Frequently Asked Questions
Mental Health Services Offered at Thriveworks
Does Thriveworks offer online therapy?
Yes. You can choose in-person or online sessions. Book online here or call us to schedule.
Does Thriveworks offer psychiatry services like medication management?
Yes, our psychiatric providers can prescribe and manage medications for anxiety, depression, ADHD, and more, though availability varies by state. Learn more about our psychiatry services here.
How is Thriveworks different from other counseling practices?
Our providers are employed, not gig workers, which means more stability and better care for our clients. If you need both therapy and medication, your providers work together as a team through our integrated care model.
We also make access easier: You choose your provider and seesion type (online or in-person), most people start within one week, we accept 360+ insurance plans with no membership fees, and live support is available seven days a week. If you ever want to switch providers, it's free.
Does Thriveworks offer therapy for couples, families, and children/teens?
Yes. We offer couples therapy, family therapy, and child/teen therapy. You can filter by specialty and age group when booking online, or call us to get matched with the right provider.
What should I expect in my first session?
You'll start by completing any remaining intake information (background, medical history, insurance)—similar to visiting any new healthcare provider. Your therapist will review this with you and discuss confidentiality.
Then it's about getting to know each other. Your therapist will ask what brought you in and what you're hoping to work on. You'll also discuss what therapy might look like going forward: how often to meet, what approaches might help, and any questions you have.
You don't need to prepare anything. Just show up with an open mind. Your therapist will guide the conversation and help you make sense of what you're feeling.
Our Counselors, Psychologists, and Other Providers
Can I pick the therapist I want to work with myself?
Yes. You can browse provider profiles online to find someone who meets your needs, or call us and we'll help match you.
What makes Thriveworks providers different?
Our licensed clinicians are W2 employees, not contractors. Our investment in their support systems, ongoing training, and wellbeing means they can focus on providing excellent care instead of managing the business side of a practice.
What's the difference between a therapist, counselor, and psychologist?
Therapists and counselors are essentially the same thing: licensed mental health professionals with master's degrees who provide talk therapy. The terms are interchangeable.
Psychologists have doctoral degrees and can conduct comprehensive psychological testing and assessments. Both can diagnose conditions and provide therapy, but only psychologists can perform formal evaluations (often required for ADHD, autism, or legal/educational purposes).
What matters most is finding someone you like who specializes in what you're dealing with. Learn more about mental health professional differences here.
How do I know if I need therapy or psychiatry?
Start with therapy if you're working through emotional challenges, relationship issues, life transitions, or want to develop better coping strategies.
Consider psychiatry if you're experiencing symptoms that might benefit from medication (like severe depression, persistent anxiety, bipolar disorder, or ADHD). Psychiatric providers prescribe and manage medication.
You can also do both. Research shows combination treatment (therapy plus medication) is more effective than either alone. We can help you figure out the right approach when you book.
What if I want to switch providers?
You can switch providers anytime—no questions asked, no extra fees. Call us and we'll help you find a better match.
What does "integrated care" mean?
If you see both a therapist and a psychiatric provider at Thriveworks, they work as a team, communicating regularly about your progress and coordinating your treatment. This ensures you get the best care for your needs.
Insurance and Payment at Thriveworks
Does Thriveworks accept insurance?
Yes. We accept 360+ insurance plans, including UnitedHealthcare, Humana, BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, Cigna, Optum, Anthem, Tricare, Ambetter, and Medicare. Coverage varies by location and provider. See which plans individual providers accept on their profile page, or call us to confirm before booking.
Can I book a session without insurance?
Yes. Self-pay rates for talk therapy range from $200 to $240 for intake sessions and $160 to $195 for follow-up sessions, depending on your state. For psychiatry, intake sessions are $300 to $375 and follow-ups are $210 to $300.
You can see individual provider’s self-pay rates on their profile page, or call us to confirm your rate before booking.
How much does therapy cost with and without insurance? What about psychiatry?
With insurance: Most clients pay a copay of $0 to $55 per session for both therapy and psychiatry, depending on your plan.
Without insurance (therapy): Self-pay rates range from $200 to $240 for intake sessions and $160 to $195 for follow-ups, depending on your state.
Without insurance (psychiatry): Intake sessions range from $300 to $375 and follow-ups range from $210 to $300, depending on your location and provider.
Can I use my FSA to pay for therapy?
Yes. We accept FSA and HSA cards for therapy and psychiatry appointments. These accounts typically cover mental health treatment, and we can provide any documentation your FSA/HSA administrator needs. Read our full guide on using FSA/HSA for therapy here, including what's covered and how to avoid surprise bills.
When will I be charged?
You won't be charged until after your session. If paying out-of-pocket or paying a copay with insurance, you'll be charged 72 hours after your session. If you have a deductible or coinsurance, you'll be charged after your insurance processes the claim, which can take seven to 90 days depending on your provider. Late cancellation and no-show fees are charged 72 hours after your scheduled appointment time.
What is Thriveworks' cancellation policy?
You can reschedule or cancel for free up to 48 hours before your appointment. Less than 48 hours' notice, no-shows, or arriving more than 10 to 15 minutes late will result in a $135 fee. Learn more about our cancellation policy here.
