Rula Health (formerly Path Mental Health)3 is an online therapy platform that offers individual, couples, and family counseling that earned 3 out of 5 stars overall during our independent review. With Rula, you can attend live 60-minute sessions via Zoom with a provider chosen from a curated list of licensed therapists in your state. Rula is available nationwide and accepts several major insurance plans as well as self-pay clients starting at $150 per session. While the user interface and sign-up process were a bit tricky, I recommend Rula is a good option for a wide range of therapy services.
Rula is a good choice if you have an insurance plan that’s in-network with it. If your plan isn’t, you should try looking into Talkspace which accepts many insurance plans, including some Medicare variants.
Rula At a Glance
Cost: Therapy: $150 per session for individuals or $165 per session for families/couples. Psychiatry: $350 for intake sessions, $150 for follow-up sessions
Insurance Accepted? Yes
Pros & Cons of Rula
Pros - Therapy available for individuals (ages 5 and up), couples, and families
- Accepts several major insurance plans
- No monthly membership or sign-up fees
- Responsive customer service
Cons - No mobile app available for on the go access
- No between-session therapist messaging
- Platform is not intuitive to use, with two patient portals to navigate
- Medication management not available in all states
Who Is Rula Right For?
- Those who are already familiar with online therapy
- Couples and families
Preview Rula
Rula (formerly Path Mental Health) is an online therapy platform that offers per-session rates for individuals, couples, and families. With Rula, you are able to choose your provider from a curated list of licensed therapists in your state. All live sessions are typically 60 minutes long and held via Zoom, but can be adjusted based on patient/provider preferences. Rula accepts commercial plans from most major insurance carriers. Patients typically pay $15 per session. Without insurance, Rula offers a cash rate of $150/session for individual therapy and $165/session for families or couples. The cash rate for psychiatry sessions is $350 for an initial 60-minute intake session and $150 for 30-minute follow-up sessions.
A great aspect of Rula is that you can self-select a therapist from a list they provide to you. You will be able to read therapists’ profiles before you select one for a live session. A unique offering from Rula is their family therapy option. Not all online therapy platforms offer this, with most platforms focusing on individual and couples therapy. However, those who are brand new to therapy, don’t live in the covered geographic locations, and those seeking medication management will need to seek an alternative to Rula.
Why You Can Trust My Review
Over the past few years, I have dedicated a considerable amount of time to researching, personally using, and reviewing online therapy platforms. Not only do I sign up for online therapy services and use their websites and apps, but I also attend live therapy sessions with each platform. I reach out to each online therapy platform before I begin researching and reviewing them to ask numerous questions about their products that users are likely to want answers to. All of this is done to ensure that consumers get the information they need to make intelligent purchases. During our independent review, Rula earned 3 out of 5 stars overall, performing best in the categories of clientele served, online therapy cost, and therapist specialties. However, Rula underperformed in the categories of interface & user experience, and extra features & resources compared to its competitors.
Review our scoring criteria for online therapy platforms here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
Firsthand Rula Reviews
Caitlin Bell's Experience with Rula
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Detailed Review of Rula – What is Rula?
Rula Health (formerly Path Mental Health) is an online therapy platform that offers per-session rates for individuals, couples, and families. With Rula, you are able to choose your provider from a curated list of licensed therapists in your state. All live sessions are typically 60 minutes long and held via Zoom, but can be adjusted based on patient or provider preferences. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session with insurance, although their individual cost may vary based on their plan and deductible. Rula therapy costs start at $150 cash-pay and they accept major insurance plans such as Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Optum, Oscar, and United Healthcare. These vary by state, and they can also work with some Medicare plans.
Rula is available to anyone above age 5 and offers services in all 50 US states, but provider availability may vary by location.
A great aspect of Rula is that you can self-select a therapist from a list they provide to you. You will be able to read therapists’ profiles before you select one for a live session. Each profile will tell you the therapist’s professional background, which patients they are accepting, their therapy approach, and their focus areas.
Unlike subscription-based online therapy services like BetterHelp or Calmerry, there is no way to email or message your therapist from the website. However, during your first therapy session, your therapist will share with you a HIPAA-compliant email address in case you need to reach out to them.
