Top telehealth providers for Prozac compared

Finding the right mental health support has never been more important—or more complex. The telehealth landscape has transformed dramatically over the past few years, with some providers expanding their services while others have shut down or faced serious legal challenges. If you’re considering online mental health care in 2025, understanding which platforms are still operating, what medications they prescribe, and how they compare can save you time, money, and frustration.

This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about today’s top telehealth mental health providers, from ADHD treatment to anxiety management, and helps you make an informed decision about your care.

The Telehealth Mental Health Landscape: What Changed in 2024-2025?

The mental health telehealth industry has undergone significant upheaval. What was once a rapidly expanding market filled with promise has matured into a more cautious, regulated space where patient safety and quality care take precedence over convenience alone.

Major industry shifts include:

• Done Global faced federal prosecution in June 2024, with top executives indicted for allegedly overprescribing ADHD medications and defrauding government healthcare programs
• Cerebral paid $3.6 million in penalties and stopped prescribing stimulants for new ADHD patients in May 2022 after regulatory scrutiny
• Ahead completely shut down in 2022, leaving thousands of patients scrambling for alternative care
• Stricter prescribing policies became standard across the industry, with most general telehealth platforms refusing to prescribe controlled substances entirely
• The COVID-era prescribing flexibilities for controlled substances were extended through December 2025, but the future remains uncertain

These changes mean patients now face a more fragmented landscape where not all providers can treat all conditions—particularly ADHD, anxiety disorders requiring controlled medications, and insomnia.

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Who’s Still Operating? A Complete Provider Comparison

Understanding which platforms are active, what they treat, and what they can prescribe is crucial for finding the right fit for your needs.

Full-Service Psychiatric Telehealth

Talkiatry remains one of the most comprehensive options for serious mental health concerns. Unlike direct-to-consumer apps, Talkiatry employs fully licensed psychiatrists who can diagnose and treat the full spectrum of mental health conditions, including prescribing controlled substances when medically appropriate.

• Conditions treated: ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, and more
• Prescribing capabilities: Can prescribe stimulants, benzodiazepines, and other controlled medications
• Coverage: 43 states
• Insurance: Accepts most major insurance plans
• Cost: Typically $25-$400 per visit depending on insurance; $250-300 for initial evaluations without insurance

Talkiatry’s strength lies in its medical rigor and insurance integration, though some patients report longer wait times for initial appointments (1-3 weeks) and occasional provider changes due to network adjustments.

Specialized Mental Health Platforms

Brightside focuses exclusively on depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and insomnia—but explicitly does not treat ADHD. The platform takes a conservative medication approach, refusing to prescribe any controlled substances.

• Conditions treated: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, insomnia (NO ADHD)
• Prescribing policy: Only non-controlled medications; no stimulants, benzodiazepines, or sleep aids like Ambien
• Coverage: All 50 states
• Insurance: Accepts many major insurance plans nationwide
• Cost: $95/month for medication management; $349/month for therapy plus medication

Brightside works well for patients seeking straightforward depression or anxiety treatment with SSRIs or similar medications, but it’s not suitable for those needing ADHD care or controlled anxiety medications.

Cerebral has dramatically scaled back operations after 2022’s regulatory challenges. While still operational, the platform now takes an extremely conservative approach to prescribing.

• Current status: Limited operations; refocused business model
• Conditions treated: Depression, anxiety, insomnia (ADHD patients receive non-stimulant options only)
• Prescribing policy: No new stimulant prescriptions since May 2022; no benzodiazepines; no controlled sleep medications
• Coverage: All 50 states
• Insurance: Limited insurance acceptance
• Cost: $99/month for medication management; $365/month for therapy plus medication

Existing ADHD patients on stimulants were gradually transitioned to alternative providers or medications. The platform’s rocky history and subscription model (which some users find difficult to cancel) make it a less attractive option compared to newer alternatives.

General Telehealth Giants

Teladoc, MDLive, and Amwell serve millions of patients for urgent care, primary care, and basic mental health needs. However, all three have strict policies against prescribing controlled substances via telehealth.

Common limitations across all three:

• No ADHD stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin, etc.)
• No benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin)
• No controlled sleep medications (Ambien, Lunesta)
• Focus on SSRIs, SNRIs, and other non-controlled psychiatric medications

These platforms excel at treating mild to moderate depression and anxiety with standard antidepressants, providing therapy referrals, and handling non-controlled medication refills. They’re often covered fully by employer health plans, making them cost-effective for basic needs. However, patients with ADHD, treatment-resistant anxiety, or insomnia requiring sleep aids will need to seek specialized psychiatric care elsewhere.

