Can you get treatment for bipolar disorder online?

Yes, at some services. 31 services here say on their own pages that they treat bipolar disorder, and 26 prescribe medication for it: Affect, Amwell, Anywhere Clinic, Array Behavioral Care, BetterHelp, Brightside Health, Cerebral, Charlie Health, Doctor On Demand, Eleanor Health, Headway, LifeStance Health, MDLIVE, Meru Health, Mindful Care, PlushCare, Rula, SonderMind, Spring Health, Talkiatry, Talkspace, Thriveworks, Wellnite, Klarity Health, Sesame and Included Health. 5 say they do not treat it: Circle Medical, Hims & Hers, Joyous, Lemonaid Health and Mindbloom. NIMH says mental health professionals treat bipolar disorder with medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of treatments.

Does BetterHelp treat bipolar disorder?

BetterHelp says it can match members with a licensed therapist who has experience helping people who live with bipolar disorder.

Does Talkspace treat bipolar disorder?

Talkspace offers online therapy and psychiatry for bipolar disorder, including therapy for teens.

Does Cerebral treat bipolar disorder?

Cerebral offers medication and therapy for bipolar disorder, and its list of conditions marks bipolar disorder as treated in certain states.

Which online bipolar treatment takes insurance?

26 of the services that treat bipolar disorder bill insurance in network (for psychiatric care where they prescribe): Affect, Amwell, Anywhere Clinic, Array Behavioral Care, BetterHelp, Brightside Health, Cerebral, Charlie Health, Doctor On Demand, Eleanor Health, Headway, LifeStance Health, MDLIVE, Meru Health, Mindful Care, PlushCare, Rula, SonderMind, Spring Health, Talkiatry, Talkspace, Thriveworks, Wellnite, Alma, Grow Therapy and Octave. 12 name Medicaid: Affect, Anywhere Clinic, Array Behavioral Care, Brightside Health, Charlie Health, Doctor On Demand, Eleanor Health, Headway, LifeStance Health, MDLIVE, Mindful Care and Grow Therapy. 20 name Medicare: Affect, Anywhere Clinic, Array Behavioral Care, BetterHelp, Brightside Health, Cerebral, Doctor On Demand, Eleanor Health, Headway, LifeStance Health, MDLIVE, Mindful Care, PlushCare, Rula, SonderMind, Talkiatry, Talkspace, Thriveworks, Alma and Grow Therapy. What you pay depends on your plan.

Can antidepressants alone treat bipolar depression?

NIMH says antidepressants are not used alone in bipolar disorder because they can trigger a manic episode or rapid cycling. The CANMAT and ISBD 2018 guideline says antidepressant monotherapy should not be used for the treatment of bipolar I depression.

Bipolar disorder

Online bipolar disorder treatment: who treats it, who does not, and medication

Many online therapy services do not treat bipolar disorder, and say so. Here is which do and which do not, which prescribe medication for it and which medicines they name, what each says about blood tests, and what it costs with insurance or without, from each service's own pages.

Bipolar facts checked · checked 3 d ago

31say they treat it

26prescribe for it

5say they do not treat it

31 services compared here say on their own pages that they treat bipolar disorder online, and 26 of them prescribe medication for it (lithium named by 11, mood stabilizers named by 16, antipsychotics named by 12). 5 say they do not treat it, so check before you pay. Bipolar treatment is led by a prescriber, usually with therapy alongside. In a crisis, call or text 988.

Who treats it

31 services say they treat bipolar disorder

Prescribers first. What each service's own pages say about its bipolar care, the medicines it names, lab work, insurance for psychiatric care, and the price.

