I just re-tested Brightside Health, using both their psychiatry and therapy services for our 2026 review, and overall I was impressed by my experience. The ChoosingTherapy.com team has used Brightside Health several times over the past few years, and each of our reviewers have noted that its structured approach could be well-suited for those with anxiety, depression or other mild-to-moderate concerns like burnout or adjustment issues.
The biggest things Brightside Health has going for it are its vast network of accepted insurances, its coordinated care if you see multiple providers, and its extra programs, like Suicide Prevention and Teen Care. Plus, I had the option to see both a psychiatrist and a therapist the same day I signed up.
Brightside Health at a Glance
Cost: $45–$349 monthly
Insurance Accepted: Yes
Therapy & Psychiatry: Both
Location: Nationwide
Pros & Cons of Brightside Health
Pros - Accepts insurance, including Medicare & Medicaid
- Choose your own therapist instead of getting matched automatically
- Same-day, weekend, & evening appts
- Free assessment before signing up for a plan
- IOPs & Suicide Prevention Programs for higher-needs patients
- PrecisionRx tool used by psychiatrists for effective prescribing
Cons - Short session times compared to many competitors (30 minutes)
- Customer service can be slow to respond
Preview
Brightside Health’s psychiatry and therapy services are available for anyone ages 13+ across the US. Brightside Health treats anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, sleep disorders, ADHD (though it can’t prescribe controlled medications like stimulants), burnout, and more, though most of their messaging focuses on anxiety and depression. Through its Suicide Prevention program, Brightside is able to treat people with active suicidal thoughts, recent suicide attempts, or those following up after a hospitalization related to suicidal thoughts.
We think Brightside Health is a decent fit for:
- Those with anxiety and/or depression looking for quick access to care
- People looking for bundled therapy & psychiatry
- Teens, through its Teen Care program
- Those needing higher levels of care through its virtual IOP programs for both mental health and substance use disorder (SUD IOP only available in select states)
- Those with mild-to-moderate suicidal ideation seeking extra care through its Suicide Prevention Program (not for those needing immediate access to emergency services)
For therapy, cash-pay costs are $399 monthly, similar to other subscription-based online therapy platforms. However, its psychiatry only plan is $95, and you can bundle therapy and psychiatry for a discounted rate of $349. Plus, it’s in-network with most major insurance providers, so your out-of-pocket costs could be much lower.
If your insurance is not among the plans accepted by Brightside, or you’d like the opportunity to be prescribed certain controlled medications if clinically appropriate, Talkiatry is a potential alternative. While Brightside accepts a wider range of insurance plans, Talkiatry takes certain commercial plans that Brightside does not. Plus, Talkiatry offers longer appointment times for its psychiatry services. Grow Therapy is another option if Brightside Health doesn’t take your insurance, or you’re looking for sliding-scale cash-pay rates.
Detailed Review
We rate online therapy providers on a rigorous scale of over a dozen criteria, and Brightside Health maintained its 4-star rating for 2026. It ranked highly in terms of affordability, payment options, and insurance coverage, as well as reliability, privacy, and ongoing access to your provider.
However, only allowing for 30-minute therapy and psychiatry sessions docked it a bit in the Appointment Features category, and customer service is notoriously difficult to get in touch with.
Overall, we still recommend this platform for anyone needing quick access to mental healthcare from the comfort of their phone or computer. Its structured video program that accompanies therapy is different from the offerings available from other platforms like BetterHelp and Talkspace, so if you respond well to structure, this could be something to consider. In general, we think it has more tools and resources suited to those with slightly higher care needs compared to its competitors.
Brightside also uses its own AI-driven technology, PrecisionRx, to help its providers prescribe the most effective medicine from over 1,000 medication/dose combinations.
Review our scoring criteria for online psychiatry platforms here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
Signing Up for Brightside Health
Getting started with Brightside Health was a bit more in-depth than with other online therapy or psychiatry platforms. Signing up took about 40 minutes, as there was a long questionnaire evaluating my current mental health status. This included the standard questions from the PHQ-9 and the GAD-7, the typical screeners for depression and anxiety, respectively.
