Alma vs Geode: Features, pricing, and best fit

Choosing a mental health platform shouldn't add to your stress, especially when you're already juggling a full schedule and trying to make online therapy work for you. What you need is care that aligns with your real life: where you live, what insurance you have, and the specific support you're looking for. That's why knowing the key differences between platforms like Alma and Geode matters.

Both platforms offer therapy and psychiatry, but they work in fundamentally different ways. Alma connects you with independent providers nationwide, while Geode operates as a regional practice network with physical locations in just six states. In this guide, we'll break down their features, costs, and who each one serves best.

You might also consider Rula as you explore your options. Rula connects you with over 21,000 licensed providers nationwide, accepts most major insurance plans, and offers both therapy and psychiatry through virtual and in-person appointments. With insurance, many patients pay around $15 per session.

Alma vs. Geode: Differences at a glance

Both Alma and Geode offer mental health services, but they differ significantly in their approach, availability, and structure. Alma operates as a nationwide directory platform, while Geode functions as a regional practice network with physical locations. If you’re trying to find a therapist efficiently, these structural differences can make a big impact.

Average cost per session:

• Alma: $130 to $380 per session for self-pay; costs vary by provider and insurance coverage.

• Geode: Competitive self-pay rates are available, but specific pricing is not publicly listed.

Number of providers:

• Alma: 24,000+ providers across the network

• Geode: Exact provider count is not publicly specified

Modes of communication:

• Alma: Virtual and in-person sessions available

• Geode: In-person and online video sessions available

Services offered:

• Alma: Individual, couples, and family therapy, therapy for children and teens, and medication management

• Geode: Therapy, psychiatry, medication management, psychotherapy, TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), and Spravato (intranasal ketamine)

Insurance acceptance:

• Alma: In-network with most major insurance plans (including Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare); does not accept Medicare or Medicaid

• Geode: In-network with most commercial insurances and Medicare/Medicare Advantage plans; doesn't accept Medicaid

States covered:

• Alma: All 50 states plus Washington, D.C.

• Geode: Six states (Georgia, Illinois, Nebraska, North Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin)

Number of specialties offered:

• Alma: Exact count not specified, but includes anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and more

• Geode: Exact count not specified, but includes anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, ADHD, OCD, and more

Inclusivity and patient focus:

• Alma: Directory filters by identity and language, with culturally responsive care training for providers

• Geode: Explicitly LGBTQIA+ affirming with an intentional culture of inclusion across identities and faiths

Virtual-only or virtual + in-person availability:

• Alma: Hybrid model with both virtual and in-person options

• Geode: Hybrid model with physical practice locations in communities, plus secure video visits

Alma at a glance

Alma is a nationwide mental health directory platform founded in 2017. It connects people with over 24,000 therapists and psychiatrists across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. With a mission to simplify access to high-quality, affordable mental healthcare, Alma allows you to search, filter, and book free 15-minute consultations with providers before committing to full sessions. The platform supports individual, couples, family, and teen therapy, as well as medication management, with both virtual and in-person session options.

Finding a provider on Alma is straightforward: You can filter the directory by insurance, language, availability, and provider identity, and find a match within about five minutes (according to the platform).

Geode at a glance

Geode is a regional mental health practice network founded in 2021. It operates physical practice locations in six states: Georgia, Illinois, Nebraska, North Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin. Geode brings psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and therapists together under one roof for coordinated, team-based care.

Geode offers a hybrid model with both in-person care at community-based practices and secure virtual visits. They provide same-week appointment availability, and initial appointments are dedicated 60-minute sessions. They also offer advanced treatment options, including TMS and Spravato, for treatment-resistant conditions.

Rula at a glance

Founded in 2019, Rula is a mental health platform that helps people find licensed therapists covered by insurance and schedule care through its platform. It connects people with a nationwide network of 21,000+ licensed providers across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with appointments commonly available as soon as tomorrow.

