Tami from Fit Healthy Momma provides a stellar rating after interacting with the brand and their service.
Fit Healthy Momma Rating: 9.8/10 
Nothing's perfect, but Brightside Health provides the closest thing to perfecting online mental health treatment. If you're looking for online therapy or anxiety and depression medication, without question Brightside should be at the top of your list.
Anxiety disorders, which affect nearly 40 million adults in the US each year, are highly treatable, yet only about 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment. What gives?
For starters, many Americans are too embarrassed and ashamed to seek the help that they need. Others have been scorned in the past by inefficient medical practices that didn’t take the time and attention needed to determine their diagnosis and provide a customized treatment plan. And more still continue to live with their symptoms because the high cost of healthcare in this country makes it so people are often forced to choose between getting the prescription medications they need or paying the bills and keeping food on the table.
That’s where D2C telemedicine services like Brightside Health come into play. Brightside Health offers virtual mental health care that’s designed to help those with depression and anxiety, without requiring them to ever leave their home. They are on a mission to make mental health care more accessible for the 75% of Americans with anxiety and depression that aren’t getting the care they need and deserve.
Honestly, this company reminds me of a few other online anxiety and depression treatment brands that I covered, such as GetCerebral (review) and Prairie Health (review). Spoiler alert: Brightside Health edges the competition (you'll find out why soon).
This service seems like the perfect antidote to a tricky situation, but is Brightside legit? Can you really get effective help for your anxiety and depression symptoms online? I explored Brightside and am bringing you my full review of their service along with my personal thoughts and recommendations.
Introducing Brightside Health (With Reviews)
Telehealth is getting extra popular these days, and Brightside is on the cutting edge for prescribing anxiety and depression meds online.
Brightside is a telehealth company that’s committed to delivering life-changing anxiety and depression treatment by offering both evidence-based therapy and FDA-approved medications. Their mission is to provide personalized, evidence-based care from industry experts to all those who are in need.
The company was founded in 2017 by Brad Kittredge (CEO) and Jeremy Barth (CTO), both of whom experienced personal relationships with family members who were affected by depression and anxiety. The company was born out of Brad and Jeremey’s shared desire to help other families cope with and overcome the effects these illnesses have. They are providing the kind of care and attention that they wished their family members had received.
They intend to set a new standard of healthcare in a system that is so clearly flawed. They do this by designing a clear path “back to being you,” which is guided by their expert team of Doctors, Therapists, and technology that’s custom-built to care for anxiety and depression.
What Makes Brightside Health Unique?
Brightside is designed to deliver the best psychiatric care possible. They call this the “Brightside difference.” Here’s what you can expect.
Unlimited Access to Support
You’re never left high and dry. You can count on receiving ongoing care and support from industry-leading experts in the field of anxiety and depression treatment.
Customized Prescriptions
There’s so much more than meets the eye when prescribing medications for anxiety and depression. Brightside doctors use science-based prescribing methods that utilize over 100 unique data points and clinical data to precisely match you with the right medication. No guessing and checking here!
Science-Based Principles That Work
Together, you and your care team will build the skills needed to overcome your symptoms using evidence-based procedures that are proven to work.
Precise Progress Tracking
With a dedicated care team and close progress tracking, you and your provider can understand your progress and make informed decisions for making adjustments to continue to elevate your results.
Here’s what their model of mental healthcare looks like when compared to traditional care:
How Brightside Works
Brightside’s team of professionals will take you through a process that allows them to get to know you and the type of care that will best serve you, giving you the best possible results.
Here’s what that process looks like:
(Step-by-step process)
Give some quick information about yourself via a questionnaire
By answering a few clinically-proven questions, the Brightside team will get to know you and your symptoms so that they can recommend a treatment plan that includes medication, therapy, or a combination of both.
Get introduced to your provider and begin treatment
After completing your questionnaire, you’ll schedule a video consult with your care provider who will continue the conversation regarding how you’re feeling and how Brightside can help. If prescription medications are required, they will be ordered and mailed to your door discreetly every month.
Keep the momentum and progress going
Your membership gives you access to unlimited messaging, video sessions, and regularly scheduled check-ins so that you feel supported throughout your care. This also allows your provider to monitor your symptoms and adjust your treatment accordingly.
What Treatment Options Are Available?
