Best Online ADHD Treatment In 2024: Top 5 Services Reviews

Lindsey Desoto

Updated on - Written by
Medically reviewed by Kathy Shattler, MS, RDN

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amwell

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An estimated 4.4% of adults and 9.4%[1]of children have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. While often diagnosed in early childhood, it is sometimes missed and not diagnosed until adulthood. In fact, many adults with ADHD do not even realize they have it.

While the condition can interfere with interpersonal relationships, professional achievements, and daily functioning, receiving proper treatment can help.

If you find it difficult to access in-person care or prefer the convenience of telehealth, online therapy may be an option worth exploring.

This article reviews the best online ADHD treatment services this year. It also discusses who may benefit from online therapy.

5 Best Online ADHD Treatment Services In 2024

  • BetterHelp – Editor’s Choice
  • Talkspace – Best For Comprehensive Treatment
  • Amwell – Best For People With Health Insurance
  • Cerebral – Best Plan Variety
  • Headspace – Best Budget Pick

What Is ADHD?

ADHD[2] is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can interfere with daily functioning and development.

Individuals with ADHD often experience the following symptoms:[3]

  • Difficulty staying on task, staying organized, and sustaining focus
  • Forgetfulness
  • Extreme restlessness, excessive talking, or fidgeting
  • Difficulty with self-control and impulsivity

Although these symptoms can be difficult to cope with, making lifestyle changes and receiving proper treatment can make them much easier to manage. Though primary healthcare providers can diagnose and treat ADHD, sometimes they refer patients to a mental health professional for further evaluation and treatment.

How Does Online ADHD Advice Work?

Online ADHD treatment generally involves developing and implementing a treatment plan with a licensed healthcare professional. This may include a licensed therapist, psychiatrist, or psychiatric nurse practitioner. Sessions may be conducted via live video, chat, text message, or audio.

When working with a psychiatric provider, you may be prescribed medication to help you manage your symptoms.

A licensed therapist may also work with you on behavior and lifestyle changes to help you better control your condition. Furthermore, some platforms offer free articles and online communities where you can share experiences and find motivation from others like you.

5 Best Online ADHD Treatment Services In 2024

BetterHelp

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BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed therapist who can provide you with the guidance and tools you need to effectively manage your ADHD symptoms and overcome any difficulties you may be facing.

  • Offers access to licensed therapists
  • Affordable
  • Text, live chat, audio, and video messaging included
  • Must be 18 years of age
  • No medications offered
  • Cannot choose a therapist

BetterHelp is the largest therapy platform in the world, providing convenient access to licensed mental healthcare professionals from the comfort of your own home. While the company does not prescribe medication, it provides a wide variety of counseling services, including cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT. 

CBT[4] is a form of talk therapy that can help reduce symptoms of ADHD and many other mental health conditions. One of the main goals of CBT is to help you identify unhelpful thoughts that work against you and change them into helpful ones. CBT can also help people improve their self-esteem and cope with depression and anxiety.

After you sign up, BetterHelp will match you to a therapist who has experience treating ADHD and fits your preferences. At this time, you are unable to choose your therapist. However, if you feel your therapist isn’t a good fit for you, you can ask to be matched to another therapist. 

BetterHelp offers flexible communication methods, including text, live chat, audio, or video conferencing.  It prides itself on its Social Impact Work, working with programs such as Baby2Baby and SheRecovers Foundation, and donates its services to many non-profit organizations that serve those who need financial and mental health support.

Services range from $60 to $90 per week, billed monthly. Memberships can be canceled online at any time. Currently, most insurance companies generally do not cover the services offered.

Talkspace

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Talkspace gives clients access to psychiatric providers and licensed therapists who can provide support and the treatment they need to manage their ADHD symptoms.

