Wellbutrin alternatives if not eligible

The mental health telehealth landscape has transformed dramatically in recent years—from explosive pandemic-era growth to regulatory scrutiny and industry consolidation. If you’re seeking online mental health care in 2025, understanding which platforms are still operating, what they actually prescribe, and how they compare on cost and quality is more important than ever.

Whether you’re looking for ADHD treatment, anxiety management, depression care, or medication refills, this comprehensive guide breaks down the current state of telehealth psychiatry and therapy—with a particular focus on availability in California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.

The New Reality of Mental Health Telehealth

The telehealth boom that began in 2020 promised unprecedented access to psychiatric care. However, by 2025, the industry looks very different. Several high-profile platforms have shut down or faced federal scrutiny over prescribing practices, particularly around controlled substances like Adderall and Xanax.

What changed? Regulatory bodies tightened oversight after concerns emerged about ‘pill mill’ operations that prioritized revenue over patient safety. The result: most direct-to-consumer telehealth platforms now refuse to prescribe controlled medications altogether, creating a gap for patients with legitimate ADHD, severe anxiety, or insomnia.

Free consultations available with select providers only.

Get a free consultation

And find an affordable, caring specialist.

Find a provider

Free consultations available with select providers only.

Major Telehealth Providers: Where They Stand in 2025

The Survivors and Success Stories

Talkiatry remains a gold standard for comprehensive psychiatric care via telehealth. With licensed psychiatrists available in 43 states, Talkiatry can prescribe the full range of psychiatric medications—including ADHD stimulants and benzodiazepines when medically appropriate. They work within insurance networks, making care affordable for many (typical copays range from $25-$50, though initial evaluations without insurance run $250-$300). The trade-off? Wait times can stretch 1-3 weeks for new patients during peak demand periods.

Brightside carved out a niche focusing exclusively on depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD. Available in all 50 states with growing insurance coverage, Brightside uses a conservative medication approach—no controlled substances at all. That means no ADHD stimulants, no benzodiazepines, and no sleep medications like Ambien. Their subscription model starts at $95/month for medication management alone or $349/month bundled with therapy. This works well for patients comfortable with SSRIs and SNRIs, but leaves those with ADHD or severe anxiety underserved.

PlushCare, MDLive, Teladoc, and Amwell represent the general telehealth giants—excellent for urgent care, primary care needs, and mild mental health concerns. All operate nationwide with robust insurance acceptance. However, their medication policies are extremely restrictive: none prescribe controlled substances including ADHD medications, anti-anxiety benzodiazepines, or sleep aids. These platforms suit patients needing non-controlled antidepressants or those seeking therapy referrals, but they explicitly cannot help with ADHD or conditions requiring DEA-scheduled medications.

Hims & Hers took a different path, focusing on lifestyle wellness and accessible care for anxiety, depression, hair loss, sexual health, and notably, weight management. They pioneered telehealth GLP-1 prescriptions (like Wegovy) for weight loss—a service traditional mental health platforms don’t offer. Pricing is transparent at $85/month for medication plans, though they don’t accept insurance (HSA/FSA eligible). Their approach avoids all controlled substances, limiting treatment options for ADHD or severe anxiety disorders.

The Cautionary Tales

Cerebral exploded in growth during the pandemic, marketing rapid access to ADHD medication and mental health treatment. However, investigations revealed problematic prescribing practices including quotas for clinicians. In May 2022, Cerebral halted all new ADHD stimulant prescriptions and in 2024 paid $3.6 million in fines to settle federal allegations. The platform still operates with a dramatically scaled-back service focused on non-controlled medications for depression and anxiety. Existing patients on stimulants were grandfathered through 2023, but Cerebral’s reputation never fully recovered. Many users report frustrations with provider turnover and customer service.

Done represented the most extreme example of telehealth gone wrong. Built specifically around ADHD treatment with stimulant medications, Done’s business model centered on quick online evaluations and monthly Adderall prescriptions. In June 2024, the CEO and president were criminally indicted by the Department of Justice for allegedly running a scheme that distributed 30 million Adderall pills improperly—marking the first criminal case of its kind against telehealth executives. The platform effectively ceased operations, leaving thousands of patients scrambling to find new providers.

Ahead (HelloAhead) shut down entirely in mid-2022 after financial struggles and operational challenges, unable to navigate the changing regulatory environment.