Rula offers scheduled, appointment-based care, and you can choose between live video telehealth appointments (Rula uses Zoom for all telehealth sessions) and in-person therapy. Services include individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, child therapy (ages 5+), teen therapy, and psychiatry (medication management) for people ages 13 and older. Rula accepts insurance, offers self-pay rates, and confirms an estimated out-of-pocket cost before your first session.

Clinical outcomes and how they compare

Clinical outcomes demonstrate whether mental health treatment actually helps people feel better. Evidence-based approaches and measurable results matter when choosing a mental health provider.

Alma clinical outcomes

Alma reports that 80% of people with anxiety or depression symptoms experience improvement within six months of therapy through their network. The platform also notes that 97% of clients report feeling understood and supported by their therapist.

Geode clinical outcomes

Based on Geode's reported data, 78% of patients showed significant improvement on PHQ-9 and GAD-7 measures within four months of beginning care. These are standardized clinical tools used to monitor depression and anxiety symptoms throughout treatment.

Rula clinical outcomes

Rula tracks both symptom improvement and the strength of the provider-patient connection: According to platform data, 93% of patients experience significant symptom relief, 94% report feeling comfortable and connected with their provider, and 98% were paired with a clinician who met their particular needs — outcomes that surpass national averages by more than 10%.

Cost and insurance coverage

Both platforms accept insurance but differ in their network breadth and coverage. Alma is in-network with most major insurance plans across all 50 states, and Geode accepts most commercial insurances and Medicare plans in its six-state service area.

Insurance plans accepted

Alma insurance networks:

• Aetna

• AllSavers UHC

• Allied Benefit Systems - Aetna

• Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (multiple states)

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

• Carelon Behavioral Health, Inc.

• Christian Brothers Services - Aetna

• Cigna

• Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield

• Health Plans Inc.

• Health Scope - Aetna

• Mass General Brigham Health Plan

• Medica

• Meritain

• Nippon

• Optum

• Oscar

• Oxford Health Plans

• Providence Health Plan

• Surest (Formerly Bind)

• Trustmark Health Benefits (Aetna and Cigna)

• Tufts Health Plan

• UHC Student Resources

• UMR

• UnitedHealthcare

Geode is in-network with most commercial insurances and accepts Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, but does not accept Medicaid.

Rula is worth considering if you want insurance coverage with transparent pricing from the start. Providers on Rula accept many major insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente (by referral), Optum Behavioral Health, Oscar, UMR, and UnitedHealthcare. The platform also works with Medicare and Managed Medicaid in select states and with specific insurers, and gives you a personalized cost estimate before you schedule your first session.

Out-of-pocket costs (with insurance)

Out-of-pocket costs with insurance through Alma vary by individual insurance plan and provider. Copays and coinsurance amounts depend on your specific benefits. People who find in-network therapists through Alma save an average of 77% on sessions compared to out-of-network rates.

With Geode, co-payments and fees also vary by insurance plan. Patients should check with their insurance provider or contact the Geode office for specific cost details.

HSA/FSA eligibility

Alma explicitly accepts HSA/FSA cards as payment options alongside insurance, employee assistance programs, and out-of-pocket payment. Geode also accepts HSA cards and electronic submissions, making mental healthcare expenses eligible for tax-advantaged accounts on both platforms.

Self-pay pricing

Alma's self-pay rates range from $130 to $380 per session, with the final cost determined by which provider you select. A number of therapists on the platform provide sliding scale options for those paying out-of-network, which can reduce costs and improve affordability.

Geode's out-of-pocket costs depend on your specific insurance plan. You'll need to verify pricing details directly with your insurer or by reaching out to Geode's office. Claims processing generally takes around two weeks. If you're facing financial challenges, Geode does provide payment plan options.

Mental health services offered

The range of services offered determines whether a platform can address your specific mental health needs. Both platforms offer therapy and psychiatry but differ in specialized treatment options.

