I used and reviewed UpLift therapy, giving it 3.5 out of 5 stars based on my experience. UpLift offers virtual therapy and psychiatry services for $125–$145 per session and accepts several insurance plans, including some Medicare. While I liked the user-friendly platform and range of services, my personal experience was marred by no-showing therapists. If you can match with a reliable therapist, UpLift seems like a great platform for those with in-network insurance coverage.
UpLift at a Glance
Cost: $125–$145 per session
Insurance Accepted: Yes
Pros & Cons of UpLift
Pros - User-friendly website and portal
- Offers both therapy and psychiatry services
- Accepts several insurance plans
Cons - Only available in 13 U.S. states + D.C.
- Cash-pay costs aren’t easy to find
- Cash-pay session prices are relatively high compared to competitors
- In our experience, therapists can be unreliable
Preview UpLift
UpLift is a mental health platform offering virtual therapy and medication management. During our review, sessions cost between $125 and $145 cash-pay, but many insurance plans are accepted, which can lower the cost considerably. The website says starting copays are around $20. Designed for individuals seeking accessible mental health services, UpLift is available in 13 US states and D.C. Based on our review and experience using its therapy services, UpLift earned 3.5 stars out of 5 stars.
When I used UpLift, I found the platform easy to navigate, and the sign-up process was smooth. However, my experience with attending therapy sessions was less than ideal, as my providers did not show up for multiple appointments. While customer service was helpful and responsive, the need to involve them in scheduling an available provider felt like an extra step that would turn potential clients away. It remains to be seen whether my scheduling problems were indicative of most services with UpLift, since individual therapists are mostly independent operators on this platform. If you are working with a reliable provider, UpLift has the bones to be a great and highly affordable mental health platform.
One downside to UpLift is its relatively high cash-pay prices. When I used UpLift, the website said cash-pay therapy prices were $125–$145 per session. While UpLift is still a good choice when using insurance benefits, the prices are high compared to something like BetterHelp’s $280–$400 monthly subscription which nets you weekly sessions. Either BetterHelp or Brightside Health offers more affordable cash-pay prices than UpLift for both therapy and psychiatry.
Brightside - Therapy & Medication Using Your Insurance
Together, medication and therapy can help you feel like yourself, faster. Brightside Health develops personalized plans that are unique to you and offers 1 on 1 support from start to finish. United Healthcare, Anthem, Cigna, and Aetna insurance are accepted.
Detailed Review of Uplift
UpLift provides accessible and affordable virtual therapy, with a fast sign-up process that matches you with therapists based on your mental health needs. You have the option to choose from a list of recommended providers. UpLift costs $125–$145 per therapy session for those paying with cash, and is in-network with several major insurance plans, including some Medicare plans. Psychiatry visit costs and copays will vary by provider and insurance plan, but many bios state that they accept “Reduced Cash Price $175–$250 a session.” It states on its website that, for those using insurance, copays start around $20.
Review our scoring criteria for online therapy platforms here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
UpLift Therapy
UpLift therapy offers virtual therapy sessions, providing an accessible and affordable option for mental health care. With costs ranging from $125 to $145 per session and availability for anyone with internet access, it’s designed to simplify finding and meeting with a therapist.
UpLift makes signing up easy. The intake process took me less than five minutes, and I answered a few questions about my mental health needs and preferences. I was then shown a list of recommended therapists who specialize in my areas of concern. The platform’s design made this process simple, and I appreciated the detailed profiles of each therapist, which included their specializations, experience, and approach.
The therapist-matching process was straightforward. After reviewing the recommended therapists, I selected one who seemed to fit my needs well. UpLift Therapy offers the flexibility to switch therapists if the initial match isn’t perfect, which is a huge plus. This feature highlights the platform’s commitment to finding the right therapeutic relationship for its clients, which is an important aspect of effective therapy.
I attempted to schedule two separate therapy sessions with UpLift, but the provider did not show up either time. While customer service was responsive and helpful, it shouldn’t be necessary to involve customer service to resolve simple scheduling issues.
