- The Handbook Team has spent over 10,000 hours researching over 70 online therapy platforms. Our testers sign up for the 20 most popular platforms to bring you our top picks.
- We surveyed over 2,000 online therapy users, hold focus group interviews with both users and therapists, and consult over 60 mental health experts.
- Our testers use the Zocdoc platform for at least four weeks, recording their experience with the sign-up process, therapist selection, therapy session quality, and customer service interactions.
- Our pages are updated regularly to reflect our ongoing testing of new online therapy platforms and to update pricing and service information.
- Learn more about how we test Zocdoc.
Key takeaways
- We recommend Zocdoc because the platform makes it easy to find a provider who fits your needs, whether you’re seeking a particular kind of therapy, an in-network provider, or someone who matches your identity.
- The amount Zocdoc providers charge per session varies widely. Many Zocdoc providers accept insurance.
- Zocdoc allows users to apply more than a dozen filters when searching for a mental health care provider, including their language spoken, ethnicity, faith, and gender identity.
Zocdoc is a telehealth platform offering various online services, including dermatology, primary care, urgent care, and mental health care. This platform also offers online therapy and online psychiatry, often with low wait times and the ability to choose your provider from a filterable list of detailed profiles.
In this review, we share insights from testers and survey respondents using Zocdoc for online therapy and online psychiatry. We also highlight the important things you need to know about this platform, like how to find a provider who fits your needs and how to pay.
Zocdoc highlights
What is Zocdoc?
Zocdoc is a telehealth platform offering a wide range of services, from dermatology to dentistry. Many people use Zocdoc for online consultations with medical specialists, though some Zocdoc providers also offer in-person appointments. With some specialties, like dentistry and acupuncture, in-person visits are the only option.
The platform’s mental health care options include individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and psychiatry. Within those categories, Zocdoc offers several subcategories. For example, when you type “therapy” in the search bar, results include general options like “therapist/counselor” or more specific options like emotional regulation therapy (EMT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Unlike BetterHelp and other popular online therapy platforms, Zocdoc does not offer text-based therapy or provide an app with bonus features (like digital journals or progress trackers). Instead, Zocdoc connects you directly to a provider you choose through its extensive directory. So, the therapist or psychiatrist you choose may offer additional tools—like worksheets, journals, or text-based sessions—that the Zocdoc platform doesn’t offer.
According to the American Psychological Association, a good relationship between therapist and patient is as important to positive therapy outcomes as choosing the proper treatment method. Finding a therapist based on your needs and preferences may help establish a stronger connection with your therapist from the start. In our review of the best online therapy platforms, we chose Zocdoc as the best platform for choosing your own provider. We like that Zocdoc users can search for therapists or psychiatrists in their area (and who take their insurance) using the platform’s advanced set of filters, including the area of specialty, language spoken, faith, and gender identity of the clinician.
The provider profiles on Zocdoc are among the most detailed of any platform we’ve researched, with information on each provider’s availability, typical wait times, treatment approach, and fees or insurance accepted. You can also read reviews of the provider written by their patients.
How does Zocdoc work?
The Zocdoc platform offers access to an extensive network of health care providers, including licensed therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other providers offering mental health care. Before creating an account, you can search the platform for providers in your area who meet your needs and, if applicable, take your insurance. Some online therapy platforms offer monthly subscriptions for people paying out of pocket. For example, Brightside’s therapy plan includes four video sessions per month and a variety of bonus features for $299, billed monthly. On Zocdoc, you pay per session and aren’t locked into a monthly plan.
We recommend this platform for people seeking telepsychiatry or online therapy that takes insurance. With Zocdoc, you don’t need to wait to be matched with a therapist. Every therapist has their availability listed, and you can skim through providers with same-day or next-day availability.
From one of our Zocdoc testers
“This site is great if you want a lot of control over who your therapist is because you can filter by the type of therapy they do, their gender and sexuality, their religion, languages they speak, and more. There are so many filters!”
How to sign up for Zocdoc online therapy
To get started with online therapy on Zocdoc, you fill in three fields in the website’s main page information bar. First, enter the type of care you need (for example, “online therapy”) or the type of doctor you’re seeking (for example, “psychiatrist”). Then, enter your location and how you’ll pay—either by entering your insurance plan information or selecting “I’m paying for myself”).
Before you’re directed to a list of providers, you’ll answer a few questions about who you’re seeking therapy for (yourself or someone else) and your main concerns in seeking care. Then, you’ll get a list of all the providers in your area who could meet your needs. You can use Zocdoc’s advanced filters to narrow results, and then read profiles for each provider.
Once you find a provider you like, select an appointment time, enter your insurance information (or indicate you’re paying out-of-pocket), and click “Book Appointment.” The provider (or the provider’s office) will receive your request to book and contact you directly. It may take a day or two for the provider’s office to confirm your appointment, so same-day appointments may not always be available.
