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Brightside Health review: Online therapy and psychiatry review by a mental health practitioner

Julia Childs Heyl

Could a digital therapist really be a lifeline when you're drowning in stress? Potentially, yes. However, while the COVID-19 pandemic saw a surge in telehealth providers, the sheer number of available options makes it challenging to discern which ones are genuinely effective. As a practicing therapist, I'm always interested in finding clinician-led online therapy channels that maintain high ethical standards. With the teletherapy market becoming increasingly crowded, I'm particularly drawn to companies that offer fresh, innovative approaches. Brightside Health is one such option.

Co-founder Mimi Winsberg, a Stanford-trained and board-certified psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience, has helped shape Brightside into a solution-focused service. The platform remains accessible and affordable, with or without insurance.

Research indicates that online therapy can be effective for managing psychological issues, and my clinical experience supports this. I've found that virtual sessions are just as beneficial as in-person therapy, with one notable exception: crisis situations requiring specialized care. However, Brightside Health addresses this gap with a unique program designed explicitly for crisis intervention.

Eager to see Brightside Health's true potential, I signed up for a month of talk therapy. During my two sessions, I experienced firsthand how the treatment works. Continue reading to find out what sets this platform apart from other online therapy options.

Content concerning mental health is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical or health advice. Consult a medical professional for questions about your health. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, call 911, local emergency services or 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline).

Despite a few hiccups along the way, I was generally impressed with Brightside Health. The ease of getting started, the quality of care and the customer service all stood out. Let's walk through the journey from start to finish.

Start the sign-up process by taking the free mental health assessment.
Start the sign-up process by taking the free mental health assessment. (Brightside Health) (Brightside Health)

Signing up was incredibly easy. The website's homepage offered multiple sign-up opportunities, with clear information on the disorders treated, available plans and pricing. I clicked one of the "Take a free assessment" buttons and completed an intake questionnaire in under five minutes, detailing my treatment needs and symptoms. I was then given a provisional diagnosis with an explanation of its assessment. While some might find a rapid diagnosis unsettling, others may find it reassuring to understand their condition quickly.

Next, I accessed my care portal, where I could book therapy sessions, take virtual self-guided lessons and explore crisis resources. To book a session, I provided my payment information and completed a detailed 15-minute questionnaire about my health history. I appreciated this thorough intake process after the initial quick questionnaire.

Once you've completed your intake documents, you can schedule your first appointment for as soon as the next day.
Once you've completed your intake documents, you can schedule your first appointment for as soon as the next day. (Brightside Health) (Brightside Health)

After completing the paperwork, I was matched with a therapist. Although I couldn't browse through various providers and their bios, which initially disappointed me, I was satisfied with my therapist's care and recognized the effective matching process.

Preparing for my first appointment was straightforward. I received a confirmation and reminder email, each containing a link to my session. When it was time, I simply clicked the link and joined.

Brightside walks you through how to prepare for your first appointment and what to expect.
Brightside walks you through how to prepare for your first appointment and what to expect. (Brightside Health) (Brightside Health)

My therapist made me feel comfortable immediately. She was warm, gave a brief introduction and thoroughly explained the Brightside Health platform. This was a nice touch, as many online therapy providers don't take the time to explain all the available resources.

I shared my reasons for seeking therapy, and she provided direct, solution-focused insights while staying present and attentive.

Our second session was just as positive. She equipped me with practical tools while remaining warm and in tune with my feelings. She also asked how I felt about the virtual self-guided lessons. I admitted they were a bit boring, and she validated my feelings, suggesting different ways to utilize the platform's resources.

I loved my two sessions with my first therapist and would have continued working with her if I hadn't been testing the service. However, I needed to understand how Brightside Health handles therapist changes.

To switch, I reached out to the customer support team, explaining my desire to try a different clinician while expressing my satisfaction with my current provider. They responded within a business day, understanding my need to explore options and inquiring about my preferences. I requested to work with a BIPOC [Black, Indigenous and people of color] woman. A day later, I was matched with a new therapist but couldn't book an appointment. When I contacted support, they explained it was a technical issue on their end and promised that it would be resolved within a day. Although each day felt crucial due to my limited one-month membership, these things happen. The issue was resolved, but her next available appointment was a week after my initial switch request.

Two days before my appointment, I was notified that the therapist had left the platform and that I'd be assigned a new provider within the week. This was disappointing as my membership would expire before I could meet her.

I emailed the support team to express my dissatisfaction with the situation. They responded with an apology and offered a full refund for my month's subscription, which I believed was a fair resolution.

Brightside Health offers treatment plan options, each available as a monthly subscription or paid with co-pays through insurance.
Brightside Health offers treatment plan options, each available as a monthly subscription or paid with co-pays through insurance. (Brightside Health) (Brightside Health)

All in all, I had a great experience with Brightside Health. Signing up was simple, the price is super competitive (see the FAQs for details), it accepts plenty of insurance plans, and when things didn't go so well with switching therapists, it handled the issue appropriately.

While I didn't love the virtual self-guided lessons, some folks may find them helpful. The sessions were less appealing, probably because they brought back memories of the intensive learning I experienced during my therapist training.

Overall, I'd confidently recommend this platform to anyone ready to tend to their mental health.

Before you begin with Brightside Health, it's important to consider a few factors to set realistic expectations.

Remember that the therapy sessions are 30 minutes each, so maximize your time by exploring the platform's resources and preparing discussion points.

Additionally, contact its customer service team if you face any administrative challenges like I did during my therapist switch. From my experience, they are quick to respond and adept at addressing and resolving issues.

Yes, Brightside Health can prescribe medication. However, it is unable to prescribe controlled substances. To get started, check out its psychiatry services.

Yes, Brightside Health therapists can diagnose mental health conditions. You'll receive a provisional diagnosis before your first appointment.

Yes! One of my favorite things about Brightside Health is that it accepts over 20 health insurance plans, including some Medicare and Medicaid plans. You can view the complete list of in-network plans here.

How much you end up paying for psychiatry services and therapy with Brightside depends on the plan you subscribe to and whether or not you're using insurance to help cover the costs. Here's a basic breakdown of what you can expect to pay without insurance:

  • Psychiatry: $95 per month for an initial evaluation with a licensed provider, weekly check-ins and follow-up appointments, as needed; if medication is recommended, a prescription will be sent to the pharmacy of your choice.

  • Therapy: $299 per month for four, 45-minute live video therapy sessions and unlimited messaging; additional therapy sessions can be purchased for $59 each (or the price of your co-pay).

  • Psychiatry + Therapy: $349 per month for access to both talk therapy and psychiatry with medication management.

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