UpLift Psychiatry
UpLift psychiatry offers virtual psychiatric consultations, including prescription and medication management services. When I searched for a prescriber in my state with my insurance, I only had one option show up, but her next available session was for the next day, which I found reassuring. Her cash pay price was clearly listed, as were the insurances she works with, her specialties, and a window where I could book a session with her, offering several afternoon and evening options.
I looked through the provider options for several of the states in which Uplift offers care, and most had at least one prescriber listed with availability within the week, but this could fluctuate greatly depending on your state and insurance coverage. Many of the providers had a banner at the top of their bio state, “Reduced Cash Price $175–$250 a session.” If you’re paying out of pocket, look for this banner. Otherwise, your copay will vary depending on your insurance plan.
Cost & Insurance
UpLift therapy costs $125–$145 per therapy session and $175–$250 for psychiatry when paying out of pocket.
Here are the details about UpLift’s pricing model:
- Therapy Sessions: Each therapist sets their own fee, therefore, fees may vary depending on the therapist. Listed cash price is $125–$145 per session
- Psychiatry Sessions: Many accept $175–$250 for cash pay, but exact fees vary.
- Insurance is accepted for therapy and psychiatry services.
- Costs are per session, rather than a subscription
UpLift Therapy accepts a variety of insurance plans, making it easier for clients to afford their mental health care. It works with major insurance providers to ensure broad access, and the acceptance process is straightforward.
Insurance plans accepted by UpLift include:
- Aetna
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Florida Blue
- GEHA
- Johns Hopkins Health Plans
- Kaiser Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States
- Optum
- UMR
- UnitedHealthcare
- Medicare
Who Does UpLift Therapy Serve?
UpLift Therapy primarily serves adults (18+) in 13 U.S. states and D.C., providing virtual therapy and psychiatric services for a range of mental health issues. It is ideal for those seeking convenient and affordable mental health care from the comfort of their home. UpLift Therapy addresses conditions such as anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, relationship issues, family dynamics, grief, sleep problems, burnout, and gender and sexual identity concerns.
However, UpLift Therapy isn’t suitable for children, adolescents, or individuals requiring in-person care. Plus, while it offers medication management, we’ve seen better psychiatric care on other online platforms. Talkiatry is our favorite online medication pick for those with insurance, meanwhile, Brightside Health is a great choice for cash-pay psychiatry or bundled therapy and psychiatry services. For kids and teens, we recommend Bend Health and Teen Counseling, in addition to our best picks for online teen therapy.
UpLift therapy is available in the following U.S. states: California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, DC.
User Reviews
User reviews for UpLift are limited and mixed. Positive feedback highlights the platform’s accessibility and ease of use, while negative reviews frequently mention billing issues and provider availability problems. I found a few sources for reviews, including the Better Business Bureau and Reddit, to provide an overview of customer experiences with the platform. However, with the limited number of reviews available, it’s currently difficult to get a clear picture of what most users think of UpLift.
Reviews from BBB | 1 out of 5 stars | 4 reviews
Positive reviews: There are no positive reviews from the BBB. However, it’s important to remember that BBB reviews tend to heavily skew negative.
Negative reviews: Several clients reported serious administrative and billing issues with UpLift, including delayed or incorrect insurance claims, unexpected charges, and poor communication. One user shared that claims were mishandled for nearly ten months, resulting in billing threats and their therapist eventually leaving due to repeated errors. Others received bills over a year later for sessions they believed were paid for, with requests to provide proof of payment. Some were charged months after services were rendered, unaware their insurance hadn’t covered the cost, leading to financial strain. Technical issues were also common, such as dropped sessions, last-minute cancellations, and limited support from customer service or therapists.
Alternatives & Competitors
UpLift might be a good choice if you live in the service area and have insurance that’s in-network. BetterHelp is one competitor worth considering for therapy on an affordable monthly subscription. Talkspace offers a variety of services with tons of insurance options. Meanwhile, Brightside Health offers great comprehensive care at one of the most affordable cash-pay prices in the industry.