Rula Health Family Therapy
A unique offering from Rula Health is their family therapy option. Not all online therapy platforms offer this, with most platforms focusing on individual and couples therapy. Family therapy with Rula costs $165 per session cash-pay and with several insurance plans accepted as well. To find out more about how family therapy works, you can visit the Rula Health website.
What Is Therapy Like on Rula?
Getting started with Rula was fairly straightforward, however many of the links the company sent me were very time-sensitive. I had to email them several times to resend links to browse for a therapist and to sign my patient forms. Once the link was present, I was able to find and connect to a therapist very quickly. I was provided a list of therapists with availability as soon as the next day.
Much like Thriveworks, there are two patient portals to navigate which does not strike me as very user-friendly. Rula Health uses AdvancedMD as its second patient portal, which complicated this process for me personally. Thriveworks also uses this platform and I had already created an account with them. This meant that I needed to utilize a second email address in order to sign up fully with Rula. In hindsight, it makes sense that you can only use one email address on AdvancedMD but it was definitely frustrating to troubleshoot in the moment.
The day before my therapy session, I was emailed a Zoom link and at the time of my appointment, I simply clicked that link and was sent to my private Zoom meeting. It was a very easy process and I had no issues getting into my live session. My therapist was on time and the video and audio quality was great. After about 20 minutes, the therapist I chose made me feel comfortable, safe, and heard. At the end of our session, they gave me reasonable homework to complete independently and we were able to schedule my next session while on the call. For the first time since beginning therapy platform reviews, I feel like I found a therapist I genuinely am looking forward to seeing again.
How Much Does Rula Health (Formerly Path Mental Health) Cost?
Rula Health costs $150 for an individual therapy session and $165 for a family or couples therapy session. All sessions are approximately 60 minutes long but can be adjusted based on patient/provider preferences. If Rula accepts your health insurance, your costs will be whatever your co-pay is for therapy, typically around $15 per session. Rula psychiatry costs $350 per session for an initial evaluation, and then $150 per session for follow-ups.
Per-session cash-pay rates for Rula services are:
- Individual therapy – $150 per session
- Couples or family therapy – $165 per session
- Psychiatry initial evaluation – $350 per session
- Psychiatry follow-ups – $150 per session
Who Does Rula Serve?
Rula therapy services are available to anyone above age 5, and services are available in all 50 US states. Rula Health offers individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, child therapy, teen therapy, and psychiatry. Rula specializes in online therapy – giving patients the flexibility to meet with their therapist from wherever they’re most comfortable.
While Rula is primarily a telehealth provider, they offer limited in-person therapy with select partners. Typically, sessions are 60 minutes but can be adjusted based on patient or provider preference.
Online & In-Person Therapy
Therapy can change your life – Thriveworks can help you in person or online with your unique mental health challenges from anxiety to depression, relationship problems, grief, trauma, and more. Choose from thousands of experienced therapists and cover most of the cost with your insurance — we accept 575+ plans, covering 180 million Americans. Click here to Find A Therapist or (877) 314-3813
Rula Health (Formerly Path Mental Health) Vs Competitors
Rula Health has some great perks to be aware of, but other companies like Thriveworks or LifeStance may be an even better option for those seeking affordable online or in-person mental health services.
Cost: Therapy: $150 per session for individuals or $165 per session for families/couples. Psychiatry: $350 for intake sessions, $150 for follow-up sessions
Insurance Accepted? Yes
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Therapy available for individuals (ages 5 and up), couples, and families -
Accepts several major insurance plans
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Platform is not intuitive to use, with two patient portals to navigate -
No between-session messaging with therapist
Cost: $99 – $349 per session
Insurance Accepted? Yes
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In-person services are available in select cities -
Accepts several major insurance plans, with very limited locations accepting Medicaid
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Psychiatry is not available at every in-person location -
Per session rates for therapy and psychiatry depend on the provider and your location
Cost: Varies depending on location
Insurance Accepted? Yes
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In-person and online therapy and psychiatry -
Offers a wide variety of services
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Out-of-pocket costs not listed anywhere on the website -
Not available in all states
Rula Health Vs. Thriveworks
Rula Health Vs. LifeStance Health
Brightside Health - Life-Changing Mental Health Care
If you’re struggling with serious mental illness, finding the right medication can make a difference. Brightside Health treatment plans start at $95 per month. Following a free online evaluation and receiving a prescription, you can get FDA approved medications delivered to your door.
