Rula offers flexible, self-directed care with 21,000+ providers across all 50 states, virtual and in-person options, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow — ideal for once-weekly therapy or psychiatry.
Charlie Health provides intensive outpatient care with structured 6-to-12-week programs requiring about 10 hours of treatment per week, combining individual, family, and group therapy for those needing more than standard weekly sessions.
Cost structures differ: Rula patients typically pay around $15 per session with insurance, while Charlie Health averages $23 per session with Anthem, though most Charlie Health clients pay $0 out-of-pocket.
Insurance coverage varies by platform: Rula accepts 100+ plans including Medicare in select states, while Charlie Health is in-network with 600+ plans but does not list Medicare among accepted options.
The right choice depends on your care intensity needs: Choose Rula for flexible, provider-choice-driven weekly care, or Charlie Health if you need structured, crisis-level support with coordinated group therapy and 24/7 crisis access.
Finding the right mental health platform for online therapy with insurance shouldn't feel like another obstacle between you and the care you need. But with so many options available, it's hard to know which one actually fits your situation, especially when you're already dealing with enough.
Rula and Charlie Health both offer virtual mental health services covered by insurance, but they serve different needs. In this guide, we'll break down how they compare on cost, services, insurance coverage, and who each platform works best for, so you can make a confident choice about your care.
Rula vs. Charlie Health: Differences at a glance
If you want to quickly find a therapist who matches your needs, it helps to understand how each option works. Rula and Charlie Health both provide virtual mental healthcare that accept insurance, but their approaches to care, treatment intensity, and ideal patient profiles vary considerably.
Average cost per session:
Rula: Typically about $15 per session with insurance (varies by plan, benefits, and deductible)
Charlie Health: Average $23 per session with Anthem insurance, though the majority of clients pay $0 out-of-pocket
Number of providers:
Rula: 21,000+ licensed providers
Charlie Health: 1,300+ mental health providers
Modes of communication:
Rula: Live video telehealth appointments, plus in-person therapy at provider-operated offices
Charlie Health: Video via a HIPAA-compliant platform, plus phone, text, and email
Services offered:
Rula: Individual, couples, family, child (ages 5+), and teen therapy, plus psychiatry
Charlie Health: Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) including group, individual, and family therapy
Insurance acceptance:
Rula: In-network with 100+ plans, including Medicare and Managed Medicaid in select states
Charlie Health: In-network with 600+ plans and Medicaid in select states
States covered:
Rula: All 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Charlie Health: 40 states
Number of specialties offered:
Rula: 180+ clinical specialties and modalities
Charlie Health: Treats 15+ core conditions, including trauma, substance use, and eating disorders
Inclusivity and patient focus:
Rula: 51% of providers identify as BIPOC, with care available in 40+ languages
Charlie Health: Offers LGBTQIA+-specific IOP and BIPOC programming with curated groups
Virtual-only or virtual + in-person availability:
Rula: Both virtual and in-person therapy available
Charlie Health: Virtual-only care
Rula at a glance
Rula is a comprehensive behavioral health platform that connects you with licensed therapists and psychiatric providers who accept your insurance. You can choose between virtual care via Zoom or in-person appointments across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The network includes over 21,000 licensed providers offering care for individuals ages five and older.
"I was hesitant to start, but I can't imagine a better therapist match." — Rula patient
Patients typically pay around $15 per session with insurance, and Rula provides a personalized cost estimate before your first appointment. You can easily filter providers by specialty, background, and availability to find the right fit. If you want to start with online therapy, you can often book as soon as tomorrow.
Charlie Health at a glance
Charlie Health is a virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) designed for people ages 8 to 64 who need more support than once-weekly therapy. The platform provides structured 6-to-12-week programs that combine individual therapy, family therapy, and curated group sessions. This model typically involves about 10 hours of treatment per week.
Most Charlie Health clients pay $0 out-of-pocket, and 99% use insurance to cover their care. Getting started involves a quick online form, a phone call from admissions, and an intake assessment. From there, clients are matched with a group cohort and an individual therapist based on their specific needs and background.
The care you need, when you need it
Learn how Rula can support your mental health journey
Clinical outcomes and how we compare
When you're choosing a mental health platform, what you really want to know is: does it actually help people feel better? Rula and Charlie Health track and publish outcome data, though their care models and what they measure look quite different.
Charlie Health clinical outcomes
Across all age groups, Charlie Health clients saw an average 50% decrease in both anxiety and depression symptoms by discharge. Roughly 8 in 10 clients who reported suicidal ideation at intake reported remission by the end of their program. Up to 96% of routinely discharged clients did not require a higher level of care after completing treatment.
