Sesame online therapy review 2024, researched by experts

What is Sesame Care?

Sesame connects users with affordable and accessible telehealth services through an online healthcare marketplace. Its network of independent medical professionals provides online and in-person sessions, including mental health assessments, therapy, and medication management. The platform also offers a wide range of other services with over 45 specialties. You can get much of your care in one place, including weight management, urgent care, primary care, dermatology, and dentistry.

Using Sesame, you select your therapist or psychiatrist based on service type, specialties, availability, and other personal preferences. Many providers offer same-day appointments, with some sessions available within an hour or two. Provider availability varies greatly depending on your location. In some states, there are more than 65 providers to choose from, but others only have one or two licensed mental health professionals available.

Anyone can use Sesame, regardless of insurance coverage. All providers are out-of-network, so you must pay out-of-pocket for appointments. However, the platform’s goal is to keep the costs down. Sesame says its services are half the price of traditional healthcare systems.

The price of a mental health session on Sesame varies depending on service type and provider but can range from $47 to over $200. Sesame has subscription plans that offer appointment discounts, medication services, and other perks.

While some providers offer in-person services, many mental health visits are conducted through video calls for convenience. You can use Sesame’s online dashboard or mobile app to schedule, attend sessions, track prescriptions, and chat with your provider.

What our experts say

“Sesame offers a wide variety of specialties in one place, where someone could feasibly schedule with multiple providers to streamline their health care,” says Johnson. “However, some states offer only a handful of counselors, causing a potential consumer to get discouraged with options that don’t appear to be an ideal fit for their mental health needs.”

What customers are saying

Most users highly regard Sesame. It has an excellent rating on Trustpilot, earning 4.4 out of five stars from an average of over 2,300 reviews. Throughout the comments, users noted high-quality care, ease of use, and the platform’s affordability.

“I’ve never experienced healthcare like this. I got an online appointment at 9 p.m. The doctor listened to my issue and sent a prescription, and the total experience was $46. It would’ve taken over a month to get a regular appointment with my doctor, and just my co-pay would’ve been $90 if my deductible of $7,000 was paid. I wish all healthcare worked like this,” says Ladena S. on Trustpilot.

Another Trustpilot reviewer, Sean W., commented that they’ve had phenomenal experiences with all of the healthcare professionals they’ve encountered, calling it a lifesaver for them and their family and friends.

Unfortunately, Sesame’s customer service team doesn’t receive as much praise as its medical providers. We found many complaints regarding poor customer support surrounding ordering or receiving medication. “It’s so frustrating dealing with Sesame customer service. I have tried for a week to explain my situation, but all I get is the runaround,” says Terry B. on Trustpilot.

Specs

Our Sesame online therapy experience

When I began researching and testing the Sesame platform, I was pleasantly surprised that I could explore the entire platform, services, and providers without creating an account or completing an extensive intake questionnaire. When it came time to register, the process took less than a minute since it only required an email and a password.

Another highlight of this platform is the upfront pricing. The exact session cost is listed on the provider’s profile alongside the appointment availability. Since insurance isn’t involved, you won’t experience any surprise fees. You do have to pay for your appointment upon booking. However, you can cancel up to three hours before a virtual session or 24 hours before an in-person appointment.

I loved that I could choose my provider and found the provider search function straightforward. You input your location and the type of service you’re looking for to see all available healthcare professionals. You can also search by specialty to see the types of available appointments, provider options, and session times. The mental health services offered and the ages treated depend on each provider. Still, you can find options for a general mental health consult, individual therapy, couples counseling, and teen therapy.

Using Sesame, you can also book psychiatry consults or prescription refill appointments. In fact, it’s one of our top picks for online psychiatry platforms for its quick appointment availability and low out-of-pocket costs. Unfortunately, we found that psychiatrists aren’t currently available in all states, including North and South Dakota. However, because Sesame also partners with primary care providers, it may still be possible to see someone who can prescribe and refill medications for certain mental health conditions.

I found fewer providers available for all mental health services than I’ve experienced with other similar marketplace platforms. While some services have connected me with hundreds of therapists within my state, Sesame only had four providers available for a new patient visit for individual therapy and one for couples therapy. The platform listed the total provider count as being higher, but some providers were listed multiple times, once for each different service type they offered.

Outside of that, the rest of the provider search experience was exceptional. I could review detailed profiles for each provider, outlining their credentials, experience, and specialties. For many, I could also read real customer reviews to hear others’ experiences with that provider. I was also impressed with the appointment availability. Many providers offered same-day appointment times, some with availability within the next hour.

In various places on Sesame’s website, it’s noted that in-person appointments are available. However, I was only offered virtual mental health appointments. The in-office appointments may be more readily available for other medical services.

The video appointments are easy to join via the online dashboard or the free mobile app. I also enjoyed the option to message my provider anytime with any questions or concerns. The platform doesn’t offer additional resources to support your therapeutic work between sessions, but your provider may provide other options if they feel it’s appropriate.