Treatment approaches offered by Alma

Alma connects you with providers who use a wide range of evidence-based therapeutic methods. The platform's search filters let you sort by treatment type, clinical focus area, and provider background to find the right fit.

Treatment modalities available through Alma providers:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

• Psychodynamic therapy

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

• Mindfulness-based therapy

• Emotionally focused therapy (EFT)

• Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT)

• Narrative therapy

• Somatic experiencing

• Trauma-focused CBT

• Motivational interviewing

• Exposure and response prevention (ERP)

• Internal family systems (IFS)

• Attachment-based therapy

• Gottman Method

The network also includes psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners who offer medication management services.

Treatment approaches offered by Geode

Geode structures its care around five primary treatment areas, each offering specialized support tailored to specific concerns:

• Depression and mood

• Behavioral and ADHD

• Past trauma

• Anxiety and panic

• Disordered eating

When traditional treatment approaches haven't been effective, Geode provides advanced therapeutic options:

• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): A non-invasive treatment for depression that hasn't responded to other interventions, offered at select locations

• Spravato® (esketamine): An FDA-approved nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression, offered at select locations

Medication management and psychiatry services are delivered by Geode's team of licensed psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.

Treatment approaches offered by Rula

Rula's network includes licensed providers who specialize in more than 180 clinical areas and therapeutic modalities, which means your treatment can be customized to fit what you're working through. Based on the provider you select, your care may incorporate evidence-based methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)).

This breadth of clinical expertise covers a wide variety of mental health concerns, including anxiety and ADHD, as well as autism, PTSD and trauma, OCD, and addiction. Rula offers individual therapy, couples therapy, and family therapy, in addition to psychiatry services (medication management) for people ages 13 and older in every state where Rula is available.

Inclusivity and specialized care

Finding a provider who understands your identity, background, and lived experience is essential for effective therapy. Cultural competency and inclusive practices create the foundation for trust and progress in mental healthcare.

Alma inclusivity and specialization overview

Licensure types: The Alma network includes therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. These providers offer individual, couples, and family therapy, as well as therapy for children and teens ages 13 and older.

Specializations offered: Providers treat anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, life transitions, chronic illness, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and substance misuse. You can filter providers by specialty area directly in the directory search.

Languages available: The directory search includes language filters to help you find providers who speak specific languages. However, a specific list of supported languages is not publicly available.

Inclusivity factors: Alma prioritizes culturally responsive care through expert-led sessions for providers on working with members of marginalized communities. The directory filters allow you to search by provider identity characteristics.

Geode inclusivity and specialization overview

Licensure types: The Geode network includes psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychiatric physician assistants, and therapists. These providers work as a unified team to deliver coordinated, holistic care.

Specializations offered: Geode specializes in anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, ADHD, OCD, mood disorders, disordered eating, and trauma. They also offer child and adolescent psychiatry with providers experienced in working with kids and teens.

Languages available: Specific languages supported by Geode providers are not publicly listed on their website.

Inclusivity factors: Geode is explicitly LGBTQIA+ affirming with an intentional culture of inclusion. They affirm sexual orientations, gender identities, races, ethnicities, faiths, and lived experiences while addressing barriers to care for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Platform availability and access

How quickly you can get care and how easily you can access it matters when you are struggling. Logistics like geographic availability, appointment scheduling, and session formats can make the difference between getting help and giving up.

Rula offers scheduled, appointment-based care in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with live video (Zoom) telehealth appointments and in-person therapy appointments (at provider-operated offices), and appointments are commonly available as soon as tomorrow.

How access works with Alma

Alma is available in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. To get started, you search the directory using filters for insurance, language, availability, format, and provider identity. Once you find a provider whose profile fits your needs, you can instantly book a free 15-minute consultation with no commitment to continue.

Sessions are available both virtually and in-person. The directory displays provider availability by weekday and time of day, which means you can typically start one-on-one therapy within three days. If your first match doesn't feel right, you can switch therapists anytime until you find the right fit.

