Rula vs. Headway: Which is better for your needs?

Rula vs. Headway: Differences at a glance

Both Rula and Headway connect you with licensed mental health providers who accept insurance, making therapy and psychiatric care more accessible. While they share this goal, they differ in cost transparency, provider network size, and the breadth of services offered.

Average cost per session:

• Rula: $15 per session with insurance (typical copay)

• Headway: As low as $0 per session with insurance (varies by plan, provider, and location)

Number of providers:

• Rula: 21,000+ licensed providers

• Headway: 60,000+ licensed providers

Modes of communication:

• Rula: Video sessions via Zoom, phone sessions with select providers, secure messaging, in-person therapy for eligible members

• Headway: In-person and virtual sessions, secure messaging portal

Services offered:

• Rula: Individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, psychiatric care and medication management

• Headway: Talk therapy and medication management (can be booked separately or together)

Insurance acceptance:

• Rula: In-network with 100+ insurance plans including Medicare and select Medicaid plans

• Headway: Accepts major plans, select Medicare and Medicaid plans (limited to certain states for some coverage)

States covered:

• Rula: All 50 states and Washington D.C.

• Headway: All 50 states and Washington D.C.

Number of specialties offered:

• Rula: 180+ clinical specialties and modalities

• Headway: Over 20 clinical specialties

Inclusivity and patient focus:

• Rula: Diverse network with high patient satisfaction rates

• Headway: 40% of provider network identifies as BIPOC, over 57 languages represented

Virtual-only or virtual + in-person availability:

• Rula: Primarily virtual, with in-person options for eligible Kaiser Southern California and Anthem CA members

• Headway: Both virtual and in-person care available across the network

Rula at a glance

Rula is a comprehensive behavioral health platform founded in 2019 with a mission to make mental healthcare work for everyone. The platform connects you with over 21,000 licensed therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners across all 50 states and Washington D.C. Rula specializes in more than 180 clinical areas and offers individual therapy for ages 5 and up, couples therapy, family therapy, and psychiatric care with medication management for ages 13 and up.

> "Rula was the only way I was able to find a therapist. Everywhere else I was running into barriers."

What sets Rula apart is the focus on removing barriers at every step of your mental healthcare journey. You can schedule an appointment in as little as three minutes, and most patients have their first session within three days of signing up. Rula provides a personalized insurance cost estimate before your first appointment, so you know exactly what to expect. For those paying out-of-pocket, pricing is transparent: $150 for individual therapy, $165 for couples therapy, $225 for initial psychiatry sessions, and $175 for psychiatry follow-ups.

Headway at a glance

Headway is a mental health marketplace founded in 2019 that operates under the mission of "building a new mental healthcare system." The platform connects patients with over 60,000 licensed therapists and psychiatrists who accept insurance, handling the complex billing and administrative work behind the scenes. Headway offers care in more than 20 clinical specialties across all 50 states and Washington D.C., with both talk therapy and medication management available as standalone services or combined.

The platform is designed as an insurance-first solution, meaning new patients generally need active, accepted insurance to sign up and book appointments. Headway advertises costs "as low as $0 per session with insurance," though your actual cost depends on your specific plan, provider, and location. The average wait time for an appointment is about five days after booking, and benefits verification can take two to seven business days in some cases.

Clinical outcomes and how we compare

Clinical outcomes matter because they show whether a platform is actually helping people feel better, not just connecting them to care. Both Rula and Headway track patient progress, but they measure and report different aspects of the treatment experience.

At Rula, we believe that real progress means both feeling better and having a positive therapeutic relationship. Our outcomes reflect this comprehensive approach to care. We track progress using measurement-informed care surveys like the PHQ-9 for depression and GAD-7 for anxiety, which help you and your provider see improvement over time. This data helps us maintain high standards of clinical excellence across our network.

Headway also uses clinical assessments like the PHQ-8 and GAD-7 to track client progress. The platform focuses primarily on symptom improvement metrics rather than broader satisfaction measures. Both platforms support multiple evidence-based treatment approaches, allowing providers to tailor care to your specific needs rather than following a one-size-fits-all protocol.