Though Zocdoc connects you to a provider and sends a request to book your initial appointment, payment and therapy sessions take place through the provider’s platform. One of our tester’s therapists requests payment through Venmo and conducts sessions via FaceTime. Another tester found a Zocdoc psychiatrist who takes their insurance and meets through Headway, a third-party app used to conduct video sessions and accept payment. Zocdoc users will have to decide whether they feel secure using whichever third-party platforms each provider chooses for live video and payment acceptance.
You can see all of your past visits on your patient page (to access, click “My Zocdoc” beneath your name at the top right of the website), but you don’t need to return to Zocdoc for every session, as those will be conducted directly through the provider.
From one of our Zocdoc testers
“Once you’re working with a doctor you’ve connected with on Zocdoc, it feels like there really isn’t anything else to do on the platform. My therapist and I choose dates for our next sessions, and we just put them on our calendars. I didn’t have to hop back into the [Zocdoc] platform at all.”
How to match with an online therapist
Zocdoc’s standout feature is the ability to choose your therapist rather than be matched with one. Therapist availability will vary according to location and payment method (we found over 300 mental health providers in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, more than 1,000 in New York City, and just eight in Lincoln, Nebraska), but providers are available in every state.
We like that Zocdoc users can narrow their results using advanced filters, allowing you to search for providers in your area according to availability, specialty, and identity. You can also use these filters to find in-person appointments nearby (though every provider does not guarantee in-person appointments). Once you’ve narrowed down your list of providers, you can read the profile for each provider and see their availability. If you don’t like the first therapist you choose, you can simply start over and select another.
From one of our Zocdoc testers
“I searched by insurance and location and was able to see lots of people that I could book. I liked that I could see their ratings and reviews.”
Live video sessions
While booking in-person appointments on Zocdoc is possible, video sessions are the most commonly offered methods of mental health appointment. Online therapy and psychiatry sessions booked on Zocdoc are conducted through the provider’s chosen platform. You may have to create an account on Zocdoc and another platform, like Headway or Simple Practice.
Though it varies by provider, our research shows most live video sessions Zocdoc therapists offer are about 60 minutes long. Some therapists have a longer intake session followed by shorter subsequent sessions (for example, one therapist offers 60 minutes for the first session and then 50 minutes for subsequent sessions). If you’re using Zocdoc to see a psychiatrist for medication prescriptions and management, your initial video session may be quite lengthy, as your psychiatrist will likely take a medical history and ask several questions to determine the best course of treatment. Subsequent sessions may be shorter. Our tester’s third and fourth sessions with their psychiatrist were about 15 minutes long, which they felt was adequate to check in and discuss medication concerns.
From one of our Zocdoc testers
“I feel like [my therapist] was thoughtful and even had some really impactful things to say in just our first session. Overall, I’m really happy with how that went and am glad I could find someone I liked.”
Additional features
As noted, Zocdoc’s main value is its ability to connect you to a therapist or psychiatrist who meets your specific needs. The Zocdoc platform does not provide additional features like an app, messaging with your provider, or group sessions and webinars. This doesn’t mean your provider won’t use or suggest additional tools, like journaling or progress tracking. For example, one of our tester’s therapists offered mindfulness exercises.
It’s also possible to use Zocdoc for medical needs not related to mental health. If you’re already using Zocdoc for therapy, it’s easy to find and book with other types of providers. One of our testers who connected with a psychiatrist through Zocdoc also used the platform to find in-network dentists with appointment availability.
What other users are saying
In our June 2024 survey of 600 online therapy users, more than half of the Zocdoc respondents chose the platform because they could pay with insurance. Sixty-three percent of Zocdoc users report that the platform offers a wide variety of therapists who specialize in their mental health needs, and 48 percent of users share that their Zocdoc therapist uses mindfulness-based
How much does Zocdoc cost?
Many online therapy platforms—like BetterHelp, Brightside, and Talkspace—offer monthly subscriptions. Zocdoc has a pay-per-session model instead, and prices vary according to your provider. Here are the key things to know about pricing on Zocdoc:
- Prices are set by the provider, so per-session fees will vary according to the provider you choose.
- In general, psychiatrists have higher out-of-pocket per-session fees than therapists. Insurance copays for specialists, like a psychiatrist, may also be higher than for a therapy session with a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
- Many mental health providers on Zocdoc accept insurance.
- Payment methods vary by provider, as billing is handled by the provider or the provider’s office, not by Zocdoc.
Is Zocdoc covered by insurance?
According to its website, Zocdoc providers, combined, accept over 1,000 different insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare. Zocdoc users can search for an in-network provider by entering their insurance information on the main page.
How to save money on Zocdoc
If you’re paying with insurance, use the platform to search for an in-network provider. Then, you will typically only be responsible for your mental health copay. Our research shows that insurance copays for mental health care range from $0–$50 per session, though fees will vary by insurance plan. You can contact your insurance provider directory to find out how much you’ll have to pay out of pocket for an in-network provider.