PlushCare offers primary care with mental health services but maintains similarly strict policies:

• No controlled ADHD medications
• No benzodiazepines
• No controlled sleep aids
• DOES prescribe GLP-1 medications for weight management when medically appropriate

PlushCare stands out for integrated primary care alongside mental health treatment, making it suitable for patients managing multiple health concerns with one provider.

Lifestyle and Wellness Platforms

Hims & Hers has carved out a unique niche focusing on lifestyle wellness, including mental health, hair loss, sexual health, and weight management.

• Mental health approach: Anxiety and depression treatment with non-controlled medications only
• Unique offering: Robust GLP-1 weight loss program (Wegovy, Ozempic)
• Coverage: All 50 states plus some international markets
• Insurance: Cash-pay only (HSA/FSA eligible)
• Cost: $85/month for mental health medication management; $99 per therapy session

Hims & Hers doesn’t prescribe controlled substances but excels at providing accessible care for common concerns like mild anxiety or depression, while also addressing related health goals like weight management that traditional mental health platforms ignore.

What About ADHD Treatment? Your Options Are Limited

The ADHD telehealth landscape changed dramatically after regulatory crackdowns in 2022-2024. Here’s what you need to know:

Providers That Can Still Prescribe Stimulants:

• Talkiatry: Full psychiatric evaluations with licensed psychiatrists who can prescribe when appropriate
• Some in-network psychiatrists: Available through insurance-based telehealth networks

Providers That Cannot or Will Not:

• Cerebral (stopped in May 2022)
• Brightside (never offered ADHD treatment)
• Teladoc, MDLive, Amwell (policy prohibits)
• PlushCare (policy prohibits)
• Hims & Hers (policy prohibits)
• Done (effectively shut down; under federal investigation)
• Ahead (closed in 2022)

The reality: If you need ADHD medication management via telehealth in 2025, your viable options are primarily insurance-based psychiatric services like Talkiatry or regional telepsychiatry networks. The direct-to-consumer ‘easy ADHD meds’ era has ended due to widespread abuse and regulatory intervention.

What about non-stimulant ADHD medications? Some platforms will prescribe Strattera (atomoxetine), Qelbree (viloxazine), or Intuniv (guanfacine)—non-controlled ADHD medications. However, these are generally less effective than stimulants for many patients and come with their own side effect profiles.

Understanding Medication Restrictions Across Platforms

The dramatic differences in prescribing policies stem from a combination of federal regulations, state laws, corporate risk management, and the fallout from Done and Cerebral’s legal troubles.

Why Most Platforms Won’t Prescribe Controlled Substances

The Ryan Haight Act normally requires an in-person medical evaluation before prescribing controlled substances. During COVID-19, the DEA granted temporary flexibilities allowing tele-prescribing without in-person visits. This waiver has been extended through December 2025, but its future is uncertain.

This uncertainty has made many telehealth companies risk-averse. Rather than potentially violating federal law if the waiver ends, they’ve simply prohibited controlled substance prescribing altogether.

Business liability concerns also play a role. After Done’s executives were criminally charged and Cerebral paid millions in penalties, many platforms decided that avoiding controlled substances entirely was safer than implementing rigorous prescribing safeguards.

The Problem This Creates for Patients

Millions of Americans legitimately need medications like:

• Stimulants for ADHD (when other treatments haven’t worked)
• Benzodiazepines for anxiety (especially for panic disorder or acute anxiety episodes)
• Sleep medications (for chronic insomnia when CBT-I and other approaches fail)

The one-size-fits-all ‘no controlled substances’ policies leave these patients with few options: seek in-person psychiatry (often with months-long wait lists), try platforms like Talkiatry that still prescribe responsibly, or go without needed treatment.

How Klarity Health Fits Into Today’s Landscape

Understanding the gaps in the current telehealth market reveals where platforms like Klarity Health can provide genuine value.

What Sets Klarity Apart:

Responsible controlled substance prescribing: Unlike general telehealth platforms that refuse all controlled medications, Klarity providers can prescribe stimulants, benzodiazepines, and other controlled substances when medically appropriate—following proper evaluation protocols and ongoing monitoring.