After completing the intake form, I was immediately shown my results for both depression and anxiety on a sliding scale. Turns out, based on this questionnaire, I have mild depression (this was not a surprise to me) and minimal anxiety (nice!). It was reassuring to see this scale right away and get confirmation that my symptoms were real and my concerns were valid.
Note: Other online therapy platforms will likely have you fill out the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 at some point on your therapy journey, but Brightside Health makes it the first thing you’ll do after downloading the app. I know it feels a bit overwhelming, but be sure to answer these questions honestly and take your time, as Brightside Health will have you re-take these assessments every so often to track your progress.
With my symptoms being relatively mild, Brightside Health recommended its “Clinically-Proven Therapy” plan for me, but it still let me choose a different plan. I chose the bundled Therapy & Psychiatry plan so I could test both offerings out for my review. I had to answer a few more questions to ensure that online care was appropriate for my needs, then I could schedule my appointments.
There were both psychiatry and therapy appointments available as soon as that afternoon, and the next day had dozens of time slots open, from as early as 4am PST to late in the evening. I scheduled my psychiatry appointment for the next morning, and my talk therapy session for a few days later.
Note: With both therapy and psychiatry on Brightside Health, you can choose to look at the “soonest availability” and potentially have fewer provider options who could see you the same or next day, or you can choose “All availability” and instead look through more therapists’ or psychiatrists’ profiles until you find someone who feels like a good fit for your needs. I personally suggest the latter—it’s worth taking some time reading through providers’ bios before making a decision about who you’re going to trust with your mental healthcare. If you’re not sure what to look for, check out our guide on choosing a therapist.
Using Brightside Health for Psychiatry
After I filled out my intake forms, I was impressed to see that I could schedule a psychiatry appointment as quickly as the same day. I went with a next-day appointment, as that fit my schedule better, and also gave me more options for which provider I wanted to see. I tried to sign on to my appointment from the app on my phone, but it was taking a long time to load, so instead I joined from the link that I had been texted the hour before my session, which worked immediately.
My psychiatry session lasted about 15 minutes, which I thought was quite fast (they’re booked in 30-minute slots). However, I had been on medication in the past and already had a diagnosis, so the provider was going in with that information, plus everything from my intake form. We talked through my current symptoms and what I didn’t like about my previous medication, and within about 10 minutes she prescribed me with a new depression medication, plus something to take as-needed for my anxiety.
This was somewhat surprising to me, as I had never been prescribed an anxiety medication before, and I felt a bit mis-heard by her—she seemed to think my sleep issues were anxiety-related, when all my other doctors and providers have said that they’re a common depression symptom. When I mentioned that, she said it could be either and that if I was waking up in the night, this medication would still help either way. I did state that I experienced some social anxiety, and she said this medication could certainly help with that as well.
Another ChoosingTherapy.com reviewer, Matthew, had a great experience using Brightside Health for medication. When Matthew used this service last year, he was able to book a 45-minute call four days after signing up (though note that Brightside Health no longer offers 45-minute sessions), and his provider used all of that session time to talk through his symptoms and current medications, and give detailed information about each medication she was considering and why.
This goes to show you that each provider will likely have a slightly different approach to care, and that care will vary greatly depending on the client’s needs. If you’re already taking medication and you’re happy with it or just need a slight adjustment, it’s likely that you’ll have a quicker session than if you’re new to medication, having bad side effects, or wanting to totally change your medication. Either way, if you feel dismissed or rushed through your appointment, that could be a good reason to try a different provider.
Note: Providers on Brightside Health cannot prescribe controlled substances such as benzodiazepines (e.g. Xanax or Ativan) or stimulants (e.g. Adderall or Ritalin).
The appointment felt quick, but again, since I already had a diagnosis and had been on medication before, there wasn’t much else to talk about until I tried this new medication and saw how it felt. The provider asked to see me in a month (though we didn’t schedule the visit on our call), but said if I have any questions or issues before then I could message her any time in my portal. Within about five hours I got an email from my pharmacy (I had input my pharmacy information during the sign-up process) with information about my new meds, and I picked them up a couple of days later.