If you’re paying out of pocket, ask your provider about sliding-scale fees. One of our tester’s therapists adjusted the fee based on their income, and our tester appreciated the cost transparency and flexibility.
Read our review of the most affordable online therapy to discover more about low-cost platforms.
Our experience with Zocdoc customer service
One tester shares that the chat option was likely a bot because it didn’t understand their question and kept giving unrelated canned responses. However, our testers report mostly positive experiences with Zocdoc’s actual customer support team.
The Zocdoc website lists chat and email as the primary ways to contact customer service, but our testers report that calling its toll-free number (found by googling “Zocdoc customer service”) is the most effective way to get a quick response. One tester called customer service for help accessing their account and was able to resolve the issue quickly, describing the customer service representative as “super friendly and very helpful.” Another tester had a billing issue with a provider and called Zocdoc’s customer support for help. Zocdoc contacted the provider directly to resolve the issue, all within 24 hours.
To contact Zocdoc customer service by phone, call this number: 855-962-3621.
Our Zocdoc testing experience
The Handbook Team has spent over 10,000 hours researching more than 70 online therapy platforms. We identified the top 20 platforms and personally tested each one. We also regularly facilitate focus groups and run surveys to understand the online therapy experience firsthand. To date, we have surveyed more than 2,000 online therapy users.
To test Zocdoc, we evaluate a variety of factors to help readers understand where this brand shines and where it falls short, including:
- User experience: Our testers explore every corner of the Zocdoc website and take notes on functionality and usability. In particular, we research how easy or difficult it is to find and book with a therapist. Because Zocdoc billing and video sessions are conducted through the provider, we also ask Zocdoc testers to take detailed notes on that part of their online therapy experience.
- Diversity of therapists: We conduct provider searches in multiple geographic areas to explore the number and type of therapists and psychiatrists available. Our testers select a provider by using the platform’s search filters and reading provider profiles.
- Quality of therapists: Each tester meets with a therapist or psychiatrist four times over the course of a month, evaluating their provider for performance, cultural sensitivity, and overall approach.
- Affordability: We ask testers to test the platform’s affordability by exploring options for self-pay, insurance payment, and sliding scale fees.
- Customer service: Each Zocdoc tester contacts customer service and takes notes on how their concerns are addressed.
To learn more about how we test and score online mental health platforms, read our methodology.
Search for a therapist by location and payment information.
Answer intake questions.
Read provider reviews and use search filters.
Select and book with a therapist or psychiatrist.
Attend four sessions in one month.
Go through the provider’s billing process.
For psychiatry, test the medication management process.
Contact customer support with questions.
Compare Zocdoc to other online therapy platforms
Zocdoc is a provider directory that is searchable by condition, provider name, location, payment method (self-pay or type of insurance), and more. Once you select a provider you like on Zocdoc, all visits and billing will be handled through the provider or the provider’s office. This sets Zocdoc apart from subscription-based online therapy platforms like Brightside and Talkspace, which handle billing and host communication with your therapist. Zocdoc stands out for its wide range of providers and accepted insurance plans, all of which are easily searchable using its advanced filters.
| Monthly cost | Varies by provider | $299–$349 out-of-pocket (or the cost of your copay per session) | $276–$436 (or the cost of your copay per session) | Varies by insurance provider |
| Insurance accepted? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Services | Individual therapy for adults and children; Couples therapy; Psychiatry | Individual therapy for adults; Psychiatry | Individual therapy for teens and adults; Couples therapy; Psychiatry | Psychiatry and medication management |
| Standout feature | Choose your provider | Interactive app with bonus features | Text therapy plan | Medication management |
Our final verdict
Zocdoc is a telehealth directory that connects users to various providers, including primary care physicians, therapists, and psychiatrists. Users can access mental health care online (and sometimes in person) in all 50 states. Many Zocdoc providers accept insurance.
Due to its advanced filters and detailed provider profiles, Zocdoc is our top choice for choosing your own provider. We were impressed with the diversity of providers, and our testers had positive experiences with their providers and customer service.
Frequently asked questions
Zocdoc is a directory of providers that can be searched by location, type of therapy, payment type (self-pay or insurance plan), and several other filters. Once you choose a Zocdoc provider, therapy sessions and payment will occur through the provider or the provider’s office.
Yes, Zocdoc is a legitimate platform for finding a qualified medical or mental health provider. While the quality and experience of providers will vary, Zocdoc verifies that all providers on its platform are licensed and in good standing to practice.
You can use Zocdoc to find many health care providers, including dentists, dermatologists, therapists, and psychiatrists. Mental health care providers on Zocdoc can treat a variety of conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and stress.
It is free to use Zocdoc to find and book appointments with providers. There are no sign-up or cancellation fees charged by the Zocdoc platform, although providers may impose their own cancellation fees.
- DeAngelis, T. (n.d.). Better relationships with patients lead to better outcomes. American Psychological Association. Link