Rula Health (Formerly Path Mental Health) User Reviews
Out of user reviews found across multiple sources, the consensus among users about Rula Health (formerly Path Mental Health) seems to be that it is a well-implemented platform that helps with accessing services from high-quality therapists. Most negative reviews about Rula found online are centered around individual experiences and one-off issues such as therapist appointment issues or odd billing problems. In general, users seem to have a good impression of Rula Health.
Reviews from Trustpilot - 4.3 out of 5 stars | 1k reviews
Positive reviews on Trustpilot about Rula indicate that the majority of users think that Rula (formerly Path Mental Health) is a huge help in finding therapists. Many users agree that therapists on the platform tend to be of high quality and the platform is very well designed.
Negative reviews on Trustpilot about Rula tend to be centered around isolated incidents such as glitchy log-in problems, and technical issues around appointments. Other issues included some insurance billing problems, but these seem to be isolated events. Most negative reviews noted that the complaint was with Rula as a platform, not with their individual therapists.
Reviews from Reddit | r/TalkTherapy
Positive reviews from users on Reddit about Rula noting that they have had great experiences with their therapists and highly recommend them to their friends and family.
Negative reviews from users on Reddit about Rula shared their frustrations with inconsistent billing, unauthorized charges, and unclear insurance coverage.
Online & In-Person Therapy
Therapy can change your life – Thriveworks can help you in person or online with your unique mental health challenges from anxiety to depression, relationship problems, grief, trauma, and more. Choose from thousands of experienced therapists and cover most of the cost with your insurance — we accept 575+ plans, covering 180 million Americans. Click here to Find A Therapist or (877) 314-3813
Who Might Want an Alternative to Rula Health (Formerly Path Mental Health)?
While Rula may be a great choice for some, there are others that will need to seek care elsewhere. Those who are brand new to therapy, don’t live in the covered geographic locations, and those seeking medication management will need to seek an alternative to Rula Health.
Those Who Are Brand New to Therapy
Rula can be somewhat difficult to navigate and may frustrate those brand new to online therapy platforms. Starting therapy should be as easy and uncomplicated a process as possible and Rula doesn’t quite fit the bill. Those brand new to therapy may best be served by large and established subscription-based online therapy brands like BetterHelp or Talkspace. BetterHelp and Talkspace have simplified onboarding processes making it easier to connect with a licensed therapist and schedule your first session.
To learn more about how these subscription-based therapy options work, please read our in-depth Talkspace review or our BetterHelp review.
Therapy-Seekers Who Want Additional Resources and Content Alongside Therapy
Rula doesn’t have a mobile app and doesn’t offer any supplemental content alongside therapy and medication management. If you’re looking for a medication and therapy provider that also offers an app with plenty of supplemental resources, you might consider Cerebral instead.
Learn more in our full Cerebral review.
Online & In-Person Therapy
Therapy can change your life – Thriveworks can help you in person or online with your unique mental health challenges from anxiety to depression, relationship problems, grief, trauma, and more. Choose from thousands of experienced therapists and cover most of the cost with your insurance — we accept 575+ plans, covering 180 million Americans. Click here to Find A Therapist or (877) 314-3813
Our Final Verdict on Rula Health (Formerly Path Mental Health)
“Rula Health was not the easiest platform to get started with due to the time-sensitive links. On multiple occasions, I had to email customer service in order to have a new link provided to find a therapist or to fill out patient forms. Additionally, Rula uses AdvancedMD which runs its HIPAA-compliant Zoom sessions. If you have signed up for online therapy with another company that uses AdvancedMD, you will need to use a different email address.
Despite how frustrated I was with the signup process and the platform receiving a 3 out of 5-star rating, I was able to find a really great therapist. They were smart, calm, and created a safe environment for me to share. It is hard to make a strong connection to a therapist in one session, but I felt one with my therapist and did not hesitate to schedule another session. Overall, if you are looking to use your insurance, and a good therapist match is available in your state, Rula Health is worth looking into.”
