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The online mental health industry looks dramatically different in 2025 than it did just three years ago. If you’ve been searching for affordable, accessible psychiatric care through telehealth platforms, you’ve likely noticed some major players have disappeared, while others have tightened their policies around what medications they’ll prescribe.

Whether you’re managing ADHD, anxiety, depression, or looking for comprehensive mental health support, understanding which platforms are still operating—and what services they actually offer—can save you time, money, and frustration.

This guide breaks down the current telehealth landscape for mental health care, comparing major providers on availability, prescribing policies, pricing, and quality of care.

Why the Telehealth Mental Health Industry Changed So Dramatically

The pandemic-era boom in mental health telehealth services brought unprecedented access to care. Companies like Cerebral, Done, and Ahead promised quick evaluations and fast prescriptions for conditions like ADHD and anxiety. However, by 2022, regulatory scrutiny intensified over prescribing practices—particularly around controlled substances like Adderall and Xanax.

What happened to the major players?

• Done faces federal prosecution after its executives were indicted in June 2024 for allegedly operating a scheme that distributed over 40 million pills of Adderall and other stimulants inappropriately. The platform is effectively shut down.
• Ahead (HelloAhead) closed its doors entirely in 2022 due to financial and operational challenges.
• Cerebral stopped prescribing new ADHD stimulant medications in May 2022 and paid $3.6 million in settlements in 2024 over previous prescribing practices.

These developments created both challenges and opportunities. Patients who relied on these services suddenly faced disruptions in care, while the industry as a whole shifted toward more conservative, compliance-focused approaches.

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Current State of Telehealth Mental Health Providers (2025–2026)

Who’s Still Operating and What They Actually Offer

The table below compares active telehealth platforms based on their current services, medication policies, geographic reach, and pricing:

The Big Picture: What’s Available in Your State

If you live in California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, or Illinois, you’ll have access to nearly all active platforms. Done and Ahead are no longer operational anywhere, while most other services maintain nationwide availability.

Understanding Medication Prescribing Policies in 2025

One of the biggest changes in telehealth mental health care involves what medications providers will—and won’t—prescribe remotely.

ADHD Medications (Stimulants)

The reality: Most direct-to-consumer telehealth platforms no longer prescribe Adderall, Vyvanse, or other Schedule II stimulants.

Who still prescribes them? Full-service psychiatric platforms like Talkiatry continue to prescribe ADHD stimulants when medically appropriate, as they employ board-certified psychiatrists who conduct thorough evaluations. However, general telehealth services (Teladoc, PlushCare, MDLive, Amwell) and mental health-focused subscription services (Brightside, Cerebral, Hims/Hers) do not.

Why the change? Federal scrutiny following aggressive prescribing practices at companies like Done led most platforms to adopt conservative policies. The Ryan Haight Act waiver (which allowed tele-prescribing of controlled substances during COVID) has been extended through late 2025, but uncertainty about future regulations has made many companies cautious.

Anti-Anxiety Medications (Benzodiazepines)

The reality: Almost no telehealth platform prescribes benzodiazepines like Xanax, Ativan, or Klonopin remotely.

Cerebral, Brightside, PlushCare, Teladoc, and Amwell all explicitly prohibit prescribing these medications through virtual visits. Even Talkiatry prescribes them only rarely and when clinically necessary, following strict protocols.

Alternatives offered: Most platforms focus on non-controlled anxiety treatments including SSRIs (like Lexapro or Zoloft), SNRIs (like Cymbalta), buspirone, or hydroxyzine.

Sleep Medications

The reality: ‘Z-drugs’ like Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata are generally not prescribed via telehealth.

Platforms typically recommend non-controlled alternatives such as trazodone, doxepin, or behavioral interventions for insomnia. This reflects both regulatory caution and clinical best practices that favor non-addictive sleep solutions.

Weight Loss Medications (GLP-1s)

The emerging opportunity: This is one area where telehealth has expanded services rather than contracted them.

Hims & Hers launched GLP-1 weight loss programs in 2023, prescribing medications like Wegovy when appropriate. PlushCare will also prescribe GLP-1s for qualified patients with obesity or related metabolic conditions. Traditional mental health platforms (Teladoc, Brightside) don’t offer these medications, as they’re outside their core focus.

However, the FDA issued warnings in 2025 to some telehealth companies about marketing compounded (unapproved) versions of these drugs, signaling continued regulatory oversight.

Where Klarity Health Fits in the Current Landscape

As a patient exploring your options, you’re likely wondering: with all these changes, where can I find reliable, comprehensive mental health care that’s both accessible and legitimate?

Klarity Health offers a balanced approach that addresses many gaps left by competitors:

Comprehensive Condition Coverage

While platforms like Brightside don’t treat ADHD and general telehealth services won’t prescribe necessary controlled medications, Klarity provides care for a broad range of mental health conditions—including ADHD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, insomnia, and more. Our providers can prescribe appropriate medications across the treatment spectrum when clinically indicated, following proper evaluation protocols.