Rula clinical outcomes
Rula's clinical outcomes consistently surpass national benchmarks by over 10%. Following treatment with Rula, 93% of patients experience improvement in their symptoms, 94% report feeling at ease with their provider, and 98% successfully connect with a provider aligned with their needs.
Cost and insurance coverage
Both platforms prioritize working with insurance to help lower what you pay per session. How much you'll actually spend depends on your specific plan details — your deductible, copay structure, and whether you've met your out-of-pocket maximum. Before starting care, it's worth confirming your benefits and any potential costs with your insurance provider directly.
Insurance plans accepted
Insurance accepted by therapists on Rula:
*Your actual cost depends on your specific insurance plan, deductible, and benefits. Rula provides a personalized cost estimate before you book your first session.
Charlie Health is in-network with 600+ plans nationwide and accepts Medicaid in states where IOP is covered, but Medicare is not listed among accepted plans.
Out-of-pocket costs (with insurance)
Patients using Rula typically pay about $15 per session with insurance. Rula provides a personalized cost estimate before your first appointment, so you know exactly what to expect.
Charlie Health clients see an average cost of $23 per session with Anthem insurance, though the majority pay $0 out-of-pocket. Because Charlie Health is an intensive program, patients are charged for the sessions they attend and must meet weekly attendance expectations.
HSA/FSA eligibility
Both Rula and Charlie Health allow you to use your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) to cover out-of-pocket expenses. With Rula, patients can enter their card as payment or submit a receipt for reimbursement.
Self-pay pricing
For those without insurance or who prefer to pay out-of-pocket, Rula offers clear self-pay rates. These include:
$150 for an individual therapy session
$165 for a couples therapy session
$225 for an initial psychiatry session
$175 for a follow-up psychiatry session
Charlie Health offers self-pay options and payment plans in select states. Specific pricing is not disclosed, but costs reflect the intensive nature of receiving 10 hours of care per week.
Mental health services offered
The services a platform offers matter because your needs can evolve over time. You might start with therapy and later add medication management, or you might need specialized support for a specific condition.
Treatment approaches offered by Rula
Rula's licensed providers offer over 180 clinical specialties to support your unique needs. Patients can also access medication management through psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) for people ages 13 and older.
Most common approaches:
Behavioral therapy:
Experiential therapy:
Humanistic therapy:
Treatment approaches offered by Charlie Health
Charlie Health's clinical team uses a range of evidence-based modalities tailored to each client's needs within their IOP structure. These approaches are integrated across individual, family, and group therapy sessions to support comprehensive treatment.
Evidence-based therapy approaches include:
Attachment-based family therapy
Compassion-focused therapy
Expressive drama therapy
Internal family systems
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy
Charlie Health's programs run six to 12 weeks and include three group sessions per week, one individual therapy session per week, and one family therapy session per week.
The platform also provides psychiatric care to complement intensive therapy treatment. This service is available in some states as needed, but clients are required to see a one-on-one therapist through the platform.
Inclusivity and specialized care
Finding a provider you trust can make therapy much more effective. When your therapist understands your background and respects your identity, it's easier to open up and make real progress.
Rula inclusivity and specialization overview
Licensure types: Rula's network includes licensed therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and PMHNPs. All providers are licensed in their practicing states and credentialed with major insurance networks.
Specializations offered: Providers offer expertise across 180+ clinical specialties. Patients can filter for specific needs like anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, and life transitions.
Languages available: Providers speak 40+ languages across the network. This diversity supports care in your preferred language for clearer, more comfortable communication.
Inclusivity factors: 51% of Rula's provider network identifies as BIPOC. Patients can filter providers by gender, ethnicity, age, and faith to find someone who shares their worldview. You can also find a Rula provider who matches your preferences and takes your insurance.
Charlie Health inclusivity and specialization overview
Licensure types: The clinical team includes licensed therapists, psychiatrists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners. Care teams are assigned based on client needs, age group, and treatment goals.
Specializations offered: Charlie Health treats 15+ core mental health conditions. They offer dedicated programming tracks for neurodivergent clients, veterans, and trauma survivors.
Languages available: Group and individual sessions are available in Spanish. On-demand translation services are also available as needed for other languages.
Inclusivity factors: The platform offers an LGBTQIA+-specific IOP with affirming care. They also provide BIPOC programming with curated groups where peers share similar lived experiences.
