telehealth psychiatry—but they’ve fundamentally changed it. Today’s survivors operate with much stricter protocols, and the ‘prescription-on-demand’ model has largely disappeared.

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Who’s Still Standing: The Current Telehealth Mental Health Landscape

As of late 2025, the telehealth mental health market includes three distinct categories of providers:

Full-Service Psychiatric Telehealth

Talkiatry represents the gold standard in this category. The platform connects patients with board-certified psychiatrists who can diagnose and treat the full spectrum of mental health conditions—including prescribing controlled substances when clinically appropriate. Talkiatry accepts insurance in 43 states and has built a reputation for thorough evaluations and continuity of care.

The trade-off? Appointment availability can be limited, with wait times of 1-3 weeks for new patients in some markets. And the insurance-based model, while cost-effective for those with good coverage, can involve bureaucratic hassles around referrals and prior authorizations.

Specialized Mental Health Platforms

Brightside and the reconfigured Cerebral focus exclusively on depression, anxiety, PTSD, and related conditions. Both have pivoted to ‘conservative’ prescribing approaches—meaning they only offer non-controlled medications like SSRIs, SNRIs, and certain mood stabilizers.

Brightside explicitly states it will not diagnose or treat ADHD, nor prescribe any controlled substances including benzodiazepines or stimulants. This makes the platform a good fit for patients with straightforward depression or anxiety who prefer to avoid controlled medications entirely.

Both operate on subscription models ranging from $95-$365 per month depending on whether you need medication management only or combined therapy and medication services. Brightside has expanded insurance acceptance nationwide, while Cerebral accepts limited insurance plans and primarily serves cash-pay patients.

General Telehealth with Mental Health Services

The major multi-specialty telehealth platforms—Teladoc, MDLive, Amwell, and PlushCare—all offer mental health services alongside urgent care, dermatology, and primary care. These services are often included at low or no cost through employer health benefits or insurance plans.

However, all four have strict controlled substance exclusion policies. They won’t prescribe ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines for anxiety, or prescription sleep aids under any circumstances. Patients seeking treatment for these conditions will need to look elsewhere or obtain in-person care.

Hims & Hers (which acquired Ro’s mental health services) occupies a unique niche: the platform focuses on lifestyle and wellness conditions including anxiety, depression, hair loss, erectile dysfunction, and—increasingly—weight management. Like the others, Hims doesn’t prescribe controlled substances, but it has carved out a successful market serving patients who prefer straightforward, cash-pay services for common conditions.

The Medication Question: What Can You Actually Get Prescribed Online?

Understanding prescribing policies is crucial when choosing a telehealth provider. The differences between platforms are stark:

ADHD Stimulants (Schedule II Controlled Substances)

Who prescribes them: Talkiatry and other full-service psychiatric platforms where board-certified psychiatrists evaluate patients for ADHD.

Who doesn’t: Cerebral (stopped in May 2022), Brightside, Teladoc, MDLive, Amwell, PlushCare, and Hims/Hers all have explicit policies against prescribing Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, or other Schedule II stimulants via telehealth.

Why the restrictions: Federal law technically allows tele-prescribing of controlled substances under emergency COVID provisions (currently extended through December 2025), but many companies stopped this practice voluntarily after regulatory scrutiny. The DEA has signaled it may require an in-person visit before prescribing stimulants once the emergency provisions expire.

What this means for patients: If you need ADHD medication management, your options are limited to platforms like Talkiatry that employ psychiatrists and follow rigorous evaluation protocols. The days of getting stimulant prescriptions after brief video consultations are over.

Anti-Anxiety Benzodiazepines (Schedule IV)

Who prescribes them: Talkiatry and similar psychiatric specialty services may prescribe benzodiazepines like Xanax, Ativan, or Klonopin when clinically appropriate—typically for short-term use or specific anxiety disorders.

Who doesn’t: Cerebral, Brightside, Teladoc, PlushCare, MDLive, Amwell, and Hims/Hers all explicitly exclude benzodiazepines from their prescribing protocols.

Brightside’s FAQ states: ‘We do not prescribe controlled substances such as Xanax or Ativan.’ Cerebral similarly adopted a ‘conservative approach’ that avoids benzos entirely.