Brightside uses evidence-based research and treatments to create comprehensive care plans that use multiple approaches to ensure the best outcomes. The three primary treatments for depression include the following:
Self-care and Lifestyle Habits
Everyone that signs up as a Brightside member gets access to tools and resources that can build the skills and resilience needed to compliment your therapy and/or medication protocol. They have a Brightside Skill kit and dedicated content that will guide you through the journey.
Therapy
Brightside offers professional therapy from a licensed provider, delivered to you via messaging, and coming soon, video. You will complete evidence-based audio sessions that will equip you with the skills and information you need to feel better.
Medication
Brightside’s licensed providers can provide you with a comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, and personalized treatment plan. These plans may include antidepressant medication (SSRIs, SNRIs, and more). Once prescribed, they will deliver your medication right to your door, no need to wait in line at the pharmacy. You’ll also never have to worry about running out because they will deliver to you on autopilot every month that you hold your membership. Your doctor will monitor you closely and make adjustments as needed.
Medication + Therapy
You can also utilize a combined approach to treatment, using medication and therapy to make the most progress and get the best benefits. Your Brightside provider will work with you to determine which method(s) are best for you and your situation.
Medication Through Brightside
When it comes to medication to treat your symptoms, you won’t be issued the standard, one-size-fits-all medications. At Brightside, they do things differently, pinpointing which FDA-approved medication is right for you with their Brightfinder - a smarter way to prescribe medication that’s based on research, your personal data points, and the option of ample RX options.
What Medication Does Brightside Prescribe?
Here's the list of Relevant Medications prescribed by Brightside's licensed medical professionals:
- Amitriptyline / Elavil.
- Aripiprazole / Abilify.
- Benztropine / Cogentin.
- Bupropion / Wellbutrin.
- Buspirone / Buspar.
- Citalopram / Celexa.
- Clomipramine / Anafranil.
- Clonidine / Catapres.
Medication prescribed through Brightside is available to people 18 years of age or older and in the states where Brightside operates and who believe they could benefit from medication designed to lessen symptoms of depression.
Brightside's Medication is currently available in the following US states:
Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Brightside's Therapy is currently available in the following US states:
Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
If you’d like to explore medications for depression, here’s how the process works:
Take Brightside’s online assessment, answering questions about yourself. Be sure to be as detailed and specific as possible so that your doctor can thoroughly evaluate your situation.
Connect with your doctor and meet for a comprehensive consultation via video chat, which lasts about 15-20 minutes. You’ll chat with your doctor about how you’re feeling and how you’d like to move forward. Together, you’ll come up with a plan for your care.
Adhere to your plan of care: If your doctor recommends a medication, it will be shipped right to your door in approximately 4-5 business days. All refills that are authorized by your doctor will arrive monthly. Along with your medication plan, you will have access to digital therapy and self-care tools that you will be able to use at your own pace.
Start feeling better and making progress towards symptom elimination. Your provider will check in with you weekly to discuss your symptoms and side effects, monitoring your progress, and making any necessary changes to your plan to allow for best results.
Brightside Therapy Services
Brightside therapy uses clinically proven approaches to help you learn new habits and break the exhausting cycle of anxiety and depression. Their therapy services are available to people 18 years and older who live in the following US states: California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin.
If you live in one of these states and would like to explore therapy through Brightside, here’s a peak at what the process looks like:
Take their online assessment, explaining how you’re feeling and their licensed therapists will help you understand what it means.
Connect with one of Brightside’s licensed therapists who will provide support and guidance that will help you to build your skills and feel better.
Complete your personalized, self-paced audio sessions and exercises while building the evidence-based skills and habits you need to overcome your anxiety and/or depression.
Make measured progress towards your goals, reporting back on what’s working well for you and in what areas you’d like to go deeper into. Your therapist will work with you to guide you through your personalized program so that you can realize the best possible results.
How Much Does Brightside Health Cost?
The cost for treatment through Brightside is as follows:
Medication Plan: $95 per month + your pharmacy copay or $15 per medication. This includes your comprehensive remote physician consultation, your monthly medication delivered to your door, and ongoing support and monitoring from their licensed physicians.
Therapy: $299 per month which includes unlimited messaging and a total of four monthly video sessions with your licensed therapist who will guide you through your personalized program. If you’d like additional video visits, you can purchase them for $59 per session.