Note: You can get psychiatry services on Brightside Health in a few different ways: Psychiatry only for $95 monthly (includes one video session), or bundled psychiatry and weekly therapy for $349 monthly. After you get established with your prescriber, after at least 90 days, there’s a chance they could offer you a $45 monthly “maintenance plan,” which would give you access to monthly refills and messaging with your provider. If you needed another psychiatry appointment while on the maintenance plan, you could pay $50 for that separately.
Attending a Brightside Health Therapy Session
The process of signing up for therapy was the same as psychiatry. I could look at either the soonest availability and schedule a next-day session, or I could look at all availability and see several more therapist options. This gave me a chance to look through about a dozen different providers’ profiles and see their specialties as well as their general availability. I signed up on a Wednesday and scheduled my first 30-minute therapy session with someone who felt like a decent fit who had availability the following Monday.
I received multiple text and email reminders an hour before my session, and then again five minutes before, so it was super easy to join my video call on my phone from the link I was texted, though it would be just a simple to join on a computer from the emailed link. Unfortunately, my therapist didn’t show up for my session. I messaged them after about 10 minutes, and waited on the call for 15. This left me feeling frustrated, and I messaged customer service explaining what happened. Before they could get back to me, I had heard back from the therapist.
They messaged me a couple of hours later and said they had gotten locked out of their account and were just able to log back in, and we got scheduled for a different day later that same week. The therapist was very apologetic when we met up and explained in detail what happened when they got locked out of their account. When we had our call a few days later, the technology functioned well, and I was able to join my session straight from the app on my phone with no issues.
This first session felt a bit redundant, as my therapist went through all the intake questions I had both answered in the original paperwork and also with my medication prescriber, but this is standard practice for a first therapy session. If you can get through that, then the real work can begin! It felt to me like we were barely able to cover my background and my current concerns in the quick, 30-minute session. I personally prefer longer appointments of 50 minutes or an hour, but if you have a specific problem or goal in mind, 30-minute sessions can still be meaningful.
The therapist offered to schedule my next session while we were on the call or said that I could book with them through the app at my convenience. I was a little bit annoyed that they didn’t offer to set up a weekly recurring visit with me, since I paid for a month of services at a time, and I feel not setting up a weekly session could lead to me not getting four sessions within my subscription window (which I paid for). It’s unclear whether some therapists do get clients into weekly slots, but I saw other users on Reddit say similar things—that they had to book one session at a time with their therapist whenever they had availability instead of setting up recurring appointments.
Note: Therapy is available through Brightside Health as a standalone offering for $299 monthly, or as part of a bundled therapy and psychiatry plan for $349 monthly. Both plans include weekly therapy sessions, so this is actually a pretty great self-pay rate, though your subscription could be much less if you have in-network insurance.
Using In-App Messaging on Brightside Health
One of the main benefits of using an online therapy platform like Brightside Health is how easy it is to reach out to your therapist or medication prescriber when you have a question or issue. The Brightside Health app offers a dedicated “messages” tab, where you can send a message to your provider any time of day or night. A therapist should respond within 24 hours on weekdays, and a medication prescriber should get back to you within 72 hours.1
Every therapist’s work schedule and method for answering messages will be different, so be sure to talk with them about how they use this feature and when you can expect to get responses. And, while there’s no limit to how much you can type in the message box, you shouldn’t expect long, therapy-session-level answers. Most providers use this space to answer quick questions about scheduling, or to send a worksheet or exercise along.
That being said, this spot is great for jotting down anything that came up during the week for you that you want to talk about during your next session, or asking a question that came up in a recent session that you’d like some clarification on. These reminders are great for both you and your therapist to know where to start at your next appointment.
Switching Providers on Brightside Health
Thankfully, Brightside Health makes it easy to switch providers for both therapy and psychiatry if your first match isn’t a good fit. My first therapist was fine, but I felt the fit could be better, and the fact that they missed our first session without notice was a bit of a turnoff (even though I realize that, in this case, it was beyond their control), so I decided to try switching to a new provider.