The alternative approach: Most telehealth platforms prefer to treat anxiety with non-controlled options: SSRIs (like Zoloft or Lexapro), SNRIs (like Effexor), buspirone, or hydroxyzine. These medications don’t carry addiction risk and can be highly effective for many patients—though they typically take 4-6 weeks to show full benefits, unlike the immediate relief benzos provide.

Sleep Medications

Who prescribes them: Again, full psychiatric services like Talkiatry may prescribe controlled sleep aids (Ambien, Lunesta, etc.) in limited circumstances.

Who doesn’t: Brightside, Teladoc, and Amwell all prohibit prescribing ‘Z-drugs’ via telehealth.

What’s available instead: Most platforms will prescribe non-controlled sleep aids including trazodone, doxepin (low-dose), certain antihistamines, or melatonin supplements. Many also emphasize cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) as the most effective long-term treatment.

Weight Loss Medications: The New Frontier

The explosive popularity of GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) for weight loss has opened an entirely new telehealth market.

Hims & Hers launched a comprehensive weight loss program featuring GLP-1 prescriptions in 2023, and it quickly became one of the company’s fastest-growing services. The platform can prescribe these medications because they’re not DEA-controlled substances—just standard prescription drugs requiring medical oversight.

PlushCare will also prescribe GLP-1s for clinically appropriate patients (those with obesity and related health conditions), treating it as a standard primary care prescription.

However, Teladoc explicitly excludes GLP-1s from its general telehealth prescribing, and Amwell only offers them in very limited circumstances. Traditional mental health platforms (Brightside, Cerebral, Talkiatry) don’t address weight management at all.

Regulatory note: The FDA issued warning letters in September 2025 to several telehealth companies including Hims & Hers regarding marketing of compounded (non-FDA-approved) versions of semaglutide. This hasn’t affected prescribing of legitimate, FDA-approved brand-name versions, but it signals ongoing regulatory scrutiny of this rapidly growing market.

Comparing Costs: What You’ll Actually Pay

Pricing varies dramatically across platforms and depends heavily on your insurance coverage:

Insurance-Based Care

Talkiatry works as an in-network provider for most major insurance plans. Patients with good coverage typically pay $30-$75 copays per visit. Without insurance, initial psychiatric evaluations cost around $250-$300, with follow-ups at approximately $150.

Brightside recently expanded insurance acceptance nationwide, potentially making it affordable for patients with mental health benefits. Copays vary by plan.

Teladoc, MDLive, and Amwell are often provided at no cost (or very low cost) through employer health benefits or insurance plans. Many patients don’t pay anything out-of-pocket for basic virtual visits.

Subscription Models

Cerebral: $99/month for medication management only, or $365/month for combined therapy and medication management. These are flat monthly fees regardless of how many times you actually meet with a provider.

Brightside: $95/month for psychiatry (medication management), or $349/month for psychiatry plus weekly therapy sessions.

The subscription challenge: Many patient reviews mention frustration with subscription pricing—being charged monthly even during periods when they don’t need appointments, or difficulty canceling service. The model works well if you need weekly therapy or frequent check-ins, but feels expensive if you only need quarterly medication follow-ups.

Pay-Per-Visit Models

PlushCare: $19.99/month membership fee plus $129 per visit. This à la carte approach means you only pay when you actually see a provider.

Hims & Hers: Plans starting at $85/month for anxiety/depression treatment, which includes medication and asynchronous provider messaging. Therapy sessions are available separately at $99 per session.

MDLive and Amwell: Around $79-$95 per visit for urgent care, with psychiatric visits running $100-$150 without insurance.

Where Klarity Health Fits

Klarity Health’s transparent pricing structure—typically around $149 for initial evaluations and $59 for follow-ups—falls in the moderate range for self-pay psychiatric care. For patients without insurance coverage or those with high deductibles, this represents significant savings compared to subscription models.

More importantly, Klarity’s pay-per-visit approach means you’re not locked into monthly charges during periods when you don’t need appointments. If your medication is stable and you only need quarterly check-ins, you’re not paying for three unused months of service.

Klarity also accepts both insurance and cash payment, giving patients flexibility based on their coverage situation—a key advantage when many platforms force an either/or choice.