I also contacted Sesame’s customer service to ask several questions. At first, my experience aligned with the many negative customer reviews about poor support. Every time I tried to use the chat function, there weren’t any agents available, and it would give me a connection error when I tried to send an email. However, when I called the customer service phone number, I was immediately connected to a live representative who was kind and helpful.

Overall, Sesame is a versatile platform that can be an excellent option for many people. It offers various healthcare services, so you can use one platform for most of your medical needs.

How we test online therapy

Each teletherapy review benefits from the expertise of our seasoned reviewers and writers, who have firsthand mental health experience. We test, research, and evaluate each platform we recommend. Mental health professionals provide additional insights while medical fact-checkers analyze all claims made to verify accuracy.

Learn more in our full teletherapy testing methodology.

Compare Sesame

	Sesame	Brightside	Zocdoc	Talkiatry	BetterHelp
Rating	4.1/5	4.6/5	4.6/5	4.7/5	4.7/5
Cost	Varies by provider	$95-$349 monthly	Varies by provider	Co-pay varies	$280-$400 monthly
Therapy type	Individual, teen, couples therapy	Individual therapy	Individual, couples, group therapy	Individual	Individual therapy
Insurance accepted	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Prescriptions available	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Ages treated	Varies by provider	18+ years old	Varies by provider	5+ years old	18+ years old
	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price
		Read Review	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review

How does Sesame online therapy work?

Sesame functions as a provider directory, which you can search with or without creating an account. To create an account before booking an appointment, simply provide your email address and choose a password. You can also complete the registration as part of the scheduling process.

To get started, you select the specialty you’re interested in. Then, you search for an appointment using your location and any other preferences for availability, credentials, gender, or language. Sesame will present you with a curated list of providers, showing the session cost, provider profile, and appointment time slots so you can choose which best meets your needs.

When booking an appointment, you must pay the session fee upfront. If you need to cancel your appointment for any reason, you can do so for a full refund up to three hours before a virtual appointment or 24 hours before in-person sessions.

Before your session, you’ll be asked to fill out a brief medical questionnaire to provide insight into your condition and history before meeting with your provider. If you book an in-person appointment, you’ll head to the provider’s office at the time of your visit. For virtual sessions, you’ll receive an email with the link to join your video appointment via the web or mobile app. Additionally, before and after your session, you can message your provider with any questions or concerns.

Some providers can prescribe medication as part of your mental health treatment plan. If your provider feels a medication may be helpful, they can send the prescription to your local pharmacy of choice or arrange for home delivery. However, like many other telehealth therapy services, Sesame providers cannot prescribe controlled substances, including stimulants. (4) While all session fees must be paid out-of-pocket, you can pay for prescription medications through your insurance if covered.

Who is Sesame online therapy right for?

Sesame providers can serve a wide range of individuals, with providers specializing in various mental health concerns, such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• PTSD
• ADHD
• OCD
• Panic disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Grief and loss
• Relationship issues
• Parenting

Sesame is best for individuals looking to pay for online therapy services out-of-pocket. This may apply to those who are uninsured or whose insurance coverage includes a high deductible or co-pay fees. (5) The platform aims to offer affordable online therapy with low per-session costs.

For individuals with physical limitations or living in areas with limited access to care, the virtual video sessions and provider messaging can help you get the care you need from the comfort of your home. Its online psychiatry and prescription refill services can also be an excellent option for folks who want convenient access to medication management.

Additionally, we recommend Sesame for those seeking care for additional medical concerns. With providers across over 45 different healthcare specialties, it can become a hub for all your medical care needs.

Who should seek an alternative to Sesame online therapy?

Sesame Care won’t be the best fit for everyone, notably those with comprehensive mental health care coverage through their insurance provider. Instead, you may be better off seeking care through an online therapy platform that takes insurance where you may owe a co-pay as low as $0 to $30 per session.

Another consideration is that Sesame providers cannot prescribe controlled substances. If you’re interested in a medication that is designated as a controlled substance (like stimulants, benzodiazepines, or opioids), you’ll need to use a different service or visit a local prescribing physician in person.

We also don’t recommend online therapy for individuals uncomfortable with technology. Most mental health sessions are via video calls, which may feel challenging for the less tech-savvy or those without a strong internet connection. While Sesame offers in-person appointment options for some specialties, you still must book your sessions and pay for them online.

Privacy can be another significant concern for people feeling unsure about getting mental health care online. Data security is always risky when sharing personal information through websites and mobile apps. While Sesame doesn’t have any documented issues regarding privacy, its recent partnership with Costco could raise some concerns.

As part of the partnership, Sesame users with a validated Costco membership receive discounted healthcare costs through the platform. However, a 2023 class-action lawsuit claims Costco shared user health data with tech companies like Meta. (6) We recommend reading Sesame’s privacy policy to understand the risks associated with this if you plan to take advantage of the partnership.

