Thriveworks, which we gave 4 out of 5 stars in our independent review, is clinician-founded and led. It provides online and in-person therapy in 49 states plus D.C., serving teens, individuals, couples, and families. Virtual psychiatry services are available in 24 states. Thriveworks is in-network with over 585 insurance plans, and session fees vary depending on your coverage.
Thriveworks at a Glance
Cost: $135 – $375 per session
Insurance Accepted: Yes
Therapy & Psychiatry: Yes
Pros & Cons:
Pros - Accepts major insurance plans
- Kids, teens, couples, and family therapy
- Psychiatry in 24 states
- In-person services available in select cities
- Flexible scheduling
- Choose your own provider
Cons - Psychiatric services available in limited states
- No free introductory calls with providers
- Difficult to contact provider between sessions
- Switching providers requires you to fill out forms
- Per session rates depend on provider and location
Overview
Thriveworks, a clinician-led platform, is available in 49 US states, plus D.C., offering in-person care (340 facilities across the country) and online therapy for individuals, couples, families, and children, as well as virtual medication management in 24 states. The cost of therapy and psychiatry appointments varies based on location and provider, but most clients can use their insurance, typically paying a co-pay of $0–$50. For those without insurance, self-pay options are also available.
- Therapy: $160 – $240 for intake sessions; $135 – $195 per follow-up
- Psychiatry: $255 – $375 for intake sessions; $175 – $300 per follow-up
This platform has a network of over 2,200 clinicians nationwide, including licensed therapists and provisionally licensed master’s-level therapists under active supervision. Since licensure titles vary by state, providers hold credentials such as LPC, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW, and LPCC. Psychiatry services are provided by licensed psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) who collaborate with physicians (MDs) to ensure comprehensive care.
If you’re looking for other options that also accept insurance, Talkiatry or Brightside Health could be good options. Additionally, while you can see the same provider with Thriveworks on a session-by-session basis, if you’d prefer a subscription service with easy access to a therapist between sessions, go with Talkspace, or even Jimini, which is more expensive but very high quality.
Detailed Review of Thriveworks
Thriveworks is a mental health franchise available across the US (therapy in 49 states; psychiatry in 24 states). It offers online and in-person mental health services for kids and teens, individuals, couples, and families.
Review our scoring criteria for online therapy platforms here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
Counseling & Therapy
When I used the Thriveworks platform, I first entered my credit card info and then selected “Book Session” to browse the provider directory. I could choose between virtual or in-person care, and many therapists had next-day availability, while others were booked about a week out. I appreciated the range of early morning, evening, and weekend appointment options.
My intake session, held via Zoom, was notably thorough and more comprehensive than any other online therapy platform I’ve used. My provider asked questions similar to a primary care intake, which made me feel they were considering my overall well-being, not just my mental health.
That said, the process wasn’t without hiccups. While you select your therapist through the main site, all paperwork, billing, and account management happen on a separate patient portal. My payment info didn’t transfer between systems, and I had to call support to fix it. Communication between sessions is also limited; you can’t message your provider directly and must go through customer service, who will relay your request.
Therapist Vetting & Credentials
Thriveworks therapists and counselors are fully licensed psychologists and professionals (i.e., LCSWs, LICSWs, LPCs, LPCCs, LMHCs, LMFTs). All providers must be accredited in the state where they practice and submit documentation during the hiring process. You can view each provider’s credentials directly on their directory profile.
Switching Therapists
You can choose a new therapist at any time. You are not locked into a contract with any provider you choose and can simply select someone new the next time you book an appointment. However, if you choose a different provider, you will be required to complete new patient forms.
Medication Management
Thrivework’s online psychiatry services are available in 24 US states. Select providers will be able to prescribe medication to teens starting at age 13, but generally, medication management is available to those 18 years and older. If your provider decides to prescribe or refill medication, they will send it to your local pharmacy. From there you will pick up and pay for your prescriptions like you would any other prescription.
What Medications are Available?
Medications may vary by state and provider. In general, Thriveworks’s psychiatric nurse practitioners can prescribe anti-anxiety medications (such as Prazosin and Vistaril), anti-depressants (such as Wellbutrin, Lexapro, Zoloft, Prozac, etc.), mood stabilizers (such as Lamictal, Depakote, and Topamax), stimulant ADHD medications (such as Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin, and Vyvanse), non-stimulant ADHD medication (such as Strattera), and more.