How access works with Geode

Geode is available in six states only: Georgia, Illinois, Nebraska, North Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin, where they maintain physical practice locations in the communities they serve. To get started, you reach out to their intake team for a confidential assessment, and they'll match you with a licensed professional based on your needs.

From there, you can choose between in-person appointments at their practice locations or secure video visits, with same-week appointment availability and regular office hours Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Between sessions, you'll have access to secure messaging for non-urgent questions and prescription renewals.

What each platform does best

Understanding what each platform does best helps you choose based on what's most important for your situation. Alma and Geode each offer unique strengths shaped by where you live, what insurance you carry, and the type of care you're seeking.

Alma excels when:

• You need nationwide access across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

• You want maximum provider choice from a network of 24,000+ professionals.

• You prefer to browse and choose your own provider using detailed directory filters.

• You want a free 15-minute consultation before committing to care.

• You are looking for couples or family therapy options.

Geode excels when:

• You live in Georgia, Illinois, Nebraska, North Carolina, Texas, or Wisconsin.

• You want coordinated, team-based care where psychiatrists and therapists work together.

• You need advanced treatments like TMS or Spravato for treatment-resistant conditions.

• You have Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.

• You value in-person care with a strong community presence.

Summary: Is Alma or Geode right for you?

Alma and Geode take different approaches to mental healthcare. Alma operates as a nationwide directory connecting you with independent providers across all 50 states, offering both virtual and in-person options. Geode functions as a regional practice network with physical locations in six states, offering coordinated team-based care and advanced treatments like TMS.

Alma may be the better fit for people outside Geode's service area who value flexibility in searching and choosing from a large provider network. Geode tends to work well for people in one of its service states who need coordinated team-based care or access to advanced treatments.

Rula is also worth considering for people who want insurance-based care with the option of therapy or psychiatry (medication management) through a single platform. Rula supports therapy for ages 5+ and psychiatry for ages 13+ across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with sessions held via live video on Zoom and in-person. Patients receive an upfront cost estimate before their first appointment, and appointments are often available as soon as tomorrow.

FAQs

Does Alma or Geode accept insurance?

Both platforms accept insurance, but their coverage differs. Alma works with most commercial insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna, Optum, Oscar, Oxford, and UnitedHealthcare, but does not accept Medicare or Medicaid. Geode accepts Medicare and most major commercial insurance plans in its local markets, though it does not accept Medicaid. Geode's Medicare coverage is a meaningful differentiator for patients on that plan.

How much does Alma cost compared to Geode?

Alma uses a per-session payment model, with costs typically ranging from $130 to $380 depending on the provider and whether you're using insurance. Geode bills through insurance, with out-of-pocket costs depending on your specific plan, copay, and deductible. Payment plans are available through Geode for patients experiencing financial hardship.

Does Alma or Geode offer in-person therapy?

Both platforms offer in-person therapy, but their reach differs significantly. Alma provides in-person and virtual options through its nationwide directory of independent providers across all 50 states. Geode operates community-based physical locations in six states, with virtual visits also available. People outside Geode's service area will find Alma the more accessible option for in-person care.

Why choose Rula for quality of care?

Rula prioritizes clinical results, with 93% of patients experiencing symptom improvement after treatment on the platform. The platform connects you with a nationwide network of over 21,000 licensed providers specializing in 180+ clinical areas and therapeutic approaches, delivering therapy and psychiatry (medication management) via Zoom video sessions and in-person appointments. Rula accepts most major insurance plans and confirms your estimated session cost upfront, with many insured patients paying approximately $15 per visit.

Find care with Rula

Choosing the right mental health platform matters — it shapes not just where you start, but how much progress you actually make. If you're ready to move forward, Rula makes it straightforward to get the support you need. You can verify your insurance in minutes, browse providers who match your preferences and needs, and often book your first appointment as soon as tomorrow. You'll see your estimated out-of-pocket cost before your first session, so there are no surprises when it comes to what you'll pay.