For Hims is a comprehensive online healthcare platform for men 18 years and older throughout the United States that earned 3 stars overall during our independent review. For Hims is a part of Hims & Hers Health, Inc., which also provides comprehensive healthcare services to women. Hims Mental Health offers medication management and therapy for men dealing with depression and anxiety.
The cost of Hims Mental Health is $99 per 50-minute therapy session and $85 monthly for medication management. Currently, Hims Mental Health does not accept health insurance and does not provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement.
Rating of Hims Online Psychiatry
Emily Guarnotta is a PsyD. that specializes in perinatal and postpartum mood disorders, grief counseling for individuals who suffered miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss, as well as infertility support and therapy for new parents and seasoned parents. Dr. Guarnotta has written for Choosing Therapy since 2020 and in the summer of 2022 began reviewing online therapy and psychiatry platforms. During her independent review, Hims earned 3 out of 5 stars overall, earned 3 out of 5 stars overall, performing best in the categories of diagnoses treated and prescription options, online psychiatry cost, and geographic location. However, Hims underperformed in the categories of psychiatric appointment features and insurance and out-of-network benefits compared to its competitors.
Pros & Cons of Hims Mental Health
Hims Mental Health offers therapy and medication for men experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout. Hims providers are knowledgeable of men’s issues and how they can affect mental health. It is an affordable and fast service that also includes medication shipping. However, Hims does not offer live psychiatry appointments or accept health insurance, and the website and app can be challenging to navigate.
How to Sign Up for Hims Mental Health
Signing up for Hims Mental Health is as easy as navigating to the Hims Mental Health Website.
What is Hims Mental Health?
Hims Mental Health is an online mental health treatment platform that offers therapy and medication for men experiencing anxiety and depression. Online therapy sessions are held via live video with licensed therapists.
The cost of this service is $99 per 50-minute session. Medication management is also available and does not require an appointment. The cost of medication management with Hims is $85 a month. Hims does not accept health insurance and you must be 18 years or older to sign up.
With Hims, you can get prescribed medication without having an appointment with a psychiatrist. Due to the fact that you can be prescribed medication without ever seeing your provider face-to-face, Hims earned 1 star in the “Psychiatric Appointment Features” category of our online psychiatry scoring criteria. When you sign up for this service, you are automatically matched with a provider and must complete an online assessment. Your provider then reviews your answers and will send you a response in about 24 hours. Based on the information that you provide, your provider will determine the best medication for you. Your medication will then be shipped to you at no additional charge. Refills will also be sent to you each month unless you choose to pause or stop them.
Hims prescribers include board-certified psychiatrists, physicians, and psychiatric nurse practitioners. All providers are thoroughly vetted and specialize in treating anxiety and depression. They prescribe medications for depression and medications for anxiety, such as Lexapro (escitalopram), Celexa (citalopram), Cymbalta (duloxetine), and buspirone (Buspar). Hims does not prescribe controlled medications of any kind.
Therapy with Hims is held over live video on the website or app. When you sign up for this service, you are automatically matched with a licensed therapist. You can then view your therapist’s schedule and select an appointment. Depending on your therapist, evening and weekend appointments may be an option. You can also select a different therapist at any point in time if you choose. All therapy appointments are 50 minutes long. You can choose to purchase therapy sessions as often as you like, but weekly sessions are the most common.
Common Treatments for Anxiety & Depression
Anxiety
Anxiety is defined as excessive worry that is difficult to control and negatively impacts a person’s life. There are many types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and phobias.1 Treatment for anxiety typically includes therapy, medication, or a combination of both. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered the “gold standard” of anxiety disorder treatment.
CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns that contribute to anxiety and teaching people healthy coping skills for managing negative emotions.2 Antidepressants are the most common medications used to treat anxiety.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) may be prescribed. Benzodiazepines are also sometimes prescribed for acute anxiety on a short-term basis, however, Hims does not prescribe these types of medications. Additionally, alternative approaches like hypnosis, biofeedback, acupuncture, and homeopathy may also be recommended, but research is less clear on the effectiveness of these approaches.3
Depression
Depression is a mood disorder that involves sadness, or apathy, that persists for several weeks. People with depression may also experience changes in appetite and sleep, low energy, difficulty concentrating, and suicidal thoughts.1 Like anxiety disorders, treatment for depression typically includes medication, therapy, or a combination of both. There are many different antidepressants available to treat depression, including SSRIs like Sertraline (Zoloft) and Prozac (Fluoxetine), SNRIs like Effexor (venlafaxine), tricyclics, and MAOIs.4 Therapeutic approaches like CBT, interpersonal therapy, and supportive counseling are effective therapies for depression.5 Additionally, regular exercise and supplements like omega-3 fatty acids and folic acid can also help manage depression.6
Who Is Hims Mental Health Right For?