When we’ve reviewed them in the past, Brightside Health required that clients email them when they wanted to switch providers, but when I went to the “Help & support” section of the app (under the Account tab), I was able to indicate that I wanted to switch therapists after selecting “Questions about care team” as the category and “I want to switch my provider” from the drop-down menu of issues. I had to give a reason why, though one of the options from the menu was, “other,” so you can share as much or as little as you want about your reason for switching.
I was immediately ushered to the booking window I saw when I first signed up, from which I could schedule with a new therapist. This was quick and easy, and changing the day I wanted to see someone gave me more options to choose from. The process is the same for finding a new medication provider as well.
Note: While client-therapist fit is incredibly important for making progress in therapy, you can’t always know whether or not the therapist will work well for you after just one session. First therapy sessions are typically on the dry side, focusing on answering specific questions so your therapist can get a feel for your history and your current symptoms. You can expect them to take a lot of notes, and they may seem less engaged during this process. I recommend trying at least 2–3 sessions with a new therapist before deciding whether or not they’re a good fit for you.
The same may or may not be true for psychiatry—you should never feel like you’re not being taken seriously or that you’re just being rushed through treatment. If this is the case after one medication management session, you may want to consider switching to a different provider.
Brightside Health’s Mental Health Video Lessons
Alongside weekly therapy sessions, Brightside offers video “therapy lessons” covering ten topics, ranging from goal setting to healthy sleep patterns. The videos are minimally illustrated and could be thought of as more like short podcasts, read in a calming woman’s voice.
I completed the first video lesson, “Breaking the Cycle,” but then the next one, “Emotions,” was locked until I completed my first therapy session and my therapist could review my responses to the material. The video for “Breaking the Cycle” was about 10 minutes long, then I filled out a few reflection questions, such as “What symptoms do you feel you need help with?” and, “What emotions go hand in hand with these symptoms?” plus what the pros and cons were of changing versus staying the same.
From what I understand, everyone goes through the same course, as it covers a lot of mental health basics that could help people dealing with a variety of mental health concerns. A new lesson gets unlocked after each successive therapy session in which the previous was discussed.
My therapist told me during our session that we would talk through each video therapy lesson as I completed them, and that these lessons would be a big part of the work we do together. They said that the first few start out pretty basic but then get into some helpful coping skills and deeper insights.
There are other self-help videos under a “self care” label in the app that include “Practicing gratitude,” “Stay connected,” “Breathe in the present,” and more, that you can access at any time. Most of these videos are quite short, between 3–5 minutes, with a quick explanation of why the aspect of self-care is important and then some practical tips. These videos don’t offer any reflection spaces like the therapy lessons do.
Virtual Intensive Outpatient Programs
Brightside Health offers virtual intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) for mental health concerns such as more acute levels of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and substance use disorder (in select states). The length of treatment will vary based on your needs and concerns, and you’ll work with your therapist one-on-one to determine what’s best for you as far as your timeline for being in this level of treatment.
The structured program takes about 10 hours a week, with these services scheduled throughout:
- Individual therapy: 45-minute weekly session
- Group therapy: 3 sessions per week (3 hours each)
- Medication management: Initial 30-minute consult, then sessions as needed.
- Interactive lessons: Independent learning, with guidance from your individual therapist.
The cost of treatment will depend on your insurance plan. You’ll work with a care coordinator to see what’s covered and what your potential copays will be before signing up for full-scale treatment.
Note: Brightside’s IOP for substance use disorder is only available in the following states: AZ, CA, IA, IN, KY, PA, and WA.
Brightside Health’s Suicide Prevention Program
In addition to virtual psychiatry and therapy services, Brightside also offers an online Suicide Prevention Program, previously referred to as Crisis Care, designed specifically for people struggling with advanced suicide risk. It lasts between 4–12 weeks, providing high-touch, specialized treatment from the comfort of home. This is a really unique program that we haven’t seen from any other online therapy platforms.
