Talkspace

Short answer: Yes — often. Many licensed psychiatrists working by telemedicine will evaluate you and, if appropriate, start a non‑controlled antidepressant (SSRIs, SNRIs, bupropion, mirtazapine, etc.) on the first video visit. But there are important limits and variations. What determines whether you can get a prescription on the first tele‑visit State/country laws and licensing: the clinician must be licensed where you are located. Rules differ by state and country. Type of medication: most antidepressants are not controlled substances and can commonly be started by telepsychiatrists. Controlled drugs (benzodiazepines, many stimulants/ADHD meds, some sedative-hypnotics) are usually restricted and often require an in‑person visit or special permissions. Clinical appropriateness and safety: a prescriber will complete a history, risk/suicide assessment, medication and medical history, and may choose to delay prescribing if more information or labs are needed. Platform policies and payer/insurance rules: some telehealth services have their own rules about first‑visit prescribing. What to expect at a first telepsychiatry visit A full clinical interview, medical/medication history, mental status exam and safety assessment. Discussion of treatment options (medication, psychotherapy, lifestyle) and risks/side effects. If medication is started, the provider will usually set a follow‑up plan and monitoring schedule. If you are in immediate crisis or thinking of harming yourself, call emergency services or your local crisis hotline (in the U.S. dial 988). Online services that commonly provide psychiatric evaluation and medication management (examples) Brightside Health — focuses on depression/anxiety, uses measurement‑based care and has psychiatrists/NPs who frequently start antidepressants and provide ongoing medication management. Teladoc Health — large, established telemedicine network with psychiatrists who can evaluate and prescribe in many states; convenient scheduling and broad insurance participation. Amwell / Doctor On Demand — offer psychiatric visits with board‑certified psychiatrists and can prescribe non‑controlled medications when appropriate. Talkspace (psych+psychiatry option) — primarily therapy, but their psychiatry arm provides medication evaluations and management in participating states. Note: BetterHelp is therapy-only and does not prescribe medications. Practical tips Before booking, ask if the clinician is licensed in your state and whether the platform will prescribe on a first visit for the medication you’re concerned about. Bring a list of current medicines (including OTCs), past psychiatric meds and responses, medical history, and any recent labs. Ask about follow‑up frequency, refill procedures, and how to reach someone between appointments. If you want, tell me your state (or country) and whether you’re looking for an antidepressant vs. a controlled med, and I can point to services that operate in your area and what to expect.

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Sorry your psychiatrist retired — that’s stressful. I can help you find a service to take over prescribing, but first a couple quick questions: Are you currently taking any controlled medications (stimulants, benzodiazepines, certain sleep meds)? What state do you live in (prescribing rules vary by state)? While you answer, here are reputable telepsychiatry/telehealth options to consider (availability and controlled-substance policies vary by state and by medication): Brightside Health — specializes in anxiety/depression medication management and therapy; offers board‑certified psychiatrists and accepts many insurers. Good for ongoing SSRI/SNRI/antidepressant care. Talkspace Psychiatry — combines therapy and psychiatric medication management; convenient scheduling and messaging plus video visits for med reviews. PlushCare — general telehealth with primary care and mental‑health clinicians; can manage many psych meds and works with most major insurers for continuity of care. Teladoc / Amwell — large telemedicine networks that provide access to psychiatrists in many states; useful if you want a widely available, insurer‑accepted option. SteadyMD — matches you with one dedicated doctor for long‑term continuity rather than rotating clinicians; useful if you want the same clinician over time. Done (getdone.com) — focused on ADHD care and medication management (stimulant and nonstimulant options); good if you need ADHD meds but check state rules and intake policies. Local community mental health centers / university psychiatry clinics — often provide low‑cost or sliding‑scale psychiatry and can be faster for establishing in‑person care if telepsychiatry isn’t able to prescribe your meds. Important notes and next steps Controlled substances: many telehealth providers will not start or transfer controlled substances (stimulants, benzodiazepines) without prior records or an in‑person evaluation. If you’re on these meds, tell me and I’ll prioritize services that may be able to help or suggest contacting your PCP. Don’t stop meds suddenly. If you need an urgent refill, contact your retired psychiatrist’s office (they often keep records or can transfer prescriptions for a short time) or your primary care provider/urgent care for a bridge prescription. Transfer records: request your medical records and a med list from your former office (you can sign a release). Having recent notes, dosing history, and prior evaluations speeds handoff. Insurance: check with your insurer for in‑network telepsychiatry options — that can reduce cost and speed appointments. If you’re feeling unsafe or suicidal, contact emergency services or your local crisis line right away. If you tell me your state and whether you’re taking controlled meds (and whether you have insurance), I can recommend the best single platform for your situation and give a suggested script to request records/refills.