No subscription required: While competitors like Cerebral and Brightside lock patients into monthly subscriptions (often $99-$365/month), Klarity uses straightforward per-visit pricing. You pay for what you need, when you need it.

Fast appointment availability: Where insurance-based platforms like Talkiatry may have 1-3 week waits, Klarity typically offers appointments within days, addressing the urgency many people feel when seeking mental health care.

Dual insurance and cash-pay options: Klarity accepts many insurance plans while also offering transparent cash-pay rates, giving patients flexibility based on their coverage and financial situation.

Comprehensive condition coverage: From ADHD and anxiety to insomnia, PMDD, and binge eating disorder, Klarity treats conditions that other platforms either won’t touch or require multiple separate services to address.

The Value Proposition

Think of Klarity as occupying the middle ground between Done’s reckless over-prescribing (which rightfully drew regulatory action) and Teladoc’s overly cautious refusal to prescribe anything controlled (which leaves many patients underserved).

For patients who:

• Need ADHD medication but can’t get into in-person psychiatry for months
• Require occasional benzodiazepines for panic disorder
• Have tried multiple SSRIs without success and need comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
• Want therapy plus medication management in one place
• Prefer transparent pricing over confusing subscription models

Klarity offers:

• Licensed psychiatric providers with prescribing authority
• Evidence-based treatment following clinical guidelines
• Regular follow-ups and medication monitoring
• Responsive customer support
• Clear pricing (typically $149 for initial evaluations, $59 for follow-ups)

State-by-State Availability: Where Can You Get Care?

Most major telehealth platforms now operate nationwide or near-nationwide, but some restrictions remain:

California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois

All currently operating platforms discussed in this guide serve these six high-population states:

• Cerebral ✓
• Brightside ✓
• Talkiatry ✓
• PlushCare ✓
• MDLive ✓
• Teladoc ✓
• Amwell ✓
• Hims & Hers ✓
• Klarity Health ✓

Talkiatry’s Limited Reach

Talkiatry operates in 43 states but notably excludes some smaller markets. Check their website for current coverage in your state.

Done and Ahead

These platforms are no longer operating anywhere:

• Done: Under federal indictment; not accepting new patients
• Ahead: Ceased operations in 2022

Cost Comparison: What Will You Actually Pay?

Understanding the true cost of telehealth mental health services requires looking beyond advertised prices to consider insurance coverage, subscription commitments, and medication costs.

Subscription Model Platforms

Cerebral:

• Medication management: $99/month
• Therapy + medication: $365/month
• Hidden cost: Difficult cancellation process reported by users

Brightside:

• Medication only: $95/month
• Therapy + medication: $349/month
• Advantage: Wide insurance acceptance may reduce costs

Hims & Hers:

• Mental health medication: $85/month
• Therapy sessions: $99 each
• Note: Cash-only, no insurance

Pay-Per-Visit Platforms

Talkiatry:

• With insurance: $25-50 copay typically
• Without insurance: $250-300 initial; $150 follow-ups
• Advantage: Often fully covered by insurance

PlushCare:

• Membership: $19.99/month
• Visits: $129 each
• Total: ~$150-170/month with monthly visits

General Telehealth (Teladoc, MDLive, Amwell):

• Often $0 with employer-sponsored insurance
• Self-pay: $75-120 per visit
• Limitation: Won’t treat many conditions

Klarity Health:

• Initial evaluation: $149
• Follow-up visits: $59
• Medication refills: $25
• Advantage: Pay only when you have appointments; accepts insurance or cash

The Real Cost Analysis

For ongoing monthly care, subscription models may seem convenient, but consider:

Three-month cost comparison (assuming monthly check-ins):

For stable patients needing quarterly check-ins:

The flexibility of pay-per-visit pricing becomes especially valuable for patients whose needs vary month-to-month or who achieve stability and need less frequent monitoring.

Insurance: Who Takes What?

Widely Accepted:

• Talkiatry: In-network with most major insurers
• Brightside: Nationwide insurance acceptance
• Teladoc, MDLive, Amwell: Accepted by most employer plans and major insurers
• PlushCare: Accepts most insurance
• Klarity Health: Accepts many major insurance plans plus cash-pay

Limited or No Insurance:

• Cerebral: Limited insurance acceptance
• Hims & Hers: Cash-pay only (HSA/FSA eligible)

Insurance tip: Even with ‘in-network’ telehealth, verify your specific plan’s coverage for psychiatry or therapy services. Some plans cover medical telehealth fully but apply different rules for mental health care, requiring copays or coinsurance.