Brightside’s Suicide Prevention Program is for:
- Those who are actively suicidal
- Those who have had a recent suicide attempt
- Those who need follow-up care after hospitalization
This program is handled by specially-trained providers who have been certified under the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) therapeutic framework. Right now, there are very few options for people with suicidal ideation or tendencies beyond just going to the emergency room (which can still be necessary at times, but is traumatizing in many cases), so providing this intensive service that goes beyond traditional therapy is quite unique and bridges an important gap in our current mental healthcare system.
According to Brightside, this program is not designed for people who require immediate emergency care or inpatient psychiatric care and is not suitable for people whose primary concern is psychotic disorders or severe personality disorders.
Teen Care
Brightside Health’s Teen Care program functions similarly to its adult therapy and psychiatry offerings, with a few exceptions. It states that first appointments typically happen within two days (same as regular care), with licensed therapists who specialize in working with teens. It’s expected that a parent will attend the first session to meet the clinician and give verbal consent for their child’s treatment, then the teen will see the therapist on their own. There may be check-ins with parents throughout the teen’s treatment, when deemed necessary by the therapist.
Teens get their own accounts on the Brightside Health app, allowing for more privacy and confidence in their care on their own terms. Check-ins are sent frequently, and the teen can message with their therapist and/or psychiatrist any time. Therapists should message back within 24 hours during the week, and psychiatrists should respond within 72 hours.
Cost & Insurance
Brightside Health’s monthly costs range from $95–$349 before insurance, depending on the services you choose. It accepts insurance from many national providers, along with select Medicare and Medicaid plans. If you’re covered, your copay or coinsurance fees will vary.
The recurring cash-pay costs with Brightside are as follows:
- Psychiatry Plan ($95 monthly): This plan gives you an initial consultation with a psychiatrist and ongoing care, with one video session per month.
- Therapy Plan ($299 monthly): This plan gives you four live video sessions with a therapist monthly.
- Psychiatry + Therapy Plan ($349 monthly): This plan combines everything offered by the psychiatry and therapy plans.
- Psychiatric Maintenance Plan ($45 monthly): After becoming established with your prescriber for 90 days, you can opt for a maintenance plan that includes unlimited prescriber messaging. If a video consultation is required, it costs $50 per appointment. Note: If your provider determines that you require more active care, they may require you to upgrade back to the standard plan.2
Brightside Health accepts insurance, but if your plan isn’t in-network you can still pay for services with an FSA or HSA card, or you can request a superbill to submit for out-of-network reimbursement. Note that patients can only access the Suicide Prevention Program through insurance.
Note: Many reviewers on Reddit, Trustpilot, and app stores mention being charged large sums for their care from Brightside Health even after using insurance coverage. Be sure you talk to your insurance provider before signing up for Brightside Health to ensure you know what you’ll be responsible for coverage out of pocket.
User Reviews
Brightside Health reviews tend to be positive and consistent across several user review websites. Specific reviews noted that Brightside Health is a convenient and effective way of finding virtual psychiatric care. Negative reviews or complaints highlighted some shortcomings of its customer service team and issues with cancellation or changing providers.
Reviews from Apple App Store | 4.3 out of 5 stars | 8.1K reviews
Positive reviews on the Apple App Store emphasized the convenience of telehealthcare and the progress they’ve been able to make that otherwise wouldn’t be possible without Brightside. Users praise the affordability of the platform with or without insurance.
Negative reviews on the Apple App Store tended to focus on individual negative experiences with providers, or in some cases, logistical or technical problems. Some users felt that customer service was too slow and ineffective.
Reviews from Google Play Store | 3.8 out of 5 stars | 1.93K reviews
Positive reviews on the Google Play Store focused on progress made in therapy and the overall value many believe Brightside Health has added to their lives.
Negative reviews on the Google Play Store tended to focus on bugs in the mobile app, as well as issues encountered with customer service. Notably, Brightside responded to many negative reviews with help or explanation.
Reviews from BBB | Rating: B | 63 reviews
Complaints against Brightside Health on the BBB tended to center around individual issues encountered with prescribers, as well as some issues around canceling subscriptions and other customer service-related issues. Several reviewers mentioned having a copay but then Brightside charging them more without notice, or dropping their insurance with no warning. Brightside Health responded directly to all complaints on the BBB website.
