While the COVID-19 pandemic brought everything online, we are slowly returning to in-person life. Grow Therapy combines the two for ease of use. See if it’s right for you.
Since 2020, the need for — and use of — online therapy services has significantly increased. While telehealth usage in all areas of medicine has declined since the initial peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual healthcare is still more popular today than it was in pre-COVID times.
The ease and accessibility of telemedicine, particularly mental health services, has made online therapy the go-to for people with busy schedules or who simply prefer taking these appointments from the comfort of their own homes.
A number of online therapy platforms have emerged or gained popularity over the last few years, each with its own unique offerings.
What sets Grow Therapy apart from the rest is that it offers both in-person care and virtual mental health services, allowing users to search for professionals in both areas.
Below, we detail the unique aspects of this telehealth company and some of its limitations compared with others available.
About Grow Therapy
Grow Therapy provides comprehensive mental health services through its platform. It’s equipped with a user-friendly interface that enables people to search for a therapist who fits their needs based on factors like location, insurance, and expertise.
Founded in 2020 by three friends, Jake Cooper, Manoj Kanagaraj, and Alan Ni, Grow Therapy’s intent is to make mental health care more affordable and accessible to all.
What really sets Grow Therapy apart from other telehealth services is the ability to seek in-person therapy as well.
It also accepts many forms of insurance and handles that aspect of care, which can be confusing and time consuming for people to navigate on their own.
Pros and cons of Grow Therapy
Highlights
- many types of insurance accepted
- offers therapists who can provide support for over 30 mental health conditions
- very detailed search feature for finding a therapist or for medication management
- can choose your own therapist rather than being matched by the site
- options for in-person and virtual therapy as well as medication management
- family and couples therapy options available
What we don’t like
- not available in all 50 states
- some states have fewer therapist selections
- no app
- website has less information on services and frequently asked questions than competitors
How Grow Therapy works
To get started with Grow Therapy, you first select between in-person or online therapy. Then, you enter your state and insurance provider. You can also personalize your search by selecting an area of concern, like anxiety, self-esteem, or women’s issues.
After this initial search, you can narrow it further with filters like your age range, your therapist’s gender identity (nonbinary, fluid, and transgender are all options), whether you’re interested in talk therapy or medication management, and more.
If you click “View Profile” on a professional, you can read more detailed information to see whether they’d be a good fit for you.
Selecting a therapist is likely the most time consuming part of the process when getting started with Grow Therapy, especially if you live in a state with many professionals to choose from.
Once you choose a professional, you can book your first session. You then enter the “Grow” portal, in which you can manage appointments, insurance, and billing. You can also message your therapist in between sessions, share files, and reschedule appointments on Grow Therapy’s website. You need to complete an intake form as well as depression and anxiety assessments.
If you’re meeting with a professional online, these appointments happen via Zoom or Doxy. You’ll receive links to these sessions through email and text messages both the day before and the day of your appointments.
Grow Therapy also doesn’t have an app at this time.
Talk therapy sessions are 60 minutes. Medication management appointments are 30 minutes.
Grow Therapy has quickly expanded its coverage and services. When it launched in 2020, it served just five states. Now, it serves 47 states and Washington, D.C., with plans for further expansion with its latest round of funding.
Therapist qualifications
Professionals can apply to join Grow Therapy’s network. Grow Therapy doesn’t provide concrete details about which therapists it allows onto its platform, however.
The company does say it maintains a thorough interview and vetting process for choosing its professionals, which is now nearly 8,700 mental health professionals. When you search for therapists, you can view each individual’s qualifications and degrees.
Types of services available from Grow Therapy
Online and in-person therapy
Grow Therapy’s network of professionals offers both online and in-person therapy services. When you do your initial therapist search, you can toggle from “virtual care” to “in person care” at the top.
Medication management
Some of Grow Therapy’s professionals offer medication management. Once you do your initial search on the home page, you can select “medication management” from the dropdown menu on the top that’s labeled “talk therapy.”
Psychiatry vs. medication management: What’s the difference?
Outpatient psychiatric care is often referred to as “medication management,” which typically consists of short 15- to 30-minute visits by psychiatric care professionals to discuss how you’re tolerating a medication.
