Amwell offers traditional telehealth with more therapy formats: Amwell provides individual, couples, family, and group therapy plus psychiatry, with self-pay rates starting at $99 or less per session, but it doesn't accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Headspace combines clinical care with wellness tools: Beyond therapy and psychiatry, Headspace includes 1,000+ guided meditations, sleep content, mental health coaching, and an AI companion, with appointments often available within two days.
Insurance coverage differs significantly: Headspace accepts select Medicare Advantage and managed Medicaid plans with copays typically $0–$35, while Amwell partners with most commercial insurers but excludes government-funded plans.
Provider selection works differently: Amwell lets you browse and choose your own therapist from a directory, while Headspace matches you with a provider based on your intake form and preferences.
Rula as another option: Rula combines therapy and psychiatry across a large network of 21,000+ providers, accepting most major insurance plans and offering virtual and in-person care with clear upfront costs for many patients.
Choosing between online therapy platforms shouldn't feel like another source of stress. Both Amwell and Headspace offer mental healthcare, but they take fundamentally different approaches; one focuses on traditional telehealth for therapy and psychiatry, while the other blends clinical care with meditation and mindfulness tools.
The right choice depends on your specific needs: the type of support you're seeking, your insurance coverage, and whether you want a straightforward clinical experience or an integrated wellness approach. In this guide, we'll compare Amwell and Headspace across features, cost, and services to help you find the best fit among today's online therapy platforms.
You could also consider Rula when exploring mental healthcare options. Rula works with a nationwide network of over 21,000 licensed providers, 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, which may appeal to people looking for affordable online therapy.
Amwell vs. Headspace: Differences at a glance
Here's a quick comparison of Amwell and Headspace to help you see how they stack up and to quickly find a therapist.
Average cost per session:
Amwell: $99 or less for therapy; psychiatry starts at $199 for an initial visit and $95 for follow-ups
Headspace: $0–$35 per session with insurance; $149 per session without insurance
Number of providers:
Amwell: Hundreds of providers (no specific number disclosed)
Headspace: Total number of providers is not publicly disclosed
Modes of communication:
Amwell: Video and phone appointments, plus secure messaging with your provider
Headspace: Video sessions for therapy and text-based chat for coaching
Services offered:
Amwell: Online therapy (individual, couples, family, group), psychiatry, and medication management
Headspace: Therapy, psychiatry, medication management, mental health coaching, guided meditations, sleep content, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services
Insurance acceptance:
Amwell: In-network with mostinsurance plans, including many Blue Cross Blue Shield plans and United Healthcare; it does not accept Medicare or Medicaid
Headspace: Partners with major insurers like Aetna, Cigna, and Anthem; it also accepts select Medicare Advantage and managed Medicaid plans
States covered:
Amwell: All 50 states and Washington D.C.
Headspace: All 50 states and Washington D.C.
Number of specialties offered:
Amwell: Specialties include anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, and LGBTQ+ counseling
Headspace: Six core specialties, including anxiety, depression, stress, and relationships
Inclusivity and patient focus:
Amwell: Offers LGBTQ+ affirming care and therapy for children ages 10 and up
Headspace: Focuses on culturally responsive care with a diverse coaching team and offers a free app for teens
Virtual-only or virtual + in-person availability:
Amwell: Virtual-only care via video and phone
Headspace: Virtual-only for standard therapy
Amwell at a glance
Amwell is a comprehensive telehealth platform founded in 2006 that connects patients with licensed therapists and board-certified psychiatrists across all 50 states. The platform provides a wide range of behavioral health services, including individual, couples, family, and group therapy, as well as psychiatry and medication management. All care is delivered through scheduled video or phone appointments on its secure, HIPAA-compliant platform.
With Amwell, therapy sessions cost $99 or less, while initial psychiatry visits are $199 with $95 follow-ups. Patients can browse provider profiles to review their education, experience, and treatment approach before scheduling an appointment. The platform offers flexible scheduling with day, night, and weekend availability, and psychiatry appointments are typically available within 14 days.
Headspace at a glance
Originally launched in 2010 as a meditation and mindfulness app, Headspace has since expanded to offer comprehensive mental health services. The platform blends guided meditations, sleep resources, mindfulness tools, coaching, therapy, and psychiatry, frequently collaborating with employers and insurance providers to broaden accessibility.