Reviews from Trustpilot | 4.2 out of 5 stars | >1K reviews
Positive reviews on Trustpilot include users noting they had great experiences with Brightside Health providers. A user said his therapist was very supportive and listened to his concerns.
Negative reviews on Trustpilot include reports of problems with their app having technical issues. Some users were disappointed about Brightside Health’s app for not working properly causing problems with their appointments and billing procedures. Others mention being charged for missed appointments when, in reality, their therapists were no-shows or they rescheduled within the window.
Reviews from Reddit | r/TalkTherapy, r/depression
Positive reviews from users on Reddit about Brightside Health revolve around how convenient and consistent their Medication Management is due to its easy access through the app and accurate delivery time of their medications.
Negative reviews on Reddit about Brightside Health focus on some users giving negative feedback to their providers. Several users stated their providers were inconsiderate and took a long time to respond to their inquiries.
Alternatives & Competitors
Brightside Health is one of our favorite online providers for bundled therapy and psychiatry, but if your insurance is not accepted, you’re looking for psychiatric care for kids, or you want to be considered for a prescription of a controlled medication, look into Talkiatry instead.
If you’d rather pay per-session instead of a subscription rate, and you’re willing to do a bit of upfront work to find the right provider, Grow Therapy could be a great option for finding a therapist and/or a medication prescriber.
If you’re looking for more engagement with extra resources and continuity between sessions, Talkspace regularly updates its platform with webinars, courses, and interactive workshops.
Talkiatry
Price: ~ $30 copay with insurance
Insurance Accepted: Yes, exclusively
Therapy & Psychiatry: Yes
Location: 45 US states
Talkiatry provides medication management for individuals aged five and up and has therapists on staff to provide therapy for existing patients. It’s comparable to Brightside and is a strong alternative if your insurance is in-network (Talkiatry does not offer cash-pay plans), though it offers longer session times compared to Brightside Health. Because Brightside only serves individuals 13+, Talkiatry may be a better fit for those seeking psychiatric care for kids and potentially teens.
For more information, read our full Talkiatry review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Longer psychiatry appts. than competitors
- Provides detailed, comprehensive care
Cons - Fees depend on location and coverage
- No therapy independent of psychiatry
Grow Therapy
Price: Varies by provider
Insurance Accepted: Yes
Therapy & Psychiatry: Yes
Location: Nationwide
Grow Therapy is an online directory with over 15k therapists and medication prescribers listed. Each provider sets their own cash-pay rate, and Grow helps them get credentialed with insurance providers, handling all billing through its platform. Users can filter the directory by insurance, cash-pay rates, specialty, identity, and more to find the provider who will best suit their needs. If you don’t want to sort through providers yourself, you can fill out a brief questionnaire and get a list of your top matches.
Learn more in our thorough Grow Therapy review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Tons of insurance plans accepted
- Services for children, adolescents, couples, and families
Cons - Cash-pay prices and insurances accepted vary by provider
Talkspace
Price: $276–$436 monthly
Insurance Accepted: Yes
Therapy & Psychiatry: Yes
Location: US & International
Talkspace is a good option for those seeking extra support between therapy or psychiatric sessions, including provider messaging. Its highest-tier plan, currently $436 per month before insurance, includes access to a wide range of educational workshops—with new topics being regularly released—on topics like coping skills and mindfulness. This plan covers one expert-led workshop per week alongside regular therapy sessions.
For additional details, explore our Talkspace review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Quick and easy sign-up
- Many insurance plans accepted
Cons - Not much control over initial therapist match; but switching is easy
- Can be expensive without insurance
- Sessions are only 30 minutes
Why You Can Trust My Review
“After using Brightside Health for both psychiatry and therapy services, I feel comfortable giving it 4 out of 5 stars. I was impressed by how quickly I could sign up and see both a therapist and a medication prescriber. The intake forms felt a bit daunting compared to some other online therapy services I’ve tested out, but they provide a solid baseline as you go through treatment to see how much progress you’ve made. Additionally, I wish there was a way to schedule sessions longer than 30 minutes.
