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Talkiatry Review

Medically Reviewed and Edited by 
Olga Kyrychenko, Psychologist

While much of the online therapy field focuses exclusively on talk therapy services, the intriguing New York based startup Talkiatry has been conceptualized as a hybrid between traditional psychiatry and the burgeoning online therapy sector.

By fusing the two together, Talkiatry aspires to deliver the high clinical standards and access to medication that conventional psychiatry offers while bringing some of the benefits that the e-counseling sector is known for.

Our in depth Talkiatry review will tell you all about how it works, and who it can help. By the time you finish reading, you will know whether Talktiary is right for your mental health needs.

As of now, Talkiatry is only available in specific states. As of now, the service is available for residents of NY, TX, MA, CT, PA, NJ, CO, OH, FL, VA, GA, TN, NC, IL, MD, DC, SC, ME, CA, NH, AZ, MO, WI, IN, MN, OR, NV and MS. We’ll keep updating this review and let you know as soon as more states become available. 

if Talkiatry services aren’t accessible for you yet, we recommend reading our Talkspace review or Brightside review. Even though their psychiatric care is more limited, the level of talk therapy is much higher, and Talkspace in particular is much more affordable.

Talkiatry Rating Breakdown 2023

Overall Rating

Overall Rating - 3 Stars

Even though the business model is intriguing and the startup has gotten up to a strong start, this is the highest rating we can award them. Firstly, they only serve New York State. Furthermore, it's hard to comment on the cost as Talkiatry only offers bespoke, individual quotes - as such, we simply cannot form a judgement on their cost effectiveness.

Price

Price - 2 Stars

Because of the way they work, Talkiatry does not state what their costs are as this will vary depending on your prescription and what further treatments are recommended. Rather, prospective patients need to get in touch and an individual quote will be offered.

Treatment Options

Treatment Options - 4.5 Stars

Talkiatry treats all psychiatric conditions and offers support for all mental health problems. Generally though, because of its emphasis on medication Psychiatry is best reserved for more serious conditions such as personality disorders and severe depression.

App and Software

App and Software - 3.5 Stars

The Talkiatry site is fast and smooth and is extremely well rated by users. Talkiatry uses the HIPAA approved Healow teletherapy app to conduct virtual/online appointments. There is no Talkiatry app and no chat support function as the emphasis on Talkiatry is on medication and a patient's appointment with their qualified psychiatrists.

Customer Service

Customer Service - 3.5 Stars

Talkiatry users report being mostly satisfied with the support they receive. A quarter of users were matched with a psychiatrist within a few days and only 9% had to wait over a week for a match and appointment.

Safety and Privacy

Safety and Privacy - 4 Stars

In terms of privacy, Talkiatry is not an anonymous service and you will have to verify your identity. However, all patient data is SSL protected and is only shared with third parties in accordance with HIPAA requirements such as insurance companies who are funding the treatment.

Should I use Talkiatry?

Top 3 Talkiatry Alternatives​

BetterHelp - Best Talk Therapy

$ 60-90 Per Week
  • More than 20,000 Therapists
  • Our Top Rated Therapy Site
  • Great Platform & Easy To Use
  • 50% Off First Month
Best

Talkspace - Best Therapy & Psychiatry

$ 65-99 Per Week
  • 2nd Largest Therapy Provider
  • Combine Talk Therapy & Psychiatric Care
  • Best With Insurance
  • $80 Off First Month

Brightside - Best For Prescriptions

$ 22-87 Per Week
  • Psychiatric Evaluation by Licensed PhD
  • Medicine delivered Within 5 Days
  • Great Value For Money
  • $50 Off First Month

Is Talkiatry Legit? The Company Behind Talkiatry.com

Out of all the online psychiatric and therapy providers we have come across, Talkiatry is arguably one of the most professional and qualified of them all. They are fully HIPAA certified and have highly qualified psychiatrists and therapists.  

Some users may have concerns about accepting treatment for mental disorders, and being prescribed medication, online without ever physically seeing a doctor. However, the State of New York has approved the concept and after all, during 2020 and 2021 most doctors appointments were conducted remotely because of COVID-19 so this is the world we now live in

Talkiatry in Numbers For 2023

Year Founded2020
U.S Based CompanyUS Based Company – Yes, and sees patients in 30 states (and growing)
Number of Licensed Therapists

400+ psychiatrists and 56 licensed therapists

Accepts Insurance?Yes
Hipaa compliantYes
Therapy ModesVideo Call 
Available TreatmentsPsychiatric treatment, medication management and talk therapy
Average Price Varies based on your insurance and treatment plan
Sign Up Time10 Minutes
Response TimeOne Week or Less
Mobile App They Use Healow – No App Of Their Own
Websitewww.talkiatry.com
Customer Reviews73% positive
Our Editorial Rating3 Stars
Current PromotionNone

How Talkiatry Therapy Works

To begin using Talkiatry you have to complete the signup process via their online portal. Users enter their insurance details before completing a short questionnaire which is then used to offer them a preliminary diagnosis and match them up with potential psychiatrists. If and once you like your potential match, you then complete your sign up and then schedule your first appointment. 

With Talkiatry, you will conduct your meeting with your psychiatrist or therapist remotely via the Healow app. After your session, you may be issued a prescription and then booked for your next appointment. If you’d like to pursue additional talk therapy, your psychiatrist may also match you with one of Talkiatry’s therapists at that time. Whilst the main purpose of Talkiatry is to help patients with medication management, you are not obliged to accept the it, and should not feel pressured to take anything you do not feel comfortable with

In addition to offering psychiatry, Talkiatry also offers talk therapy to patients who they think may benefit from it. Note that talk therapies such as CBT may not be conducted by your psychiatrist but rather by a psychologist or qualified counselor. A lot of patients find the dualistic approach of medication + talking therapies to be optimal for their well being.