  • Some insurances accepted
  • Psychiatric services available to diagnose ADHD
  • Ages 13 and up are eligible for services
  • Psychiatric providers cannot prescribe controlled substances
  • They do not accept Medicare or Medicaid

Talkspace is a subscription-based online therapy service that offers online counseling via text message, audio, or video messaging to couples, adults, and teens over the age of 13.

After you sign up, Talkspace will suggest three potential therapists with experience treating ADHD, allowing you to choose one that best fits your needs.

Talkspace also offers telehealth psychiatry, where you can speak with a licensed medical provider who can prescribe medications to help you better manage your symptoms.

Providers can prescribe non-stimulant medications, like Strattera[5] (atomoxetine), which works by increasing norepinephrine, a chemical in the brain necessary to control behavior. It may help reduce impulsive behavior and hyperactivity and increase attention span in individuals with ADHD.

Of note, studies show children with ADHD taking Strattera are more likely to think about self-harm[5] than those who do not take the medication.

Talkspace prescribers cannot prescribe controlled substances like Ritalin, Klonopin, Xanax, or Adderall. 

Prices for therapy range from $65 to $100 per week. An appointment with a psychiatric provider costs $249.00 for the first appointment and follow-up online visits are $125.00. Ask about therapists who may accept a sliding fee scale. Some insurances are accepted, and you can cancel your plan anytime.

Amwell

Amwell is an online therapy platform that accepts most major insurance plans and offers comprehensive treatment to individuals struggling with ADHD.

  • Psychiatrists available for an online ADHD diagnosis and medication management
  • Accepts most major insurance
  • Offers access to therapists who specialize in ADHD treatment
  • Cannot prescribe controlled substances
  • Does not offer the message, or audio sessions

Amwell is an online telehealth platform that allows people to connect with licensed healthcare providers. The company offers a wide range of services for various health needs, ranging from treatment for the common cold to mental health issues. All visits use secure, high-quality streaming video.

During your initial visit, you will be asked a series of targeted questions to determine if your symptoms point to ADHD. Next, you and your provider will work together to develop a treatment plan to meet your unique health needs.

While psychiatric providers may recommend non-stimulant ADHD medication to help you manage your symptoms, they cannot prescribe controlled substances.

Amwell accepts many insurances, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Atena, and Cigna. Urgent care visits start at just $79.00. If you do not have insurance, a 45-minute therapy session will cost you $109 with a master’s level therapist and $129 with a doctoral-level therapist.  An initial visit with a psychiatrist costs $279, and follow-up psychiatry visits cost $109 and typically last about 15 minutes.

Cerebral

Cerebral offers access to psychiatrists and therapists who can treat ADHD symptoms with counseling and non-stimulant ADHD medications delivered directly to your door.

  • Medication management available
  • Access to licensed therapists and psychiatrists
  • Accepts some insurance and will provide superbills for self-submission.
  • Under investigation by the Department of Justice
  • Does not prescribe controlled substances
  • ADHD services only available in certain states

Cerebral is a telehealth company that provides people with ongoing access to mental health services — including therapy and ADHD medication management — for a flat monthly rate. 

When you sign up, you will be asked to complete an assessment to help Cerebral understand your symptoms. From there, you will be given several subscription options, including:

  • Medication + Care Management Plan: Includes ongoing visits with a prescribing mental health provider, unlimited care team messaging, and medication delivered to your door free of charge each month. This plan starts at $99 per month.
  • Medication + Therapy Plan: Includes a visit with a prescribing provider, medication delivered to your door, and up to four monthly video or phone visits with a licensed therapist. You can choose your therapist after you subscribe. This plan starts at $325 per month.
  • Therapy Plan: Includes up to four video or phone visits with a licensed therapist. This plan starts at $259 per month.

If your insurance covers Cerebral, you will only be required to pay a monthly membership fee of $30. However, many insurances are not accepted at this time.