BetterHelp
Price: $280–$400 monthly
Insurance Accepted: No
BetterHelp is a better choice than UpLift if you’re looking for cash-pay therapy, as it has been around longer and has more affordable cash prices for therapy than UpLift. However, BetterHelp doesn’t offer any medication options. BetterHelp costs $280–$400 monthly for weekly therapy sessions, and while it doesn’t accept insurance, it does offer financial aid.
UpLift costs $125–$145 per session, but does accept insurance. BetterHelp offers unlimited therapist messaging and also has some extra features in the app which UpLift doesn’t offer. UpLift is only available in 13 U.S. states and D.C., whereas BetterHelp is available nationwide and internationally.
In our full review of BetterHelp, we found it to be a solid platform for easily finding affordable online therapy. It would be a better choice than UpLift if you don’t have insurance, since the rates are more affordable.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Huge selection of 30k+ therapists
- Fast and convenient to sign up
Cons - Doesn’t accept insurance
- No medication management
Talkspace
Price: $276–$436 monthly
Insurance Accepted: Yes
Talkspace offers both psychiatry and therapy services, similar to UpLift, but operates on a much larger scale. While UpLift is limited to just 13 states, Talkspace is available nationwide. For those with insurance plans not accepted by UpLift, Talkspace may be the better choice due to its broader network of insurance and EAP partnerships. It also provides additional features like webinars and community spaces, offering a more expansive platform overall.
In our full review of Talkspace, we found it to be a solid choice for those with an in-network plan. Talkspace is a standout choice because of the sheer number of insurance plans and employers with which it’s partnered, making it a very affordable option for many.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Many major health insurance plans are accepted
- Individual, couples, and teen therapy available
Cons - Not much control over initial therapist choice
- Provider matching process can take a few days
Brightside Health
Price: $45–$349 monthly
Insurance Accepted: Yes
UpLift and Brightside Health both offer online therapy and psychiatry services, but Brightside Health is a larger and more established company that’s available nationwide. Teen care through Brightside is currently accessible in 38 states and counting. Brightside costs between $45 (for established psychiatric care) and $349 (for bundled therapy and psychiatry) monthly. It also offers a unique Suicide Prevention Program that makes it a better fit for those needing higher levels of care.
In our full Brightside Health review, we found it to be a great choice for anyone looking for therapy and medication management all in one platform. Brightside accepts several insurance plans, plus some state-sponsored insurance, making it a great choice for many people.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Accepts many insurance plans
- Offers affordable cash-pay options
Cons - Customer service takes several days to respond to requests
- Teen care only available in select states
Why You Can Trust My Review
“When I used UpLift, I found it easy to navigate its website and portal. Getting signed up and onboarded was a breeze, but problems arose when my scheduled appointment came up. My therapist didn’t show up—not unheard of, but definitely not a great way to start therapy. Despite scheduling multiple therapy sessions, neither of the providers I wanted to work with showed up. While I can see the potential of the service, this was a major frustration that left me feeling unsure about their reliability. It’s difficult to say whether this was an isolated incident with the therapists I was assigned, or if it’s true of the platform as a whole.
At this time, I wouldn’t recommend UpLift to friends or family. While the platform has a lot of potential and is easy to use, my experience with unreliable providers was disappointing. I’d suggest revisiting the service once it’s more established and the company has had a chance to iron out its wrinkles.”
History & News About UpLift Therapy
- Year Founded: 2020
- Founder: Kyle Talcott
- Headquartered In: Tampa, Florida
- Parent company: Teladoc
Kyle Talcott started UpLift in 2020 to make mental health care easier by connecting therapists, doctors, and insurance companies in one system.1 Based in Tampa, UpLift Therapy offers virtual access to therapists and mental health providers who are covered by insurance. In July of 2023, the company raised $10.7 million, bringing its total funds to $22 million, fueling rapid growth.2
In November 2023, Uplift acquired Minded, which focused on women’s mental health. This deal helped it expand into major states like California, New York, Texas, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.3 Then, in March 2024, UpLift bought TAO Connect, a platform made for colleges and universities. This gave UpLift tools to help students manage their mental health and get access to therapy.4
With these partnerships, UpLift now works with over 170 businesses and more than 120 colleges across the U.S. and Canada.5 It reaches more than four million people, including two million students. By combining TAO’s digital mental health tools with its own therapy and psychiatry services, UpLift makes it easier for students to get help during and after graduation. UpLift is growing fast and is focused on making mental health care more affordable and accessible, especially for students and women who need it most.
