LifeStance Health is an online and in-person therapy and psychiatry company that earned 3.5 stars overall during our independent review. They are available in 33 states and treat kids, teens, adults, couples, and families. Therapy and psychiatry costs depend on your location and the provider you choose. LifeStance is in-network with most commercial insurance providers.
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Cost: Varies depending on location
Insurance Accepted? Yes
Pros & Cons
- In-person and online therapy and psychiatry
- Choose your own provider
- Accepts insurance
- Offers a wide variety of services
- Out-of-pocket costs not listed anywhere on the website
- Not available in all states
- Accepted insurance plans depends on the provider
Who Is This Right For
- Those who want to use their insurance and are seeking in-person and online mental health services
- Those who need neuropsychological testing.
Overview
LifeStance is an online and in-person therapy and psychiatry company that offers a wide range of comprehensive mental health services for kids, teens, adults, families, couples, and more. LifeStance currently serves 33 states. Therapy and psychiatry costs depend on your location and the provider you choose. LifeStance is in-network with most commercial insurance providers. LifeStance’s out-of-pocket or cash-pay rates are not listed anywhere on the website or the provider profiles. You will need to contact customer service to determine your cash-pay rates.
LifeStance uses AdvancedMD for its HIPAA-compliant platform, and it is fairly easy to use. There are sections for adding payment information, changing or making new appointments, and sending your provider a message. You will also be able to view and sign all your patient forms in this portal. LifeStance has a fairly large pool of providers to choose from, with most providers offering the option to attend appointments online, in-person, or through a combination of both. A consistent user complaint was how they were overcharged or charged for services they never received. LifeStance earned a 3.5 stars overall during our independent review.
Overall, I recommend using LifeStance Health if you are referred to the company by your primary care provider or if LifeStance is an in-network mental health provider with your insurance plan. However, I would not recommend LifeStance to those who want to pay out-of-pocket, as the cash-pay rates are costly for fully licensed therapists and psychiatric providers.
Why You Can Trust My Review
I have reviewed mental health and wellness products and services with Choosing Therapy for over two years. During my time using LifeStance Health, they scored highest in the “Clientele Served” category because they provide a wide variety of therapy types. However, LifeStance underperformed in the “Online Therapy Cost” category because out-of-pocket costs aren’t listed anywhere on the website and are not provided to you even after you make an appointment.
Review our scoring criteria for online therapy platforms here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
Key Takeaways – LifeStance Health
- LifeStance’s out-of-pocket or cash-pay rates are not listed anywhere on the website or the provider profiles. You will need to contact customer service to determine your cash-pay rates.
- Cash-pay rates are much higher than with other directories. In the state of Texas, therapy costs $85 for a student therapist, $365 for a fully licensed therapist, and $425 for a psychiatric provider.
- LifeStance has a fairly large pool of providers to choose from, with most providers offering the option to attend appointments online, in-person, or through a combination of both.
Final Verdict on LifeStance Health
Overall, I recommend using LifeStance Health if you are referred to the company by your primary care provider or if LifeStance is an in-network mental health provider with your insurance plan. However, I would not recommend LifeStance to those who want to pay out-of-pocket, as the cash-pay rates are costly for fully licensed therapists and psychiatric providers.
LifeStance Health at a Glance
Cost of Online Therapy | Depends on your location |
Cost of Online Psychiatry | Depends on your location |
Insurance accepted | Yes |
Geographic Coverage | 33 States |
Age Limitations | Depends on Provider |
Self-Selected or Matched with Therapist | Self-Select |
Can You Change Therapists? | Yes |
Speed to First Appointment | Depends on the Provider, but typically within one week |
Frequency of Appointments | Depends on your treatment plan |
Messaging with Therapist Between Appointments | Email through the patient portal |
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What Is LifeStance Health?
LifeStance is an online and in-person therapy and psychiatry company that earned 3.5 stars overall during our comprehensive review of their services. LifeStance offers a wide range of comprehensive mental health services for kids, teens, adults, families, couples, and more. Out-of-pocket costs vary depending on your location and the provider. However, all LifeStance providers are in-network with most commercial insurance plans.
It is easy to check if you are eligible for mental health services with LifeStance by clicking the “Find Provider” button on the main website. LifeStance does not offer a mobile app at this time, but everything runs very well on a mobile browser. Once you select your state and zip code, you will be sent to the provider directory with numerous therapists and psychiatric providers available in each state. Reading provider profiles can feel time-consuming, but it’s important to do because it gives you the opportunity to find what you think might be your perfect match.