Available exclusively online in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., Headspace typically offers appointments within two days. Members can engage in therapy via live video sessions, receive mental health coaching through text-based chat, and explore self-guided content. The platform works with insurance plans, accepts FSA/HSA payments, and offers self-pay options, with insured members generally paying $0–$35 per session.
Rula at a glance
Rula is a mental health platform founded in 2019 that helps patients find licensed therapists covered by insurance and schedule therapy through its platform. Patients can choose between live video appointments and in-person therapy appointments with eligible providers. Rula is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., but it’s not currently available for people living outside the United States.
Rula’s network includes more than 21,000 providers and offers multiple types of care, including individual, couples, family, and psychiatric care (medication management). Therapy is available for children ages 5 and up, and psychiatry is available for people ages 13 and older.
Rula accepts insurance and also offers self-pay rates; patients using insurance typically pay about $15 per session, and self-pay rates include $150 per session for individual therapy and $165 per session for couples or family therapy. Appointments are available as soon as tomorrow, and Rula confirms an out-of-pocket estimate before the first session.
The care you need, when you need it
Learn how Rula can support your mental health journey
Clinical outcomes and how they compare
Clinical outcomes and evidence-based approaches are essential for knowing if a mental health platform can help people make real progress. Both Amwell and Headspace track patient progress, though they report their outcomes differently.
Amwell clinical outcomes
According to Amwell, 97% of clients reported being very or extremely satisfied with their therapist, and the platform holds an average provider rating of 4.9 out of 5.
Headspace clinical outcomes
Based on data from Headspace, 72% of members experience decreased anxiety following six weeks of treatment. During that same period, 75% of members see measurable reductions in depression-related symptoms.
Rula clinical outcomes
It’s also worth noting that Rula reports strong outcomes and experience metrics, including 93% of patients reporting they feel better about their symptoms after receiving care through Rula, 94% reporting they feel comfortable with their provider, and 98% finding a provider that meets their unique preferences.
Cost and insurance coverage
Amwell is in-network with most major insurance plans but doesn't accept Medicare or Medicaid. Headspace partners with major insurers and accepts select Medicare Advantage and managed Medicaid plans, making it a more accessible option for those with government-funded insurance. Amwell doesn't work with government-funded plans.
Insurance plans accepted
Amwell is in-network with a wide range of plans, including:
Academic Health Plans
AlohaCare
Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Many regional Blue Cross Blue Shield plans (Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, etc.)
Capital Blue Cross
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
United Healthcare and UHC Nevada
UPMC Health Plan
Headspace partners with major insurance providers, such as:
Aetna
Cigna
Anthem
As another option, Rula accepts most major insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, Optum Behavioral Health, and UnitedHealthcare. The platform also works with Medicare Advantage, Medicare fee-for-service, and Managed Medicaid in select states and provides an upfront estimate of your out-of-pocket costs before you schedule your first session.
Out-of-pocket costs (with insurance)
Your out-of-pocket costs for Amwell therapy depend on your specific insurance plan. Be sure to confirm your copay directly with your insurer before scheduling your first session.
With Headspace, most members with insurance pay between $0 and $35 per therapy session. The platform allows you to check your estimated cost per session before you book an appointment. This transparency helps you understand your financial responsibility upfront and may make it a strong choice for anyone seeking online therapy that takes insurance.
HSA/FSA eligibility
Both Amwell and Headspace make it easy to use pre-tax funds for your care. Amwell accepts HSA and FSA cards for direct payment at the time of service. Similarly, Headspace allows you to use your HSA or FSA card to pay for therapy sessions, which simplifies the payment process and avoids the need for reimbursement claims.
Self-pay pricing
If you're paying without insurance, here are the costs for each platform.
Amwell:
Therapy: $99 or less per session
Psychiatry: $199 for an initial visit, $95 for follow-up visits
Headspace:
Therapy: $149 per session (pay-as-you-go)
App subscription (optional): $69.99/year or $12.99/month for access to meditations, sleep content, and other wellness tools
Mental health services offered
The range of services and treatment approaches a platform offers is a key factor in finding the right fit for your needs. Amwell provides a traditional clinical model with multiple therapy formats, while Headspace integrates clinical care with a broad ecosystem of wellness and self-care tools.
