Two Chairs is out-of-network with most insurers. Rula, Grow Therapy, and LifeStance take Medicare and Medicaid in select states; Two Chairs takes neither.
Copays vary widely across platforms. Two Chairs runs $0 to $30 in-network, while Rula averages about $15 and Grow Therapy about $21.
Two Chairs treats adults, with psychiatry only in Florida. Rula, LifeStance, Thriveworks, and Grow Therapy pair therapy with psychiatry.
Two Chairs has in-person clinics in only three states. LifeStance and Thriveworks operate hundreds of offices nationwide, while Rula and Grow Therapy offer in-person care alongside video.
The best alternatives to Two Chairs depend on your insurance and the services you need. Rula offers therapy, psychiatry, and crisis support in network, with Medicare and Medicaid in select states. LifeStance adds in-person clinics, and Grow Therapy lets you browse and book your own in-network provider.
You might be comparing Two Chairs alternatives for a few reasons. Maybe it's out-of-network with your insurer, the self-pay cost feels steep, or therapy is limited to adults with psychiatry available only in Florida. Its clinics also reach just three states.
This guide compares six Two Chairs alternatives across the factors that matter most: insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, cost and copays, services and ages served, provider network, access and wait times, and format.
Why do people look for a Two Chairs alternative?
Two Chairs does several things well. Its research-backed matching process successfully pairs 98% of people with the right therapist on the first attempt, and it uses measurement-based care to track how you're progressing. When you're in-network, copays typically range from $0 to $30 once you've met your deductible.
But there are reasons people search for alternatives.
Most insurance plans don't include Two Chairs in their network. Without insurance, you'll pay $260 for an initial therapy session and $226 for follow-up appointments — costs that accumulate over weeks and months of treatment.
The platform works with a limited number of insurers, roughly seven plans total, and doesn't accept Medicare or Medicaid at all.
The services available are restricted by age and location. Therapy is only for adults 18 and older, and you can only access psychiatry if you're in Florida.
Two Chairs operates physical clinics in just three states: California, Washington, and Florida. Virtual appointments are available in about 22 states, though you'll usually wait 1 to 2 weeks to get matched with a provider.
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At-a-glance comparison
This table compares each platform on insurance, cost, services, network, access, and format at a glance.
1. Rula — Best for coordinated therapy, psychiatry, and crisis support
Services offered: Individual, couples, and family therapy; child and teen therapy; psychiatry and medication management; 24/7 crisis support
Insurance acceptance: 170 plans, Medicare in all 50 states, Medicaid in select states
Pricing: ~$15 average copay with insurance; self-pay from $150 per session
Rula is a comprehensive behavioral health network that coordinates therapy and psychiatry under one platform, rather than only matching you to a therapist. Unlike Two Chairs, which limits psychiatry to Florida, Rula offers medication management nationwide alongside talk therapy.
To start, you verify your insurance and see an estimated copay upfront. Then you match on preferences like gender, language, and specialty, and book as soon as the next day. You can add psychiatry and medication management to talk therapy without switching platforms. And if your needs change over time, you can adjust your care plan and add services without starting over with a new provider network.
Rula's network includes more than 22,000 providers across all 50 states, giving you a variety of options to choose from. Among patients, 91% report feeling better about their symptoms after three months, while 98% report a good or excellent provider experience. The platform also offers 24/7 crisis support, so you have access to help between scheduled appointments. The main trade-off is there's no mobile app, so you use a web portal for scheduling and sessions.
Rula fits insured adults, teens, and kids who want coordinated therapy plus psychiatry in network. It offers therapy for children as young as 5, making it a strong choice if you're seeking care for your whole family.
2. LifeStance — Best for in-person clinics with Medicaid and Medicare
Services offered: Therapy; psychiatry and medication management; specialty care, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and esketamine
Insurance acceptance: Many major plans, plus Medicare and Medicaid (varies by state and provider)
Pricing: $22 to $36 copay with insurance (varies by state); self-pay $122 to $758
LifeStance is a large outpatient group practice with more than 550 clinics in 33 states and about 8,000 clinicians, blending in-person and telehealth care.
You can search by condition, insurance, gender, and language, or use LifeStance's matching tool to find a provider. Appointments are usually available within a week, and the practice requires a card on file at booking.
