Geode vs Headway: Features, pricing, and best fit

Finding the right mental health platform shouldn't feel like a second job. Yet with so many options available, comparing features, costs, and coverage can quickly become overwhelming. If you're considering online therapy or in-person care, both Geode and Headway offer insurance-based therapy and psychiatry, but they take fundamentally different approaches to delivering care.

In this guide, we'll break down how Geode and Headway compare across features, pricing, insurance acceptance, and specialized services. Whether you need a coordinated care team in your community or nationwide access to thousands of providers, understanding these differences will help you choose the platform that fits your needs.

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, making it a practical choice for therapy with insurance.

Geode vs. Headway: Differences at a glance

Both Geode and Headway are mental healthcare providers that accept insurance to help patients access therapy and psychiatry services and find a therapist who matches their needs. They differ significantly in their geographic availability, network size, and service delivery models.

Average cost per session:

• Geode: Costs vary by insurance plan; exact costs aren't available online

• Headway: $0 to $35 per session with insurance

Number of providers:

• Geode: Total provider count is unlisted; team includes psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and therapists

• Headway: 60,000+ licensed providers

Modes of communication:

• Geode: Offers in-person and virtual appointments

• Headway: Browser-based video telehealth and in-person sessions available

Services offered:

• Geode: Provides therapy, psychiatry, medication management, psychotherapy, and advanced treatments like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Spravato (intranasal Ketamine)

• Headway: Offers talk therapy, including individual, couples, family, and child or adolescent therapy, along with medication management

Insurance acceptance:

• Geode: In-network with most commercial insurances and Medicare, but doesn't accept Medicaid

• Headway: Accepts major carriers like Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, select Medicare plans, and Medicaid plans

States covered:

• Geode: Available in six states: Georgia, Illinois, Nebraska, North Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin

• Headway: Available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Number of specialties offered:

• Geode: Nine main conditions, including anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, ADHD, OCD, mood disorders, disordered eating, and trauma

• Headway: More than 20 specialties, including addiction, grief and loss, LGBTQIA+ affirming care, maternal mental health, and PTSD

Inclusivity and patient focus:

• Geode: Provides LGBTQIA+ affirming care and specialized services for children and adolescents

• Headway: Services in 57+ languages, cultural competency pilot program, LGBTQIA+ specialty category

Virtual-only or virtual + in-person availability:

• Geode: Hybrid model with physical locations and secure online video visits

• Headway: Hybrid model with virtual and in-person sessions

Geode at a glance

Geode is a mental healthcare provider operating physical locations in six states alongside virtual care options. Its unified team approach brings psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and therapists together to deliver coordinated treatment. Geode accepts Medicare alongside most major insurance plans and offers advanced treatment options like TMS and Spravato for treatment-resistant conditions.

Patients can access same-week appointments for both in-person and virtual visits, with initial sessions running a full 60 minutes. To get started, patients connect with an intake team that provides a confidential assessment to match them with the right licensed professional.

Headway at a glance

Founded in 2019, Headway is a nationwide platform that connects patients with in-network mental health providers across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Its network includes more than 60,000 licensed providers who accept insurance, with average wait times of 4.9 days for talk therapy and 3.8 days for medication management.

Patients enter their insurance and preferences to generate a provider list, then book directly from profiles or use optional matching assistance through customer support. Sessions take place via browser-based telehealth, and patients can communicate with their providers between sessions using a secure messaging portal.

Rula at a glance

Rula connects people with licensed therapists and psychiatric practitioners who accept their insurance, making it easy to book mental health appointments online. With a nationwide network of over 21,000 providers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., Rula offers therapy services for individuals ages 5 and up, plus psychiatry (medication management) for those 13 and older.

Care options include individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and therapy for children and teens, with most sessions conducted through live video on Zoom. Some providers also offer in-person appointments at their offices. Once you verify your insurance coverage, you can view a personalized list of in-network providers, check your estimated session cost upfront, and schedule an appointment online. Most insured patients pay approximately $15 per session, with many appointments available the next day.

