Over multiple years, our reviewers have conducted in-depth assessments of Brightside Health, participating in ongoing psychiatric sessions with different providers on the platform. Recognized as one of the most affordable and accessible online psychiatry and therapy services—particularly for its broad insurance acceptance—Brightside piqued our interest for a fresh evaluation. In our latest review, the platform maintained its rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Editor’s Note
Since our last update, Brightside Health now offers Teen Care in 38 US states (previously 15).
Brightside now refers to its Crisis Care program as the Suicide Prevention Program.
Brightside Health At a Glance
Cost: $95 – $349 monthly
Insurance Accepted: Yes
Therapy & Psychiatry: Both
Location: US
Pros & Cons of Brightside Health
Pros - Accepts insurance, including Medicare & Medicaid
- Same-day, weekend, & evening appts.
- Free assessment available
- Suicide Prevention Program for higher risk patients
- AI-assisted PrecisionRx tool used by psychiatrists for effective prescription
Cons - Customer service can be slow to respond
- Cash-pay may be too expensive for some
- Teen Care not yet available nationwide (38 states)
Preview
Brightside Health is a subscription-based online psychiatry and therapy platform that costs between $95 – $349 monthly. It is available for anyone ages 18+ in all 50 US states and D.C., as well as those aged 13 and up in 38 US states. They accept many insurance plans, including some Medicare and Medicaid plans.
Users can book an appointment with Brightside in 48 hours or less; same-day appointments are often available, as well as evening and weekend appointments. Their offerings include psychiatry, therapy, and Crisis Care (now referred to as the Suicide Prevention Program) for individuals with elevated suicide risk.
Brightside also uses their own AI-driven technology, PrecisionRx, to help licensed psychiatric providers prescribe the most effective medicine from 1,000 medication/dose combinations. They do not, however, prescribe controlled substances such as benzodiazepines (e.g. Xanax or Ativan) or stimulants (e.g. Adderall or Ritalin).
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 plans, Talkiatry takes certain commercial plans that Brightside does not.
If you’re searching for a more affordable cash-pay therapy platform, BetterHelp offers financial assistance to those who qualify. Open Path Collective also provides therapy with the mission to offer low-cost care to those who are un/underinsured. LiveHealth, another one of our preferred psychiatry platforms, operates on an affordable pay-per-use model, but also gives you the opportunity to use insurance, which may reduce costs even further.
Detailed Review
In our independent review of Brightside’s services, we rated them 4.5 out of 5 stars. They scored high in most categories, which you can see in our breakdown below. One of the only areas below 4 stars is Provider Matching & Selection due to the inability to switch providers easily through the app. It often requires some back and forth with customer service, which can be a bit slow to respond. Overall, we still recommend this platform for anyone who needs high quality mental healthcare online.
Review our scoring criteria for online psychiatry platforms here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
Psychiatry With Brightside
When I tried Brightside Health, I found it very easy to sign up and get matched with a psychiatrist. I was excited to have my first video appointment, which I scheduled for four days after completing the initial questionnaire. Note: They typically have appointments available in 48 hours or less.
I joined my initial session with Brightside Health from my iPhone on my home internet connection and experienced no problems. Patients can choose to attend via phone or video. The mobile app provided plenty of reminders before my appointment, as well as access to a lot of great extra features, including the ability to keep my session open while browsing other parts of the app.
With my psychiatrist on time, we were off to a great start. She really was exceptional, actively listening and expressing a great deal of empathy. She also gave me detailed information regarding the medications she was considering for me. Throughout my 45-minute session, we discussed my recent symptoms and decided to increase the dosage of my current sertraline medication. On top of medication recommendations, she also connected me with extra resources, including mental health-focused video lessons.
Later, I easily accessed my prescription details through the Brightside Health mobile app and could message my psychiatrist directly if needed. Prescriptions can be sent to your preferred pharmacy—whether a local one, as I chose, or an online pharmacy that can ship your medication straight to your door.
Switching Providers
Just to get a better understanding of how easily patients can switch providers, I reached out to customer service to attempt and change mine. I was a bit disappointed that this couldn’t be done self-service like it can via other platforms such as Talkspace and BetterHelp. I had to send an email; however, a customer support representative responded to me within a day to get things sorted. Another one of our reviewers attempted to switch providers and customer service took several days to respond.
Therapy
Brightside’s therapy plans offer weekly 1-on-1 sessions with a licensed therapist through the app or website. Brightside therapy is a great addition to psychiatric services, and it’s convenient to have both in one platform. You can sign up for a therapy subscription for $299 monthly, which includes weekly sessions, or combine therapy and psychiatry for $349 monthly. Again, many insurance plans are accepted, so it’s worth checking to see if you’re covered.