Hims Mental Health specializes in treating men experiencing depression and anxiety. Despite its name, anyone can use this platform, including people who identify as transgender and non-binary. The company also runs Hers, which provides the same mental health services and products for women. Hims is a good choice for people seeking an affordable and quick way to get mental healthcare.
Those Seeking a Fast and Convenient Way to get Prescribed Medication
Many people are drawn to Hims because of its quick and easy approach to prescribing medication. There is no appointment necessary to get prescribed mental health medication. All you need to do is complete a brief online assessment and wait for a response from your assigned psychiatric provider. For many people, this saves significant time, effort, and hassle.
Those Experiencing Men’s Issues
Hims Mental Health provides therapy and medication management for anxiety and depression with a focus on men’s issues. Anxiety and depression may impact men differently than women, and Hims providers can help treat these conditions while remaining sensitive to how men may be impacted. While the company advertises its services as intended for men, they invite people of all genders and sexual orientations to use this platform.
People Seeking Affordable Mental Health Care Without Insurance
Hims is an affordable way to get prescribed medication and access therapy. You can get prescribed medication for as little as $25 for your first month and $85 for subsequent months, and therapy sessions are only $99 each. Hims does not accept health insurance, but its costs are significantly less than in-person treatment and many other online platforms. Hims may, therefore, be an appealing option for people without insurance who want to access mental health treatment.
Who Might Want an Alternative to Hims Mental Health?
Hims Mental Health allows you to get prescribed medication fast. You can get a diagnosis and medication within 24 hours and have the medication delivered to your door in just a few days. While some people prefer this convenience, this service is not right for everyone. People who would prefer a traditional psychiatry experience or anyone experiencing mental health conditions other than anxiety or depression would benefit from an alternative to Hims.
People Experiencing Mental Health Issues Other Than Anxiety or Depression
Hims Mental Health only offers treatment for depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout. Hims providers do not treat other mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or substance use disorders.
If you are experiencing any other mental health conditions, then you may want to search an online therapist directory to find a provider that specializes in that area. If you are seeking mental health treatment for women’s issues, like postpartum depression or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), then Amwell’s online therapy platform may be a better fit.
To learn about how Amwell can help with women’s mental health issues, read our detailed review of Amwell online therapy.
Those Wanting a Traditional Psychiatry Experience
Hims Mental Health offers a fast and convenient way to get prescribed medication. There is no appointment necessary to get prescribed medication. While some people may like this approach, anyone who would prefer to meet with a psychiatric provider for an appointment and get more thoroughly evaluated would benefit from an alternative to Hims. To find a great in-person provider, you can search an online therapist directory and filter for psychiatrists.
Hims Mental Health User Reviews
Hims has a 4.8-star rating from 5.5k reviews in the Apple Store. Customers of Hims Mental Health praised the service for offering a fast and easy way to get mental health medication and the opportunity to learn more about anxiety and depression through videos and activities on the website and app. Negative reviews reported billing issues like overcharges and poor customer service in resolving these problems.
A Fast and Convenient Way to Get Prescribed Medication
Reviewers of Hims Mental Health’s online psychiatry services praised the platform for offering a quick and easy way to get mental health medication. All you need to do is create an account, answer some questions about your symptoms and health history, and your assigned provider will review your answers and make a recommendation for medication. There are no long waits or appointments necessary. When I tried the platform, it took me approximately 10 minutes to complete the online assessment and about 24 hours to hear back from my psychiatric provider.
Informative Videos and In-App Activities
Customers found the educational material available in the app helpful, including video series on topics related to coping with depression and anxiety. The progress tracker on the app also allows you to monitor how you are doing over time. Most of these resources only seem to be accessible on the iOS app and not the website. Currently, there is no app available for Android devices.
Billing Issues
The majority of negative reviews centered around billing issues. Reviewers reported being overcharged for services and continuing to be billed after they canceled their subscriptions. Many customers also noted that customer support was not helpful in resolving these billing problems.
How Much Does Hims Mental Health Cost?