Treatment approaches offered by Amwell
Amwell's therapists address various mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and OCD, through evidence-based treatment methods.
Therapy modalities available through Amwell include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
In addition to therapy, Amwell provides psychiatry services and medication management.
Treatment approaches offered by Headspace
Headspace therapists use a range of evidence-based approaches to support mental health, such as:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
Mindfulness-based stress reduction
Goal-focused mental health coaching
Beyond scheduled therapy appointments, the platform offers text-based coaching sessions (up to three per month with an app subscription), an extensive library of guided meditations and resources, and an AI companion for additional support between sessions.
Headspace's licensed psychiatric providers offer medication management services, but they can't prescribe controlled substances.
Treatment approaches offered by Rula
Rula provides individual, couples, and family therapy, along with psychiatry services for medication management. Since each provider brings their own expertise and methods, the specific approaches can differ, though Rula's network covers more than 180 clinical specialties.
This wide-ranging network means you can access support for many different mental health concerns, such as anxiety, ADHD, autism, trauma and PTSD, OCD, and addiction.
Treatment methods available through Rula include:
Trauma-focused therapy
Mindfulness-based and somatic therapies
Inclusivity and specialized care
Finding a provider who understands your background, identity, and experiences is crucial for building trust and making progress in therapy. Both Amwell and Headspace prioritize inclusive care, though they demonstrate it in different ways.
Amwell inclusivity and specialization overview
Licensure types: Amwell's network includes licensed therapists and board-certified psychiatrists. All providers are credentialed and hold active licenses in the states where they practice.
Specializations offered: Providers specialize in a wide range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and OCD. They use evidence-based approaches like CBT and DBT to tailor treatment to each patient.
Languages available: Amwell doesn't publicly disclose information about the languages its providers speak.
Inclusivity factors: Amwell provides LGBTQ+ affirming care. The platform also offers therapy for children ages 10 and up with parental consent, though psychiatry is only for adults 18+.
Headspace inclusivity and specialization overview
Licensure types: Headspace offers care from licensed therapists, psychiatrists, and nationally board-certified mental health coaches. Coaches either hold a master's degree in a psychology-related field or have completed supervised training.
Specializations offered: Therapists specialize in common concerns like anxiety, depression, stress, relationships, sleep, and grief. The matching process connects you with a provider based on your specific needs and their areas of expertise.
Languages available: Headspace offers services in English, Spanish, and French, though availability may depend on your location.
Inclusivity factors: Headspace is committed to culturally responsive care, with 54% of its mental health coaches identifying as BIPOC. The platform also offers its app for free to all teens in the U.S. ages 13 to 18 and provides limited in-person therapy for children 6 and up through EAP benefits, which may be helpful for families seeking online therapy for teens.
The care you need, when you need it
Learn how Rula can support your mental health journey
Platform availability and access
How quickly you can get an appointment and how easy the platform is to use can significantly impact your mental health journey. Both Amwell and Headspace are available nationwide, but they differ in their matching process, scheduling, and session formats.
If you’re considering Rula, it’s available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with live video appointments on Zoom and the option to schedule in-person therapy. Most patients start therapy within two days or less.
How access works with Amwell
States served: Amwell is available in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
Matching process: You can browse therapist profiles, filtering by state to see providers licensed to practice in your location. You review their education, experience, and approach before choosing who to schedule with.
Session formats: Care is delivered through HIPAA-compliant video or phone appointments. Amwell also offers secure messaging for communication with your provider between sessions.
Scheduling: You can schedule appointments at any time, with day, evening, and weekend slots available. While therapy appointment wait times vary by provider, psychiatry appointments are typically available within 14 days.
App/portal experience: The Amwell mobile app and web portal allow you to schedule appointments, attend sessions, and track your progress. You can also message your provider and receive appointment reminders through the platform.
How access works with Headspace
States served: Headspace is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Matching process: After completing an intake form about your goals and preferences, Headspace matches you with a licensed therapist. If the first match isn't a good fit, you can request to switch providers.
Session formats: Therapy is conducted via live video sessions. Mental health coaching is done through text-based chat, and there is no between-session messaging for therapy.
Scheduling: Appointments are typically available within two days. You can schedule sessions at times that work for you, including after work and on weekends, and have the flexibility to change your session frequency as needed.