Can Sesame Care prescribe medication?

Many Sesame Care providers can prescribe medication. The platform partners with psychiatrists, psychiatry nurse practitioners, physicians, and other licensed medical professionals who can manage medication. You can also join Sesame’s Mental Health RX program, a subscription plan that includes medication, video sessions, and provider messaging.

If you’re prescribed medication, you can have it filled at a local pharmacy for same day pick up or choose home delivery. You’ll typically receive your medicine within two to three business days if you choose delivery.

One caveat to remember is that Sesame providers cannot prescribe controlled substances. While some telemedicine providers can prescribe these medications, you must typically be seen in person so your provider can closely monitor you while taking them. (7)

Can I receive a mental health diagnosis through Sesame Care?

If you’re seeking a mental health diagnosis, many providers listed in the Sesame Care directory may be able to help you as long as they have the proper credentials. All psychiatrists and many general practitioners can diagnose common mental health conditions. Additionally, most licensed clinicians, such as psychologists, clinical social workers (LCSWs), licensed professional counselors (LPCs), and licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), are trained to make diagnoses. (8)

Types of plans offered by Sesame Care

You can use Sesame Care’s services without signing up for subscription plans. You can create an account for free and pay the standard per-session costs set by each provider. However, if you use the platform’s services frequently, you may consider signing up for a Sesame Plus membership for appointment discounts and other perks. The membership costs $10.99 monthly or $99 annually. You save $10 on all appointments and get one free lab visit annually.

If your mental health treatment plan includes medication, Sesame also offers a Mental Health RX subscription. For $79 monthly, you get medication delivered free to your home, live video sessions, and unlimited provider messaging. You can also save $10 on one-time visits with your provider when you need urgent care.

Sesame online therapy pricing

Sesame is very transparent with its pricing throughout the platform. The prices are clearly listed on the provider profiles above their appointment availability. You pay for each session upfront during scheduling. The cost varies depending on the appointment type, provider, and location. Throughout our research, we found pricing typically fell within the ranges listed below:

• Mental health consult: $47 to $129
• Online therapy (new patient): $95 to $230
• Prescription refill: $47 to $69
• Psychiatry (new patient): $121 to $280

As mentioned when discussing the plan options, you can sign up for the Sesame Plus membership to get $10 off each session. Additionally, Sesame has partnered with Costco to offer store members additional discounts. You’ll see exclusive reduced-rate costs after verifying your Costco membership through your Sesame profile. Prices vary by state and provider, but here are some examples.

• Mental health consult: $29
• Online therapy (new patient): $79
• Prescription refill: $29
• Psychiatry (new patient): $108 to $135

All providers within the directory are out-of-network, so you can’t pay for sessions directly through insurance. Instead, you’ll pay using a credit card, including HSA or FSA cards. Sesame uses Stripe to process your payments and keep your payment information secure.

How therapists are onboarded

All providers within the Sesame marketplace are independent medical professionals. Joining the network is free and relatively quick. Providers start by creating an account on the website, which asks for their name, phone number, and email address. They are then guided through four steps to complete their profile by providing their credentialing information, specialties, and background information.

After verifying each provider’s credentials, Sesame emails them with the next steps in the process, which include providing more information regarding their practice and completing provider training. Once they’ve completed all the steps, their profile goes live on Sesame, and patients can start booking appointments.

How many therapists are on the platform?

Sesame partners with over 10,000 providers in many specialties and services. However, it’s unclear exactly how many of those specifically offer mental health care. While we could find therapists in every state we tested, the number available varied considerably, with some states having over 65 providers while others only had one. Psychiatry services are even more limited. Most states have at least one provider available, but we couldn’t find any psychiatrists in a few locations, including North and South Dakota.

Onboarding new users

Sesame makes it incredibly easy to join the platform. You can register for an account online or through the mobile app in under a minute by simply providing your email address and a password. Once your account is created, you can access your user dashboard and schedule appointments.

On your dashboard, you can view upcoming appointments, message your provider, and manage your prescriptions. You can also view lab reports if you’ve completed any testing as part of your care.

How are new users matched with a therapist?

Instead of matching new users with a specific therapist, Sesame provides a directory of all available providers and empowers you to choose the best fit. It curates the list based on your location and the type of service you’re looking for. You can browse all mental health professionals licensed in your state and filter by your preferences for categories like gender, language, and specialty.

Before scheduling, you can review each provider’s profile, pricing, and availability. Plus, you can see ratings and reviews from other real users based on their experience with that provider. If you’re unsatisfied or decide they aren’t a good fit, you can switch to another provider anytime.

How to choose the therapy platform for you

While research shows teletherapy is as effective as in-person therapy, it’s important to choose an online platform that suits your needs, preferences, and budget. (9) Although it can feel like a big decision, we’ll walk you through some important considerations below to simplify the process.

FAQs