Until recently, Cerebral prescribed controlled substances. However, they now only prescribe non-stimulant medications to treat ADHD. This is likely because of recent investigations by the Department of Justice for possible violations of the Controlled Substances Act.[6]

Headspace

Whether you want to complement your ADHD treatment plan or make mindfulness part of your daily routine, Headspace is a good option.

  • Offers access to hundreds of meditations that may help improve ADHD symptoms
  • Affordable with student and family pricing options
  • Offers a program just for teens 13-18.
  • No individual counseling offered
  • No medications available

Headspace is a mindfulness application, or app, that teaches people how to meditate to improve their mental health and quality of life. Headspace says they can reduce your stress by 14% in only ten days. Plus, the company offers Headspace for Teens, a program designed especially for teens 13-18 years old.

While some may not consider meditation a treatment for ADHD, studies[7] suggest that meditation can improve mood, attention, and overall quality of life in adults diagnosed with ADHD. It may also improve performance[8] on executive functioning tasks, such as regulating emotions, paying attention, planning, and organization in children.

When you subscribe to Headspace, you will gain access to over 500 guided meditations of various lengths including tension-releasing workouts, a “wake-up” for mindful activities to start your day, focus playlists, relaxing yoga, and more. Plus, you can play any of your meditation sessions offline.

You can try the Headspace app for free for 14 days. If you decide to continue after the free trial, you can choose a monthly subscription that costs $12.99 per month or a yearly subscription that costs $69.99 ($5.83 per month).

Who Should Start ADHD Therapy?

Whether you are currently prescribed stimulant medications, looking for therapy to complement your traditional medication and treatment plan, or trying to avoid medications, you can benefit from therapy. 

While medications generally improve ADHD symptoms, they only provide short-term benefits. They do not help you learn new skills that foster long-term change or cope with the negative emotions that come with the condition.

Several recent studies have proven how helpful therapy can be when managing ADHD symptoms.

One 2018 review[9] looked at 14 low to moderate-quality studies examining the role of CBT in treating ADHD. The review’s authors found that CBT may help reduce core symptoms of ADHD, including impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity. They also noted that a combination of medication and CBT might be more helpful for improving a person’s day-to-day function and reducing anxiety and depression than medication alone.

Furthermore, one 2019 study[10] found that CBT helps with and without medication. However, the authors of the study noted that it tends to be most effective when combined with medication for supporting executive functions, such as organization, planning, and time management.

Is Online Advice For ADHD Right For You?

Online ADHD treatment can make it easier for you to manage your symptoms virtually anywhere. It may be a good option for people who need to visit a therapist more than once a week, cannot get out of the house, or lack access to quality mental health services.

If you decide to pursue online ADHD treatment, choosing an online platform with licensed providers that use evidence-based interventions to treat your condition is vital. Similarly, if you are reading articles or watching videos on managing ADHD better, make sure it is trustworthy and produced or reviewed by a qualified healthcare professional.

It’s also important to note that most reputable organizations will not prescribe stimulants,[11] which are the best and most common medications used to treat ADHD. If you have severe ADHD, it may be a good idea to have a face-to-face visit with a healthcare provider who can perform a comprehensive evaluation and determine if a stimulant medication may help treat your symptoms.

Final Thought

ADHD is a condition that can impact many aspects of a person’s life, including work, school, and personal relationships.

While not for everyone, online ADHD treatment can offer online counseling and certain medications to help improve your quality of life and help you manage the daily challenges you face.

If you are unsure whether you may benefit from stimulant medications, consider scheduling a visit with your healthcare provider to discuss all treatment options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does online ADHD treatment cost?

The cost of online ADHD varies by the type of treatment you receive. If not covered by insurance, an initial visit with a psychiatric provider who can diagnose and prescribe medications to improve your symptoms can cost as much as several hundred dollars. Online ADHD counseling is generally cheaper and typically costs $60-$100 per session.

How does online therapy for ADHD work?