Extra Resources
Within their client dashboard, Thriveworks clients have access to Fireside, a collection of immersive video courses led by expert licensed mental health professionals. Topics range from parenting and divorce to anxiety and eating disorders. They also have a long-running blog with articles on a wide variety of topics, all clinically reviewed and most written by therapists.
What Does Thriveworks Cost?
Thriveworks is in-network with 585+ insurance plans, including Humana, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Tricare, Tufts Health Plan, Medicare, and Optum/UnitedHealthcare. Most in-network clients owe a co-pay of $0–$50 per session.
Self-pay options are also available. The exact costs for therapy sessions and psychiatry appointments depend on your location and the provider you choose.
Here are self-pay costs:
- Therapy: $160 – $240 for intake sessions; $135 – $195 per follow-up
- Psychiatry: $255 – $375 for intake sessions; $175 – $300 per follow-up
Clients pay per session with a debit or credit card. Thriveworks accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Or, you can use an HSA/HRA/FSA card. Thriveworks processes payments daily so clients will be billed as soon as possible following their session.
Who Does Thriveworks Serve?
Thriveworks provides online therapy to kids, teens, individuals, couples, families, in 49 US states, plus D.C. The only state they don’t provide online therapy in is Vermont. It’s also important to note that there may not always be providers available in your state.
Medication management is available for adults in 24 US states. Select providers can prescribe medication to teens age 13 and up.
Other kinds of care Thriveworks provides:
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- EMDR online
- Narrative therapy
- LGBTQIA-friendly care
- Christian counseling
- OCD therapy
- Eating disorder therapy
User Reviews
User reviews for Thriveworks are generally positive. Most clients loved going to in-person locations and had great things to say about their therapists. Owners of each location responded to reviews thanking them and encouraging them to contact them for further help if needed. None of the reviews of the in-person locations mentioned attending sessions or appointments online.
Reviews from Trustpilot | 1.5 out of 5 stars | 121 reviews
Positive reviews from Trustpilot include users noting that Thriveworks has been the best source of therapy they have ever had. They highly recommend Thriveworks.
Negative reviews from Trustpilot include reports of billing issues. They had frequent issues with unauthorized charges in their bank accounts. Many said that the staff at their billing center were not helpful.
Reviews from BBB | 1.14 out of 5 stars | 98 reviews
Positive reviews from the BBB include users noting that Thriveworks’ customer service was excellent, calling it personable, professional, and effortless.
Negative reviews from the BBB include reports of unwanted charges on users’ accounts. Thriveworks has been accused by some users of having hidden fees.
Reviews from Reddit | r/Scams
Positive reviews from users on Reddit express their satisfaction with the therapist they are currently working with.
Negative reviews from users on Reddit mentioned large sums of money being charged to their credit cards after they called and canceled their accounts.
Alternatives & Competitors
As a hybrid online and in-person provider, Thriveworks is great. They offer a lot of valuable mental health services, but other companies fill certain gaps in coverage. For example, Brightside Health has better geographic availability for psychiatric services; Talkspace is a subscription-based service that gives users a better sense of continuity and community; and Jimini has much better provider messaging capabilities.
Better Psychiatric Coverage - Brightside Health
Cost: $45 – $349 monthly
Insurance: Yes
Location: US
Brightside is a possible alternative to Thriveworks, particularly for those seeking accessible psychiatric care. Unlike Thriveworks, which has some geographic limitations, Brightside offers psychiatric services to patients across all 50 states, making it a more flexible option for those in areas with fewer in-person providers.
Additionally, Brightside provides a free assessment to help users determine whether their services are a good fit, something Thriveworks does not offer, as it lacks introductory calls or chats before intake.
If you’d like to learn more visit our Brightside review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Accepts many insurance plans
- Same-day appointments often available
Cons - Cash-pay may be too expensive for some
- Customer service can be a little slow
Best Subscription Service - Talkspace
Cost: $276 – $436 monthly
Insurance: Yes
Location: US & international
Talkspace offers a subscription-based model that provides ongoing access to a therapist, including the ability to message them between sessions. This is a key difference from Thriveworks’ pay-per-session approach. While some people may prefer Thriveworks’ pay-as-you-go structure, others might find Talkspace’s model more beneficial. It is better for those who want continuous support vs. occasional one-off therapy sessions or refill sessions.
