Manatee Health is an online mental health platform geared toward kids and families, and it earned 4 out of 5 stars during our independent review. It offers therapy for children and parents in 11 states so far and continues to expand. Additionally, Manatee Health has an app that is available for free, offering goal- and reward-setting, a chat bot, and activities for the whole family.
Therapy costs $200 per session after an initial $220 intake, but many insurance plans are accepted, which can lower out-of-pocket costs.
Manatee at a Glance
Cost: $200–$220 a session
Insurance Accepted? Yes
Pros & Cons
Pros - In-network with many insurance plans
- Quick turnaround time from intake to scheduled sessions
- Free app with various mental health resources for kids and parents
- Services available in English and Spanish
Cons - Online therapy is only available in 11 states
- No discounts or bundles available
- Care is limited to individuals under 18 years old
- No medication management or psychiatry services offered
Overview
Manatee offers virtual therapy for children aged 0–18 and their families, providing parent coaching and an app for goal-setting and family bonding. For young children, Manatee recommends parent counseling, while for those aged 6–18, Manatee can develop a multifaceted plan that includes individual and family sessions.
Therapy sessions through Manatee cost $200 after an initial $220 intake appointment, but it takes many insurance plans, so this could significantly reduce your costs. The app is free to use for all families and is accessible nationwide, but therapy sessions are only available for those living in California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
If you’re looking for therapy specifically for teenagers, check out Teen Counseling as an option. Meanwhile, those looking for a more comprehensive care team may benefit from a service like Bend Health.
Detailed Review of Manatee Health
Manatee Health offers online therapy in select states for kids, teens, and their families. Additionally, Manatee Health has an app that is available for free and offers goal-setting, journaling, learning lessons and bonding activities for the whole family. The app is free to use, while services cost $220 for the first 60-minute session and $200 for all 55-minute follow-ups. Many insurance plans are accepted.
Review our scoring criteria for online psychiatry platforms here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
Therapy
Manatee Health offers a free, 30-minute initial screening call that can be scheduled by visiting the Manatee website. If you don’t want the phone call, you can fill out a brief questionnaire and be matched with a provider. You will then be recommended for an initial intake session, which lasts 60 minutes and costs $220. During this intake session, you’ll receive a recommendation for either parent counseling or child therapy, based on your family’s needs. Online therapy services are only available in California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Manatee Health uses 12-week treatment plans centered on weekly child, parent, or family therapy sessions plus the use of its app to help build the skills focused on in therapy. It states that 87% of children show a significant reduction in symptoms after six weeks with Manatee.
The younger the child is, the more likely sessions will revolve more around parent counseling. It generally recommends that for children 0–4, parents should expect almost exclusive parent counseling, whereas older children may have private sessions or a mix of private and family therapy appointments.
The Manatee Health App
The Manatee Health app is full of resources for families, including goal-setting and rewards for kids (though they could be useful for folks of any age!), courses for parents, an AI chatbot specifically for children, and family questions to discuss together. The app is free and available for users nationwide.
Cost & Insurance
Without insurance, therapy with Manatee Health costs $220 for an initial 45- to 60-minute intake session, followed by $200 for each 55-minute appointment.
Manatee Health accepts several insurance plans and is actively working on increasing its network coverage. With any medical service, it is important that you, as the patient, understand your insurance and plan-specific coverage. Contact your insurance company directly to find out more.
Out-of-Network Benefits
Manatee Health will not submit out-of-network claims on your behalf, however, it can provide families with superbills so they can submit receipts of payment to their insurance companies for reimbursement.
Parents can also contact support, the assigned Care Coordinator, or the insurance company directly for any help with out-of-network questions and concerns.
Who Does Manatee Serve?
Manatee Health makes mental health care streamlined, fun, and accessible for kids, teens, and their families. Manatee would be ideal for families who may need support in between sessions, co-parents who seek more convenient involvement, and parents who are in need of a village for community support.
User Reviews
Manatee has a 4.8-star rating from 250+ reviews in the Apple App Store and a 4.5-star rating from 37 reviews on the Google Play Store. Across both app stores, there were some positives and negative reviews when it came to the app, but few reviewers mentioned what their therapy sessions were like. One thing we like to see is that Manatee responded to almost all the reviews with feedback or to help resolve issues with the app.