LifeStance uses measurement-based care to track progress and reports 73% of patients improving in depression and 79% in anxiety. The platform also offers specialty services like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and esketamine for treatment-resistant cases. The trade-off is out-of-pocket exposure for late cancellations and any uncovered balance, so review your plan's coverage details before starting.
LifeStance fits people who value Two Chairs' clinic experience but need Medicaid or Medicare, testing, or higher-acuity options like TMS. It's a strong choice if you want in-person care with a wider network of physical offices.
3. Thriveworks — Best for in-person therapy with evening and weekend hours
Services offered: Individual, couples, and family therapy; child and teen therapy (ages 0 to 17); psychiatry and medication management
Insurance acceptance: Yes — 360+ plans and Medicare; no Medicaid
Pricing: $0 to $55 copay with insurance; self-pay therapy $200 to $240 first session, $160 to $195 after
Thriveworks is a clinician-founded practice with more than 340 physical offices and 2,600 clinicians offering in-person and online care. The platform operates in 48 states, giving you access to local offices in most areas.
You can browse profiles or call for help matching, book nights and weekends, and start within a week. Switching providers is free, so if your first match doesn't feel right, you can try someone new without added cost or hassle.
Thriveworks reports that about 75% of people with depression or anxiety feel better within three months. The platform also accepts 360+ insurance plans and Medicare, though it doesn't take Medicaid. The trade-off is no 24/7 crisis line, so you'll need to rely on other resources between appointments if urgent support comes up.
Thriveworks fits people who want a nearby office with flexible hours, plus coordinated therapy and psychiatry for adults, teens, and children. It's a strong choice if you value in-person care with evening and weekend availability.
4. Grow Therapy — Best for picking your own in-network provider
Services offered: Talk therapy and medication support; couples, family, and child or adolescent care
Insurance acceptance: 80+ plans including Medicare and Medicaid (select states)
Pricing: ~$21 average copay with insurance; self-pay $75 to $200
Grow Therapy is an insurance-based marketplace with more than 23,000 providers and transparent, in-network pricing before you book. The platform gives you full control over provider selection, letting you browse profiles, read bios, and compare options before committing to a first session.
You can filter by insurance, specialty, identity, and real-time availability, then choose virtual or in-person care. Grow Therapy often books you in two days or less, and the platform doesn't require a matching call or intake appointment before you schedule.
Grow Therapy reports about a four-day time to care and roughly 50% symptom reduction for moderate to severe clients. The trade-off is that availability varies by location and plan, so check your network first to confirm you have options in your area.
Grow Therapy is a strong choice if you prefer browsing and selecting independently rather than working through a matching process.
5. SonderMind — Best for measurement-based care and matching
Services offered: Therapy and psychiatry; couples, family, and group; standalone medication management
Insurance acceptance: Most major plans and Medicare; no Medicaid
Pricing: Copay varies by plan; self-pay intake $90 to $183, ongoing $45 to $154 by length
SonderMind is a nationwide network of more than 12,500 providers with a matching team and a mobile app for tracking progress. The platform emphasizes measurement-based care, using regular assessments to monitor how you're responding to treatment over time.
You complete an intake, get matched to at least two providers within about 48 hours, and typically start within a week. The matching team considers your preferences, insurance, and clinical needs when pairing you with therapists or psychiatrists.
SonderMind reports that about 84% of clients see measurable symptom reduction in two months, and 95% report a strong provider connection. The platform's mobile app lets you track symptoms, schedule appointments, and review progress between sessions. The trade-off is no Medicaid, and video sessions for couples or family are limited to two devices.
SonderMind fits people drawn to Two Chairs' matching and progress-tracking approach who want it nationwide. It's a strong choice if you value data-driven care and want a team to handle the matching process rather than browsing profiles yourself.
6. Talkspace — Best for flexible messaging plus live sessions
Services offered: Individual therapy, teen therapy, couples therapy, and psychiatry
Insurance acceptance: Many major plans and Medicare; no Medicaid
Pricing: Copay varies by plan; self-pay from $69/week (messaging) to $109/week
Talkspace is a virtual-only platform that pairs asynchronous messaging with scheduled live video, audio, or chat sessions. The platform offers therapy for individuals and teens ages 13 and up, plus couples therapy and psychiatry with medication management.
You answer a few questions, match in about 48 hours, and message your provider between sessions in a private room. The messaging format lets you send text, voice, or video messages whenever something comes up, and your provider responds multiple times per week. You can also schedule live sessions — video, audio, or text-based chat — depending on your plan and preference.