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Short answer: an online ADHD assessment is a structured telehealth evaluation that combines questionnaires, a detailed clinical interview, review of developmental/medical history and (when possible) collateral information, and a plan for treatment or referral. The exact steps and whether you can get medication online vary by provider and region. What it typically involves Intake forms and screening scales: you’ll usually complete validated questionnaires first (Adult ADHD Self‑Report Scale/ASRS, Conners, Vanderbilt for kids) to document symptoms and severity. Clinical/diagnostic interview: a video or phone visit (often 30–90 minutes) with a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or psychologist to review symptoms, functional impairment, timing (DSM‑5 requires symptoms present since childhood), school/work history, sleep, substance use, and mental/medical comorbidities. Developmental and collateral history: for adults this may include partner/family reports; for children, teacher/school forms and parent history are often requested. Medication/medical review and safety checks: review of current meds, heart history, blood pressure, substance use; some providers ask you to get vitals or a local physical if they plan to prescribe stimulants. Diagnostic decision and care plan: you’ll get a diagnosis (if criteria met) or referral for further testing (in‑person neuropsych testing for complex cases), plus treatment options (medication, psychotherapy/CBT, coaching, lifestyle changes). Follow up: medication monitoring and behavioral treatments are commonly scheduled as ongoing telehealth visits. What’s not usually done entirely online Full neuropsychological testing (IQ, executive function batteries) is often done in person if needed. Comprehensive physical exams or ECGs are sometimes required locally prior to stimulant prescriptions. Prescription rules Policies on prescribing controlled stimulants vary by country and state and by telemedicine platform. Some online clinics will prescribe stimulants; others may require an in‑person baseline visit or local vitals. Expect safety screening and follow‑up requirements. Differences for children vs adults Children: more emphasis on school/teacher reports, developmental milestones, and parent history. Pediatric ADHD often requires multi‑informant rating scales. Adults: clinicians put more weight on retrospective childhood symptoms plus current occupational/relationship impairment. How to pick a reputable online provider Make sure you’re seeing a licensed psychiatrist, psychiatric NP, or psychologist. Ask whether they use validated scales, their experience with ADHD, whether they accept insurance, medication policies, and follow‑up plan. Beware very quick “yes/no” diagnoses based only on a short questionnaire. Services and platforms to consider (examples) Done (joinDone.com) — focused ADHD clinic for adults, offers structured evaluations, follow‑up care, and ADHD-focused clinicians. ADHD Online (ADHDOnline.com) — standardized online assessment and clinician review; commonly used for adult assessments. Talkiatry (part of Talkspace health network) — tele‑psychiatry service with psychiatrists who manage ADHD and medications; works with many insurers. Teladoc/Amwell/Zocdoc — platforms to find telepsychiatrists or local specialists; good if you want a licensed psychiatrist via your insurer or want to compare clinicians. K Health — telehealth platform that offers mental health evaluations including ADHD; convenient app‑based care. Cerebral — offers behavioral health and medication management for ADHD in some areas (availability varies). (Also useful resources: CHADD.org and Understood.org for education and tools.) Practical checklist to expect or ask before booking Who will do the assessment (psychiatrist, NP, psychologist)? What screening tools are used? How long is the initial appointment and is video required? Do you need to provide teacher/partner reports? What’s their policy on prescribing stimulants in my state? How much do follow-ups cost and how often are they scheduled? If you’d like, tell me whether you’re an adult or assessing a child, your country/state, and whether you’re mainly interested in diagnosis, medication, or coaching — I can suggest the best next steps or providers in your area.