LifeStance uses AdvancedMD for its HIPAA-compliant platform, and it is fairly easy to use. There are sections for adding payment information, changing or making new appointments, and sending your provider a message. You will also be able to view and sign all your patient forms in this portal.
It is not clear what out-of-pocket or cash-pay costs with LifeStance are, and you must reach out to customer service for answers. For my location, therapy costs $325 for a fully licensed therapist, with student therapists available for $85. Psychiatry services cost $425 for an initial, 60-minute appointment. According to LifeStance, if you attend a medication management appointment, your provider can prescribe medication for anxiety and medication for depression. Which types of medications specifically prescribed are left to your provider’s discretion.
How Much Does LifeStance Health Cost?
LifeStance Health costs greatly depend on your location. In the state of Texas, out-of-pocket therapy costs $325 per 60-minute therapy session and $425 for an initial psychiatry appointment. A student therapist was available for $85 per 60-minute therapy session.
Does LifeStance Health Accept Insurance?
Yes, LifeStance Health accepts most commercial insurance plans like Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Magellan, Optum, and many more.
Out-of-Network Benefits
LifeStance providers can create a superbill to send to your insurance for possible reimbursement.
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Your therapist can help you process thoughts and feelings, understand motivations, and develop coping skills. Covered by most major insurance plans. Try Talkspace
How Do You Get Started with LifeStance Health?
To get started with LifeStance, navigate to the LifeStance website and click “Find a Provider.” Select your state and choose to book online or call the customer service line for further assistance.
To schedule an appointment online, follow these easy steps:
- Navigate to the LifeStance website and click “Find a Provider.”
- Choose “Find a Provider Online” and then “I’m New Here.”
- Enter your zip code to find a provider — you may be prompted to call LifeStance directly for help with the next steps.
- Select which type of care you are seeking, your date of birth, and your insurance information.
- Enter the directory and read the profiles of providers available in your area.
- Select the provider you like the best and view their availability.
- Choose a date and time that works with your schedule.
- Confirm your choice and verify your email address.
- Finish adding your personal information and complete the consent forms.
- On the day of your appointment, click the link in your email and attend your live session.
LifeStance Health: Detailed Review
LifeStance Health offers online and in-person therapy and psychiatry services. They are available in 33 states and treat kids, teens, adults, couples, and families. Therapy and psychiatry costs depend on your location and the provider you choose. LifeStance is in-network with most commercial insurance providers.
What Is Therapy Like with LifeStance Health
Therapy with LifeStance was a somewhat complicated endeavor. While it was relatively easy to sign up for therapy, none of the providers accepted my insurance. When I finished reading through therapist profiles and found one I felt would be a good fit, I did not see her cash-pay rate anywhere. I sent a message from the patient portal to LifeStance, and it took about two business days for them to respond to me.
The customer service representative who emailed me ended up calling me because she needed my payment information. There was nowhere in the patient portal to add payment, which I found unusual. After she took my payment information, I learned how much the cash-pay rate was for my state and I did feel a lot of sticker shock. Paying $325 out-of-pocket was not something I had budgeted for at all, but luckily the customer service member was able to offer a solution.
She told me I could see a student therapist who was under supervision by a fully licensed therapist. The costs were significantly lower at $85 per session and I felt very relieved. On the day of my live session, I did not get an email with a Zoom link and began to become worried. I checked the patient portal and could not find a link either. After 10 minutes or so, the office manager emailed me a link to my session and I was able to enter it without any issues.
The student therapist I was matched with spent time getting to know my medical background and my family situation. She asked me questions about what I wanted to work on in therapy and what my goals were. I felt that she was just as knowledgeable and compassionate as any of the fully licensed therapists I have met with in the past.
Unfortunately, there were no extra features in the patient portal and the therapist never sent me any additional resources to use after our session. This did earn LifeStance 1 star out of 5 in the “Extra Features and Resources” category of our online therapy scoring criteria. In my opinion, I felt like my experience with LifeStance was not terrible, but not the best I’ve ever had.
What Is it Like to See a LifeStance Health Psychiatrist?
Due to the extraordinary out-of-pocket costs in my state, $425 for an initial psychiatry appointment, I did not see a LifeStance psychiatrist. However, the booking process, client forms, and live appointments work exactly like they do with therapy.