App/portal experience: The Headspace app is a central hub for all its services. You can access therapy, coaching, and the entire library of meditations, sleep content, and mindfulness tools from one place, much like other telehealth apps.
What each platform does best
By looking at where each platform is strongest, you can make a thoughtful decision grounded in what matters most for your care.
Amwell excels when you need:
Traditional telehealth therapy and psychiatry without extra wellness features
Access to couples, family, or group therapy, including couples therapy online
Therapy for a child or teen (ages 10+)
A wide network of accepted insurance plans (if you don't have Medicare or Medicaid)
Secure messaging with your provider between sessions
The option of phone appointments in addition to video
Headspace excels when you need:
A holistic mental health companion that combines therapy with self-guided tools
Access to meditations, sleep content, and mindfulness exercises
Text-based mental health coaching for goal-oriented support
Quick access to care, with appointments often available in two days
Coverage through a select Medicare Advantage or managed Medicaid plan
A free mental health app for a teen in your family (ages 13–18)
Summary: Is Amwell or Headspace right for you?
The right choice depends on what kind of mental health support you're looking for. Brightside is a clinical-focused platform specializing in psychiatry and therapy for diagnosed conditions like anxiety and depression. Headspace combines professional therapy with an extensive library of self-guided mindfulness and wellness tools. Their pricing models also differ: Brightside uses a monthly subscription that includes multiple sessions and unlimited messaging, while Headspace offers pay-per-session therapy with no subscription required.
Brightside may be the better fit for people who need comprehensive medication management, want integrated psychiatry and therapy, or require treatment for a high-acuity condition. Its structured protocols and unlimited provider messaging offer a high level of clinical support.
Headspace tends to work well for people who prefer pay-as-you-go flexibility, want to combine therapy with self-guided mindfulness practices, or are looking for a holistic approach that includes coaching and wellness tools.
Rula is also worth considering for people who want an insurance-based path to therapy or psychiatry (medication management), with an upfront out-of-pocket estimate before the first appointment. The platform 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 therapy available at provider-operated offices in some locations.
FAQs
Does Amwell or Headspace accept insurance?
Both platforms accept insurance, though their networks differ. Amwell is in-network with major plans including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare. Headspace partners with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and Anthem, and is one of the few platforms that also accepts select Medicare Advantage and managed Medicaid plans. Both platforms accept FSA/HSA payments.
How much does Amwell cost compared to Headspace?
Amwell offers pay-per-session therapy with self-pay rates (starting at $99 per session) that are generally lower than Headspace's. Headspace members typically pay $0–$35 per session with in-network insurance, or $149 per session without insurance. Both platforms provide upfront cost estimates so you know what to expect before booking.
Does Amwell or Headspace offer psychiatry?
Yes, both platforms offer psychiatry services for medication management. Amwell connects patients with licensed psychiatrists for evaluation and ongoing care. Headspace offers virtual psychiatry as part of its clinical services, though psychiatrists can't prescribe controlled substances.
Why choose Rula for quality of care?
Rula emphasizes outcomes and access together, with 93% of patients reporting they feel better about their symptoms after receiving care through the platform. Its nationwide network of 21,000+ licensed providers spans 180+ clinical specialties and modalities, offering therapy and psychiatry (medication management) through virtual appointments on Zoom and in-person therapy at provider-operated offices in some locations. Rula is in-network with most major insurance plans and provides a personalized cost estimate before your first appointment, with typical insured costs around $15 per session.
Find care with Rula
Choosing the right mental health platform matters; it shapes not just your experience, but your ability to make real progress. With Rula, getting started is straightforward: verify your insurance in minutes, browse providers who match your specific needs and preferences, and schedule your first appointment as soon as tomorrow. You'll see your estimated out-of-pocket cost upfront, so there are no surprises — just a clear path forward to care that works for you.
Rula Health
Rula’s editorial process
Rula’s editorial team is on a mission to make science-backed mental health insights accessible and practical for every person seeking to better understand or improve mental wellness.
Members of Rula’s clinical leadership team and other expert providers contribute to all published content, offering guidance on themes and insights based on their firsthand experience in the field. Every piece of content is thoroughly reviewed by a clinician before publishing.
