Telehealth for Anxiety and Depression: Comparing 10 Platforms on Wait Times, Cost, and Prescribing
Mental health is the fastest-growing telehealth category. We compared 10 platforms on what matters: how quickly you can see someone, what it costs, and whether they prescribe medication or therapy-only.
The access gap telehealth is closing
The average wait time for a new patient psychiatry appointment in the U.S. is 67 days. For therapy, it’s 25–45 days depending on the metro area. Telehealth platforms have compressed this to days or hours in some cases — but the quality and scope of care varies enormously across platforms.
What we compared
We evaluated 10 platforms across four dimensions: time to first appointment (for both therapy and psychiatry), monthly cost for ongoing care, whether the platform prescribes medication (and what classes), and whether therapists hold independent licenses or are supervised pre-licensure clinicians.
Therapy-only vs. therapy-plus-prescribing
This is the most important distinction in telehealth mental health. Some platforms offer therapy exclusively — no medication management. Others offer prescribing only — no ongoing therapy. A few offer both. If you think you may need medication, make sure the platform has prescribers (psychiatrists, psychiatric NPs, or psychiatric PAs) on staff, not just therapists.
Conversely, if you are looking specifically for talk therapy, a prescribing-only platform will not serve you well. Know what you need before you choose.
The cost landscape
Therapy sessions through telehealth range from $60–$250 per session without insurance. Psychiatry (medication management) appointments range from $100–$350 for an initial evaluation and $50–$150 for follow-ups. Some platforms bundle these into a monthly subscription; others charge per visit.
With insurance, copays for telehealth mental health are typically the same as in-person visits. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires insurers to cover telehealth mental health on equal terms with in-person care.
Prescribing practices to watch
Responsible psychiatric prescribing through telehealth follows the same clinical standards as in-person care: structured assessment, review of prior treatment history, discussion of side effects, and follow-up monitoring. Platforms that prescribe antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications after a 10-minute asynchronous questionnaire are cutting corners that can have real consequences.
Benzodiazepine prescribing through telehealth is a particular area of concern. Many platforms explicitly do not prescribe controlled substances through telehealth — and the ones that do should have robust clinical protocols for doing so.
Our recommendation
Start by determining whether you need therapy, medication management, or both. Then compare wait times and cost for your specific need. The best platform for anxiety therapy may not be the best platform for ADHD medication management. There is no single "best telehealth mental health platform" — there is only the best one for your specific clinical situation.
How we evaluate: Virtual Health Visits reviews providers based on licensing, pricing transparency, clinical quality, and patient experience. We earn commissions from some providers, which does not influence our coverage. Full methodology →
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. Consult a licensed clinician before starting any treatment.