Transparent, Flexible Pricing

Unlike subscription models that charge you monthly whether you need an appointment or not (Cerebral at $99–$365/month, Brightside at $95–$349/month), Klarity offers straightforward pricing:

• Initial evaluations: Clearly priced upfront
• Follow-up visits: Lower cost for ongoing management
• Medication refills: Simple, affordable process

You only pay for the care you actually receive, and you can accept both insurance and cash payment options, giving you maximum flexibility.

Fast, Convenient Access

While insurance-based psychiatric services like Talkiatry may have wait times of 1–3 weeks for initial appointments, Klarity typically offers appointments within days. You’ll see the same provider consistently, building a therapeutic relationship without the bureaucracy that can bog down traditional systems.

Responsible Prescribing

Klarity takes a middle path between the ‘pill mill’ reputation that destroyed Done’s credibility and the overly restrictive policies that prevent legitimate treatment. Our board-certified providers:

• Conduct thorough initial evaluations
• Consider the full range of treatment options (therapy, non-controlled medications, and controlled medications when appropriate)
• Follow evidence-based prescribing guidelines
• Provide ongoing monitoring and support

This balanced approach means you receive the medication you genuinely need—whether that’s an SSRI for depression, a non-stimulant for ADHD, or yes, even stimulant medication if you meet clinical criteria—without feeling like you’re either being pushed toward pills or unfairly denied effective treatment.

What to Consider When Choosing a Telehealth Mental Health Provider

1. Match Services to Your Needs

If you need treatment for conditions involving controlled substances (ADHD, severe anxiety, certain sleep disorders), verify upfront whether a platform can provide that care. Many general telehealth services simply cannot, which will waste your time and potentially disrupt your treatment.

2. Calculate True Costs

Subscription models might seem straightforward, but calculate what you’ll pay over 6–12 months, including months you might not need services. Compare this to per-visit pricing, especially if your condition is stable and you only need quarterly check-ins.

Example: If Cerebral charges $99/month for medication management, that’s $1,188/year—even if you only need 4–6 actual provider visits. With Klarity’s per-visit pricing, you’d typically spend significantly less for the same number of appointments.

3. Check Insurance Coverage

If you have insurance, providers like Talkiatry, PlushCare, MDLive, Teladoc, and Amwell accept many plans. However, verify:

• Whether the provider is in-network for your specific plan
• What your copay or coinsurance will be
• Whether your plan has high deductibles that make the ‘insurance coverage’ less valuable

Klarity’s dual approach—accepting both insurance and offering transparent cash pricing—means you’re not locked into one payment method.

4. Prioritize Quality and Continuity

Provider turnover has been a major complaint about platforms like Cerebral. Seeing the same clinician over time improves outcomes and reduces the frustration of repeatedly explaining your history.

Look for platforms that emphasize continuity of care and have mechanisms for responsive communication between appointments (secure messaging, timely prescription refills, etc.).

5. Consider Comprehensive Care

Your mental health doesn’t exist in isolation. Platforms that can address related concerns—whether that’s insomnia affecting your depression, binge eating accompanying your anxiety, or hormonal issues impacting your mood—provide more integrated care than single-focus services.

The Future of Mental Health Telehealth: What to Expect in 2026 and Beyond

Regulatory Evolution

The DEA’s temporary waiver allowing controlled substance prescribing via telehealth is set to expire at the end of 2025. While it may be extended again, there’s also potential for new rules requiring initial in-person visits before telehealth can continue controlled medication management.

What this means for you: Choose a provider that’s preparing for various regulatory scenarios. Platforms with both robust telehealth infrastructure and connections to in-person care options will be most resilient.

Continued Industry Consolidation

Expect more mergers and acquisitions as smaller specialized platforms join larger healthcare systems. Independent platforms that survive will be those demonstrating superior patient outcomes, satisfaction, and regulatory compliance.

Expanded Service Integration

The lines between ‘mental health care’ and ‘whole-person wellness’ continue to blur. Platforms increasingly recognize that treating anxiety might require addressing sleep, that managing ADHD might involve nutritional support, and that depression care might benefit from hormone optimization.

Providers offering these integrated services—rather than forcing you to use multiple disconnected platforms—will have competitive advantages.

Greater Emphasis on Outcomes and Transparency

After the scandals of 2022–2024, patients are more skeptical and regulators more vigilant. Providers that can demonstrate real clinical outcomes, maintain transparent pricing, and follow evidence-based practices will earn trust in ways that slick marketing no longer can.