Service	What its pages say	Medication	Insurance	Price
AffectVisit site Addiction care	Affect says it specializes in helping people understand and manage bipolar disorder, with therapy and psychiatry in one app.	Affect's psychiatric providers treat bipolar disorder, and its bipolar page names mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics as commonly used medicines. LithiumMood stabilizersAntipsychotics Affect does not prescribe controlled substances other than buprenorphine.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: plans in 16 states; Florida and Texas plans closed to new members	Affect says its mental health and addiction care is covered by insurance and that treatment is entirely free for 90% of its members.
AmwellVisit site Telehealth platform Adults	Amwell's online psychiatrists provide care and ongoing medication management for bipolar disorder, for patients 18 and older. CBTPsychoeducation	Amwell psychiatrists can prescribe psychiatric medications other than controlled substances, and its bipolar page names mood stabilizers, antipsychotics and antidepressants as the usual classes. Mood stabilizersAntipsychotics Controlled substances cannot be prescribed via telehealth on Amwell.	Bills insurance: services covered vary by plan; some cover urgent care but not therapy	$292 initial / $109-$169 follow-up
Anywhere ClinicVisit site Therapy + psychiatry Bipolar IBipolar IICyclothymia	Anywhere Clinic provides bipolar disorder treatment through telehealth psychiatry: evaluation, diagnosis, medication management when appropriate and follow-up. CBTInterpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT)Family-focused therapyPsychoeducation	Anywhere Clinic says its bipolar treatment includes medication management when appropriate, and that plans often include mood stabilizers or certain atypical antipsychotics. Mood stabilizersAntipsychotics For severe symptoms, active safety concerns, psychosis or a need for in-person monitoring, Anywhere Clinic says it may recommend in-person care or a higher level of support. Labs: Anywhere Clinic says follow-ups for bipolar medication may include lab monitoring when indicated; the page names no specific test, lab or payer.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: varies by state: in network in 13 states and D.C. on its state pages; not Medi-Cal or Illinois Medicaid	Self-pay is $150 for new and follow-up psychiatry visits; insurance is accepted.
Array Behavioral CareVisit site Therapy + psychiatry	Its care-options guide says its psychiatrists can help manage conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe depression. CBTDBT	Its guide says psychiatrists can prescribe and manage medications; it names no bipolar medicine.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: Medi-Cal in California only	Self-pay psychiatry is $425 for the initial evaluation and $115 to $225 per medication management follow-up, depending on complexity.
BetterHelpVisit site Subscription therapy FTC order: $7.8 million over sharing health data for advertising Adults	BetterHelp says it can match members with a licensed therapist who has experience helping people who live with bipolar disorder. CBTInterpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT)Psychoeducation	BetterHelp's psychiatric providers may evaluate and treat bipolar disorder and prescribe from a defined list of common medications that includes a mood stabilizer and an antipsychotic. Mood stabilizersAntipsychotics BetterHelp's psychiatric providers do not prescribe controlled substances.	Bills insurance in network	BetterHelp therapy typically costs $70 to $100 per week.
Brightside HealthVisit site Therapy + psychiatry AdultsBipolar IBipolar II	Brightside mainly treats bipolar II and can treat stable bipolar I without acute mania; some cases of bipolar I or acute mania are not a fit for its online care. CBT	Brightside providers prescribe mood stabilizers and an antipsychotic for bipolar disorder, and do not prescribe controlled substances. Mood stabilizersAntipsychotics Brightside uses lamotrigine for bipolar disorder that is already stabilized. Labs: Brightside's aripiprazole page says the provider may ask for a blood sample before and during treatment to track metabolic effects.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: some plans in Oregon, North Carolina, Nebraska and Washington	$95/mo
CerebralVisit site Therapy + psychiatry FTC order: health data shared for advertising and hard-to-cancel subscriptions, about $7 million Justice Department and DEA: non-prosecution agreement over controlled-substance prescribing, $3.65 million forfeited New York Attorney General settlement: more than $740,000 over cancellation practices Adults	Cerebral offers medication and therapy for bipolar disorder, and its list of conditions marks bipolar disorder as treated in certain states. CBTDBTPsychodynamic	Cerebral prescribers can prescribe medication for bipolar disorder, but not controlled substances. LithiumMood stabilizersAntipsychotics Cerebral lists bipolar disorder as treated only in certain states and does not name them.	Bills insurance in network	Therapy is $150 per session; medication management is the Affordable Meds plan at $180 every 3 months.