What Each Platform Actually Prescribes: The Critical Details

Understanding medication policies is essential when choosing a telehealth provider. Here’s the reality:

ADHD Stimulants (Schedule II)

Only Talkiatry continues prescribing Adderall, Ritalin, and other Schedule II stimulants for ADHD when clinically appropriate, following proper diagnostic evaluation. Every other major platform either never offered these medications or stopped prescribing them by 2022.

Klarity Health stands out here as one of the few remaining platforms that provides comprehensive ADHD care including stimulant medications when medically necessary, following evidence-based protocols and proper evaluation. Unlike the problematic fast-track approaches of defunct services, Klarity combines accessibility with responsible prescribing—offering appointments typically within days rather than weeks, with transparent pricing and ongoing monitoring.

Anti-Anxiety Benzodiazepines

Platforms like Brightside, Cerebral, PlushCare, Teladoc, MDLive, Amwell, and Hims explicitly prohibit benzodiazepines like Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin. Only full-service psychiatric providers (primarily Talkiatry and specialized platforms like Klarity Health) may prescribe these when warranted for severe anxiety disorders, panic disorder, or certain other conditions—always with appropriate safeguards and patient education about risks.

Sleep Medications

The Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta) face near-universal prohibition in telehealth. Most platforms offer non-controlled alternatives like trazodone or behavioral interventions. For patients with chronic insomnia requiring controlled medication, comprehensive psychiatric services remain the only telehealth option.

Weight Loss Medications

The GLP-1 revolution changed the game. Hims & Hers launched aggressive marketing of weight-loss programs using semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic) in 2023-2024, though the FDA issued warnings in 2025 about promoting compounded versions. PlushCare will prescribe GLP-1s for medical weight management on a case-by-case basis. Traditional mental health telehealth providers generally don’t venture into weight management—but integrated platforms like Klarity Health that address both mental and metabolic health needs offer a more holistic approach for patients dealing with interconnected issues like binge eating disorder, depression, and obesity.

Cost Comparison: What You’ll Actually Pay

Telehealth pricing varies dramatically by model:

Subscription Services:

• Cerebral: $99-$365/month depending on services
• Brightside: $95/month (medication only) or $349/month (therapy + medication)
• Done: Was $299 first month, then $79/month (now defunct)

Insurance-Based Services:

• Talkiatry: $25-$50 typical copay if in-network; $250-$300 initial evaluation without insurance
• Teladoc/MDLive/Amwell: Often $0 with employer health plans; $75-$120 self-pay per visit
• PlushCare: $19.99/month membership plus $129/visit

Pay-Per-Visit Models:

• Hims/Hers: $85/month medication plan, $99/session therapy
• Klarity Health: Transparent pricing around $149 initial evaluation, $59 follow-ups, $25 refill requests—often more affordable than monthly subscriptions for patients who don’t need weekly visits

The subscription model sounds convenient but can become expensive if you’re locked into monthly charges without proportional value. Many patients report frustration trying to cancel Cerebral or Brightside subscriptions. Pay-per-visit models offer flexibility—you only pay when you actually need care.

State-by-State Availability: California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois

Nearly all major platforms now operate in these six high-population states:

Fully Available Everywhere:

• Brightside (50 states)
• PlushCare (50 states)
• MDLive (50 states)
• Teladoc (50 states)
• Amwell (50 states)
• Hims/Hers (50 states)
• Cerebral (50 states, limited services)
• Klarity Health (expanding nationwide coverage)

Limited Availability:

• Talkiatry (43 states including CA, TX, FL, NY, PA, IL)

Not Operating:

• Done (effectively shut down in all states following 2024 indictments)
• Ahead (closed 2022)

State licensing requirements and controlled substance regulations mean providers must comply with each state’s telehealth laws individually. California, Texas, and New York historically had stricter telemedicine requirements, but most large platforms have navigated these successfully by 2025.

Insurance vs. Cash Pay: Which Makes Sense?

Insurance acceptance varies widely. Talkiatry, Brightside, PlushCare, and the big general telehealth companies (Teladoc, MDLive, Amwell) work with major insurers. This dramatically reduces cost for patients with comprehensive coverage—but introduces bureaucracy. Insurance-based care often means:

• Longer wait times for appointments
• Limited provider choice (you get whoever’s in-network and available)
• Authorization requirements for certain medications
• Copays that can still total $30-$75 per session

Cash-pay services like Hims/Hers and Klarity Health offer advantages:

• Faster appointments (often within 24-48 hours)
• More provider consistency (you can work with the same clinician)
• Transparent, predictable pricing
• HSA/FSA eligibility at many platforms
• No insurance paperwork or prior authorizations

Klarity Health’s hybrid approach accepts both insurance and cash pay, giving patients flexibility. For those with high-deductible plans or limited mental health coverage, Klarity’s cash prices often beat insurance copays at other providers—while those with robust insurance benefits can use their coverage.