Online counseling for ADHD generally involves working with a licensed therapist to encourage long-term behavior change and help you cope with negative emotions. If you choose to make an appointment with an online psychiatric provider. In that case, you will likely be asked several questions about your symptoms and medical history to determine if you have the condition. If you meet diagnostic criteria, your provider may recommend medications to improve your symptoms.

Is online advice for ADHD effective?

Telehealth isn’t for everyone. However, studies[12] show that online treatment for ADHD can be an effective option, especially for people who find face-to-face treatment difficult.

Does online ADHD therapy take insurance?

While some platforms accept insurance, others do not. You will want to keep this in mind when choosing the best ADHD treatment for you. Some therapists may accept a sliding fee scale, so always inquire.

What is the best online ADHD test?

You can take an ADHD test online by visiting Mental Health America and clicking on “ADHD Test.” The Attention Deficit Disorder Association also has online ADHD tests and screening tools. Remember that ADHD must be diagnosed by a licensed professional like a medical doctor or psychiatrist.


+ 12 sources

Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here

  1. Crossrivertherapy.com. (2022). 45 ADHD Statistics: How Many People Have ADHD? [online] Available at: https://www.crossrivertherapy.com/adhd-statistics#:~:text=Key%20ADHD%20Statistics%20%26%20Facts%201%20More%20than,be%20diagnosed%20with%20ADHD%20than%20girls.%20More%20items.
  2. CDC (2021). What is ADHD? [online] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html.
  3. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2022). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. [online] Available at: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd.
  4. Lopez, P.L., Torrente, F.M., Ciapponi, A., Lischinsky, A.G., Cetkovich-Bakmas, M., Rojas, J.I., Romano, M. and Manes, F.F. (2018). Cognitive-behavioural interventions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, [online] 2018(3). doi:10.1002/14651858.cd010840.pub2.
  5. Medlineplus.gov. (2022). Atomoxetine: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603013.html.
  6. DEA. (2018). The Controlled Substances Act. [online] Available at: https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/csa#.
  7. Bueno, V.F., Kozasa, E.H., da Silva, M.A., Alves, T.M., Louzã, M.R. and Pompéia, S. (2015). Mindfulness Meditation Improves Mood, Quality of Life, and Attention in Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. BioMed Research International, [online] 2015, pp.1–14. doi:10.1155/2015/962857.
  8. Bigelow, H., Gottlieb, M.D., Ogrodnik, M., Graham, J.D. and Fenesi, B. (2021). The Differential Impact of Acute Exercise and Mindfulness Meditation on Executive Functioning and Psycho-Emotional Well-Being in Children and Youth With ADHD. Frontiers in Psychology, [online] 12. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.660845.
  9. Lopez, P.L., Torrente, F.M., Ciapponi, A., Lischinsky, A.G., Cetkovich-Bakmas, M., Rojas, J.I., Romano, M. and Manes, F.F. (2018). Cognitive-behavioural interventions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, [online] 2018(3). doi:10.1002/14651858.cd010840.pub2.
  10. Pan, M.-R., Huang, F., Zhao, M.-J., Wang, Y.-F., Wang, Y.-F. and Qian, Q.-J. (2019). A comparison of efficacy between cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and CBT combined with medication in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Psychiatry Research, [online] 279, pp.23–33. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2019.06.040.
  11. CDC (2020). Treatment of ADHD. [online] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/treatment.html#.
  12. Shou, S., Xiu, S., Li, Y., Zhang, N., Yu, J., Ding, J. and Wang, J. (2022). Efficacy of Online Intervention for ADHD: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review. Frontiers in Psychology, [online] 13. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.854810.
Lindsey Desoto

Medically reviewed by:

Kathy Shattler

Lindsey DeSoto is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist based out of Coastal Mississippi. She earned her BSc in Nutrition Sciences from the University of Alabama. Lindsey has a passion for helping others live their healthiest life by translating the latest evidence-based research into easy-to-digest, approachable content.

Medically reviewed by:

Kathy Shattler

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