Lavender

What Lavender is

Lavender is an online psychiatry and therapy practice that provides both talk therapy and medication management through board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioners (PNPs). It is positioned as a hybrid mental health service combining therapy and psychiatric care in one practitioner relationship, accessible via secure video from home. The practice is in-network with most major insurance plans, accepting Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Healthcare, Medicare, Oscar Health, Oxford Health Plans, and UnitedHealthcare. Lavender operates as a commercial telehealth service, though it emphasizes a human-centered, judgment-free approach to care.

How care works and what you get

A first appointment begins with a short intake form where a person shares details about what they want to discuss. From there, Lavender matches the person with a psychiatric nurse practitioner who specializes in their area of concern and accepts their insurance plan. Sessions happen via secure video call at a time convenient to the client. The practice emphasizes that clients attend sessions from anywhere convenient and at a time that works for them. According to Lavender's data from their 2025 annual client survey, 91 percent of clients are happy with their overall experience, 95 percent felt their feelings were heard and understood, and 94 percent felt they had a good understanding of their treatment plan. On average, clients can attend their first session in 1.4 days. The practice describes itself as offering both talk therapy and medication management with one practitioner, eliminating the need to coordinate between a separate therapist and psychiatrist. The care model includes a care concierge team that supports continuity. Clients report being able to switch providers if needed, based on client testimonials mentioning long-term relationships with specific practitioners. The site notes that if a client is not satisfied with their care, Lavender will collaborate to find a solution within one business day.

The practice's main specialties listed on the site are anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, trauma, insomnia, OCD, and life transitions. The site states that 86 percent of clients felt their mental health improved since starting care with Lavender, based on their 2025 annual client survey. Client stories shared on the site reflect experiences with specific practitioners, therapists named Saketa, Saluna, Olivia, Tim, Tamisha, and Grace. One client testimonial mentions being seen for medication management, while others reference both therapeutic support and clear communication about treatment plans. The site emphasizes that practitioners are knowledgeable and non-judgmental. Each state page (the site's "States We Serve" list names Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington DC, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, 40 states plus DC, not full nationwide coverage) allows clients to find an in-network provider and learn about their insurance coverage.

Pricing and insurance coverage

Lavender accepts insurance as its primary payment method and offers private pay as an option. For insurance-covered sessions, the company states it is in-network with most major insurance plans including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Healthcare, Medicare, Oscar Health, Oxford Health Plans, and UnitedHealthcare. For people using specific plans like GEHA, UMR, Anthem, Cigna, and Optum, the site provides dedicated pages noting that Lavender is in-network with these plans and that most UpLift therapy sessions are $20 or less, with costs depending on the client's specific plan details. The site emphasizes that clients should check what their own insurance covers. What clients' insurance covers depends on their specific plan. The site does not publish a standard session price for uninsured or private-pay clients beyond the general reference that therapy sessions start at "around $20."

What the site does not specify

Lavender does not publish detailed therapist credentials beyond referring to practitioners as "board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioners." It does not specify which specific psychiatric nurse practitioners are employees versus independent contractors, or which have prescribing authority for controlled substances. It does not state whether psychiatric nurse practitioners can prescribe all medications or whether there are restrictions. The site does not specify whether medication management requires additional visits or whether it is always included in one combined appointment. Lavender does not publish average wait times beyond "within the week" or the claim that clients can "book within the week." It does not list the total number of practitioners available. The site does not specify whether it treats adolescents, has age restrictions for different issues, or whether there are special practices for minors. It does not state the credentials (Master's, PhD, LCSW, LPC) or licensing status of the therapy portion if practitioners are not also licensed therapists. It does not publish response times for the care concierge team beyond the "one business day" commitment for concerns about satisfaction.

Who it fits

Lavender suits people with good employer health insurance or Medicare coverage who want integrated therapy and medication management in one virtual relationship. It works for people who prefer not to coordinate across multiple providers and who value being able to speak with the same person about both therapy and medication. It is appropriate for people who have flexibility for same-day or next-day video appointments and who are comfortable with remote care. It fits people dealing with anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, trauma, insomnia, OCD, or life transitions who want psychiatric expertise accessible from home. It works for people in any of the states Lavender currently serves, though the list stops short of full nationwide coverage.

Lavender is not ideal for people without insurance or with very limited coverage, since no pricing is published for uninsured care beyond the vague "around $20" reference, and plan coverage varies widely. It is not a good fit for people who prefer or need in-person psychiatric care. It may not be suitable for people in crisis seeking same-hour support, as the fastest documented turnaround is "within the week." It is not clear whether adolescents are treated or whether there are age-specific restrictions. It is not positioned as a crisis or emergency service, and the site directs people in mental health emergencies to call 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Helpline at 988.