Charlie HealthVisit site Intensive outpatientAges 8-64 AdultsTeens	Charlie Health says it treats mood disorders including bipolar disorder in teens and adults through its virtual intensive outpatient program. DBT Charlie Health offers a virtual intensive outpatient program for people with complex conditions including bipolar disorder.	Charlie Health's virtual IOP with psychiatry includes psychiatric medication management, and its pages list bipolar disorder among the conditions it treats. Charlie Health says not everyone in treatment needs medication; a psychiatric provider decides with the client whether it fits.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: states where intensive outpatient care is covered	No self-pay price published
Doctor On DemandVisit site Therapy + psychiatry	Doctor On Demand lists bipolar disorder (mild to moderate) among conditions its mental health clinicians treat. CBTPsychodynamicDBT	Its psychiatrists manage medication for long-term conditions including bipolar disorder but cannot prescribe controlled substances; no bipolar medicine is named. It lists only mild to moderate bipolar disorder.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: some Medicaid managed-care plans	Without insurance, psychiatry visits start at $299 for the initial 45-minute visit and $129 for 15-minute follow-ups.
Eleanor HealthVisit site Addiction care	Eleanor Health lists medicines for bipolar disorder among those its providers prescribe for co-occurring mental health conditions.	Eleanor Health's prescribed-medications page lists mood stabilizers for bipolar disorder among the medicines its providers prescribe. LithiumMood stabilizers	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: stated as accepted in 7 states (FL, MA, NC, NJ, NV, OH, PA)	$249 per month
HeadwayVisit site Insurance marketplace	Headway is an insurance marketplace where clinicians, including psychiatric prescribers, list bipolar disorder as a specialty; care depends on the clinician chosen.	Headway's psychiatric prescribers can prescribe medication, and its prescriber guidelines require lab monitoring when prescribing mood stabilizers. Labs: Headway's prescriber standards require a mood stabilizer lab panel that includes lithium, valproate or carbamazepine levels.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: select Medicaid managed care plans in some states	People with insurance pay as low as $0 per session through Headway; cost varies by location, age and plan.
LifeStance HealthVisit site Therapy + psychiatry	LifeStance says it specializes in bipolar disorder treatment, with therapy and medication management in person and online, including for children under 12. CBTInterpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT)Family-focused therapyPsychoeducation	Its psychiatrists offer medication management for bipolar disorder in person and by telehealth. LithiumMood stabilizersAntipsychotics It says services vary by location. Labs: Its bipolar I evaluation section says blood tests are taken to make sure no underlying condition is causing erratic mood.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: some plans; varies by state and provider	Most copays are $22 to $36 with insurance, stated for LifeStance care in general rather than bipolar care.
MDLIVEVisit site Therapy + psychiatry	MDLIVE lists bipolar among conditions in its behavioral health scope, but lists psychiatric conditions needing intensive management, naming bipolar disorder, as care it does not provide. CBTMindfulness-based	Its psychiatrists can prescribe at their discretion; it names no bipolar medicine and does not prescribe controlled substances. It does not prescribe medications that need regular lab work and monitoring when lab work is not available to review at the appointment. Labs: It does not prescribe medications that need regular lab work and monitoring when the lab work is not present for review at the appointment.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: through participating plans	Psychiatry visits are $0-299 for an initial visit and $0-159 for follow-ups, depending on insurance (not stated for bipolar specifically).
Meru HealthVisit site Therapy + psychiatryLimited availability Adults	Its launch post for the Advanced program names bipolar disorder among complex conditions its standard therapy program does not cover alone; Advanced is a psychiatry and therapy program for adults. CBTMindfulness-based	Advanced includes a psychiatrist who may prescribe or change medication, though prescribing is not the core of the program; no bipolar medicine is named. Its psychiatrists do not prescribe controlled substances, and the psychiatrist's care ends when the program ends. Labs: Advanced includes a series of lab tests, with blood drawn at a lab facility the patient chooses.	Bills insurance in network	No self-pay price published
