Find top-rated online psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners in California today

No, Sesame healthcare providers are unable to prescribe controlled substances through telehealth. This includes medications such as:

• ADHD stimulants (e.g., Adderall, Vyvanse)
• Benzodiazepines (e.g., Ativan, Klonopin, Valium, Xanax)
• Opioid medications

Providers may prescribe medications based on your symptoms and clinical needs during your online psychiatric visit. These may include:

• Anti-anxiety treatments (e.g., buspirone, hydroxyzine, propranolol)
• Antipsychotic medications (e.g., risperidone, aripiprazole)
• Antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine, bupropion)
• Mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium, lamotrigine) Please note that mental health care providers on Sesame do not prescribe controlled substances, including stimulants. The decision to prescribe medication is at your provider’s clinical discretion.

It depends on the states where your provider is licensed!

If your provider is licensed in both your home state and the state you’re visiting, you can still book and attend online sessions with them.

If your provider is not licensed in the state you're visiting, you'll need to book a session with a different Sesame provider who is licensed in that state.

All visits on Sesame are cash-pay only; we do not accept insurance in order to keep prices low and transparent. However, if you do have health insurance and are prescribed medication during your appointment, your prescription may be covered depending on your plan.

When you pick up your medication at your pharmacy, the pharmacist can check your coverage using the insurance they have on file or the information you provide.

To see if your medication is covered and what your copay will be, you can also check your insurance plan’s drug formulary or contact your insurance provider directly.

Both psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) can diagnose, treat and prescribe medication for mental health conditions, but there are several differences in their training and how they can treat patients:

• Psychiatrists are medical doctors who must complete a bachelor's degree, medical doctorate degree, and residency training requirements. Their license allows them to prescribe medication in any state where they are licensed.
• Psychiatric nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with specialized training in mental health. They must complete a bachelor’s degree, along with a master’s degree in psychiatric nursing, before they can treat patients. While PMHNPs can diagnose and treat mental health conditions, some states require them to work under a doctor's supervision to prescribe certain treatments.

It depends on if you are seeking talk therapy or psychiatric treatment.

If you are seeking talk therapy, you should book an online therapy appointment on Sesame. During these visits, you can discuss your thoughts, feelings or behaviors with a licensed therapist or PMHNP. Medication is not prescribed during online therapy appointments.

If you are seeking psychiatric treatment, you should book an online psychiatry appointment on Sesame. During these visits, a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner can evaluate, diagnose, and/or treat mental health conditions. They can also prescribe or refill medications.

To make a same-day appointment with a psychiatrist, simply browse available psychiatrists on Sesame. You’ll be able to filter providers by appointment time, price, and whether or not you’d like to see a California provider in-person or via telehealth appointment. You’ll also be able to see provider reviews from other patients before you book.

Once you’ve selected a time slot, you’ll book and pay for your appointment upfront, and you’ll receive an email confirmation and a link to join your video call at the scheduled time. And because Sesame doesn’t bill insurance, there’s no need to worry about co-pays, finding in-network providers, or surprise bills – the appointment price you see is the price you pay.