On April 30, 2025, Uplift was acquired by Teladoc (also the parent company of BetterHelp) for $30 million. Teladoc plans on using Uplift’s infrastructure to eventually offer insurance coverage to more of its users, including future plans to get BetterHelp therapists credentialed.6
“BetterHelp was founded to remove the traditional barriers to therapy and make mental health care more accessible to everyone. We believe joining forces with UpLift will help us advance that mission—especially for those seeking to use their coverage benefits—while also driving topline revenue growth that will help sustain and expand our impact over time,” said Fernando Madeira, president of BetterHelp.6
Frequently Asked Questions
What is UpLift?
UpLift Therapy is a platform offering virtual therapy and psychiatric services for adults, providing convenient and affordable mental health care in 13 states and D.C. It connects clients with licensed providers for issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress.
Is UpLift Legit?
Yes, UpLift Therapy is a legitimate platform that connects clients with qualified mental health professionals and accepts major insurance plans to ensure accessible and affordable care.
Does UpLift Accept Insurance?
Yes, UpLift Therapy accepts various major insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Optum, and UnitedHealthcare.
Can I Use My HSA/FSA for UpLift?
Yes, you can use your HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) for UpLift services. Simply enter the card details at checkout as you would with a debit or credit card. Consider reaching out to your plan first to ensure UpLift is a covered expense.
Does UpLift Accept Medicare?
Yes, UpLift Therapy accepts some forms of Medicare, including Medicare Original, UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage, Optum Medicare Advantage, and CareFirst Medicare Advantage, with plans to expand coverage.
Does UpLift Issue Refunds?
No, UpLift does not issue refunds as the services are considered provided once the session is completed. Learn more in UpLift’s Terms of Use.
What States Is UpLift Available In?
UpLift Therapy is currently available in 13 states, including California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, DC. It is working to expand availability to additional states.
Is UpLift HIPAA-Compliant?
Yes, UpLift is HIPAA-compliant, ensuring that client information is protected and secure during virtual therapy and psychiatric sessions.
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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About uplift. About UpLift. (n.d.). https://www.joinuplift.co/about-us
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BusinessWire. (July 20, 2023). UpLift Raises $10.7M in Series A Funding to Advance Access to High Quality Psychotherapy and Psychiatry. Retrieved from: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230720750676/en/UpLift-Raises-%2410.7M-in-Series-A-Funding-to-Advance-Access-to-High-Quality-Psychotherapy-and-Psychiatry
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Mental health platform uplift acquires women-focused company minded | MobiHealthNews. (n.d.). https://www.mobihealthnews.com/news/mental-health-platform-uplift-acquires-women-focused-company-minded
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Gonzales, M. (2024, March 11). Behavioral Health Provider UpLift branches out to colleges with acquisition of Tao. Behavioral Health Business. https://bhbusiness.com/2024/03/11/behavioral-health-provider-uplift-branches-out-to-colleges-with-acquisition-of-tao/
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Plescia, M. (2024, April 1). UpLift acquires higher Ed Mental Health Company. MedCity News. https://medcitynews.com/2024/03/higher-education-mental-health-acquisition/
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Teladoc Health. (2025, April 30). Teladoc Health Acquires UpLift, Expanding Consumer Access to Mental Health Care Services Through Covered Benefits. Retrieved from: https://www.teladochealth.com/newsroom/press/teladoc-health-acquires-uplift-expanding-consumer-access-to-mental-health-care-services-through-covered-benefits
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: Allison Lieberman, LMFT, PMH-C (No Change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No Change)
Primary Changes: Updated available states from 11 to 13 plus D.C. Updated insurance coverage with new plans added since original review. Added news about Teladoc acquisition. Fact-checked and edited entire article for readability and clarity.
Author: Allison Lieberman, LMFT, PMH-C
Original Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD
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