Mindful CareVisit site Psychiatry9 states	Mindful Care lists bipolar disorder among the conditions it treats and has a dedicated bipolar page with same-day care.	Mindful Care says its bipolar treatment plans may include medication, therapy, or both, and that it prescribes mood stabilizers as a class. Mood stabilizers Mindful Care does not prescribe controlled substances, habit-forming medications or long-acting injectables.	Bills insurance in network Medicaid managed plans; vary by state	Self-pay psychiatry costs $175 for a 40-minute initial evaluation and $125 for a 20-minute follow-up.
PlushCareVisit site Telehealth platform	PlushCare says its primary care physicians can diagnose and treat some types of bipolar disorder, but it has no online psychiatrists and cannot treat all cases. CBTFamily-focused therapy	PlushCare has no psychiatrists, but its physicians can help with bipolar disorder and refill medications after an evaluation, at the doctor's discretion. LithiumMood stabilizersAntipsychotics PlushCare says it cannot treat acute manic episodes, and its primary care physicians refill some bipolar medicines only for patients who are stable and cannot reach their psychiatrist.	Bills insurance: doctor and psychiatry visits only; therapy is self-pay	Without insurance, an initial physician visit is $129 plus a $19.99 monthly membership (first month free); therapy is $169 per session.
RulaVisit site Insurance marketplace	Rula offers bipolar-focused therapy and lists bipolar disorder among the conditions its psychiatry providers treat. CBTInterpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT)Family-focused therapy	Rula's psychiatry page lists bipolar disorder among the conditions its psychiatric providers treat; it names no medicine for bipolar disorder. Rula cannot guarantee any specific medication, and patients transferring in are not guaranteed to continue their current regimen. Labs: Rula says psychiatric providers may order labs for medication monitoring, completed at Quest Diagnostics or another lab with a copy of the order.	Bills insurance in network	Insured patients typically pay about $15 per session; cash rates are $150 per therapy session, $225 for a psychiatry intake and $175 per psychiatry follow-up.
SonderMindVisit site Insurance marketplace	SonderMind offers therapy and psychiatry for bipolar disorder through providers who specialize in mood disorders. CBTDBTPsychoeducation	SonderMind's bipolar page says psychiatry provides medication management with mood stabilizers, antidepressants and antipsychotics. LithiumMood stabilizersAntipsychotics	Bills insurance in network	Insured clients pay an average copay of around $25; self-pay rates vary by provider, session type and location.
Spring HealthVisit site Employer / EAP	Spring Health lists bipolar spectrum disorders among the concerns its therapists support. CBTDBT	Spring Health's medication providers may discuss mood stabilizers, which it describes as medications primarily used to manage bipolar disorder symptoms. Mood stabilizers Spring Health providers do not prescribe controlled substances, and Medication Care may not be included in every benefit plan.	Bills insurance in network	Spring Health is an employer or health plan benefit; members paying directly pay rates set by each provider.
TalkiatryVisit site Psychiatry Bipolar IBipolar IICyclothymia	Talkiatry psychiatrists treat bipolar disorder online with medication and therapy referrals, and may refer more severe episodes to in-person care. CBTInterpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT)Psychoeducation	Talkiatry psychiatrists prescribe and monitor medication for bipolar disorder, and its bipolar medication page names mood stabilizers and antipsychotics. LithiumMood stabilizersAntipsychotics For more severe episodes the psychiatrist may recommend in-person or hybrid care outside Talkiatry. Labs: Talkiatry says lithium treatment requires monitoring of lithium levels every 3 to 6 months.	Bills insurance in network	Most visits cost patients $30 or less after insurance; the exact cost depends on the plan.
TalkspaceVisit site Therapy + psychiatry AdultsTeens	Talkspace offers online therapy and psychiatry for bipolar disorder, including therapy for teens. CBTDBT	Talkspace psychiatric providers prescribe medication for bipolar disorder but not controlled substances. LithiumMood stabilizersAntipsychotics An initial evaluation by a Talkspace psychiatric provider is required before any medication is prescribed. Labs: Talkspace's lithium page says lithium may require lab blood work to monitor and reach therapeutic levels.	Bills insurance in network	Out of pocket, a psychiatry first appointment is $299 and each follow-up (every three months) is $175.