What Patients Really Care About: Beyond Prescriptions and Pricing

Reviews across platforms reveal that patients evaluate telehealth mental health care on dimensions that go beyond just ‘can I get my medication’:

Provider Consistency and Quality

One of the most common complaints about Cerebral involves frequent provider turnover. Patients report being assigned different prescribers every few months, requiring them to re-explain their history and rebuild therapeutic relationships repeatedly.

Talkiatry earns praise for continuity—patients typically see the same psychiatrist for ongoing care. This matters enormously in mental health treatment, where the provider-patient relationship is therapeutic in itself.

Klarity emphasizes continuity of care, matching patients with dedicated providers rather than rotating them through different clinicians. This consistency allows for better outcomes and more personalized treatment adjustments over time.

Responsiveness and Support

Patients frequently cite frustrations with difficulty reaching providers between appointments on platforms like Done and Cerebral. Questions about side effects or concerns about symptoms would go unanswered for days—problematic when dealing with psychiatric medications that can require timely adjustments.

Platforms with strong patient satisfaction (Talkiatry, Brightside) offer robust messaging systems where patients can reach their care team within 24-48 hours for clinical questions.

Thoroughness of Evaluation

The Done investigation highlighted the danger of rushed evaluations—allegedly processing ADHD diagnoses in 10-minute video calls. Patients deserve comprehensive assessments that explore symptoms, rule out other conditions, and establish whether medication is genuinely appropriate.

Quality telehealth psychiatry should include:

• Detailed intake questionnaires about symptoms, history, and current functioning
• Initial video evaluations of 45-60 minutes minimum for diagnostic assessments
• Discussion of both medication and non-medication treatment options
• Clear informed consent about medication risks and benefits
• Appropriate follow-up frequency, especially when starting new medications

Klarity’s clinical protocols emphasize thorough evaluation—providers take time to understand each patient’s unique situation rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. This is especially important for conditions like ADHD, where symptoms can overlap with anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, or other issues requiring different treatment approaches.

Specialty Focus vs. Generalist Approach

Patients with specific conditions often feel underserved by generalist telehealth platforms. If you’re seeking ADHD treatment, a platform that explicitly says ‘we don’t diagnose or treat ADHD’ (like Brightside) or ‘we don’t prescribe any controlled substances’ (like Teladoc) simply can’t meet your needs—regardless of how convenient or affordable it is.

Klarity’s focused approach to conditions that other platforms avoid—including ADHD, insomnia with appropriate medication management, and complex anxiety requiring comprehensive treatment—fills a crucial gap in the market. Many patients end up at Klarity after trying general platforms and finding them unable to address their specific clinical needs.

Geographic Availability: Does It Matter in Telehealth?

Most major platforms now operate in all 50 states. However, state-specific licensing and regulations still create variation in what’s available where:

• Talkiatry operates in 43 states (notably excluding a few like Wyoming and the Dakotas where psychiatric licensing requirements make telehealth more complex)
• Cerebral, Brightside, Teladoc, MDLive, Amwell, PlushCare, and Hims/Hers all serve all 50 states
• Done previously operated in approximately 30 states but is effectively non-functional as of late 2024

State telehealth regulations also vary regarding:

• Whether a video visit ‘counts’ as establishing a provider-patient relationship (vs. requiring in-person)
• Specific controlled substance prescribing rules beyond federal DEA requirements
• Insurance network participation and reimbursement rules

For patients in California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois (the six most populous states), all major active platforms are available. The choice comes down to clinical needs, prescribing policies, and cost rather than geographic limitations.

Looking Ahead: What Changes Are Coming to Telehealth Psychiatry?

The telehealth mental health landscape continues evolving rapidly:

Regulatory Uncertainty Around Controlled Substances

The COVID emergency flexibilities allowing tele-prescribing of controlled substances are currently extended through December 2025—but their future beyond that date remains uncertain. The DEA has proposed rules that would require an in-person medical evaluation before prescribing stimulants or other Schedule II medications via telehealth.

If such rules take effect, platforms might need to:

• Partner with in-person clinic networks for initial evaluations
• Limit prescribing to patients who’ve had recent in-person medical exams
• Focus entirely on non-controlled medication options

Klarity is monitoring these regulatory developments closely and is prepared to adapt its clinical model to ensure patients maintain access to appropriate care regardless of rule changes. Options might include hybrid models combining telehealth follow-ups with occasional in-person touchpoints, or partnerships with local providers for the in-person component if required.