Clinical outcomes and how they compare

Measurable clinical outcomes help patients understand whether their treatment is working and guide providers in adjusting care plans. Tracking these results ensures that mental healthcare delivers real progress.

Geode clinical outcomes

According to Geode's data, 78% of patients demonstrated meaningful progress on PHQ-9 and GAD-7 assessments within four months of starting treatment. PHQ-9 and GAD-7 are standardized measurement tools that track depression and anxiety symptoms over time.

Headway clinical outcomes

Headway monitors clinical progress to evaluate how patients respond to treatment. Data shows that patients experience an average 32% decrease in PHQ-9 scores during their first 30 days of care. Beyond that, 71% of patients demonstrate measurable progress within the first month, and 86% complete at least three sessions, reflecting solid initial engagement and continued participation in treatment.

Rula clinical outcomes

Rula's clinical outcomes surpass national benchmarks by over 10%, with 93% of patients reporting symptom improvement after receiving care, 94% feeling comfortable with their provider, and 98% successfully matched with a provider who fits their needs and preferences.

Cost and insurance coverage

Both Geode and Headway accept insurance, making mental healthcare more affordable for patients. Geode operates in six states accepting most commercial insurances and Medicare, while Headway offers nationwide coverage with major carriers but requires active insurance to sign up.

Insurance plans accepted

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

Headway accepts major insurance carriers including Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Cigna, Oscar, Oxford, United Healthcare, and Optum affiliates. The platform also accepts select Medicare plans and Medicaid plans.

Another option to keep in mind is Rula, which is designed to help people use insurance for therapy and psychiatry. Therapists on Rula are in-network with many major insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, Optum Behavioral Health, Oscar, and UnitedHealthcare. Rula also accepts Medicare and Managed Medicaid coverage, and it confirms an estimated out-of-pocket cost prior to your first appointment.

Out-of-pocket costs (with insurance)

For Geode patients, co-payments and fees vary by insurance plan. Patients are advised to check with their insurance provider or contact the Geode office for specific costs. Insurance claims typically take about two weeks to process. Geode also offers payment plans for patients experiencing financial hardship.

When using an accepted insurance plan with Headway, patients generally pay between $0 and $35 per session out of pocket. Headway determines your anticipated cost using your insurance details and shows this amount in your account prior to scheduling. You'll receive your bill after your appointment, meaning payment happens only once you've completed your session.

HSA/FSA eligibility

Geode accepts HSA and FSA cards. Headway also accepts FSA and HSA payments. Patients can add an FSA or HSA debit card as their payment method, or they can download Headway invoices to submit to their FSA, HSA, or HRA plan for reimbursement.

Self-pay pricing

All Geode self-pay patients are required to sign an agreement that provides self-pay rates for each service and explains financial requirements. Uninsured patients are offered competitive self-pay rates, though patients must contact the office as specific pricing is not published online.

Headway operates on an insurance-first model, requiring new clients to have active, accepted insurance to sign up. Private pay is available only in limited scenarios, such as existing client-provider relationships where the provider offers it, and is not available for clients with Medicare or Medicaid policies.

Mental health services offered

The range of services offered matters because different mental health conditions require different types of treatment. Both platforms offer therapy and medication management, but Geode provides additional advanced treatment options for complex needs.

Treatment approaches offered by Geode

Geode organizes its services into five core treatment categories, with additional specialized options within each:

• Depression and mood

• Behavioral and ADHD

• Past trauma

• Anxiety and panic

• Disordered eating

For conditions that haven't responded to standard treatments, Geode offers specialized interventions:

• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): A non-invasive option for depression that hasn't improved with other treatments, available at select locations

• Spravato® (esketamine): A prescription nasal spray designed for treatment-resistant depression, available at select locations

Geode's licensed psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and physician assistants provide medication management and psychiatry services.