Medication + Therapy Plan: $349 per month + your pharmacy copay or $15 per medication. With this plan, you’ll get all the benefits of the medication and therapy plans combined. Plus, you’ll get unlimited messaging with your care team and a weekly video session with a licensed therapist who will guide you through your program and track your progress.
Does Brightside Accept Insurance?
Yes, Brightside has recently announced that they are now accepting select insurance plans in various states for payment of all or some of your mental health services. Currently, Brightside is contracted with Cigna, BCBS, Magellan, Humana, Wellmark, and MHN in some states. Here’s a current list of what’s accepted in which states taken from Brightside’s website:
Cigna: Accepted in all states excluding; Delaware, Kansas, Oregon, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, and South Carolina.
- Arizona: Blue Cross Blue Shield
- California: Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross, Magellan, Humana, MHN
- Illinois: Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Indiana: Magellan
- Iowa: Wellmark
- Massachusetts: Blue Cross Blue Shield
- North Carolina: Magellan
- Pennsylvania: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Magellan
- Texas: Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Virginia: Magellan
Reviewing the Benefits Of Brightside
Personally, I am very impressed with Brightside, their origin story, mission, and level of service they are providing to the millions of Americans who suffer from anxiety and depression. Here are some of the top benefits of this online therapy service:
- Affordable plans
- Access to high-quality, professional, licensed doctors and providers
- No long waits for appointments
- 24/7 unlimited chats with a licensed therapist
- Medications delivered right to your door
- Access to materials to help bolster your journey
- Periodic check ins from your provider to ensure you’re where you should be
- Cutting edge technology and systems
FAQs
Before beginning any type of treatment, you should always seek to understand the service fully. Below, I answer some common questions about Brightside, but you can also reach out to their support team directly at [email protected] for more information.
A: Both depression and anxiety are diagnosed by comparing your symptoms to the known attributes of these conditions. Since there are no blood tests or physical symptoms that need to be tested, seeking treatment online is often more convenient for people. Additionally, choosing mental health care online allows the opportunity for closer monitoring and a more intimate relationship with your doctor, which is particularly beneficial when it comes to medications as dosages often need to be adjusted and it is much faster and more convenient to get in touch with your doctor online than in-person in most cases. Lastly, you get to skip all the waiting, germ exposure, and pharmacy trips when you choose telehealth.
A: If you’re in emotional distress or thinking about harming yourself, it’s vital that you seek proper help ASAP. You can call 911 or go to your local emergency room, text the Crisis Text Line ‘HOME’ to 741-741, or call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK.
A: In order to get prescription medication, you will be required to complete a video visit with your provider so that he or she can conduct a proper evaluation. For therapy, communication is strictly through messaging right now, but video chats will be available soon.
A: Brightside does their best to match their members with the best fitting provider, however, there are some restrictions when it comes to state licensure and availability schedule. If for some reason you would like to request a different provider, you can reach out to Brightside support [email protected].
A: There are no commitments when you sign up for a subscription with Brightside, however, if you are on the medication plan, they will ask that you speak with your provider before cancelling your subscription to make sure that you get the best care moving forward. For therapy care, you can email [email protected] to request that your membership be cancelled.
So, Is Brightside Health for depression and anxiety legit?
Depression and anxiety are extremely common and should not be taken lightly. Unfortunately, many people suffer with their symptoms in silence, afraid to take the next step to getting treatment. Thankfully, telemedicine services like Brightside are making it easier and more accessible than ever before for those dealing with the symptoms associated with anxiety and depression to get the professional help they need and deserve.
Brightside Health is clearly dedicated to providing a high standard of care as evidenced by their commitment to employing only the best, most experienced professionals in the industry and their commitment to focusing on anxiety and depression only, allowing them to provide a level of specialized care that you simply cannot get with your primary care doctor.
Brightside is changing the face of the mental healthcare community, allowing everyone a chance to access the care they need and deserve. So whether you have insurance or don’t, you can count on always getting the highest quality care possible without the high price tag that comes with traditional therapy.
Licensed Psychologists, Masters degrees from schools like Stanford and Boston University (BU), this team of medical professionals and service at Brightside is 100% legit.
Think Brightside Is For You?
If you’re experiencing symptoms relating to depression and/or anxiety, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to get in touch with Brightside to how they can help you cope with and manage your symptoms so that you can live your happiest, healthiest life possible.