What Patients Actually Say: The Good, Bad, and Ugly

Common Complaints Across Platforms:

Cerebral reviews frequently mention:

• Difficulty reaching providers between appointments
• Frustration after ADHD medication discontinuation in 2022
• Billing issues and problems canceling subscriptions
• High provider turnover (‘I’ve had four different prescribers in six months’)

Done (pre-shutdown) complaints included:

• Extremely brief initial evaluations (sometimes under 15 minutes)
• Cookie-cutter treatment approach
• Service disruptions when pharmacies refused prescriptions
• Abrupt closure leaving patients without care continuity

Brightside positives:

• Generally good for depression/anxiety treatment with SSRIs
• Responsive customer support
• Clear, professional interface

But limited by inability to treat ADHD or prescribe anything controlled.

Talkiatry strengths:

• Real psychiatrists, comprehensive care
• Can prescribe full range of medications
• Insurance billing

Weaknesses:

• Wait times for new patients
• Some surprise billing issues reported
• Less flexibility with scheduling

Where Klarity Health Differentiates

Patients choosing Klarity Health often cite:

• Speed of access: Initial appointments typically within 1-3 days, not 1-3 weeks
• Treatment comprehensiveness: Willing to prescribe controlled medications when appropriate, unlike platforms that categorically refuse
• Pricing transparency: Clear upfront costs with both insurance and cash options
• Provider continuity: Ability to maintain relationship with the same prescriber
• Condition coverage: Treats conditions many platforms won’t touch—ADHD, PTSD, insomnia requiring sleep aids, binge eating disorder, and more

The platform positions between the ‘we don’t prescribe anything controlled’ caution of general telehealth and the reckless ‘pill mill’ reputation that destroyed Done and damaged Cerebral. Klarity’s approach: evidence-based care that includes appropriate medication options without cutting corners on evaluation or monitoring.

The Regulatory Landscape: What Happens After 2025?

The Ryan Haight Act waiver allowing telehealth prescribing of controlled substances (implemented during COVID) has been extended through the end of 2025. What comes next remains uncertain. The DEA originally proposed ending the waiver, which would require an in-person visit before prescribing any controlled medication via telehealth.

Healthcare organizations, patient advocates, and telehealth companies lobbied successfully for extensions, but the future beyond December 2025 is unclear. This uncertainty has driven some strategic changes:

• Platforms exploring hybrid models (telehealth + brick-and-mortar partnerships)
• Increased emphasis on therapy and non-controlled medications
• Some providers preemptively tightening policies to avoid regulatory risk

For patients, this means: if you need controlled medication for ADHD, anxiety, or insomnia, establishing care with a reliable provider now is wise. Existing patient relationships may be grandfathered if regulations change, whereas new patient rules could become more restrictive.

How to Choose the Right Platform for Your Needs

Choose Talkiatry if:

• You have good insurance with mental health benefits
• You need comprehensive psychiatric care and don’t mind some wait time
• You want a licensed psychiatrist (not nurse practitioner)
• You live in one of their 43 states

Choose Brightside if:

• You have depression or anxiety without ADHD
• You prefer SSRIs/SNRIs and don’t need controlled medications
• You want combined medication + therapy subscription
• Insurance coverage is important

Choose PlushCare, Teladoc, MDLive, or Amwell if:

• You primarily need primary care with occasional mental health support
• Your needs are general (mild anxiety/depression treatable with common antidepressants)
• You have insurance that covers these services at low/no cost
• You value a platform with many service lines beyond psychiatry

Choose Hims & Hers if:

• You’re comfortable with cash-pay, transparent pricing
• You need lifestyle-focused care (hair loss, sexual health, weight management)
• You have mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression
• You don’t need controlled substances

Choose Klarity Health if:

• You need ADHD treatment including stimulant medications
• You’ve been underserved by platforms that refuse controlled substances
• Fast appointment access matters (days, not weeks)
• You want flexibility to use insurance OR cash with transparent pricing
• You’re dealing with conditions like PTSD, treatment-resistant depression, insomnia, or binge eating that require more than basic SSRIs
• You value continuity with the same provider
• You want comprehensive adult psychiatric care without the ‘subscription trap’ or unnecessary bundling

The Bottom Line: Finding Trustworthy Telehealth Mental Health Care

The 2025 mental health telehealth landscape rewards informed consumers. The easy-access, fast-prescription model of Done and early Cerebral proved unsustainable and dangerous. What remains are platforms that balance accessibility with responsibility—though with very different approaches.