We cover this in detail in our full Talkspace review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Accepts many insurance plans
- Excellent mobile app
- Easy to switch therapist
Cons - Cash-pay can be expensive for some
Best Provider Messaging - Jimini
Cost: $200 per session
Insurance: Several plans
Location: 9 States
Jimini is a more expensive option, but it offers legitimate advantages for those who can afford it. With Jimini, you receive ongoing, personalized communication with your provider, as well as access to an AI assistant for additional support. This level of continuous, tailored care sets it apart from Thriveworks, which typically offers more traditional, session-based therapy.
Jimini’s combination of direct therapist interaction and AI-driven tools provides a more immersive and responsive mental health experience. Unfortunately, while it does accept several insurance plans, it’s currently only available in 9 states.
In our review of Jimini we cover all this and more.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Ongoing communication with experienced clinicians
- 24/7 AI-optimized care & support
Cons - Operates in limited states
- Cash-pay is high
Why You Can Trust My Review
“My approach to reviewing mental health platforms involves digging into what stands out, what meets industry standards, and where improvements may be needed. In my time using Thriveworks, I found that it excelled in its range of clientele served, diverse treatment approaches, and broad geographic availability.
While I appreciate the high-quality mental health providers and responsive customer service, the complicated sign-up process, lack of introductory calls, and inability to communicate easily between sessions made getting started with Thriveworks a bit more challenging than I would have liked. That said, we still gave Thriveworks 4 out of 5 stars and would absolutely recommend it to friends and family looking for online therapy based on clinical evidence.”
History & News About Thriveworks
Year Founded: 2008
Headquarters: Lynchburg, VA
Thriveworks is a U.S.-based mental health provider that offers both in-person and virtual therapy and psychiatry services. The company was founded in 2008 by Dr. Anthony Centore in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Thriveworks later relocated its headquarters to Lynchburg, Virginia. As of 2025, the company operates over 340 offices across 49 states and Washington, D.C., employing more than 2,200 licensed clinicians.
William Furness was appointed CEO in April 2022, succeeding founder Anthony Centore. In November of that year, Thriveworks expanded its services to address pediatric mental health needs, launching 18 therapy centers (now 19) dedicated to offering play therapy to children aged 12 and under.1, 2
In January 2023, Thriveworks discontinued its membership fees with the hopes of making its services more widely available and affordable.3
In July of the following year, Thriveworks partnered with Eleanor Health and Ophelia to provide integrated behavioral health services for individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) across multiple states. In October 2024, Thriveworks announced its first acquisition: Synchronous Health, a behavioral health provider known for its AI-powered digital platform, Karla.4, 5, 6
Leadership changes occurred in April 2024 when Dr. Dan Frogel, co-founder of CityMD and a former executive at Optum, succeeded William Furness as CEO. Frogel emphasized the importance of building enterprise partnerships and expanding access through integrated care strategies.7
On April 23, 2025, Thriveworks announced a partnership with NOCD, a digital health company specializing in exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The partnership created a referral loop between the two organizations.8
Also in April, Thriveworks launched ThriveConnect, a free referral and scheduling platform that enables healthcare providers to connect patients directly with mental health professionals. This tool was designed to reduce friction in the referral process and facilitate in-person and online appointment scheduling.9
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cash-pay Rates at Thriveworks?
For those without insurance, self-pay options are also available.
- Therapy: $160 – $240 for intake sessions; $135 – $195 per follow-up
- Psychiatry: $255 – $375 for intake sessions; $175 – $300 per follow-up
Can I use my HSA or FSA?
Yes, you can use your FSA or HSA funds to pay for therapy with Thriveworks.
How Do I Cancel My Thriveworks Membership?
To cancel your Thriveworks membership, you must call customer service at 855-641-1379. You can also ask the customer service representative to close out your entire account and this will remove any payment information from your account in general.
Does Thriveworks Offer Refunds?
Yes, Thriveworks will provide a refund of the membership fee if you ask for one within the first seven days. Thriveworks recommends you reach out to their customer service department at 855-641-1379 if you have questions or concerns.
What Is Thriveworks’ Cancellation Policy?
Thriveworks has a flexible cancellation policy that allows clients to reschedule or cancel an appointment up to 48 hours in advance. Clients will be charged a late cancellation fee of $135 if they cancel or reschedule within less than 48 hours of their appointment, don’t show up for their appointment, or are more than 10 minutes late to a 30 minute-appointment or 15 minutes late to a 60-minute appointment.
Is Online Therapy with Thriveworks HIPAA Compliant?
Yes, Thriveworks uses a HIPAA-compliant patient portal called AdvancedMD/AdvancedTelemedicine.