Talkiatry Price

Talkiatry do not publish any specific details about the costs of their services. Therefore we cannot say how much an initial consultation is, how much each subsequent appointment is or how much a prescription costs.

What we can advise is that Talkiatry is recognized by most major insurers (with the notable exception of Medicaid) and operates on a pay-per-meeting basis. If you want to use Medicaid or Medicare, check our list of the best therapy sites with insurance instead.

It is also worth noting that Talkiatry do not offer any kind of free trial like some providers do and therefore you need to pay up front to even get any indication of whether they may be right for you. 

When we tried the service, the prices we got were not competitive at all. Even with insurance, there are simply much better, cost-effective solutions out there. Furthermore, we find the very idea of not giving even an estimate of the costs in advance unprofessional by Talkiatry and not inline with industry standards.

Talkiatry’s response: “Because we see patients who are using their insurance it is not possible to give an accurate estimate about the cost of your visit. Your insurance company would be able to do that.”

Because of this, for prescription management we instead recommend considering Brightside who have proven to be more professional, as well as open and transparent in relation to costs. There, you only pay $90 a month and it’s also covered by insurance.

For Talk therapy, coupled with psychiatric consultation and managing medical prescriptions, our top recommendation would be Talkspace. Being one of the largest virtual therapy platforms in the U.S, Talkspace is safe, reliable and also the best therapy site with insurance. With insurance, you can expect to pay between $25 and $37.5 per week while using Talkspace.

 

Talkiatry Treatment Types

Talkiatry currently boasts a very impressive, full roster of qualified psychiatrists. You get the chance to choose your therapist from a shortlist and initial sessions are usually arranged within 7 days.

The Talkiatry business model focuses primarily on psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis and  treatment. This includes medication & prescription management for a whole array of mental health conditions, including:

Talkiatry focuses on psychiatry and medication. However, many patients may also benefit from additional talking therapies and your psychiatrists may suggest one as part of your treatment plan. Here are some of the following talking therapies that Talkiatry offers;

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
  • Mindfulness Meditation
  • Psychoanalysis

Talkiatry Psychiatry Review

Even though Talkiatry was originally established as a way to help patients get cost effective and efficient access to mediation, that does not mean that every referral will result in a prescription. It all comes down to the Doctor’s estimation as to the needs of the individual patient.

However, you should remember that psychiatrists’ ability to prescribe controlled substances is based on the individual states’ regulatory requirements. 

Overall, we have found this part of the service to be Talkiatry’s strongest point. They currently have over 400 fully qualified psychiatrists and 56 therapists, and the quality of treatment is very high. In fact, it is quite possibly the best virtual psychiatric care in the market today.

I just love Talkiatry! I really wanted to see a Doctor during the COVID pandemic, but all the psychiatrists that accepted my insurance were busy. I was matched with an experienced Talkiatry ADHD therapist so fast I - recommend them very highly!
quotes
Barry G.
I found Talkiarty so easy to use. They got me set up with a psychiatrist in no time and got me the help I really needed.
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Nina
I like the app but the service was way too expensive to even consider staying there - and i even used myinsurance!
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Sing H.

Takiatry Review - Frequently Asked Questions

What If I Don’t Like My Psychiatrist?

Psychiatric treatment can only work when the connection between the patient and the psychiatrist is working. If you don’t feel like your psychiatrist is right for you, then Talkiatry will work with you to get you transferred to another psychiatrist as soon as possible.

Is There a Talkiatry Mobile App?

Talkiatry uses the Healow app which you can use to message your psychiatrist, manage your health records, and make or change appointments. Unlike most online mental health services, Talkiatry does not offer a 24/7 text support chat service.

How Much Do They Charge?

Price varies based on your individual assessment and needs. Talkiatry is the only therapy provider online who doesn't give quotes or even an estimate of the price in advance. Unfortunately, you'll have to inquire and see for yourself. What we can say, is that even with insurance, their rates are not very competitive.

Do Talkiatry Accept Medicare or Medicaid?

You can get Talkiatry on Insurance from most providers. They accept, and are in-network, for over 60 health insurers including most major ones. However, whilst Talkiatry does accept Medicare, they do not accept Medicaid at this moment in time.

Talkiatry Review - Final Thoughts

With their large volume of highly qualified psychiatrists and therapists and ability to prescribe whatever medication they feel a patient needs, Talkiatry are in a rather unique position amongst online therapy and telemedicine companies.

However, the lack of transparency and clarity regarding how much their service costs is a huge downside. Some of the main benefits of online therapy are cost effectiveness and transparency and unfortunately Talkiatry is failing on these fronts.

Aside from that, Talkiatry’s services are only available in the following 30 states: NY, TX, MA, CT, PA, NJ, CO, OH, FL, VA, GA, TN, NC, IL, MD, DC, SC, ME, CA, NH, AZ, MO, WI, IN, MN, OR, NV and MS.

In consideration of all of the above, we would recommend that anybody who is seeking psychiatric treatment and prescription management along with their therapy should consider using Talkspace or Brightside instead.

If you plan to focus entirely on talk therapy, then BetterHelp is our most recommended option. Read our detailed BetterHelp review, or see the full list of therapy sites we review and how they all compare to one another.

Overall rating 64.0%

Updated December 6th, 2022
Overall Rating
Price
Treatment Options
App and Software
Customer Service
Safety and Privacy