Industry Consolidation

The 2022-2024 period saw significant shake-ups including closures (Ahead), criminal prosecution (Done), and major compliance settlements (Cerebral). Industry analysts expect continued consolidation in 2025-2026 as:

• Struggling startups get acquired by larger healthcare companies
• Insurance companies build or buy telehealth capabilities
• Traditional health systems expand virtual care offerings

Patients benefit from this maturation through improved quality standards and integration with broader healthcare systems—but may lose some of the innovation and patient-first focus that characterized early-stage startups.

Expanded Conditions and Services

Forward-thinking platforms are expanding beyond traditional mental health into adjacent areas:

• Sleep medicine (comprehensive insomnia treatment beyond just prescribing sleep aids)
• PMDD and women’s mental health (recognizing the connection between hormones and mood)
• Binge eating disorder and related conditions (integrating mental health with nutrition and metabolic health)
• Integrated care for chronic conditions (recognizing that depression and anxiety often co-occur with diabetes, chronic pain, etc.)

Klarity’s inclusion of conditions like PMDD, binge eating disorder, and insomnia positions it ahead of competitors still focused narrowly on depression and anxiety. As patients increasingly seek comprehensive care rather than siloed treatment, this holistic approach becomes a significant competitive advantage.

Making the Right Choice for Your Situation

Choosing a telehealth mental health provider in 2025 requires matching your specific needs with the right platform:

If you need ADHD medication management:Your realistic options are full-service psychiatric telehealth like Talkiatry, or specialized platforms like Klarity that maintain appropriate prescribing capabilities with proper clinical oversight. General telehealth platforms and lifestyle-focused services won’t meet your needs.

If you’re primarily seeking therapy with possible medication:Consider subscription-based platforms like Brightside or Cerebral that bundle therapy and medication management. However, compare the all-in monthly cost against à la carte options—especially if you expect to need medication follow-ups only quarterly once stable.

If you have good insurance coverage:Talkiatry and similar in-network providers may offer the most cost-effective care. Just be prepared for potential wait times and some insurance-related administrative hassles.

If you’re self-paying or have high deductibles:Transparent, per-visit pricing models often deliver better value than subscriptions. Klarity’s straightforward pricing—$149 for comprehensive initial evaluations, $59 for follow-ups—means you know exactly what you’re paying and you’re not charged during months you don’t need appointments.

If you need comprehensive care for complex or multiple conditions:Look for platforms with psychiatric expertise and willingness to prescribe appropriate medications (both controlled and non-controlled) based on clinical need. The ‘conservative prescribing’ approach of some platforms, while avoiding risk, may leave you undertreated if you genuinely need controlled medications.

The Bottom Line: Quality Matters More Than Convenience

The rapid rise and dramatic fall of companies like Done teaches an important lesson: accessibility means nothing without quality and safety.

The future of telehealth mental health belongs to providers who can deliver:

• ✅ Thorough clinical evaluation rather than rubber-stamp prescribing
• ✅ Continuity of care with consistent providers who know your history
• ✅ Appropriate treatment including controlled medications when needed, but not over-prescribed
• ✅ Transparent pricing so you understand costs upfront
• ✅ Responsive support when questions or concerns arise
• ✅ Compliance with evolving regulations to ensure sustainable, legal operations

Klarity Health was built around these principles. As a specialized psychiatric telehealth platform, Klarity focuses on conditions that many competitors avoid—ADHD, insomnia, complex anxiety, PMDD, and others—while maintaining the clinical rigor and safety protocols that regulators and patients rightly demand.

Whether you choose Klarity or another provider, prioritize platforms that take mental health care seriously. Your wellbeing is too important to trust to services cutting corners on evaluation, shuffling you between providers, or prescribing inappropriately to maximize revenue.

The telehealth mental health revolution hasn’t ended—it’s just matured into something more responsible, more sustainable, and ultimately more helpful for patients who need it.