Hims Mental Health costs $85 monthly for medication management and $99 for a 50-minute therapy session. Due to the clear language around the cost for their medication management option, Hims earned 5 stars in the “Online Psychiatry Cost” category of our scoring criteria. You can also purchase mental health supplements for around $25 each. Hims does not accept health insurance or assist with out-of-network reimbursement.
Get 70% Off on Your First Month
Anxiety & Depression Medication
Medication management with Hims Mental Health costs $85 monthly. The monthly subscription plan includes an online assessment with a psychiatric provider, unlimited messaging with your provider, refills, and medication shipping. The first month of medication management may be discounted as low as $25.
Online Therapy Session
Online therapy sessions with Hims Mental Health cost $99 for a 50-minute session. All therapy sessions are held over live video with a licensed therapist through the website or app. You can purchase as many therapy sessions as you like. There are also options to purchase weekly or monthly sessions. When you sign up for the service, you can also track your progress through the website and app and access free resources, like mental health videos.
Mental Health Supplements
Hims also offers a range of supplements, including wellness gummies and supplement powders. The cost of mental health supplements with Hims varies, but on average they cost about $25 each plus a processing fee.
Does Hims Mental Health Accept Insurance?
No, Hims Mental Health does not accept insurance. There are no plans to accept health insurance in the near future. For this reason, Hims earned 1 star in the “Insurance & Out-of-Network Benefits” category of our scoring criteria.
Out-of-Network Benefits
Hims Mental Health will not submit out-of-network claims or provide a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement. In order to sign up for Hims Mental Health, you will have to provide a credit or debit card.
How to Get Started With Hims Mental Health
Getting started with Hims Mental Health is a simple process. The first step is signing up for an account through the Hims iOS app or the Hims website. Hims does not have an app available for Android devices at this time but is expected to offer one in the near future. The remainder of the process is slightly different depending on whether you are seeking medication or therapy.
To get a prescription for medication with Hims Mental Health:
- Register for an account through the website or app.
- Select between therapy, medication, or both.
- Complete the mood assessment and medical and lifestyle questions.
- Get matched with a psychiatric provider.
- Your provider will review your assessment and get back to you in about 24 hours with a medication recommendation.
- You will receive an alert when the medication is shipped.
- Refills will automatically be sent to you each month.
Hims Anxiety & Depression Medication: Detailed Review
Hims Mental Health offers a medication plan for men 18 years and older who are diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression. It is a subscription plan that costs $85 monthly. Your first month may be discounted to $25. The plan includes an assessment with a psychiatric provider, unlimited provider messaging, as well as the cost of medication, shipping, and refills.
The Hims Mental Health medication management plan differs from traditional psychiatry. With this service, you never have to meet with a provider. Instead, you complete a series of assessment questions and fill in your medical and mental health history. Your provider will use this information to make a diagnosis and medication recommendation. This process typically takes about 24 hours. The medication that your provider recommends will then be sent directly to you. Shipping timeframes may vary. I received my medication in about a week.
The psychiatric providers through Hims Mental Health include board-certified primary care physicians, psychiatrists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners. When you sign up for the plan, you are automatically matched with a provider in your state. If you would like to change your provider, you can easily do so through the website. You can also message directly with your provider through the website or app.
Who is Eligible for Medication?
Anyone who is at least 18 years old or older, living in the United States, experiencing anxiety or depression, and who is not currently suicidal or in crisis is eligible for medication through Hims Mental Health.
What Medications are Available?
Hims Mental Health prescribes antidepressants, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), anti-anxiety medications, and beta blockers for performance anxiety. Hims Mental Health does not prescribe controlled medications like benzodiazepines or stimulants for ADHD.
Where is Medication Management Available?
Medication management is available throughout the United States and Washington D.C.
Medication Shipping Costs
Medication shipping is included in the cost of the monthly medication management subscription of $85. Refills will be automatically sent to you, or you can request to pause refills on your account.
Hims Online Therapy: Detailed Review
Therapy on Hims Mental Health is available for men 18 years old who are experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, or burnout. Therapy sessions can be purchased as needed for $99 per 50-minute session. This service can be purchased on its own or combined with the monthly medication management plan.
What is Therapy on Hims Mental Health?