Cost and insurance coverage

Understanding the cost of mental healthcare upfront can remove a major barrier to getting help. Rula is in-network with more than 100 insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Headway also accepts most major insurance plans, but its coverage for certain plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield is limited to select states.

Insurance plans accepted

Insurance accepted by therapists on Rula:

• Aetna

• Allied

• Ambetter (Centene)

• Amerigroup (GA)

• Anthem

• Blue Cross Blue Shield

• Arlo

• Ascension

• Blue Shield of California

• Brighton Health / MagnaCare

• CareFirst

• Carelon Behavioral Health

• Centivo

• Cigna

• Decent

• Evry Health

• GEHA

• Health Net (Managed Health Network)

• Kaiser Permanente

• Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield / Highmark Blue Shield

• Medicare

• Optum Behavioral Health

• Oscar

• Regence BlueShield

• Sidecar Health

• Sutter Health

• Tricare West

• UMR

• UnitedHealthcare

*

• many more

*Actual cost may vary based on your insurance benefits and deductible. Rula will provide you with a personalized cost estimate prior to your first appointment.

Headway accepts:

• Aetna

• Anthem

• Blue Cross Blue Shield (in select states)

• Cigna

• Oscar

• Oxford

• UnitedHealthcare

• Optum (and Optum affiliates)

• Select Medicare and Medicaid plans

A key difference is that Rula provides broad, nationwide coverage with plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield and explicitly accepts Medicare, including some Medicare Advantage plans. Headway's acceptance of Medicare and Medicaid is limited to "select" plans.

Out-of-pocket costs (with insurance)

With Rula, patients typically pay around $15 per session with insurance. To eliminate surprises, we contact your insurance carrier and provide a personalized cost estimate before your first appointment. You can also use our instant cost estimator tool to check your coverage and see whether your plan is in-network or out-of-network.

Headway advertises sessions as low as $0 with insurance, but the final price varies based on your plan, provider, and location. While benefits are being verified, you may be able to book at a temporary cost of $40. Your expected session cost appears in your account, but these are estimates that can be adjusted by your insurer after claim review.

HSA/FSA eligibility

Both platforms make it easy to use pre-tax dollars for mental healthcare. Rula accepts Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards for all out-of-pocket expenses, or you can submit receipts for reimbursement. Headway also accepts FSA/HSA cards, though only some are eligible for online transactions.

Self-pay pricing

Rula offers transparent, fixed self-pay pricing for those without insurance or who prefer to pay directly:

• $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

Headway operates as an insurance-first platform, so new patients generally need active, accepted insurance to sign up. Private pay options are limited and primarily available to existing patients if their provider offers it. The platform doesn't publish fixed self-pay rates.

Mental health services offered

The range of services a platform offers matters because mental health needs vary widely — from individual therapy to couples counseling to psychiatric medication management. Both Rula and Headway provide therapy and psychiatry services, but they differ in the breadth of specialties and treatment approaches available.

Treatment approaches offered by Rula

Rula's network offers more than 180 clinical specialties and modalities, ensuring you can find an expert for your specific needs.

Most common approaches:

• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Trauma-focused therapy

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

• Attachment-based therapy

• Emotionally focused therapy (EFT)

Behavioral therapy:

• Behavioral activation

• Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)

• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)

• Exposure and response prevention (ERP)

• Motivational interviewing

• Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT)

Insight-oriented:

• Compassion-focused therapy

• Existential therapy

• Gestalt therapy

• Psychoanalytic therapy

• Psychodynamic therapy

Relationship-based:

• Gottman Method

• Internal family systems (IFS)

• Interpersonal therapy

• Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT)

• Sex therapy

Experiential therapy:

• Art therapy

• Brainspotting

• Music therapy

• Play therapy

• Somatic therapy

Rula also offers psychiatric care and medication management through psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) for people ages 13 and older. These services are available via telehealth in all 50 states and Washington D.C., with initial sessions lasting 60 minutes and follow-ups lasting 30 minutes.