Take the Next Step Toward Better Mental Health

If you’re struggling with ADHD, anxiety, depression, insomnia, or other mental health conditions, Klarity Health offers the comprehensive, personalized care you deserve—with the convenience of telehealth and the quality of in-person psychiatry.

What makes Klarity different:

• Licensed providers in your state who specialize in adult psychiatry
• Same-day or next-day appointments in most cases—no months-long waiting
• Transparent pricing: $149 initial evaluation, $59 follow-ups (we accept insurance and HSA/FSA)
• Continuity of care with your dedicated provider
• Appropriate prescribing of both controlled and non-controlled medications based on clinical need
• Responsive support when questions arise between visits

Get started in three simple steps:

1. Complete a brief online assessment (5-10 minutes)
2. Schedule your video appointment at a time that works for you
3. Meet with your provider and begin your personalized treatment plan

👉 Visit Klarity Health to schedule your first appointment and experience mental health care that actually works for your life.

Sources and References

This article is based on verified information from the following sources, current as of January 4, 2026:

1. AP News – ‘Top executives of telehealth company charged in alleged fraud scheme’ (June 14, 2024): DOJ indictment of Done Global executives for controlled substance violations. Source

2. TIME Magazine – ‘Why Telehealth Startups Like Cerebral and Done Are Falling Short’ (November 1, 2022): Investigative journalism on Cerebral and Done prescribing practices; Ahead shutdown. Source

3. TechTarget Healthcare IT News – ‘Pushing ADHD telehealth prescriptions costs Cerebral millions’ (November 6, 2024): Cerebral settlement with federal authorities over prescribing practices. Source

4. Teladoc Health – Official prescription policy documentation: Controlled substance exclusion policies (updated 2023). Source

5. Brightside Health – Medication prescribing and pricing FAQs: Details on non-controlled substance policy and costs (updated 2025). Source and Pricing

📅 RESEARCH CURRENCY STATEMENT
Verified as of: January 4, 2026
Providers verified active: Cerebral, Brightside, Talkiatry, PlushCare, MDLive, Teladoc, Amwell, Hims/Hers
Providers with uncertain status: Done (legal issues; CEO/President indicted 2024), Ahead (shut down in 2022)
Key sources: 2024 DOJ press releases, 2025 industry news, official provider policies, competitor reviews and analyses

Source:

• https://www.techtarget.com/virtualhealthcare/news/366615298/Pushing-ADHD-telehealth-prescriptions-costs-Cerebral-millions#:~:text=Cerebral%20provides%20telehealth%20consultations%20for,from%20tiered%20monthly%20subscription%20plans
• https://finvsfin.com/hims-anxiety-reviews/#:~:text=Out%20of%20pocket%2C%20Hims%20will,99%20for%20each%20counseling%20session
• https://apnews.com/article/498cb907623565ee680b33b1367efb84#:~:text=Top%20executives%20of%20the%20California,executives%20of%20defrauding%20taxpayers%2C%20exacerbating
• https://time.com/6225361/telehealth-startups-cerebral-done-ahead/#:~:text=Halcyon%20Health%20and%20ADHD,Ahead%20shut%20down%20this%20year
• https://www.techtarget.com/virtualhealthcare/news/366615298/Pushing-ADHD-telehealth-prescriptions-costs-Cerebral-millions#:~:text=Embattled%20telemental%20healthcare%20provider%20Cerebral,unauthorized%20distribution%20of%20controlled%20substances
• https://apnews.com/article/9c08db3481dcfd67c433fad1ae07d941#:~:text=The%20FDA%20has%20launched%20its,originals%2C%20which%20the%20FDA%20disputes
• https://www.teladochealth.com/info/prescription-policy#:~:text=pressure%20medication,well%20as%20Teladoc%20Health%20policy
• https://www.brightside.com/faqs/what-medications-do-we-prescribe/#:~:text=Note%3A%20Brightside%20does%20not%20prescribe,controlled%20substance%20in%20some%20states
• https://time.com/6225361/telehealth-startups-cerebral-done-ahead/#:~:text=substance%20prescriptions%20from%20Cerebral%20and,substance%20medications
• https://h-o-m-e.org/does-cerebral-prescribe-xanax/#:~:text=Cerebral%20takes%20a%20conservative%20approach,such%20as%20Xanax%20or%20Ativan