Additional Resources
Alongside weekly sessions, Brightside offers mental health-focused video lessons, exercises, and educational resources you can engage with on your own and at your own pace. The video lessons cover ten topics, ranging from goal setting to healthy sleep patterns.
These resources offer great information, but I’d love to see Brightside Health add to this space and release new content on a regular basis, more like what you can find in the Talkspace app.
Suicide Prevention Program
In addition to virtual psychiatry and therapy services, Brightside also has a 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.
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. This allows them to bridge the gap between ongoing therapy and the emergency room by helping clients identify and address suicidal ideation and behavior.
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.
Cost & Insurance
Brightside Health’s monthly costs range from $95 – $349 before insurance, depending on the services you choose. They accept 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.
- 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 and a monthly online check-in. 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.
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. Patients can only access the Suicide Prevention Program through insurance.
Who Does Brightside Serve?
Brightside psychiatry and therapy are available for anyone ages 18+ in all 50 US states, plus D.C. They also treat teens 13 – 17 in 38 US states.
Disorders that Brightside Health treats include ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, sleep disorders, burnout, and more. Through their Crisis Care 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.
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 | 5.7K 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 | 4.3 out of 5 stars | 1.24K 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+ | 54 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. Brightside Health responded directly to all complaints on the BBB website.
Reviews from Trustpilot | 4.0 out of 5 stars | 507 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.
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 psychiatry providers, 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, try Talkiatry.
For those without insurance, BetterHelp provides affordable therapy with potential for financial assistance. Open Path Collective is another option, for therapy specifically. They were founded with the mission of providing more affordable cash to those who are uninsured or underinsured.
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.
Best Alternative for Kids - Talkiatry
Price: ~ $30 copay with insurance
Insurance Accepted: Yes, exclusively
Therapy & Psychiatry: Yes
Location: 43 US states
Talkiatry provides medication management for individuals aged five and up and has therapists on staff 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). Because Brightside only serves individuals 13-17 in select states and adults 18+ nationwide, 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
Best for Support Between Sessions - 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
- Excellent mobile app
Cons - Not much control over initial therapist; but switching is easy
- Can be expensive without insurance
Best for Financial Aid - BetterHelp
Price: $280 – $400 monthly
Insurance Accepted: No
Therapy & Psychiatry: Therapy
Location: US & International
BetterHelp is a solid alternative to Brightside for those who want affordable, cash-pay therapy. It offers financial assistance to help lower costs and provides access to a wide network of licensed therapists, making it a flexible and budget-friendly option for anyone without insurance.
Read more about BetterHelp at our review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - 30k+ licensed therapists to choose from
- Offers financial aid
Cons - Does not accept any insurance
- No medication management
Most Affordable Cash-Pay Therapy - Open Path Collective
Price: $65 one-time fee; $30–$70 per session
Insurance Accepted: No
Therapy & Psychiatry: Therapy only
Location: US & Canada
Open Path Collective is the better option for underinsured and uninsured individuals, providing affordable cash-pay therapy with rates ranging from $30–$70 per session with a one-time membership fee. In contrast, Brightside Health focuses on online psychiatry and therapy with costs ranging from $95–$349 monthly before insurance, making it more expensive for those paying out of pocket. While Brightside accepts many insurance plans, Open Path ensures accessible, low-cost mental health care regardless of coverage.
Our Open Path Collective review covers all this and more.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Directory has great filtering capabilities
- Many membership benefits (e.g., resources, discounts, wellness courses)
Cons - Does not accept insurance or offer psychiatry
- Directory requires you to contact providers yourself
Why You Can Trust My Review
“We rated Brightside Health 4.5 out of 5 stars based on firsthand experience with its services. When I used Brightside, I was impressed by its relatively low out-of-pocket costs for psychiatric care, especially compared to traditional in-person treatment. The psychiatrist I was matched with was a great fit from the start, and I found the platform’s design—both the mobile app and the overall care model—intuitive and user-friendly.
Brightside accepts many major insurance plans, making it an accessible option for many users. However, for those paying out of pocket, the cost could still be a concern. Another drawback is customer service response times, which typically take about two business days. Despite these minor issues, Brightside offers a well-structured, evidence-based approach to treating anxiety and depression, making it a strong option for adults seeking affordable, convenient mental health care.”
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.1
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.2
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.3
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.4 However, this service no longer appears on their website.