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Short answer: there isn’t one single “best” for everyone — it depends on whether your priority is an ADHD-specialist, integrated medication + therapy, stimulant prescribing, price/insurance, or fast access. That said, these telehealth services are consistently recommended for adults with ADHD who also have anxiety: Done (Done Health) Why: ADHD-specialized practice with psychiatrists, medication management (including stimulants where clinically appropriate and legal), plus ADHD coaching and therapist referrals. Good if you want ADHD-focused care with clinicians experienced in adult ADHD and comorbidity. Cerebral Why: Large, integrated mental-health platform offering therapy (CBT) and psychiatric medication management for anxiety and ADHD. Good for people who want combined talk therapy + med management in one service; check stimulant-prescribing policy in your state. Doctor On Demand (Included Health psychiatry) Why: Established tele-psychiatry and therapy network with board-certified psychiatrists and psychologists who treat ADHD and anxiety together. Often accepts major insurance plans, which can lower out‑of‑pocket cost. Talkspace (with psychiatry add‑on) Why: Therapy-first platform with licensed therapists skilled in CBT for anxiety; psychiatry add-on can provide medication management. Good if therapy is your priority and you also want access to prescribers. Brightside Health Why: Strong focus on evidence-based treatment for anxiety and depression (CBT + medication). If anxiety is the dominant issue, Brightside is a top telehealth option — pair it with an ADHD-specialist if you need stimulant management. How to choose / what to ask before signing up Do you diagnose and treat adult ADHD? (ask about the evaluation process) Do you prescribe stimulants or other ADHD meds in my state? Do you provide or coordinate CBT for anxiety and ADHD coaching? Who does the follow-up care and how often? Do you accept my insurance or what are the total monthly/visit costs? What is your experience treating both ADHD and anxiety together? If you want, tell me which state you’re in, whether you prefer using insurance or paying cash, and whether stimulant prescriptions are likely needed — I can help narrow this list to the best fit and link to sign-up pages.

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Short answer: there isn’t one single “best” — the right online couples therapy depends on what you need (evidence‑based approach, budget, insurance, messaging vs live video, coach vs licensed therapist). Below are top options and when to choose each. ReGain — specializes in couples therapy, large network of licensed couples therapists, flexible video and messaging options. Good if you want a couples‑focused platform that’s affordable and easy to start. Talkspace — offers online couples therapy with asynchronous messaging plus live sessions and has partnerships with some employers/insurers. Good if you prefer unlimited messaging between live sessions and want possible insurance coverage. BetterHelp — big network and strong scheduling flexibility for video/phone/text sessions. Good for convenience and fast start; check therapist profiles to confirm couples experience. Gottman Referral Network (Gottman.com) — a directory of therapists trained in the Gottman Method, an evidence‑based approach for couples. Choose this if you want a therapist certified in a proven couples therapy model. ICEEFT / EFT therapist directory (EFT.org) — use this to find therapists trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), another well‑validated couples approach, especially for attachment-related problems and rebuilding closeness. Lasting or Relish (apps) — structured counseling/coaching programs and exercises rather than live therapy from a licensed clinician. Good for couples wanting guided skill‑building, lower cost, or as a supplement to therapy. Open Path Collective — nonprofit connecting people to low‑cost licensed therapists (including couples therapists). Good if cost is a major barrier. How to choose a provider Pick a therapist trained in an evidence‑based couples model (Gottman or EFT are the most researched). Ask about experience with couples, whether sessions are joint or individual, fees, cancellation policy, and technology used. Try a short intake/consult to see fit — therapeutic fit matters more than platform. If safety (abuse, addiction, suicidality) is an issue, get a clinician with experience in those areas or consider local in‑person options/emergency services. If you tell me your priorities (budget, insurance, prefer video vs messaging, want a specific approach like Gottman or EFT), I can recommend the single best fit for you.

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Best Online Couples Therapy Options Here are the top recommendations: ReGain (Best Overall) Specifically designed for couples and relationships Licensed therapists available via text, chat, phone, or video Affordable subscription model (~$60-$100/week) Easy to switch therapists if needed BetterHelp (Best for Flexibility) Large network of licensed therapists Multiple communication formats Financial aid available Well-established platform with strong reputation Talkspace (Best for Busy Schedules) Asynchronous messaging means no set appointment needed Insurance accepted by many plans Licensed couples therapists available Good mobile app The Gottman Referral Network (Best for Evidence-Based Therapy) Based on decades of relationship research Therapists trained in the highly respected Gottman Method Generally higher quality but more expensive Little Otter (Best if Children Are Involved) Good for families navigating relationship issues together Quick Tips: Check insurance coverage before committing Look for therapists with specific couples/marriage counseling credentials ReGain is usually the easiest starting point for most couples Would you like more details about any of these?

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