For straightforward depression or anxiety responsive to common antidepressants, many options exist. For ADHD, complex anxiety disorders, insomnia, or situations requiring controlled medications, choices narrow considerably. Klarity Health emerged to fill the gap left by problematic platforms’ shutdowns and other providers’ overly restrictive policies: offering legitimate, comprehensive psychiatric care with appropriate medication options, rapid access, and transparent pricing.

The key is matching your specific needs to a provider’s actual capabilities—not marketing promises. Read the fine print on medication policies. Understand pricing structures. Check state availability. And prioritize platforms with:

• Licensed psychiatric prescribers (MDs, DOs, or psychiatric nurse practitioners)
• Clear treatment protocols and evaluation processes
• Transparent pricing and insurance policies
• Good patient reviews regarding provider quality and customer service
• Appropriate medication access for your condition
• Continuity of care with the same provider when possible

Whether you choose an insurance-based platform like Talkiatry, a specialized service like Brightside, or a comprehensive accessible option like Klarity Health, the most important step is starting treatment with a legitimate, patient-centered provider.

Ready to get started? Klarity Health offers consultations typically within 1-3 days, accepts both insurance and affordable self-pay rates, and provides comprehensive treatment for ADHD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, insomnia, and more—with providers who can prescribe the full range of appropriate medications your condition requires. Take the first step toward better mental health with a platform that combines accessibility, quality, and responsible care.

Sources

1. Associated Press. ‘Top executives of California telehealth company accused of distributing millions of Adderall pills.’ June 14, 2024. apnews.com

2. TIME Magazine. ‘Why Online Therapy Startups Are Falling Short.’ November 1, 2022. time.com

3. TechTarget Healthcare IT News. ‘Pushing ADHD telehealth prescriptions costs Cerebral millions.’ November 6, 2024. techtarget.com

4. Associated Press. ‘FDA warns telehealth companies over claims about weight-loss drugs.’ September 16, 2025. apnews.com

5. FinvsFin. ‘Hims Anxiety Reviews: Cost, Services & Medication Options.’ December 9, 2025. finvsfin.com

📅 RESEARCH CURRENCY STATEMENT
Verified as of: January 4, 2026
Providers verified active: Cerebral, Brightside, Talkiatry, PlushCare, MDLive, Teladoc, Amwell, Hims/Hers
Key sources checked: 2024 DOJ press releases; 2025 industry news; official provider policies

Source:

• https://www.techtarget.com/virtualhealthcare/news/366615298/Pushing-ADHD-telehealth-prescriptions-costs-Cerebral-millions#:~:text=Cerebral%20provides%20telehealth%20consultations%20for,from%20tiered%20monthly%20subscription%20plans
• https://finvsfin.com/hims-anxiety-reviews/#:~:text=Out%20of%20pocket%2C%20Hims%20will,99%20for%20each%20counseling%20session
• https://apnews.com/article/498cb907623565ee680b33b1367efb84#:~:text=Top%20executives%20of%20the%20California,executives%20of%20defrauding%20taxpayers%2C%20exacerbating
• https://time.com/6225361/telehealth-startups-cerebral-done-ahead/#:~:text=Halcyon%20Health%20and%20ADHD,Ahead%20shut%20down%20this%20year
• https://www.techtarget.com/virtualhealthcare/news/366615298/Pushing-ADHD-telehealth-prescriptions-costs-Cerebral-millions#:~:text=Embattled%20telemental%20healthcare%20provider%20Cerebral,unauthorized%20distribution%20of%20controlled%20substances
• https://apnews.com/article/9c08db3481dcfd67c433fad1ae07d941#:~:text=The%20FDA%20has%20launched%20its,originals%2C%20which%20the%20FDA%20disputes
• https://www.teladochealth.com/info/prescription-policy#:~:text=pressure%20medication,well%20as%20Teladoc%20Health%20policy
• https://www.brightside.com/faqs/what-medications-do-we-prescribe/#:~:text=Note%3A%20Brightside%20does%20not%20prescribe,controlled%20substance%20in%20some%20states
• https://time.com/6225361/telehealth-startups-cerebral-done-ahead/#:~:text=substance%20prescriptions%20from%20Cerebral%20and,substance%20medications
• https://h-o-m-e.org/does-cerebral-prescribe-xanax/#:~:text=Cerebral%20takes%20a%20conservative%20approach,such%20as%20Xanax%20or%20Ativan