Treatment approaches offered by Headway

Headway's network focuses on over 20 clinical specialties, with providers trained in common evidence-based approaches.

Common therapy approaches:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

• Psychodynamic therapy

• Trauma-focused therapy

• Mindfulness-based approaches

• Solution-focused therapy

• Motivational interviewing

Specialized therapy types:

• Individual talk therapy

• Couples therapy

• Family therapy

• Child and adolescent therapy

• LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy

• ADHD treatment

• Anxiety and depression treatment

• Trauma and PTSD treatment

• Maternal mental health

• Addiction treatment

Headway provides medication management through psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, MDs, and DOs. This service can be booked as a standalone option or combined with talk therapy, offering flexibility for those who need psychiatric care without ongoing therapy sessions.

Inclusivity and specialized care

When it comes to therapy, finding a provider you can trust is essential — someone who understands your background, respects your identity, and has expertise in the challenges you're facing. Both Rula and Headway prioritize inclusive care, but they highlight different strengths in their approach to diversity and specialization.

> "At Rula, 94% of clients find a provider they feel comfortable with and who listens to them with respect."

Rula inclusivity and specialization overview

Rula's approach centers on providing both clinical depth and cultural diversity so you can find the right match for your needs.

• Licensure types: Licensed therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs)

• Specializations offered: 180+ clinical specialties covering everything from trauma and anxiety to specialized approaches for children, couples, and seniors

• Languages available: Diverse provider network representing multiple languages and cultural backgrounds

• Inclusivity factors: Individual providers may list LGBTQIA+ affirming care and culturally sensitive approaches as focus areas; comprehensive filtering options help you find providers based on background, specialty, and personal preferences

Headway inclusivity and specialization overview

Headway emphasizes the demographic diversity of its network to ensure culturally relevant access to care.

• Licensure types: Therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, MDs, and DOs

• Specializations offered: Over 20 core specialties with LGBTQIA+ listed as a formal specialty category; focus on high-need areas like PTSD and child/adolescent care

• Languages available: Over 57 languages represented across the provider network

• Inclusivity factors: 40% of provider network identifies as BIPOC; explicit focus on provider diversity and appointments in rural areas; detailed matching process for cultural preferences

While Headway has a larger overall network with strong diversity metrics, Rula's combination of cultural diversity and significantly broader clinical specialties (180+ vs. 20+) provides more options for finding both a cultural and clinical match.

Platform availability and access

Access to mental healthcare shouldn't be complicated — you need to find the right provider quickly, schedule appointments easily, and connect with your therapist in a way that works for your life. Both platforms offer nationwide coverage and flexible scheduling, but they differ in wait times, session formats, and support features.

How access works with Rula

Rula offers therapy and psychiatry services in all 50 states and Washington D.C. You can schedule an appointment in as little as three minutes by sharing your needs and insurance information, then browsing a curated list of in-network providers. Most patients have their first appointment within three days of signing up, with sessions available as soon as tomorrow.

• Session formats: Primarily secure video sessions via Zoom, with phone sessions available from select providers and in-person therapy for eligible Kaiser Southern California and Anthem CA members

• Scheduling: Automatic recurring appointments for therapy help maintain consistency — after your initial session, we book your next four appointments at the same day and time

• Support features: 24/7 crisis hotline staffed by trained professionals, secure messaging through the patient portal, and measurement-informed care surveys to track your progress

The platform operates through a web-based patient portal with clear cancellation policies: free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, with fees for late cancellations or no-shows processed within 72 hours.

How access works with Headway

Headway provides care in all 50 states and Washington D.C. through both in-person and virtual sessions. The matching process involves entering your preferences for insurance, location, and care type, then booking directly with a provider from the search results. Average wait time is about five days after booking.