ThriveworksVisit site Insurance marketplace	Thriveworks offers bipolar disorder therapy and says it tailors therapeutic approaches to the severity of symptoms. CBTDBT	Thriveworks says its psychiatric nurse practitioners offer medication options alongside therapy for bipolar disorder, and its online prescribing pages describe bipolar uses. LithiumMood stabilizers Labs: Thriveworks says its provider monitors the lithium dose with blood tests to keep levels within a safe range.	Bills insurance in network	Self-pay psychiatry costs $300 to $375 for the first session and $210 to $300 for follow-ups, depending on state.
WellniteVisit site Therapy + psychiatry	Its bipolar disorder page lists psychiatric care and individual, couple, family and teen (13 and older) therapy for bipolar disorder.	Its bipolar disorder page lists psychiatric care; no bipolar medicine is named. It does not prescribe controlled substances.	Bills insurance in network	Out-of-pocket initial therapy session is $75 individual or $135 couples (not stated for bipolar specifically).
Klarity HealthVisit site Psychiatry50 states	Klarity Health says its marketplace connects patients with licensed providers who specialize in treating bipolar disorder.	Klarity Health says bipolar disorder medication can be prescribed online or in person through a treatment plan tailored to the patient. Lithium Klarity says online mental health care is not right for people with severe mental illness, suicidal thoughts or in crisis, and that providers are independent so a prescription is not guaranteed.	Depends on the provider	Initial cash-pay visits typically start at $59 to $149, set by each provider; medication costs extra.
SesameVisit site Cash marketplace	Sesame offers same-day video visits with independent providers to discuss bipolar disorder symptoms and treatment, including prescriptions. CBT	Sesame providers can prescribe medication for bipolar disorder when clinically appropriate, but not controlled substances. LithiumMood stabilizersAntipsychotics Prescribing is at each provider's clinical discretion and excludes controlled substances. Labs: Sesame says some mood stabilizers may require lab monitoring, which the provider may order if needed.	Out of network only	Mental Health Rx subscription $79 a month for same-day visits, messaging and refills; visit prices are set by each provider.
AlmaVisit site Insurance marketplace	Alma's directory lets people filter for therapists who treat bipolar disorder; care depends on the clinician chosen. CBTInterpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT)	Not stated	Bills insurance in network	Insured clients pay $28 per session on average, per Alma's prescriber page.
Grow TherapyVisit site Insurance marketplace	Grow Therapy's directory lists therapists who focus on bipolar disorder, and Grow says it gives access to therapists who specialize in addressing it. CBTDBT	Not stated	Bills insurance in network Medicaid: most states, plan by plan	Clients pay $21 per session on average with insurance; each therapist lists their own cost for cash-pay sessions.
OctaveVisit site Insurance marketplace22 states + DC Adults	Octave lists bipolar disorder among the clinical conditions its individual therapists treat, for adults 18 and older. CBTDBTACT	Octave says it focuses on therapy and does not prescribe medication; its providers can collaborate with outside psychiatrists.	Bills insurance in network	Out-of-pocket individual therapy costs $170-250 per session; Octave says most in-network clients pay about $28.
Online-Therapy.comVisit site Subscription therapy	Online-Therapy.com offers a CBT-based therapy program for bipolar disorder that it describes as often used as a supportive approach alongside medical care. CBT	Online-Therapy.com says its therapists cannot prescribe medications and points people to a psychiatrist or primary care provider.	Out of network only	$60/wk ($48/wk for the first month with its 20% discount), billed monthly
ZencareVisit site Therapist directory	Zencare is a directory: its bipolar disorder page says it lists vetted therapists who specialize in bipolar disorder. CBTPsychodynamic	Not stated	Depends on the provider	No self-pay price published
Included Health Employer / EAPEmployer or plan benefit	Its Doctor On Demand practice lists bipolar disorder (mild to moderate) among conditions its clinicians treat; includedhealth.com itself does not name bipolar disorder.	Its psychiatrists manage medication for long-term conditions including bipolar disorder but cannot prescribe controlled substances; no bipolar medicine is named. It lists only mild to moderate bipolar disorder.	Employer or plan benefit only Medicaid: through a sponsoring health plan	No self-pay price published