Psychiatry usually refers to more in-depth, holistic mental health care. A doctor may work with a patient to provide therapy, medication, and other medical interventions, working as a team with other practitioners.
Cost of Grow Therapy services
If you have insurance, you can expect to pay an average copay of $24 per session. Without insurance, out-of-pocket costs vary depending on your professional and the state you live in, ranging from $100–$150 per session.
Insurance options for Grow Therapy
Grow Therapy accepts many major insurance plans, such as:
- Aetna
- Anthem
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Humana
- UnitedHealth
Coverage varies depending on your state.
Who is Grow Therapy best for?
Compared with other telehealth platforms, Grow Therapy stands out because it offers the option of both in-person and online therapy. You not only get to choose your therapist but can also see which therapist has flexible meeting formats.
This is ideal for people who may want to start therapy by seeing a professional virtually and then moving to in-person sessions (or having a combination of the two).
If you are seeking psychiatrist care or medication management, Grow Therapy is not as user-friendly for finding these services as other platforms are.
Online therapy vs. in-person therapy
Both online therapy and in-person therapy offer different advantages. Choosing the right one for you depends mostly on your preferences, circumstances, and therapeutic goals.
Online therapy can be particularly beneficial for people with busy schedules or irregular working hours. It can offer greater flexibility in scheduling appointments.
Since you can have sessions from home (or anywhere with an internet connection), virtual therapy reduces barriers to seeking help. Online platforms can encourage people who might feel stigmatized or embarrassed to seek traditional therapy.
In-person therapy, however, can allow you to build a more tangible connection with your therapist. For some people, this physical presence can help them open up more and express themselves more freely.
In-person interaction allows therapists to pick up on nonverbal cues, such as body language, which can provide deeper insights into their clients.
Whichever one you choose, both approaches have their own pros and cons and can each be effective tools for promoting mental health and well-being.
Grow Therapy vs. competitors
| Price | Insurance accepted? | Platform therapy availability | Services available | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grow Therapy | • $24 or less average copay • $100–$150 per session without insurance | yes | people interested in virtual and in-person therapy | • talk therapy • medication management | people interested in virtual and in-person therapy |
| BetterHelp | $65–$100 per week | no | • audio • chat • messaging • video | talk therapy | people looking for an affordable way to access 24/7 mental health care |
| Brightside Health | $95–$349 per month for membership | yes | • live video • messaging | • talk therapy • medication management | people living with depression |
| Talkspace | • $69–$129 per week for therapy • $249 for initial psychiatry, with $125 for follow-up sessions | yes | • audio • chat • messaging | talk therapy | people looking for 24/7 counseling that may be covered by insurance |
| Doctor on Demand | $79–$299 per session | yes | video | • talk therapy • medication management | people interested in single sessions, not signing up for a plan |
Reviews and reputation of Grow Therapy
Reviews for Grow Therapy are mostly positive, but not outstanding. The company has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since December 2020 and currently has a B rating. As of publishing, customer reviews through BBB are 1.56 out of 5 stars, with 66 complaints.
These complaints are mostly about billing issues (being overcharged or charged multiple times), poor customer service communication, and insurance-related issues. Most of these complaints were resolved.
Customers appreciate the quality of the professionals, the ease of using the platform, and the fact that Grow Therapy works with insurance companies to make mental health services affordable.
Privacy and security of Grow Therapy
Privacy and security are priorities for Grow Therapy, both for patients and professionals. The company uses encryption and other security methods to protect personal information and messages sent through its online portal against data breaches.
It safeguards protected health information as defined under federal law to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Frequently asked questions about Grow Therapy
Yes, Grow Therapy accepts many types of insurance plans.
Grow Therapy offers online and in-person therapy and medication management.
Grow Therapy offers medication management services but not exactly psychiatry services. Professionals in certain states can prescribe medication virtually via Grow Therapy.
Grow Therapy is free for practitioners to join. It accepts insurance payments from clients, so the company makes money through the insurance providers it works with.
Takeaway
Grow Therapy is an online platform for finding a therapist. Its virtual and in-person offerings provide flexible care options. If you’re new to therapy, this service is both affordable (with insurance) and accessible, which are the most common barriers people face when it comes to getting mental health care.