Its cash-pay prices are quite reasonable compared to similar online therapy platforms, but it’s also in-network with tons of major insurance plans, so it’s worth checking to see if you can use your insurance. However, many users on Reddit, app reviews, and facebook have commented on still being charged large sums after using their insurance, so it could be worth talking to your insurance company about coverage before blindly signing up for treatment.”
History & News of Brightside Health
Year Founded: 2017
Founders: Brad Kittredge, Jeremy Barth, Mimi Winsberg
Publicly Traded: No
Headquartered in: San Francisco, California
Brightside Health was founded in 2017 by Brad Kittredge, Jeremy Barth, and Mimi Winsberg with the belief that remote technology could transform psychiatric care, specifically targeting anxiety and depression.2
Brightside Health partnered with major health insurance providers such as Cigna and Aetna in June 2021, substantially broadening its reach and granting access to over 55 million individuals. Later that year, in December 2021, Brightside secured another significant investment—a $50 million Series B funding round led by prominent venture capital firms including ACME and Bullpen Capital.3
In February 2021, Brightside Health significantly advanced its clinical offerings by launching the Clinically-Proven Therapy program, incorporating evidence-based methodologies like the Unified Protocol. That same month, the company secured a $17 million Series A funding round, signaling investor confidence.4
In March 2024, the company raised $33 million in a Series C funding round, led by S32, with participation from investors such as Kennedy Lewis, Time BioVentures, and Anne Wojcicki (Redwood Pacific). This investment aimed to support Brightside Health’s expansion into new markets and further develop its technological capabilities, including AI-driven initiatives. Just a few months later, Brightside Health acquired Lionrock Behavioral Health, marking its entry into comprehensive substance use disorder treatment.5
In September 2024, Brightside took another pivotal step by extending its mental health services to adolescents aged 13 to 17, initially rolling out in 15 states, with a plan for nationwide coverage in early 2025. It announced in October 2025 that its teen care services are now available nationwide.6
Most recently, Brightside Health earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Behavioral Health Care and Human Services, a testament to its dedication to patient care.7
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brightside Health Legit?
Yes, Brightside Health is a legitimate, well-known, and relatively large provider of online therapy and psychiatry services. Brightside Health vets and verifies its therapists well, and we recommend them. The Brightside Health app allows you to meet with a therapist or psychiatrist via phone or video. Any medications prescribed can be sent to the in-person or online pharmacy of your choice. You can also message your provider in between sessions, and access useful self-service resources and exercises.
Does Brightside Treat ADHD?
Therapists on Brightside Health can treat ADHD with CBT or other therapeutic techniques. If you’ve already been diagnosed with ADHD, Brightside Health can treat it with non-controlled substances (such as Strattera or Intuniv). However, Brightside cannot prescribe controlled substances like Ritalin or Adderall.
Does Brightside Take Insurance?
Yes, Brightside takes insurance and is in-network with a number of popular health plans, including select Medicaid and Medicare plans. However, if your insurance is not accepted, you may still be able to use an HSA or FSA card, or request a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
Does Brightside Health Issue Refunds?
Brightside Health may offer refunds on a case-by-case basis. You can contact Brightside Health support by email at [email protected] or by phone at (415) 360-3348.
Is Brightside Health HIPAA-Compliant?
Yes, Brightside Health has policies consistent with HIPAA standards. At sign-up, you must sign a form agreeing to Brightside Health’s privacy policies.
Please visit Brightside Health’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for more information.
Does Brightside Use AI?
Yes. Brightside leverages AI-assisted technology in a couple different ways. Most notably, it uses AI and machine learning to improve treatment and medication selection, exemplified by its proprietary tool, PrecisionRx. CMO and co-founder Mimi Winsberg sees it as a way to enhance diagnostic accuracy. Additionally, Brightside Health utilizes AI to match members with appropriate care options.6
ChoosingTherapy.com strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
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Brightside Health. (2025). How do I contact my provider? Retrieved from: https://www.brightside.com/faqs/how-do-i-contact-my-provider/
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Simone C., personal communication, March 24, 2025.