Read from each service's own pages on Oct 30, 2026. Insurance is read for psychiatric care where a service prescribes, otherwise for therapy. Prices are stated per visit, per month or per plan, as each source states them, and medicine and lab work are usually paid on top.

Check before you pay

5 services say they do not treat bipolar disorder

Each one's own words, from its own pages. Some treat related symptoms or refer you elsewhere; read the line before you sign up.

The medicines

What the FDA has approved for bipolar disorder

The bipolar medicines people ask about most, with what each FDA label approves it for, and the rules around them.

Medicine	Class	FDA label approves it for
Lithium carbonate	Lithium	Bipolar I disorder only, as monotherapy: acute manic and mixed episodes, and maintenance treatment, in patients 7 years and older
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)	Anticonvulsant	Maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder only: to delay mood episodes in patients already treated for an acute episode with standard therapy; not recommended for acute manic or mixed episodes; no age is stated for the bipolar use, and a trial in ages 10 to 17 did not establish safety or efficacy (also epilepsy)
Divalproex sodium (valproate) (Depakote)	Anticonvulsant	Manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder (also epilepsy and migraine prevention); the indication states no age, and a trial in ages 10 to 17 did not establish efficacy for mania
Quetiapine (Seroquel)	Atypical antipsychotic	Bipolar I mania (acute treatment, alone or added to lithium or divalproex; efficacy shown in adults and in a trial in ages 10 to 17), bipolar depression in adults with bipolar I or II (alone), and maintenance of bipolar I added to lithium or divalproex in adults (also schizophrenia); not approved under age 10
Lurasidone (Latuda)	Atypical antipsychotic	Bipolar I depression only: alone in adults and in children and teens 10 to 17, or added to lithium or valproate in adults (also schizophrenia from age 13); not labeled for mania
Cariprazine (Vraylar)	Atypical antipsychotic	Acute manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder in adults and in children and teens 10 and older, and bipolar I depression in adults (also schizophrenia from age 13 and, in adults, an add-on for major depressive disorder)
Lumateperone (Caplyta)	Atypical antipsychotic	Bipolar I or II depression in adults, alone or added to lithium or valproate; safety and effectiveness not established in pediatric patients (also schizophrenia and, in adults, an add-on for major depressive disorder)
Aripiprazole (Abilify)	Atypical antipsychotic	Acute treatment of manic and mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder, alone or added to lithium or valproate, in adults and in children and teens 10 to 17 (also schizophrenia, an add-on for major depressive disorder, autism irritability and Tourette's); the label lists no bipolar depression or maintenance use
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)	Atypical antipsychotic	Bipolar I manic or mixed episodes: acute treatment and maintenance in adults, acute treatment in teens 13 to 17, and added to lithium or valproate in adults (also schizophrenia); bipolar I depression only in combination with fluoxetine (see olanzapine and fluoxetine)
Olanzapine and fluoxetine	Antipsychotic and SSRI	Acute depressive episodes in bipolar I disorder, in adults and in children and teens 10 to 17 (also treatment resistant depression); carries the antidepressant boxed warning
Carbamazepine extended-release (Equetro)	Anticonvulsant	Acute manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder (also trigeminal neuralgia pain and epilepsy); safety and effectiveness not established in pediatric patients
Risperidone (Risperdal)	Atypical antipsychotic	Acute manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder: alone in adults and in children and teens 10 to 17, or added to lithium or valproate in adults (also schizophrenia and autism irritability)
Asenapine (Saphris)	Atypical antipsychotic	Bipolar I disorder: acute manic or mixed episodes alone in adults and in children and teens 10 to 17, added to lithium or valproate in adults, and maintenance alone in adults (also schizophrenia in adults)
Ziprasidone (Geodon)	Atypical antipsychotic	Bipolar I disorder in adults: monotherapy for acute manic or mixed episodes, and added to lithium or valproate for maintenance (also schizophrenia)

Medication, therapy or both

NIMH says mental health professionals treat bipolar disorder with medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of treatments.

The most common medicines

NIMH says the most common types of medication doctors prescribe for bipolar disorder are mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics.

Lithium and suicide risk

NIMH says lithium can also decrease the risk of suicide.

Do not stop on your own

NIMH says to avoid stopping medication without talking to a health care provider first.

Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy

NIMH says interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, which works with a person's biological and social rhythms, can be an effective treatment for bipolar disorder when used with medications.

Family-focused therapy

NIMH says family-focused therapy has been shown to help adolescents and adults when introduced with mood-stabilizing medication after an episode of bipolar depression or mania.

Psychoeducation

The CANMAT and ISBD 2018 guideline calls psychoeducation the only first-line psychosocial intervention for the maintenance phase and says it should be offered to all patients.

First-line for maintenance

The CANMAT and ISBD 2018 guideline says lithium, quetiapine, divalproex, lamotrigine, asenapine and aripiprazole, alone or in combination, should be considered first-line for the maintenance phase.

Lithium toxicity

The lithium label carries a boxed warning: lithium toxicity is closely related to serum lithium concentrations and can occur at doses close to therapeutic ones, so facilities for prompt and accurate serum lithium determinations should be available before treatment starts.

The first blood level

The lithium label says to obtain a serum lithium level after 3 days, drawn 12 hours after the last oral dose, and regularly until the patient is stabilized.

Kidney function

The lithium label says kidney function should be assessed before and during lithium treatment.

Thyroid function

The lithium label says to monitor thyroid function before treatment starts, at three months, and every six to twelve months while treatment continues.

Valproate: liver tests

The Depakote label says serum liver tests should be performed before therapy and at frequent intervals afterward, especially during the first six months.

Quetiapine: blood sugar

The Seroquel label says patients with risk factors for diabetes who start an atypical antipsychotic should have fasting blood glucose testing at the start of treatment and periodically during it.