To learn more, you can read Thriveworks Privacy Policy & Terms of Use.
Does Thriveworks use AI?
In October 2024, Thriveworks acquired the behavioral health company Synchronous Health. This gave the company access to the AI-powered companies assets, including the coaching bot, Karla. At the time of the acquisition, CEO Frogel said that Thriveworks would “explore the technology’s capabilities and potentially make it available for Thriveworks patients in the future.”6
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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Walker, T. (2022) Thriveworks Launches Pediatric TherapyLand Clinics in 18 Locations. Healthcare Design. https://healthcaredesignmagazine.com/news/thriveworks-launches-pediatric-therapyland-clinics-in-18-locations/
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Larson, C. (April 20, 2022). “Fast-Growing Mental Health Company Thriveworks Names New CEO.” Behavioral Health Business. https://staging.bhbusiness.com/2022/04/20/fast-growing-mental-health-company-thriveworks-names-new-ceo/
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J. McDermott, personal communication, January 25, 2023.
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Business Wire. (July, 2024) “Eleanor Health and Thriveworks Establish Partnership to Expand Access to Substance Use Disorder Treatment.” Retrieved from: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240723448436/en/Eleanor-Health-and-Thriveworks-Establish-Partnership-to-Expand-Access-to-Substance-Use-Disorder-Treatment
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Gonzales, M. (July, 2024). “Thriveworks, Ophelia Join Forces to Address Co-Occurring OUD and Psychiatric Disorders.” Retrieved from: https://bhbusiness.com/2024/07/19/thriveworks-ophelia-join-forces-to-address-co-occurring-oud-and-psychiatric-disorders/
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Gonzales, M. (Oct. 2, 2024). “Thriveworks Doubles Down on Enterprise Relationships Following First Acquisition, Buys AI-Powered Mental Health Provider Synchronous.” Behavioral Health Business. https://bhbusiness.com/2024/10/02/thriveworks-looks-to-jump-start-enterprise-relationships-following-first-acquisition-buys-ai-powered-mental-health-provider-synchronous/
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Gonzales, M. (April 11, 2024). “New Thriveworks CEO Bullish on Enterprise Agreements.” Behavioral Health Business. https://bhbusiness.com/2024/04/11/new-thriveworks-ceo-bullish-on-enterprise-agreements/
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(April 23, 2025). “Thriveworks and NOCD partner to provide comprehensive and integrated ERP and mental health care services” Thriveworks. https://thriveworks.com/press/thriveworks-and-nocd-partner-to-provide-comprehensive-and-integrated-erp-and-mental-health-care-services/
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Gliadkovskaya, A. (April 10, 2025). “Thriveworks launches free provider booking platform to streamline mental health referrals.” Fierce Healthcare. https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/digital-health/thriveworks-launches-provider-booking-platform-streamline-referrals-care
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Church, M. (March 18, 2025). “Brightside Health Review 2025: Pros & Cons, Cost, & My Experience.” ChoosingTherapy.com: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/brightside-health-review/
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Church, M. (March 14, 2025). “Talkspace Review 2025: Pros & Cons, Cost, & My Experience.” ChoosingTherapy.com. https://www.choosingtherapy.com/talkspace-review/
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Adamek, E. (Feb. 18, 2025) “Jimini Health Review 2025: My Experience, Cost, & Pros & Cons” https://www.choosingtherapy.com/jimini-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: Emily Adamek, BA (Change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Edited for accuracy and clarity; updated psychiatric coverage from 22 states to 24; added cash-pay rates for therapy and psychiatry; added specific therapeutic modalities, including CBT and DBT; updated News & History section to include relevant events, such as a recent partnership with NOCD; added new FAQ, “Does Thriveworks use AI?”
Author: Caitlin Bell, MA (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Updated pricing in Alternatives & Competitors section (BetterHelp went from $260 – $360 monthly to $260 – $400 monthly); updated User Reviews to reflect current numbers; created a new section, Alternatives & Competitors to compare Thriveworks with Brightside Health, Talkspace, and Jimini, as well as Why Trust My Review, which discusses the writers qualifications and how they used the platform; added several new events to the History section, including new partnerships and acquisitions. This update also included a format change.
Author: Caitlin Bell, MA (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Updated pricing, details about online psychiatry, removal of Therapy Buddy, and addition of Fireside.
Author: Caitlin Bell, MA (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Added review summary and features.
Author: Caitlin Bell, MA
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD
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