7 Reasons to Use Rula for Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people look for therapy, and one of the most treatable. Talking therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are well established for anxiety disorders, and medication helps some people. The hard part is often access: finding a clinician who is in network, has an opening and feels like a good fit. This article sets out seven reasons people with anxiety consider Rula, along with the limits you should know about. Only a qualified healthcare professional can diagnose anxiety or recommend treatment; this is general information.

If you are in crisis or worried about your safety, see Get Help Now. In the US you can call or text 988 at any time.

1. It is built around insurance

Cost stops many people with anxiety from starting therapy. Rula is in network with more than 100 commercial plans, including Aetna, Anthem, most Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, Cigna, Optum, Oscar and UnitedHealthcare, and it also accepts some Medicare, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care plans depending on the state. The company says insured patients pay about $15 a session on average and gives a cost estimate before your first appointment. That figure depends on your benefits and deductible, so treat it as a guide and confirm your own plan.

2. You choose your own provider

Anxiety therapy works best when you feel comfortable with the person, since you may talk about worries you rarely share. Instead of being assigned a therapist, you browse in-network profiles and pick one. Look for experience with anxiety, panic, social anxiety or OCD if those apply, and for an approach such as CBT or exposure-based work. Our guide to how to find the right therapist has questions to ask in a first session.

3. Live video sessions follow the traditional format

Rula sessions are scheduled live video, typically 60 minutes. For many people with common concerns such as anxiety, studies suggest therapist-delivered video therapy can work about as well as in-person sessions. Anxiety treatment often involves gradual practice and skills such as challenging unhelpful thoughts, so a regular, live relationship with one clinician may suit you better than messaging alone. See our overview of online therapy.

4. Appointments can be quick to arrange

Waiting weeks for a first appointment is hard when anxiety is affecting sleep, work or relationships. Rula says you can often meet a provider as soon as the next day, though availability depends on your state, your insurance and the clinician. If your first-choice therapist is full, check profiles with earlier openings.

5. Therapy and psychiatry sit on one platform

Many people with anxiety do well with therapy alone. Others, with their clinician, also consider medication. Rula offers psychiatry for ages 13 and up, so if a therapist or you feel a prescriber would help, you can stay on the same platform. Rula must follow state rules on controlled substances, so some medications, such as benzodiazepines, may not be available in your state. Read about anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants to prepare questions for a prescriber.

6. It covers different ages and situations

Anxiety often runs alongside other concerns, such as depression, stress, relationship strain or trauma, and it affects children and teens too. Rula offers therapy from age 5, plus couples and family sessions, so a household can use one service. Its provider list includes licensed professionals such as LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs and psychiatric nurse practitioners.

7. There is no membership fee, and you can switch

Rula does not charge a monthly subscription. Self-pay therapy is $150 per individual session, and HSA and FSA funds can be used. If your therapist isn’t the right fit, Rula says it can help you switch, which is common and nothing to feel guilty about. Give a new therapist a few sessions before deciding.

What to know before you book

Rula is not the best choice for everyone with anxiety.

• Self-pay cost: $150 a session is higher than many subscription services, so Rula is strongest if your plan is in network.
• Coverage varies: insurance acceptance changes by state, plan and clinician.
• Customer service: independent reviewers report some service problems and occasional therapist no-shows.
• Not for crises: if you have severe symptoms, panic that you cannot manage or thoughts of self-harm, seek urgent or in-person care.
• Format: if you prefer messaging a therapist anytime, a service such as Talkspace or BetterHelp may fit better.

Compare your options

See our Rula review for prices and coverage, our full guide to online anxiety treatment, or our paid-comparison page for the best online anxiety treatment. For therapy only, see the best online therapy services; for a prescriber, see online psychiatry. Our Talkspace vs. BetterHelp comparison is a useful next read.

The bottom line

Rula is worth a look if you have anxiety, commercial insurance it accepts, and want live video therapy with a clinician you choose, with psychiatry available if needed. Check your coverage first, confirm current prices on Rula’s site, and consider alternatives if you are paying out of pocket. Some links on this page are affiliate links and may earn us a commission, which never affects our conclusions. See our affiliate disclosure.