Not used alone

NIMH says antidepressants are not used alone in bipolar disorder because they can trigger a manic episode or rapid cycling.

Guideline for bipolar I depression

The CANMAT and ISBD 2018 guideline says antidepressant monotherapy should not be used for the treatment of bipolar I depression.

Lamotrigine: serious rash

The Lamictal label carries a boxed warning that it can cause serious rashes requiring hospitalization and discontinuation of treatment.

Valproate: pregnancy

The Depakote boxed warning says valproate should not be used to treat women with bipolar disorder who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant unless other medications have failed or are unacceptable.

Suicidal thoughts warning on Seroquel

The Seroquel label carries a boxed warning that antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents and young adults in short-term studies.

Telepsychiatry for bipolar disorder, reviewed

A 2022 systematic review of telepsychiatry for bipolar disorder reported that reliable diagnoses can be made using remote interviews, satisfaction rates are comparable to in-person services, and patient outcomes can improve using a telepsychiatry intervention.

The evidence is still thin

The same 2022 review concluded that research on telepsychiatry diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder is sparse, with only emerging evidence of its reliability, effectiveness and acceptance.

How you pay

Bipolar treatment with insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or without

The services above that a person can start on their own, by how they can be paid (psychiatric care where they prescribe, therapy otherwise).

Bill insurance in network (26)

Name Medicaid or Medicare (21)

Publish a price without insurance (19)

Free help

Free support groups and lines

Free to anyone. Support and crisis counseling, not ongoing treatment. Each verified on its own official page.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineNationalCrisis line

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Who: Anyone
What it gives: Crisis counseling by call, text or chat (not therapy)
Cost: Free
How to start: Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org

Crisis Text LineNationalCrisis line

Crisis Text Line offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day to anyone facing mental health challenges.

Who: Anyone
What it gives: Text support from trained volunteer crisis counselors (not therapy)
Cost: Free
How to start: Text HOME to 741741

SAMHSA's National HelplineNationalHelpline

SAMHSA's National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service; callers without insurance are referred to state-funded programs, often ones that charge on a sliding fee scale.

Who: Anyone facing a substance use or mental disorder, and their families
What it gives: Treatment referral and information, 24/7, in English and Spanish (not counseling)
Cost: Free
How to start: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357), TTY 1-800-487-4889, or text your ZIP code to 435748

FindTreatment.govNationalHelpline

FindTreatment.gov is SAMHSA's confidential locator of state-licensed treatment for substance use disorders, opioid and alcohol use disorder included; each listing shows the payment and insurance it accepts, Medicaid and free or low-cost care included.

Who: Anyone looking for treatment, with or without insurance
What it gives: A confidential, anonymous locator of state-licensed treatment (not care)
Cost: Free
How to start: Search by location at findtreatment.gov

Check first: Since June 1, 2026 it no longer lists individual buprenorphine prescribers; facilities that offer buprenorphine are still searchable.

NAMI HelpLineNationalHelpline

The NAMI HelpLine is a free, confidential service offering emotional support, information and resources by phone or text on weekdays; it is not a crisis line, and in a crisis NAMI points to 988.

Who: Anyone, for themselves, family or friends
What it gives: Emotional support, mental health information and resources from trained staff (not a crisis line, not therapy)
Cost: Free
How to start: Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text NAMI to 62640, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET

DBSA online support groupsNationalPeer support

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance runs free online support groups for people living with depression or bipolar disorder.

Who: People living with depression or bipolar disorder
What it gives: Free online peer support groups
Cost: Free
How to start: Register for a meeting through DBSA's online support groups page

DBSA chapter support groupsNational network of local chaptersPeer support

DBSA chapters offer peer-run support groups across the nation, in a confidential and supportive setting.

Who: People with mood disorders and their families; the selection of services differs by chapter
What it gives: Peer-run, mostly volunteer-run support groups with facilitated meetings (not group therapy); some chapters add educational sessions or information on local professionals
How to start: On the DBSA Chapters page, choose Find An In-Person Support Group or Join An Online Support Group

NAMI Connection support groupNational (local and virtual groups)Peer support

NAMI Connection is a free, peer-led support group for any adult who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.