Talkspace reports that about 70% of users show significant improvement on anxiety and depression measures. The platform accepts many major insurance plans and Medicare, making it accessible if you're insured. The trade-off is no in-person option and no Medicaid, so if you need face-to-face care or rely on Medicaid, you'll want to consider another platform.
Talkspace is a good fit for people who want between-session messaging and flexibility rather than a clinic visit.
How much do these platforms cost with insurance?
Copays are usually far below self-pay rates, so knowing yours upfront matters. Here's how the platforms compare:
Two Chairs: $0 to $30 copay in-network
Rula: $15 average copay
Grow Therapy: $21 average copay
Thriveworks: $0 to $55 copay
LifeStance: $22 to $36 copay
SonderMind: Copay varies by plan
Talkspace: Copay varies by plan
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Which Two Chairs alternatives accept Medicaid and Medicare?
Medicare and Medicaid open the door to care for millions of people, and they can lower your costs.
Two Chairs accepts neither Medicare nor Medicaid, so relying on either narrows the field quickly. Here's where each platform stands:
Rula: Medicare in all 50 states and Medicaid in select states
Grow Therapy: Medicare and Medicaid (select states)
LifeStance: Medicare and Medicaid (varies by state)
Thriveworks: Medicare; no Medicaid
SonderMind: Medicare; no Medicaid
Talkspace: Medicare; no Medicaid
Two Chairs: Neither
How do these platforms match you with a therapist?
Platforms split between guided matching and self-service browsing. Here's how each approaches it:
Two Chairs: A 45 to 55 minute matching appointment with a licensed clinician
SonderMind: A matching team that pairs you with at least two providers in about 48 hours
LifeStance: An in-house matching tool plus provider search
Rula: Preference-based matching on gender, language, and specialty, with a free switch
Talkspace: An algorithm that matches you in about 48 hours
Grow Therapy and Thriveworks: Self-service browsing to pick your own provider
How do you choose the right Two Chairs alternative?
Among these Two Chairs alternatives, the best fit depends on your insurance, the services you need, and how you want to meet.
You have Medicaid or Medicare: Rula, Grow Therapy, and LifeStance accept these plans in select states; Two Chairs accepts neither.
You want the lowest copay: Rula (about $15) and Grow Therapy (about $21) tend to run lowest with insurance.
You want an in-person clinic: LifeStance and Thriveworks have hundreds of offices; Rula and Grow Therapy add in-person care to video.
You need psychiatry with therapy: Rula, LifeStance, Thriveworks, Grow Therapy, SonderMind, and Talkspace all prescribe; Two Chairs offers psychiatry only in Florida.
You're seeking care for a teen: Rula, Grow Therapy, Thriveworks, and LifeStance treat teens, and Rula offers dedicated teen therapy; Two Chairs serves adults only.
You prefer messaging and flexibility: Talkspace pairs messaging with live sessions.
Frequently asked questions about Two Chairs alternatives
Is Two Chairs covered by insurance?
Two Chairs works with about seven insurance plans, but it's out-of-network with most major insurers. When you're in-network, copays typically range from $0 to $30. Without insurance, you'll pay $260 for an initial session and $226 for follow-ups. Two Chairs doesn't accept Medicare or Medicaid, so alternatives like Rula, Grow Therapy, and LifeStance may offer better coverage options.
What states does Two Chairs operate in?
Two Chairs has physical clinics in three states: California, Washington, and Florida. Virtual appointments are available in about 22 states. If you're outside these areas or need broader access, alternatives like Rula, Grow Therapy, and SonderMind operate nationwide with larger provider networks.
How do I know if a platform takes my insurance?
Verify your coverage before booking. Most platforms check your benefits and estimate your copay upfront, so you know your cost before the first session.
Can I switch therapists if the first match isn't right?
Yes, most platforms let you switch therapists at no additional cost if your first match doesn't feel right. A brief early mismatch is common and fixable, so you don't have to settle for a provider who isn't the right fit for your needs.
Find care with Rula
Choosing a mental health platform comes down to whether it fits your insurance, your needs, and your life. Rula confirms your coverage in minutes and matches you with a provider suited to your specific concern and preferences.
You can start as soon as tomorrow, by video or in person across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rula's network brings together therapy, psychiatry, and 24/7 crisis support in one place, combined with progress tracking. When you're ready to take the next step, find a provider with Rula.
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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.