Reviews from the Apple App Store | 4.8 out of 5 stars | 250+ reviews
Positive reviews on the Apple App Store mention the app being great for kids and parents, as it’s easy to use and super fun to look at. Others mentioned how it helped their family communicate and support each other better.
Negative reviews were scant, but one user mentioned having an issue logging in to the app.
Reviews from the Google Play Store | 4.5 out of 5 stars | 37 reviews
Positive reviews simply mention how much the app has helped their kids, especially with routine and communication.
Negative reviews mentioned having issues changing information in the app or not receiving notifications, to which the Manatee team responded with the support email and direct instructions for how to get the issues resolved.
Alternatives & Competitors
Manatee Health could be a great choice for families looking for therapy for their children or parental counseling, if they live in a state with coverage. The app could also be helpful for families across the country who are just looking for ways to set goals and be more connected. However, for those in states Manatee doesn’t serve or who would like more comprehensive care, Bend Health or Grow Therapy could be better options.
Bend Health - Best for High Acuity Care
Price: $199.99–$549.99 monthly
Insurance Accepted: Yes
Both Manatee Health and Bend Health focus on providing online mental health for children and teens, with the emphasis of including the entire family, though Bend Health provides care for those up to age 25. Unlike Manatee, Bend Health has licensed providers nationwide. Additionally, Bend Health provides psychiatry, so your child can be prescribed medication if needed.
Another difference comes in Bend Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for people aged 7–25 who have more acute needs. The program lasts 6–12 weeks and involves group sessions three days a week in addition to individual and family sessions. It also offers parent coaching, though this cannot be covered by insurance.
Bend Health offers monthly payment plans, while Manatee Health has users pay per session.
You can learn more about this platform by checking out our detailed review of Bend Health.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Emphasis on child/teen mental health
- Has unique program for young adults (18–25)
- Specialized Psych Urgent Care and Virtual IOP programs
- Can prescribe controlled medication
- Can collaborate with child’s pediatrician and/or school
- Can support higher acuity mental health concerns
Cons - Parent coaching not covered by insurance
- Onboarding process can become overwhelming
- Cannot book same-day appointments
- Unable to schedule directly through the portal with provider
- Therapy sessions are 30 minutes instead of 45 minutes
Grow Therapy - Best for Insurance Coverage
Price: Varies by provider
Insurance Accepted: Yes
You can think of Grow Therapy as a potential one-stop shop for all your family’s mental health needs, as it offers therapy for all ages, plus couples therapy and psychiatry. Users can use the extensive filters on the directory to find providers in their area who take their insurance and match their exact needs. All sessions happen through the Grow Therapy platform.
Similarly to Manatee Health, clients pay per session instead of using a subscription model. All cash-pay costs and insurance plans accepted are clearly listed on each provider’s profile.
Learn more in our complete Grow Therapy review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Services for kids & teens, adults, and couples
- Most providers accept major insurance plans
- Many filters available to search for a provider
- Affordable cash pay options for 50-minute therapy sessions
- Over 15k therapists available nationwide
Cons - Some states may have a smaller selection
- Cash-pay prices and insurance coverage vary by provider
- Not all providers offer video and text sessions
Why You Can Trust My Review
“As a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who specializes in teen mental health and as a mom myself, I am uniquely positioned to review services like Manatee Health. While I couldn’t attend a therapy session as I’m not in a state with coverage, I spent a great deal of time on the platform and the app. I was impressed with Manatee Health’s range of services, and I’m excited to see that it’s continued to expand and add more health insurance plans to make it more accessible to families needing care.”
History & News About Manatee Health
- Year Founded: 2019
- Founders: Damayanti Dipayana and Shawn Kuenzler
- Headquarters: Denver, Colorado
Manatee began as a digital platform designed to improve the family experience with therapy, initially partnering with major children’s hospitals and health systems.1 Over time, it evolved into a comprehensive virtual mental health clinic, offering evidence-based therapy, parent counseling, and personalized care plans through a user-friendly app that gamifies progress and encourages high engagement.