Who: Any adult (18+) who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition
What it gives: A structured, confidential, peer-led recovery support group led by trained leaders with lived experience; about 90 minutes, weekly, every other week or monthly depending on location
Cost: Free of cost to participants
How to start: On the NAMI Connection page, select your state to find the nearest group; many groups are virtual and open to everyone across the country

Questions

Online bipolar treatment, answered

Can you get treatment for bipolar disorder online?: Yes, at some services. 31 services here say on their own pages that they treat bipolar disorder, and 26 prescribe medication for it: Affect, Amwell, Anywhere Clinic, Array Behavioral Care, BetterHelp, Brightside Health, Cerebral, Charlie Health, Doctor On Demand, Eleanor Health, Headway, LifeStance Health, MDLIVE, Meru Health, Mindful Care, PlushCare, Rula, SonderMind, Spring Health, Talkiatry, Talkspace, Thriveworks, Wellnite, Klarity Health, Sesame and Included Health. 5 say they do not treat it: Circle Medical, Hims & Hers, Joyous, Lemonaid Health and Mindbloom. NIMH says mental health professionals treat bipolar disorder with medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of treatments.
Does BetterHelp treat bipolar disorder?: BetterHelp says it can match members with a licensed therapist who has experience helping people who live with bipolar disorder.
Does Talkspace treat bipolar disorder?: Talkspace offers online therapy and psychiatry for bipolar disorder, including therapy for teens.
Does Cerebral treat bipolar disorder?: Cerebral offers medication and therapy for bipolar disorder, and its list of conditions marks bipolar disorder as treated in certain states.
Can you get lithium prescribed online?: 11 services here name lithium on their own pages: Affect, Cerebral, Eleanor Health, LifeStance Health, PlushCare, SonderMind, Talkiatry, Talkspace, Thriveworks, Klarity Health and Sesame. Lithium is not a controlled substance, but it needs regular blood tests. The lithium label carries a boxed warning: lithium toxicity is closely related to serum lithium concentrations and can occur at doses close to therapeutic ones, so facilities for prompt and accurate serum lithium determinations should be available before treatment starts. 12 services here say how they handle lab work.
Which online bipolar treatment takes insurance?: 26 of the services that treat bipolar disorder bill insurance in network (for psychiatric care where they prescribe): Affect, Amwell, Anywhere Clinic, Array Behavioral Care, BetterHelp, Brightside Health, Cerebral, Charlie Health, Doctor On Demand, Eleanor Health, Headway, LifeStance Health, MDLIVE, Meru Health, Mindful Care, PlushCare, Rula, SonderMind, Spring Health, Talkiatry, Talkspace, Thriveworks, Wellnite, Alma, Grow Therapy and Octave. 12 name Medicaid: Affect, Anywhere Clinic, Array Behavioral Care, Brightside Health, Charlie Health, Doctor On Demand, Eleanor Health, Headway, LifeStance Health, MDLIVE, Mindful Care and Grow Therapy. 20 name Medicare: Affect, Anywhere Clinic, Array Behavioral Care, BetterHelp, Brightside Health, Cerebral, Doctor On Demand, Eleanor Health, Headway, LifeStance Health, MDLIVE, Mindful Care, PlushCare, Rula, SonderMind, Talkiatry, Talkspace, Thriveworks, Alma and Grow Therapy. What you pay depends on your plan.
Can antidepressants alone treat bipolar depression?: NIMH says antidepressants are not used alone in bipolar disorder because they can trigger a manic episode or rapid cycling. The CANMAT and ISBD 2018 guideline says antidepressant monotherapy should not be used for the treatment of bipolar I depression.
Does online treatment work for bipolar disorder?: A 2022 systematic review of telepsychiatry for bipolar disorder reported that reliable diagnoses can be made using remote interviews, satisfaction rates are comparable to in-person services, and patient outcomes can improve using a telepsychiatry intervention. The same 2022 review concluded that research on telepsychiatry diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder is sparse, with only emerging evidence of its reliability, effectiveness and acceptance.

OnlineTherapy.me is an informational data platform, not a medical provider, pharmacy or insurer. What each service offers is its own statement on the dates shown and can change. Only a qualified clinician can diagnose bipolar disorder or decide whether a medication is appropriate; never stop or change a medication without your prescriber. If someone is in danger or thinking about suicide, call or text 988, or call 911.

Keep going

Compare deeper

Online psychiatryEvery service that offers medication management, by what it prescribes, with insurance and prices.Online DBT therapyWhich services give a DBT program or skills group, and which only say their therapists use DBT.Insurance plansWhich online services take Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross, Medicare, Medicaid and more.