Hims Mental Health allows you to attend live therapy sessions through the website or app. When you sign up for therapy with Hims, you will be automatically matched with a therapist. All of the therapists on the platform are licensed and hold either a master’s or doctorate degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field. Once you are matched with a therapist, you can view their profile and availability and schedule an appointment. Evening and weekend appointments may be available depending on your therapist’s schedule. You can also request to change your therapist at any time. If you do, you will be able to browse the therapist directory and select your own.
Therapy sessions through Hims are 50 minutes long. You can choose to purchase sessions as often as you would like. All therapists on Hims specialize in treating men experiencing anxiety and depression but may use different therapeutic approaches depending on their particular style. For example, some therapists may assign homework or other activities to supplement your therapy. When you view your therapist’s profile, you can get an idea of how they work and their treatment approach. Unfortunately, therapist profiles on Hims do not provide a significant amount of information about the therapist, especially when compared to other mental health platforms or online directories.
Hims Mental Health also offers a progress tracker and online videos on topics like “relief from depression” and “ease for anxiety.” Accessing some of these features can be tricky though since some are only available on the app. I found myself having to go between the website and app to use different features, which could be inconvenient at times.
Therapists Vetting and Credentials
All of the therapists on the Hims Mental Health platform are licensed in the state(s) that they practice and specialize in treating anxiety and depression. Therapists include doctorate-level psychologists and masters-level therapists.
Therapist Matching/Self Select
Hims Mental Health matches you with a therapist based on your assessment answers and your location. You can view your therapist’s profile, availability, and schedule a video session on the website or app.
Can You Choose a New Therapist?
Yes, you can choose a new therapist if you like. To select a new therapist, you will have to go onto the website, sign into your account, and select “therapy dashboard.” You can then request to switch your therapist and browse other profiles. From there, you can select a therapist, view their availability, and schedule an appointment.
Hims Mental Health Supplements
Hims offers mental health supplements for sale intended to help improve mood and sleep. The cost of these products ranges from $19 to $25 (plus a processing fee of $5) and they are shipped directly to you. Hims also sells biotin gummy vitamins and collagen powder to help improve your skin, hair, nails, joints, and bones.
Hims Mental Health sells two wellness supplements: Mind Unwind ($25) and Sleep Tight Gummies ($19). Mind Unwind is a calming liquid drop that contains L-theanine, vitamin B6, ashwagandha, and chamomile. To use this product, you simply measure out 1 ml and either place the liquid under your tongue or add it to a drink. Sleep Tight Gummies are non-habit forming and support your body’s natural sleep cycle. Its key ingredients include melatonin, chamomile flower extract, and L-theanine. To use this product, you can take two gummies a half-hour before bedtime.
Hims Mental Health vs Competitors
There are many online mental health treatment platforms available in addition to Hims Mental Health, including Brightside Health and Talkspace. Compared to competitors, Hims is unique in offering medication management without an appointment. It is also more affordable than many other platforms. However, some competitors are able to serve a larger pool of customers and accept health insurance. The platform that is best for you will depend on factors like your age, mental health condition(s), finances, and personal preferences.
Hims Mental Health vs Brightside
Brightside Health is an online mental health treatment platform that offers therapy and medication to people experiencing depression. Both platforms serve adults across the United States, are similar in cost, and match you with a provider. Medication with Brightside Health is $95 a month plus an additional $15 to have your medication delivered to you. Therapy costs $299 monthly and includes four online video sessions, but you can purchase additional therapy sessions for $59 each. You can also select a combination plan for $349 a month which includes the benefits of both the medication and therapy plans. Unlike Hims, Brightside Health is in-network with some health insurance companies, including Aetna and Cigna, and can provide a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement.
One difference between the two platforms is the length of therapy sessions. With Brightside Health, your first therapy session is 45 minutes long and subsequent sessions are 30 minutes long. Therapy sessions with Hims are 50 minutes long. People seeking longer therapy may therefore prefer Hims over Brightside Health. Another difference between Brightside Health and Hims is that Brightside Health offers traditional psychiatry appointments. When you sign up for their monthly medication plan, you will meet with your provider over live video for your initial evaluation and subsequent appointments. Hims, on the other hand, does not require any appointments to get prescribed medication.
To learn more about subscription options with their platform, you can read our detailed review of Brightside Health.