• Session formats: Both in-person and virtual sessions available across the network, with communication through the Messages portal for clinical questions and scheduling

• Scheduling: Online booking for initial appointments, though follow-up scheduling may require direct contact with your provider depending on their preference

• Support features: Emergency resources page with links to external crisis services like the 988 hotline; clinical assessments automatically sent when appointments are scheduled

Benefits verification can take two to seven business days, and cancellation policies vary by individual provider rather than being standardized across the platform.

What each platform does best

By looking at where each platform excels, you can make a thoughtful decision grounded in what matters most for your mental healthcare journey.

Rula excels in:

• Faster access to care: Schedule appointments in three minutes with most patients seen within three days

• Cost transparency: Personalized insurance estimates before your first session and clear self-pay pricing

• Broader specialty coverage: 180+ clinical specialties compared to Headway's 20+ specialties

• Seamless ongoing care: Automatic recurring appointments and standardized policies across the platform

• Dedicated support: 24/7 crisis hotline and comprehensive measurement-informed care tracking

• Strong patient satisfaction: High rates of patients feeling comfortable with their provider and seeing symptom improvement

Headway excels in:

• Larger provider network: 60,000+ providers offering more options for finding available appointments

• Broader in-person availability: In-person sessions available across the network, not limited to specific insurance plans

• Explicit diversity metrics: Strong representation of BIPOC providers and multiple languages

• Flexible medication management: Standalone psychiatric services for those not seeking talk therapy

• Potential cost savings: Advertised costs as low as $0 per session for some insurance plans

Summary: Is Rula or Headway right for you?

Both Rula and Headway offer valuable services for finding mental healthcare covered by insurance, but they take different approaches to patient care. Rula stands out for its commitment to transparency and comprehensive support — from providing cost estimates upfront to offering 180+ clinical specialties and maintaining high patient satisfaction rates.

While Headway offers a larger network and broader in-person availability, Rula's focus on the complete patient experience is reflected in features like automatic appointment scheduling, a dedicated crisis line, and proven outcomes. If you value speed, cost clarity, and finding a provider with very specific expertise, Rula may be the better choice for your mental healthcare needs.

To help you decide, consider these questions: How quickly do you want to start care? Is knowing your costs upfront important to you? Do you need a provider with a specific specialty? Would you prefer a platform with standardized support policies and proven patient satisfaction?

FAQ

Are therapists on Rula in-network with insurance, and how much do people typically pay per session?

Yes, therapists on the Rula platform are in-network with most major insurance plans. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session, although your individual cost may vary based on your insurance benefits and deductible — we'll work with your insurance to confirm your estimated per session cost before your first appointment.

What insurance plans does Rula accept?

Rula accepts commercial plans from most major insurance carriers including Aetna, Anthem, most Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield plans, Cigna, Kaiser (by referral), Optum, Oscar, and United Healthcare. We also accept some Medicare Advantage plans in California and select states, with coverage varying by location.

How soon can I book my first online therapy appointment on Rula?

Providers in Rula's network are available to meet via live video as soon as tomorrow. You can explore providers and book your first session in minutes.

How does Rula's online therapy work, and how do I join my session?

Rula specializes in online therapy, giving you the flexibility to meet with your provider from wherever you're most comfortable. We'll send you an appointment reminder containing a secure link to your scheduled Zoom session approximately 24 hours before your session.

Does Rula offer in-person therapy appointments?

While the majority of appointments are currently virtual, Rula offers in-person therapy appointments to Kaiser Southern California and Anthem CA members who can schedule by calling Rula's support team at (323) 745-8323. We'll be adding more insurers and states soon.

Find care with Rula

Choosing between mental health platforms matters because the right one can make the difference between feeling stuck in the search process and actually making progress. With Rula, you can verify your insurance in minutes, see your estimated costs upfront, and browse providers with the specific expertise you need — whether that's trauma-focused therapy, couples counseling, or psychiatric care. Most patients schedule their first appointment within three days, often as soon as tomorrow, so you can start feeling better without the wait.

When you're ready to move forward, Rula is here to guide you every step of the way.