What Can Each Platform Actually Treat?

Comprehensive Mental Health Care:

• Talkiatry: Depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, schizophrenia, and more
• Klarity Health: ADHD, anxiety, depression, insomnia, PTSD, OCD, PMDD, binge eating disorder, low testosterone

Limited Mental Health Focus:

• Brightside: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, insomnia only (no ADHD)
• Cerebral: Depression, anxiety, insomnia, bipolar disorder (ADHD without stimulants)

Basic Mental Health Within General Care:

• Teladoc, MDLive, Amwell: Mild-moderate depression and anxiety primarily
• PlushCare: Depression, anxiety, some adjustment disorders

Lifestyle + Mental Health:

• Hims & Hers: Anxiety, depression, plus hair loss, ED, skincare, weight loss

Red Flags: What the Industry Shakeout Teaches Us

The collapse of Done and scaling back of Cerebral offer important lessons for patients evaluating telehealth providers:

Warning Signs of Problematic Platforms:

1. Guaranteed medication promises (‘Get your ADHD medication prescribed today!’)
2. Extremely short evaluation times (10-minute visits for complex conditions)
3. Pressure to maintain subscriptions or difficult cancellation processes
4. Lack of provider continuity (seeing different prescribers each visit)
5. Minimal follow-up or medication monitoring
6. Advertising that emphasizes medication access over comprehensive treatment

What Quality Care Looks Like:

1. Thorough initial evaluations (30-60 minutes for psychiatric assessments)
2. Treatment plans that include therapy, lifestyle changes, and medication when appropriate
3. Regular monitoring especially for controlled substances
4. Easy communication with your provider between visits
5. Transparent policies about what they will and won’t prescribe
6. Clear pricing without hidden fees or difficult cancellation

Done’s alleged practice of pressuring providers to prescribe to meet quotas and conducting cursory evaluations represents exactly what patients should avoid. The company’s downfall—with executives facing criminal charges—validates concerns about platforms prioritizing growth over patient safety.

The Future of Telehealth Mental Health Care

Regulatory Changes on the Horizon

The extension of COVID-era prescribing flexibilities through December 2025 provides temporary certainty, but the long-term future remains unclear. Potential scenarios include:

Full return to pre-COVID rules: Requiring in-person visits before prescribing controlled substances would devastate current telehealth models and force hybrid approaches.

Permanent modified flexibilities: Allowing tele-prescribing of some controlled substances (like ADHD medications) with enhanced safeguards, while requiring in-person visits for higher-risk drugs.

State-by-state variations: Some states may allow broader telehealth prescribing than federal baseline.

Industry Trends to Watch

Consolidation continues: Expect more mergers between telehealth platforms and traditional healthcare systems. CVS, Optum, and other healthcare giants are acquiring or partnering with telehealth startups.

Integration with in-person care: Hybrid models combining video visits with occasional in-person check-ups will likely become standard, especially for patients on controlled substances.

Expanded scope: Mental health platforms increasingly address related conditions like weight management, metabolic health, and sleep disorders as patients seek comprehensive wellness solutions rather than single-condition treatment.

AI-assisted care: Some platforms are experimenting with AI-supported triage, symptom tracking, and treatment recommendations (though prescribing decisions still require human clinicians).

Making Your Decision: Which Platform Is Right for You?

Choose Talkiatry if:

• You have complex mental health needs requiring full psychiatric care
• You have good insurance coverage and prefer in-network providers
• You need a psychiatrist who can prescribe any appropriate medication
• You’re comfortable with potential wait times for appointments

Choose Brightside if:

• You have straightforward depression or anxiety
• You prefer non-controlled medications only
• You want integrated therapy and medication management
• You have insurance they accept

Choose Teladoc, MDLive, or Amwell if:

• You have mild depression or anxiety
• You’re comfortable with SSRIs or similar non-controlled medications
• Your employer provides telehealth coverage
• You need occasional check-ins for stable conditions

Choose Hims & Hers if:

• You have mild mental health concerns plus other wellness goals (weight loss, hair loss, etc.)
• You prefer a modern, app-based experience
• You’re paying cash and want simple pricing
• You don’t need controlled substances

Choose Klarity Health if:

• You need ADHD treatment with possible stimulant medication
• You require occasional benzodiazepines for anxiety or panic disorder
• You want psychiatric care without committing to expensive subscriptions
• You need fast appointment availability (days, not weeks)
• You value transparent pricing with insurance or cash-pay options
• You prefer seeing the same provider consistently
• You have conditions like insomnia, PMDD, or binge eating that other platforms don’t address

Klarity’s approach balances accessibility with responsibility—offering comprehensive psychiatric care including controlled substances when appropriate, without the rushed, quota-driven problems that brought down Done or the overcautious restrictions that limit general telehealth platforms.