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Brightside Health. (n.d.). About us. Brightside Health. Retrieved from: https://www.brightside.com/about/
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Brightside Health. (January 24, 2022). Brightside Health achieves HITRUST risk-based, 2-year certification to further mitigate risk in third-party privacy, security, and compliance. Brightside Health Resource Center. Retrieved from: https://www.brightside.com/press-releases/hitrust-certification/
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Plescia, M. (Sept. 2024). Brightside Health Launches Mental Health Services for Teens. MedCityNews. Retrieved from: https://medcitynews.com/2024/09/brightside-teen-mental-health
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Brightside Health. (October 26, 2023). Brightside Health appoints Matt Mohebbi as Head of AI and Research. Brightside Health Resource Center. Retrieved from: https://www.brightside.com/press-releases/brightside-health-appoints-matt-mohebbi-as-head-of-ai-and-research/
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Brightside Health. (June, 2024). Brightside Health Expands into Substance Use Disorder, Virtual Intensive Outpatient Treatment. Retrieved from: https://www.brightside.com/press-releases/brightside-health-expands-into-substance-use-disorder-virtual-intensive-outpatient-treatment/
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Business Wire. (January 7, 2025). Brightside Health Earns The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval®. Retrieved from: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250107900372/en/Brightside-Health-Earns-The-Joint-Commissions-Gold-Seal-of-Approval
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Landi, H. (March, 2024). Brightside Health secures $33M to propel expansion into Medicare, Medicaid populations. Fierce Healthcare. Retrieved from: https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/health-tech/brightside-health-secures-33m-propel-expansion-medicare-medicaid-populations
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Church, Matthew. (October 2025). Talkiatry Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & My Experience. ChoosingTherapy.com. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/talkiatry-review/
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Rueger, Abigail. (June 2025). Grow Therapy Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For. ChoosingTherapy.com. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/grow-therapy-review/
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Church, Matthew. (May 2025). Talkspace Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & My Experience. ChoosingTherapy.com. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/talkspace-review/
We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.
Author: Abigail Rueger, MA (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Rewrote entirely to highlight user experience. Added information about its virtual IOP programs.
Author: Abigail Rueger, MA (New author)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Re-used the platform and fully re-wrote the review based on new experience with Brightside Health. Editorial rating dropped from 4.5 to 4 stars based on appointment times, clarity of diagnoses & prescriptions, and customer service.
Author: Matthew Church, MS (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Clarified pricing and details for the Psychiatric Maintenance Plan ($45 monthly); Updated Teen Care availability to 39 states; added new source referencing personal communication with a Brightside Health representative. Maintained 4.5 star rating.
Author: Matthew Church, MS (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Removed mention of IOP SUD program from the body to reflect its removal from their website (added to History section to show its existence); updated the availability for Teen Care from 15 US states to 38; noted that they now refer to Crisis Care as the Suicide Prevention Program; added new FAQ, “Does Brightside use AI?”; changed alternative platform recommendation from Hims & Hers to LiveHealth for affordable cash-pay. Maintained 4.5 star rating.
Author: Matthew Church, MS (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Added new program, an Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP) for substance user disorder (SUD); fact checked all information, improving accuracy and readability; updated formatting. Maintained 4.5 star rating.
Author: Matthew Church, MS (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Updated age range from 18+ to 13+ in all US States. Maintained 4.5 star rating.
Author: Matthew Church, MS (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Updated users reviews with up-to-date information. Fact-checked and edited for improved readability and clarity. Maintained 4.5 star rating.
Author: Matthew Church, MS (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes:Added Nurx as a recommended alternative to Brightside Health. Maintained 4.5 star rating.
Author: Matthew Church, MS (New author)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (New medical reviewer)
Primary Changes:Fully re-reviewed and rewrote article and experience with Brightside Health; updated star rating score based on new review (from 4 to 4.5 stars), added firsthand experiences, added review summary and features, added new user reviews.
Author: Emily Guarnotta, PsyD (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Reassessment of Brightside Health & first-person impressions added; Moved miscellaneous information to FAQ sections; Fact-checked cost and offerings; Added new Crisis Management information; Updated style throughout. Maintained 4 star rating.
Author: Emily Guarnotta, PsyD
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD
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