Treatment approaches offered by Headway

Headway provides an extensive selection of mental health services that span both therapy and psychiatry. The platform supports over 25 specialty areas and connects patients with providers who offer medication prescribing and management.

Common treatment modalities available through Headway include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)

• Strength-based therapy

• Trauma-focused CBT

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

• Emotion-focused therapy (EFT)

• Attachment-based family therapy

• Cognitive behavioral family therapy

• Gottman Method

• Integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT)

• Multidimensional family therapy

• Psychodynamic therapy

• Narrative therapy

• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)

• Motivational interviewing

The Headway network includes various provider types, such as psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), who are qualified to prescribe and manage medications.

Treatment approaches offered by Rula

Rula provides therapy and psychiatry services, including medication management, through a network of more than 21,000 providers offering 180+ clinical specialties and treatment modalities. This breadth means patients can access care tailored to a diverse set of mental health needs.

Rula providers commonly use approaches such as:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT))

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

• Trauma-focused approaches, including EMDR and prolonged exposure therapy

• Internal family systems (IFS)) and attachment-based therapy

• Couples and family therapy approaches, including the Gottman Method and emotionally focused therapy (EFT))

• Mindfulness-based and somatic approaches

This variety of treatment modalities allows Rula providers to address concerns including anxiety, ADHD, autism, trauma and PTSD, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Rula providers also offer support for substance use issues, including addiction.

Inclusivity and specialized care

Finding a provider who understands your unique background, identity, and experiences is crucial for effective therapy. Cultural competency and specialized expertise can significantly impact treatment outcomes and patient comfort. Both platforms prioritize inclusivity, though they approach it differently.

Geode inclusivity and specialization overview

Licensure types: Geode employs psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), psychiatric physician assistants (PAs), and therapists as a unified team to provide coordinated care.

Specializations offered: The platform treats nine main conditions, including anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, ADHD, OCD, mood disorders, disordered eating, and trauma. Providers specialize in child and adolescent psychiatry and therapy.

Languages available: Specific languages offered aren't available online.

Inclusivity factors: Geode maintains an intentional culture of inclusion affirming sexual orientations, gender identities, races, ethnicities, and faiths. They are explicitly LGBTQIA+ affirming.

Headway inclusivity and specialization overview

Licensure types: The Headway network includes therapists, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, MDs, and DOs.

Specializations offered: The platform covers more than 20 specialties, including addiction, anxiety and depression, bipolar disorder, couples therapy, family therapy, grief and loss, LGBTQIA+ care, maternal mental health, OCD, and PTSD and trauma.

Languages available: Providers offer care in more than 57 languages.

Inclusivity factors: Headway offers a specific LGBTQIA+ specialty category and is testing a partnership with Violet aimed at strengthening cultural competence across its provider network. The platform indicates that a notable portion of its providers identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

Platform availability and access

How quickly you can access care and how easily you can navigate the platform directly impacts whether you will get help when you need it. Geode and Headway take different approaches to access — one through community-based locations in select states, the other through a nationwide digital network.

Rula offers therapy in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with appointments available as soon as tomorrow via live video (Zoom), and patients can also schedule in-person therapy with eligible providers.

How access works with Geode

• States served: Geode operates in six states: Georgia, Illinois, Nebraska, North Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin.

• Matching process: New patients reach out to an intake team, which conducts a confidential assessment and connects them with a licensed professional suited to their specific needs.

• Session formats: Both in-person visits at Geode's physical locations and secure video appointments are available.

• Scheduling: Appointments are typically available within the same week, with most patients seen within seven days. Standard office hours run Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• App/portal experience: Online appointment scheduling is available, along with secure messaging for non-urgent communication. Geode doesn't offer a mobile app.

How access works with Headway

States served: Headway provides services across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Matching process: You'll start by providing your insurance information, then browse the provider directory with filters for specialty areas, appointment type, and geographic location. First appointments are typically scheduled within 4.9 days for therapy and 3.8 days for medication management.