If your provider recommends medications, they will send your prescriptions to your local pharmacy for you to pick up. If you need medication like Xanax or Adderall, you may be asked to attend an appointment in person. This is why it is important that you live within 60 miles of a physical LifeStance location.
Who Is LifeStance Health Right For?
LifeStance would be ideal for those who want to use their insurance, are seeking in-person and online mental health services, and for those needing neuropsychological testing.
You Want to Use Insurance
LifeStance would be ideal for those who want to use their insurance. With LifeStance, most commercial insurance plans are accepted, making your out-of-pocket costs significantly lower. In fact, some primary care providers may provide you with a referral to LifeStance.
Seeking In-Person & Online Services
Many of the providers with LifeStance provide in-person and online mental health services. This is great if you need the flexibility to see a provider based on a changing schedule or if you have family commitments.
Neuropsychological Testing
A unique offering of LifeStance is neuropsychological testing. You can contact LifeStance and ask for help finding a provider near you that can complete testing for ADHD, Autism Spectrum, and more. While this is not available in all states, it is definitely worth looking into if you or your family need testing completed.
Who Might Want an Alternative to LifeStance Health?
While LifeStance is great for some, those outside the service area, seeking only online therapy, and those needing a specialized mental health program will need to seek an alternative.
Those Outside the Service Areas
LifeStance currently serves 33 states. This is not ideal for those living in rural areas or in states outside the service area. We highly recommend checking out platforms like Cerebral or Brightside for those looking for online mental health services in all 50 US states.
You can read more about cost, what each platform offers, and more in our comprehensive review of Cerebral and our Brightside Mental Health review.
Only Seeking Online Therapy
Attending in-person therapy may be difficult for some due to location or commuting times. Online therapy allows people greater flexibility in when and how their treatment happens. For those seeking a top-rated online therapy platform, we highly recommend reading our comprehensive list of the best online therapy services review.
This comprehensive article will provide details on cost, who each platform is best for, and our pick for the best online therapy service overall.
Top Rated Online Therapy Services
BetterHelp – Best Overall
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Talkspace - Best For Insurance
Talkspace accepts many insurance plans including Optum, Cigna, and Aetna. Typical co-pay is $30, but often less. Visit Talkspace
Looking For a Specialized Program
LifeStance has providers that can help with eating disorders and substance use disorders, but it’s not designed from the ground up for these specialized needs. For comprehensive virtual programs geared toward these specific needs, we highly recommend Within Health for eating disorders and Workit Health for substance use disorders.
To learn all about the signup and admissions process, costs, and more, read our in-depth review of Within Health and our detailed Workit Health review.
LifeStance Health User Reviews
LifeStance currently has an “F” rating on the Better Business Bureau and a 1.7-star rating on Trustpilot from 174 reviews. While some users share they have effective therapists with great treatment plans, the negative reviews are numerous.
Effective Treatment Plans
Several users of LifeStance Health shared their appreciation for the therapists and the effectiveness of the treatment. Many stated that they were pleasantly surprised that they were able to experience real results in a short amount of time and that their therapist was able to create an action plan that met their specific needs.
Issues With Billing
A consistent user complaint was how they were overcharged or charged for services they never received. Initially, I figured this was an over-exaggeration, but I too was charged incorrectly for services. This required me to wait on hold for 25+ minutes and then talk with the billing department for another 15 minutes. Ultimately, I was refunded for all charges and it took about a week for the money to go back to my card.
LifeStance Health Vs. Competitors
LifeStance is considered to be a hybrid mental health provider, with appointments available in-person or online. There are several platforms that operate this way and below is a brief comparison of LifeStance to its top competitors.
LifeStance Health Vs. Thriveworks
LifeStance and Thriveworks are very similar hybrid mental health franchises with in-person locations and online services available. A stark difference between the two are costs. Thriveworks costs for therapy range from $99-$199 and psychiatry costs $99-$349, with ultimate costs depending on the provider. LifeStance, on the other hand, can seem quite pricey in comparison, with out-of-pocket costs for therapy in Texas being $325 and psychiatry costing $425.
Both companies accept many major insurance plans, which would make your costs significantly lower. When choosing between the two in terms of insurance, it is important to read through the directory profiles, select which company has the type of provider you are looking for and accepts your insurance. To learn even more about Thriveworks, you can read our detailed review of Thriveworks.