The care you need, when you need it
Learn how Rula can support your mental health journey
Platform availability and access
Getting help should reduce your stress, not add to it. The right logistics, like how quickly you can start and how scheduling works, determine whether you actually get consistent support.
How access works with Rula
Rula offers therapy in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., including Ohio, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, with psychiatry available for individuals ages 13 and older. You can choose between live video telehealth or in-person therapy at provider-operated offices. This flexibility allows you to switch formats as your circumstances change.
The matching process is entirely self-directed. You share basic details, receive a curated list of in-network therapists, and filter by your specific preferences. From there, you can schedule an appointment in as little as three minutes.
Appointments are commonly available as soon as tomorrow, and you manage everything through a web-based patient portal. Depending on your provider's setup, you can also use secure messaging between sessions.
How access works with Charlie Health
Charlie Health is available in 40 states for individuals ages 8 to 64. The platform is entirely virtual, using a HIPAA-compliant video platform for all group, individual, and family sessions.
Getting started involves completing an online form and speaking with the admissions team. You are then matched with a group cohort and an individual therapist based on your age, condition, and goals. Many clients can start treatment in as little as 24 hours.
Scheduling requires a commitment to about 10 hours of weekly programming. Treatment is offered Mondays through Saturdays at several start times, including evening and weekend options.
What each platform does best
Understanding what each platform does best can help you choose the option that aligns with your specific care needs.
Rula excels when you need:
Flexible, self-directed care where you choose from a network of 21,000+ licensed professionals
The option to receive in-person care
Quick access to once-weekly therapy or psychiatry, with appointments commonly available as soon as tomorrow
Broad insurance coverage that includes Medicare Advantage and Managed Medicaid in select states
Standalone services you can mix and match, like therapy without psychiatry or vice versa
A diverse provider network with 51% BIPOC representation and care available in 40+ languages
Charlie Health excels when you need:
Intensive, structured support through a 6-to-12-week program with about 10 hours of treatment per week
A comprehensive IOP model that coordinates individual, family, and group therapy in one plan
Crisis-level care without hospitalization, complete with 24/7 crisis support
Cohort-based group therapy where you are matched with peers who share similar identities and goals
Specialized substance use and eating disorder tracks in select states
Summary: Is Rula or Charlie Health right for you?
The core difference between these two platforms comes down to intensity. Rula is built for people who want flexible, self-directed care — once-weekly therapy or psychiatry, with the freedom to choose your own provider from a network of 21,000+ licensed professionals, available virtually or in person across all 50 states. Charlie Health is designed for people who need more than that: a structured, cohort-based IOP with roughly 10 hours of treatment per week, 24/7 crisis support, and coordinated individual, family, and group therapy in one program.
Cost and insurance work differently across the two platforms as well. With Rula, most people pay around $15 per session with insurance. Charlie Health clients pay an average of $23 per session with Anthem, though the majority pay $0 out-of-pocket.
If you need flexible, weekly therapy with provider choice and quick access, Rula is likely the better fit. If you're in crisis or need intensive, structured support with coordinated group therapy, Charlie Health may be what you need.
Rula FAQs
Will my insurance cover therapy through Rula?
In most cases, yes — Rula is in-network with more than 100 insurance plans, including major carriers like Aetna, Cigna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Most patients end up paying around $15 out of pocket per session, though your exact copay depends on your specific plan and deductible. Before you schedule your first session, Rula checks your coverage and provides a personalized estimate of what you'll pay.
How much does Rula cost out of pocket?
Without insurance, Rula charges a flat self-pay rate: $150 per session for individual therapy and $165 per session for couples or family therapy. Psychiatry visits run $225 for the initial intake and $175 for follow-ups. You can also pay using an HSA or FSA card if you have one.
How quickly can I book my first session with a Rula provider?
Rula makes it possible to see a provider via live video in as little as one day. The sign-up process takes just a few minutes, and you can filter by specialty, availability, and identity preferences before choosing who to book with.
Does Rula treat kids, teens, and adults?
Yes. Rula's therapists see patients as young as 5 years old, while psychiatry and medication management services are available starting at age 13. This makes Rula a fit for individual, child, teen, and family care under one platform.
Find care with Rula
Choosing between mental health platforms is an important decision — one that can shape how supported you feel and how much progress you make. If you're ready to start therapy or psychiatry with a provider who truly understands your needs, Rula makes it straightforward.
You can verify your insurance in minutes, browse providers who match your preferences and take your plan, and see your estimated costs upfront before booking. Appointments are commonly available as soon as tomorrow, so you can move from deciding to actually getting care without unnecessary delays.
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.