Session formats: Headway provides both virtual appointments and in-person sessions, giving patients flexibility in how they receive care.

Scheduling: Appointments are booked online through the platform based on when providers have availability. You'll typically need to schedule at least 48 hours in advance.

App/portal experience: Headway operates through a web browser rather than a standalone mobile app.

What each platform does best

Understanding what each platform does best helps you make an informed choice based on your specific care priorities. Whether you're looking for a team-based approach with local offices or prefer access to a broad network of providers across the country, knowing these key differences makes it easier to identify the option that aligns with your needs.

Geode excels when you need:

• A coordinated, team-based approach with psychiatrists, therapists, and nurse practitioners working together

• Advanced treatment options beyond traditional therapy and medication, such as TMS and Spravato for treatment-resistant cases

• Medicare or Medicare Advantage coverage with no wait list

• Same-week appointment availability with dedicated 60-minute initial appointments

• Payment plans for financial hardship situations

Headway excels when you need:

• Nationwide access to care across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., regardless of where you live

• A large provider network of more than 60,000 licensed providers

• Quick access to care, averaging 4.9 days for therapy and 3.8 days for medication management

• Multilingual care options with more than 57 languages available

• Specialty care across more than 20 areas, including couples, family, and LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy

Summary: Is Geode or Headway right for you?

Geode and Headway take different approaches to mental healthcare. Geode operates as a community-based practice with physical locations in six states, bringing psychiatrists, therapists, and nurse practitioners together to deliver coordinated care, including advanced treatments like TMS and Spravato. Headway is a nationwide platform that connects patients with independent providers through an insurance-first model, offering broad provider choice and transparent cost calculation.

Geode may be the better fit for people in one of its service states who value a team-based approach with physical office locations, need access to advanced treatments, or have Medicare and want payment plan flexibility. Headway tends to work well for people who need nationwide access, want to browse a large provider network with transparent insurance costs, or prefer the flexibility to easily switch providers.

Rula is also worth considering for people who want insurance-based care with the option of therapy or psychiatry 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 therapy available. Patients receive an upfront cost estimate before their first appointment, and appointments are often available as soon as tomorrow.

FAQs

Does Geode or Headway accept insurance?

Both platforms accept insurance, but their coverage differs. Geode accepts Medicare and most major commercial insurance plans, though it does not accept Medicaid. Headway is in-network with major commercial carriers like Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare, plus select Medicare and limited Medicaid plans. Headway requires active, accepted insurance to sign up as a new client.

How much does Geode cost compared to Headway?

Headway shows expected out-of-pocket costs upfront based on your insurance plan, with sessions typically ranging from $0 to $35. Geode bills through insurance, with out-of-pocket costs finalized after your provider completes documentation and insurance processes the claim. Geode offers payment plans for patients experiencing financial hardship.

Does Geode or Headway offer in-person therapy?

Both platforms offer in-person therapy. Geode operates community-based physical locations across its six service states, with virtual visits also available. Headway provides in-person and telehealth options across its nationwide provider network, allowing patients to choose based on location and provider availability.

Why choose Rula for quality of care?

Rula delivers measurable results, with 93% of patients reporting symptom improvement after care. The platform connects you with 21,000+ providers nationwide, offering therapy and psychiatry through virtual and in-person appointments, including individual, couples, family, child, and teen therapy, plus psychiatry for ages 13+. Rula is in-network with major insurance plans like Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, Optum, Oscar, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare, with many insured patients paying around $15 per session.

Find care with Rula

Choosing between mental health platforms is an important decision — one that can shape your entire care experience and the progress you make. If you're ready to move forward, Rula makes it straightforward to get started. You can verify your insurance in minutes, browse providers who match your specific needs and preferences, see your estimated cost upfront, and often book your first appointment as soon as tomorrow. When you're ready to take the next step, Rula is here to help you find care that actually works.