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. As of March 2025, Teen Care is now available in 38 states.5
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.6
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brightside Health Legit?
Yes, Brightside Health is a legitimate well-known, and relatively large provider of therapy and psychiatry services. Brightside Health vets and verifies its therapists well, and we recommend them.
How Does Brightside Health Work?
Brightside Health is an online psychiatry and therapy platform that allows people across the country to easily access mental health services online. 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.
How are Brightside Health Therapists Vetted and Verified?
All therapists on Brightside Health are licensed and accredited psychologists, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, or licensed professional therapists. Medication providers are either medical doctors or psychiatric nurse practitioners.
How are You Matched with Brightside Health Providers?
Matching on Brightside Health happens automatically based on your assessment answers and any preferences you selected during the sign-up process. It is possible to change providers later.
How Do I Change Providers on Brightside Health?
To change your medication provider or therapist through Brightside Health, you must reach out to customer service. If you’re already a member, you can send a request through Brightside Health’s help center, or email customer service at [email protected].
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.
How Much Does Brightside Cost?
Brightside Health costs range from $95 – $349, depending on the services you need. Brightside Health also accepts many insurance plans and your copay or coinsurance fees may vary depending on your plan.
Brightside Health offers three subscriptions for cash-pay members:
- Psychiatry ($95 monthly) – This plan gives you an initial consultation with a psychiatrist and ongoing care.
- Therapy ($299 monthly) – This plan gives you four live video sessions with a therapist monthly.
- Psychiatry + Therapy ($299 monthly) – This plan combines everything offered by the psychiatry and therapy plans.
Does Brightside Take Insurance?
Yes, Brightside takes insurance and is in-network with a number of popular health 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 Accept Medicaid?
Yes. In addition to accepting insurance from many national providers, Brightside Health also accepts select Medicare and Medicaid plans.
Can I Use My HSA/FSA for Brightside Health?
Yes, you can use your FSA or HSA for therapy expenses with Brightside Health. You will simply enter your HSA/FSA card information as your payment type.
How Do I Cancel My Brightside Health Subscription?
To cancel your Brightside Health subscription, simply navigate to the “Account” tab in the mobile app, select “Account settings,” and scroll down to the button labeled “Manage Plan.” You’ll be able to modify or cancel your Brightside Health plan from this page.
If you have further questions about canceling your account, please contact Brightside Health support by email at [email protected] or by phone at (415) 360-3348.
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
Choosing Therapy 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.
-
Brightside Health. (n.d.). About us. Brightside Health. Retrieved from: https://www.brightside.com/about/
-
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/
-
Plescia, M. (Sept. 2024). Brightside Health Launches Mental Health Services for Teens. MedCityNews. Retrieved from: https://medcitynews.com/2024/09/brightside-teen-mental-health
-
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/
-
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/?srsltid=AfmBOorZcV4vKVMYRu8IHLEc0CArR3WlT50FLble9ui56CDn0nPMVlU-
-
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-Commission%E2%80%99s-Gold-Seal-of-Approval%C2%AE
-
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
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: 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, but updated History 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.
Author: Matthew Church, MS (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Added the new program, an Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP) for substance user disorder (SUD); fact checked all information; updated when necessary to improve accuracy and readability; updated formatting.
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.
Author: Matthew Church, MS (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Fact-checked and edited for improved readability and clarity. Updated users reviews with up to date information.
Author: Matthew Church, MS (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Added Nurx as a recommended alternative to Brightside Health.
Author: Matthew Church, MS (New author)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (New medical reviewer)
Primary Changes: Fully reviewed and rewrote article and experience with Brightside Health; added firsthand experiences, added review summary, and features, added new user reviews, updated star rating score based on new review, updated entire article for clarity and accuracy. Fact-checked and improved for better readability. New content was written by Matthew Church, MS, and medically reviewed by Kristen Fuller, MD.
Author: Emily Guarnotta, PsyD (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Reassessment of Brightside Health & 1st person impressions added; Moved miscellaneous information to FAQ sections; Fact-checked cost and offerings; Added new Crisis Management information; Updated style throughout.
Author: Emily Guarnotta, PsyD
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD
Your Voice Matters
Leave your own reviews!
Have you used an online therapy company? Have you tried an online psychiatry service? Do you use a meditation or mindfulness app? We’d love to hear about your experience!
We want to hear about the companies you love and the companies you wish you never used.
Leave your feedback for our editors.
Share your feedback on this article with ChoosingTherapy.com’s editors. If there’s something we missed or something we could improve on, we’d love to hear it.
Our writers and editors love compliments, too. :)