Making Your Decision: Questions to Ask Any Telehealth Provider

Before committing to any platform, ask:

1. Can you treat my specific condition(s)? (Don’t assume—verify explicitly)
2. What medications can you prescribe? (Get specifics on controlled substances if relevant)
3. What’s the total cost? (Include all fees: membership, visits, prescriptions)
4. How quickly can I get an initial appointment?
5. Will I see the same provider consistently?
6. How do I contact my provider between appointments?
7. What happens if I need to pause or stop treatment?
8. Do you accept my insurance? If so, what will my out-of-pocket cost be?
9. What happens if regulations change regarding telehealth prescribing?
10. Can you provide references or patient outcome data?

The Bottom Line: Finding Quality Mental Health Care in 2025

The telehealth mental health landscape in 2025 is more regulated, more cautious, but ultimately more focused on quality care than the ‘wild west’ period of 2020–2022. While this means fewer options for obtaining certain medications quickly and easily, it also means the providers that remain are generally more trustworthy and sustainable.

For patients, this environment requires being an informed consumer. Understand what different platforms can and cannot provide, be realistic about costs, and prioritize providers who treat you as an individual rather than a prescription to be filled.

Klarity Health exists to bridge the gaps left by other providers—offering comprehensive mental health care with the accessibility of telehealth, the legitimacy of licensed psychiatric providers, and the flexibility of both insurance and cash payment options. Whether you’re starting treatment for the first time or transitioning from a platform that’s changed its services, we’re here to provide the care you deserve.

Ready to get started? Visit Klarity Health to learn more about our services, check availability in your state, and schedule your initial evaluation. Your mental health care shouldn’t be complicated—let us keep it simple, effective, and focused on your wellbeing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I still get ADHD medication prescribed online in 2025?

A: Yes, but options are more limited. Full-service psychiatric telehealth platforms like Talkiatry and Klarity Health can prescribe ADHD stimulants after proper evaluation. However, general telehealth services (Teladoc, PlushCare) and many mental health subscription services (Cerebral, Brightside) no longer prescribe controlled ADHD medications.

Q: Why did so many telehealth companies stop prescribing Adderall and similar medications?

A: Following federal investigations into overprescribing at companies like Done (which led to criminal charges) and Cerebral (which paid millions in settlements), most platforms adopted conservative policies to avoid regulatory risk. The uncertain future of COVID-era prescribing flexibilities also influenced these decisions.

Q: Are telehealth mental health services covered by insurance?

A: Many are. Talkiatry, PlushCare, MDLive, Teladoc, Amwell, and Brightside accept various insurance plans. Hims/Hers operates on a cash-pay model but is HSA-eligible. Klarity Health accepts both insurance and offers transparent cash pricing. Always verify coverage with your specific plan before starting treatment.

Q: How much does online mental health treatment typically cost without insurance?

A: Prices vary widely. Subscription models range from $85–$365/month. Per-visit models range from $75–$400 per appointment depending on the provider and visit type (initial evaluation vs. follow-up). Platforms like Klarity offer competitive per-visit pricing that often costs less over time than monthly subscriptions if you have a stable condition requiring only periodic check-ins.

Q: What happened to Done and Cerebral?

A: Done’s executives were criminally indicted in June 2024 for allegedly running an illegal prescription scheme, effectively shutting down the platform. Cerebral continues operating in a limited capacity but stopped prescribing ADHD stimulants in 2022 and paid $3.6 million in regulatory settlements in 2024. The company now focuses on non-controlled medication management for depression and anxiety.

Q: Can online providers prescribe anxiety medications like Xanax?

A: Almost no telehealth platforms prescribe benzodiazepines like Xanax, Ativan, or Klonopin. This includes Cerebral, Brightside, PlushCare, Teladoc, and Amwell. Even full-service psychiatric platforms like Talkiatry prescribe them rarely and only when clinically necessary. Most providers focus on non-controlled alternatives like SSRIs, SNRIs, or buspirone for anxiety.

References

1. Associated Press. ‘Top executives of ADHD telehealth company Done charged with drug distribution.’ June 14, 2024. https://apnews.com/article/498cb907623565ee680b33b1367efb84

2. TIME Magazine. ‘Why Online Therapy Startups Are Falling Short.’ November 1, 2022. https://time.com/6225361/telehealth-startups-cerebral-done-ahead/

3. TechTarget Healthcare IT News. ‘Pushing ADHD telehealth prescriptions costs Cerebral millions.’ November 6, 2024. https://www.techtarget.com/virtualhealthcare/news/366615298/Pushing-ADHD-telehealth-prescriptions-costs-Cerebral-millions

4. Brightside Health. ‘What medications do we prescribe?’ FAQ page. Updated 2025. https://www.brightside.com/faqs/what-medications-do-we-prescribe/

5. Teladoc Health. ‘Prescription Policy.’ Updated 2023. https://www.teladochealth.com/info/prescription-policy

📅 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 checked: 2024 DOJ press releases; 2025 industry news (TechTarget, AP); official provider policies (Teladoc, PlushCare, Brightside); competitor reviews and recent analyses (2025)

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