The company raised $1.5 million in seed funding in 2020 to expand its technology and partnerships, and its total funding has reached over $11 million as of 2025.1, 2 Manatee’s approach has earned it awards such as the Prime Health Challenge and recognition from Children’s LA Digital Health Lab and the HLTH startup competition.3 Over the past few years, Manatee has continued to expand its services to more states and join several major insurance networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Credentials do Manatee Health Therapists Hold?
Manatee Health therapists are fully licensed clinicians in a variety of specialties, including social work, professional counseling, or marriage and family therapy. Manatee Health also supports continuing education and further professional development for its clinicians.
How Do I Match with a Therapist or Coach on Manatee Health?
During your initial consultation with a Care Coordinator, you will be matched with a therapist or coach depending on any preferences you share. If you have preferences based on gender, awareness of issues related to LGBTQ+ or BIPOC communities, additional languages spoken, etc., your Care Coordinator will do their best to accommodate you.
How Do I Choose a New Therapist?
To change your therapist, you will need to speak to customer support first. While you are able to change your therapist at any time, it is always best to try to discuss your concerns directly with your therapist first, prior to changing therapists. It is beneficial to the therapeutic relationship to learn how to collaborate with your child’s therapist and learn what works best for all parties involved.
Can I use my FSA or HSA for Manatee Health?
Yes, Manatee Health does accept FSA and HSA for mental health as forms of payment. Additionally, it will provide you with a superbill that you can submit to insurance for potential reimbursement if it is not in-network with your insurance. A good rule of thumb is to contact your insurance directly to understand your specific plan’s coverage.
How Do I Cancel My Manatee Health Account?
Every six weeks Manatee Health provides families with an assessment to see how things are progressing. This would be a great time to discuss with your care team whether you would like to continue services or not. With any therapy service, you are encouraged to share that you want to terminate services, so that everyone is on the same page. You are welcome to cancel at any time with Manatee Health, as all services are provided on a voluntary basis. You can contact your Care Coordinator directly or email [email protected].
Does Manatee Health Offer Refunds?
While Manatee Health does not offer refunds on therapy services, as they are charged per-session, you can use its online form to contact Manatee Health directly for any concerns or questions. Additionally, you can email them [email protected], or call or text (888) 788-0480.
Is Manatee Health HIPAA Compliant?
Manatee Health is HIPAA compliant for its app and video conferencing. It informs children and families that their journal entries are kept private and confidential, with the exception of the desire to harm oneself, harm someone else, or if someone is harming them. Manatee Health will contact parents and caregivers if there is a concern regarding one of those three risks. You can read more about Manatee’s terms of service.
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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Tepper, Nona. (July 6, 2020). Digital Mental Health Platform Manatee Raises $1.5M in Seed Funding. Built In Colorado. Retrieved from: https://www.builtincolorado.com/articles/manatee-raises-1m-seed-funding
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Crunchbase. (2025). Manatee, Inc. Financials. Retrieved from: https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/manatee-b376#financials
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EINPRESSWIRE. (December 1, 2022). Manatee, mental health care for families is launching in New Jersey. Retrieved from: https://www.einpresswire.com/article/604085761/manatee-mental-health-care-for-families-is-launching-in-new-jersey
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Manatee. (2025). Services. Retrieved from: https://www.getmanatee.com/faqs
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Manatee. (2025). The app for happy families. Retrieved from: https://www.getmanatee.com/manatee-app
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Lieberman, Allison. (May 1, 2025). Bend Health Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For. ChoosingTherapy.com. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/bend-health-review/
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Rueger, Abigail. (February 27, 2025). Grow Therapy Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For. ChoosingTherapy.com. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/grow-therapy-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: Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW (No Change)
Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Changed information about Manatee’s offerings, as it no longer offers parent coaching and focuses solely on the child/parent counseling and the app. Changed the pricing information from $99–$220 per session to $200–$220 per session, as the $99 referred to the parent coaching sessions, which are no longer offered. Changed our recommended alternative from Brightline Health to Grow Therapy, as Brightline is now only available in-person in a few states and Grow Therapy is nationwide. Fact-checked and edited entire article for readability and clarity.
Author: Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW (No Change)
Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Added review summary and features.
Author: Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW (No Change)
Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (New reviewer)
Primary Changes: Reassessment of Manatee Health; Updated cost; Updated screenshots/images; Added first-person point-of-view; Style updates throughout.
Author: Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW
Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD
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