Taking the Next Step: Getting Started with Online Mental Health Care

Before Your First Visit:

1. Gather your information:

• Current medications and dosages
• Previous mental health treatments and their outcomes
• Medical history, especially conditions affecting psychiatric medication choice
• Current symptoms and how long you’ve experienced them

1. Check your insurance coverage:

• Call your insurer about telehealth mental health benefits
• Verify whether the platform is in-network
• Understand your copay or coinsurance responsibility

1. Prepare your questions:

• What treatment approaches does the provider recommend?
• What are the expected timelines for improvement?
• What are the potential side effects of suggested medications?
• How do follow-ups work, and how often will you meet?

1. Set up a proper environment:

• Private space where you can talk openly
• Reliable internet connection for video visits
• Backup phone number in case of technical issues

What to Expect in Your Initial Evaluation:

Comprehensive platforms like Klarity Health typically conduct 30-45 minute initial psychiatric evaluations covering:

• Detailed symptom history
• Previous treatment attempts
• Medical history and current medications
• Family history of mental health conditions
• Current stressors and support systems
• Safety assessment
• Treatment goals and preferences

This thoroughness matters. Quick 10-15 minute evaluations that led to Done’s problems don’t allow proper diagnosis or treatment planning. Quality platforms invest time upfront to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

After Your Initial Visit:

• Start medications gradually if prescribed, following your provider’s instructions
• Track your symptoms and side effects to discuss at follow-up
• Schedule your next appointment before you think you need it (maintaining continuity improves outcomes)
• Reach out between visits if you experience concerning side effects or worsening symptoms
• Give treatments time to work—most psychiatric medications take 2-6 weeks to show full effects

Conclusion: Finding Quality Mental Health Care in the Modern Telehealth Landscape

The telehealth mental health industry’s turbulent few years have ultimately benefited patients by weeding out irresponsible providers and establishing clearer standards. While you have fewer options today than in 2021, the remaining platforms generally offer better, safer care.

The key takeaways:

1. Not all telehealth is created equal—understand each platform’s limitations before committing
2. ADHD treatment options have narrowed to primarily insurance-based psychiatric services or specialized platforms like Klarity
3. Most general telehealth won’t prescribe controlled substances, leaving gaps for patients who legitimately need them
4. Quality care requires thorough evaluation and ongoing monitoring—be wary of platforms promising instant solutions
5. Consider your specific needs—the right platform depends on your diagnosis, medication requirements, insurance, and budget

For many patients seeking comprehensive psychiatric care including responsible controlled substance prescribing, transparent pricing, and fast availability, platforms like Klarity Health fill a crucial gap between overly restrictive general telehealth and the now-defunct quick-script services.

Mental health care is too important to leave to chance. Take time to research your options, verify each platform’s prescribing policies and limitations, and choose a provider that prioritizes your long-term wellbeing over convenience or profit.

Ready to get started with quality psychiatric care? Klarity Health offers comprehensive mental health treatment with board-certified providers who can address ADHD, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and more—often with appointments available within days. Whether you’re paying with insurance or out-of-pocket, you’ll find transparent pricing and genuine support for your mental health journey.

Visit Klarity Health to schedule your initial evaluation and take the first step toward better mental health with a platform designed to address the gaps left by today’s fragmented telehealth landscape.

Key Citations

1. AP News – ‘Top executives of California-based telehealth company Done charged with distributing Adderall’ (apnews.com) – June 14, 2024

2. TIME Magazine – ‘Why the Telehealth Industry Is in Turmoil’ (time.com) – November 1, 2022

3. TechTarget – ‘Pushing ADHD telehealth prescriptions costs Cerebral millions’ (www.techtarget.com) – November 6, 2024

4. Brightside Health – ‘What medications do we prescribe?’ Official FAQ (www.brightside.com) – Updated 2025

5. Teladoc Health – ‘Prescription Policy Information’ Official Policy (www.teladochealth.com) – Updated 2023

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