Hims Mental Health vs Talkspace
Talkspace also offers online mental health care, including medication and therapy. However, Talkspace differs from Hims in several ways. First, Talkspace serves Canada as well as the United States and treats a larger range of mental health conditions. Like Brightside Health, Talkspace has you attend an initial evaluation to get prescribed medication and follow-up appointments for refills. These appointments are held over live video. The cost of psychiatry with Talkspace is more than Hims and is billed per appointment, rather than as a monthly charge. An initial psychiatric evaluation with Talkspace costs $249 and follow-up appointments are $125. Some insurance plans are accepted.
There are also notable differences between Hims and Talkspace’s therapy plans. With Talkspace, teens ages 13 and older can participate in therapy with a parent or guardian’s consent. Talkspace also offers three monthly subscription plans for therapy. The messaging plan costs $69 per week and allows you to communicate with your therapist through text, video, or audio messages in a secure chatroom.
The live therapy plan costs $99 per week and gives you four 45-minute therapy sessions each month. The messaging and live therapy plan costs $129 per week and combines the features of both plans together. The cost of Talkspace’s subscription plans may vary depending on location and therapist availability and are charged monthly. Hims, on the other hand, only provides therapy to adults and does not offer any messaging plans. You can message your therapist if you have a scheduling question, but you cannot use messaging as a form of therapy.
To learn all about their subscriptions, you can read our comprehensive review of Talkspace.
How Hims Mental Health Has Evolved
Hims is a part of Hims & Hers Inc., which was founded in 2017 by Andrew Dudum to provide high-quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare. Initially, the company started out selling erectile dysfunction and hair loss treatments to men. In 2018 they expanded to offer products for women, including birth control pills. In 2020, Hims & Hers Inc. began offering mental health treatment. Currently, the company offers a range of healthcare products and services to customers throughout the United States. We attempted to reach out to the company to learn about any future plans to expand but did not receive a response.
The company has faced criticism for its approach to prescribing medications. Some have claimed that having customers get prescribed medication based on the results of a brief assessment is poor clinical care. Since you never actually attend an appointment with a prescriber, some believe that the limited contact via messaging is not enough to prescribe medication and ensure that a patient is taking it safely.
After your provider reviews your assessment, they send you a lengthy message back explaining what medication they are prescribing, potential side effects, and what to do if you experience side effects or a crisis. You can also message your provider with any questions or concerns that you have. While this may seem to check off all the boxes on what a prescriber would need to advise a patient, I can’t help but agree that this approach is not right for most people seeking mental health medication. Having the opportunity to meet with a provider, ask questions, and talk about what you are experiencing is more helpful, in my opinion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hims Mental Health
Can I use my HSA or FSA Card?
You may be able to use your flexible spending or health savings accounts for therapy and medication, but it depends on whether Hims Mental Health meets the requirements of your FSA or HSA accounts. It is recommended that you speak with your accountant or tax professional first.
How Can I Cancel My Account with Hims Mental Health?
To cancel your subscription with Hims, you can call 1-800-368-0038 or email [email protected]. You can also put a pause on your subscription without canceling through the website or app if you intend to resume in the future.
Does Hims Mental Health Offer Refunds?
Hims Mental Health does not typically offer refunds. If you have any problems with your order or the service, you can contact customer support by emailing [email protected] or calling 1-800-368-0038.
Is Hims Mental Health HIPAA Compliant?
Yes, Hims Mental Health is a secure and HIPAA-compliant service. You can learn more by reading the company’s terms and conditions and privacy policy.
Final Verdict on Hims Mental Health
Hims Mental Health offers medications for anxiety and depression, as well as therapy and wellness supplements for people 18-years and older. It earned 3 stars overall during our independent review and it is ideal for people who want access to fast and convenient care. With Hims, you can be prescribed medication without ever seeing a psychiatrist face-to-face, which is great for those who have been on medication in the past and know what works for them.
However, if you have never been prescribed medication or have not found the right one, Hims is not right for you. Instead, you should seek out a provider that can meet with you face-to-face and provide a more in-depth evaluation. With that being said, Hims may be worth a try if you are looking for affordable online therapy. If you are seeking medication, I would strongly urge you to consider the pros and cons of getting prescribed medication without an appointment, especially if it is your first-time seeking medication.
Summary Table of Hims Mental Health
| Cost of Online Therapy | $99 per session |
| Frequency of Appointments | Varies |
| Message Therapist Between Appointments | Yes |
| Provider Choices | Matched |
| Can You Change Therapists? | Yes |
| Speed to First Appointment | A few days |
| Geographic Coverage | United States |
| Age Limitations | 18 and older |
| Online Psychiatry Offered | Yes |