History & News About Rula Health
- Year Founded: 2019
- Founders: Josh Bruno, Gabriel Diop, Greg Moore
Rula (formerly Path Mental Health) was founded by Josh Bruno, Gabriel Diop, and Greg Moore in 2019.1 At the time it first launched, Rula was a platform that gave employee health benefit programs access to specialized substance addiction treatment professionals.2 It is not clear when the company pivoted to offering online therapy to individuals, couples, and families.
In 2024, Path Mental Health rebranded into Rula Health and expanded its product line to include medication management in select states.3
Frequently Asked Questions
What Credentials Do Rula Therapists Hold?
All therapists on Rula Health currently have an LPCC, LPC, LISW, LPCC-S, LISW-S, LCPC, LMFT, LCSW, LP or LCMHC license in the state they practice.
How Do I Choose a Therapist on Rula?
With Rula, you will select your therapist from a list provided to you. You will be able to read the profiles of several therapists and choose the one you feel is best suited to your needs.
Can I Change Rula Therapists?
To request a change in your Rula therapist, email your therapist directly or email Rula customer service at: [email protected].
Can I use my FSA or HSA Funds with Rula?
Yes, you can use your FSA or HSA funds to pay for therapy with Rula to cover out-of-pocket expenses. You have the option to enter your card as the payment method on file, or you may submit a receipt to their HSA/FSA provider for reimbursement.
How Do I Cancel My Rula Health Account?
Rula is a pay-per-session platform and if you no longer wish to use it, you can simply tell your therapist you do not want to schedule with them further. If you want to cancel your therapy session, you can call Rula customer support at (323) 205-7088 or email them at [email protected]
Does Rula Health Offer Refunds?
It was unclear whether or not Rula would offer refunds to clients who were dissatisfied with their care. If you think you deserve a refund, the best first step is to contact Rula customer service by phone at (323) 205-7088 or by email at [email protected].
Is Rula Health a HIPAA-Compliant Platform?
Yes, Rula Health is HIPAA-compliant and uses AdvancedMD and Zoom to conduct its live therapy sessions. All therapists will provide their clients with a HIPAA-compliant email address to reach them if needed.
For more information, you can read Rula’s Terms of Use or Privacy Policy.
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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Crunchbase. (n.d.) Path – Crunchbase Company Profile. https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/path-2adb
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Shieber, J. (2019, Oct 23) Substance abuse affects about 15% of American employees, Path wants to ensure they get help. TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2019/10/23/substance-abuse-affects-about-15-of-american-employees-path-wants-to-ensure-they-get-help/
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PR Newswire. (2024, Feb 5) Path Rebrands to Rula Health, focuses on improving mental healthcare outcomes. PR Newswire. Retrieved from: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/path-rebrands-to-rula-health-focuses-on-improving-mental-healthcare-outcomes-302052844.html
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: Reviewed entire article and revised where necessary to improve factual accuracy, clarity, and enhanced readability. Revised content regarding session length. Session lengths increased from 50 minutes to 60 minutes.
Author: Caitlin Bell, MA (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Updated article to reflect rebranding from Path Mental Health to Rula Health, added article summary block, reformatted star rating breakdown, added “Why You Can Trust My Review” section. Reviewed and revised for factual accuracy and readability.
Author: Caitlin Bell, MA
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD
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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 30,000 therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $65 per week and is FSA/HSA eligible by most providers. Take a free online assessment and get matched with the right therapist for you. Free Assessment
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
Online Psychiatry
Klarity Health – The providers on Klarity offer comprehensive, personalized ADHD treatment. From diagnosis to therapy to medication management, a Klarity provider will be there for you. And, if needed, they’re able to prescribe controlled substances, like Adderall or Concerta. Visit Klarity Health
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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.
Best Online Psychiatry Services
Online psychiatry, sometimes called telepsychiatry, platforms offer medication management by phone, video, or secure messaging for a variety of mental health conditions. In some cases, online psychiatry may be more affordable than seeing an in-person provider. Mental health treatment has expanded to include many online psychiatry and therapy services. With so many choices, it can feel overwhelming to find the one that is right for you.