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LifeStance Health Vs. Grow Therapy
LifeStance and Grow Therapy both offer in-person and online therapy and psychiatry services. However, Grow Therapy is a much more client-friendly platform with clearly listed cash-pay rates, easy self-service options in their patient portal, and great communication from providers. When I used Grow Therapy, I paid $75 to see a fully licensed therapist making it one of the most affordable cash-pay rates I’ve had all year.
Despite neither platform having dedicated extra features, like a journal or mental health activities, my Grow Therapy therapist emailed me resources after our first session. My therapist with LifeStance did not offer this and it could be something she would have offered in the future. Determining which of these two is a better fit for you may come down to whether your insurance is accepted and if the type of provider you want to see is available.
Find A Psychiatrist
Grow Therapy enables you to find a psychiatrist who can diagnose your condition, prescribe appropriate medication, and monitor your reaction to medication. Learn More
History of LifeStance Health
LifeStance Health was founded in 2017 by Michael Lester, Danish Qureshi, and Gwen Booth. In 2022, Ken Burdick became LifeStance’s new CEO and Chairman.1
Frequently Asked Questions About LifeStance Health
What Credentials Do LifeStance Health Providers Hold?
LifeStance providers are licensed therapists, psychiatrists, advanced practice nurses, and psychologists.
How Do I Choose a Provider?
You can choose your own provider from either the LifeStance provider directory or you can complete the sign-up process and choose one after. Either way, you can read the profiles of providers and select one you feel may best suit your needs.
Can I Switch to a New Provider?
Yes, you can switch to a new provider if needed. You must call LifeStance to ask them to switch providers for you.
Who Is Eligible for Medication?
LifeStance provides medication management to those six years and older.
What Medications are Available?
LifeStance providers can prescribe a variety of medication types based upon the unique needs of the patient. If you are seeking controlled medication, you may be required to attend an in-person appointment.
Where Is Medication Management Available?
Medication management is available in all states LifeStance services.
How Do I Get My Medications?
All prescription medications will be sent to your local pharmacy for pick-up. Costs will depend on what your copay is for medication.
Can I use my FSA or HSA Funds?
Yes, LifeStance accepts FSA or HSA funds for mental health costs.
How Can I Cancel My Appointment with LifeStance Health?
To cancel an appointment, you must call at least 48 hours in advance. If you do not cancel before this period, you will be charged up to $150.
Does LifeStance Health Offer Refunds?
Refunds depend on the individual provider. Your best bet for a possible refund is to contact your provider or LifeStance for assistance.
Is LifeStance Health HIPAA Compliant?
Yes, LifeStance uses a HIPAA-compliant platform called AdvancedMD. All patient forms, payment information, and scheduling functions happen inside this portal. We were unable to find LifeStance’s terms of use, but you can view the LifeStance Privacy Policy for more information on how they protect your information.
Additional Resources
To help our readers take the next step in their mental health journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy is compensated for marketing by the companies included below.
Online Therapy
BetterHelp – Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. BetterHelp has over 20,000 therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. Take A Free Online Assessment and get matched with the right therapist for you. Free Assessment
Online Psychiatry
Hims / Hers If you’re living with anxiety or depression, finding the right medication match may make all the difference. Connect with a licensed healthcare provider in just 12 – 48 hours. Explore FDA-approved treatment options and get free shipping, if prescribed. No insurance required. Get Started
Medication + Therapy
Brightside Health – Together, medication and therapy can help you feel like yourself, faster. Brightside Health treatment plans start at $95 per month. United Healthcare, Anthem, Cigna, and Aetna accepted. Following a free online evaluation and receiving a prescription, you can get FDA approved medications delivered to your door. Free Assessment
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Choosing Therapy Directory
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Best Online Therapy Services
There are a number of factors to consider when trying to determine which online therapy platform is going to be the best fit for you. It’s important to be mindful of what each platform costs, the services they provide you with, their providers’ training and level of expertise, and several other important criteria.
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With so much information out there regarding providers and treatment options for obsessive compulsive disorder, it can be hard to know exactly where to start—especially when you have to consider everything from the type of provider to the different treatment methods, as well as how you’ll fit it into your busy schedule.
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.
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FAQs. (n.d.) LifeStance. Retrieved from: https://lifestance.com/faq/
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: Caitlin Bell, MA (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Added article summary, “Why Trust Our Review” section with editorial rating breakdown, and all related page features.
Author: Caitlin Bell, MA
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD
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