last updated september 29, 2026
both help you find an in-network therapist or prescriber and handle the insurance billing, and both say the average insured session costs about $15–$21. the differences are in the details. Rula publishes one cash price and serves children from age 5. Grow is a marketplace where each therapist sets their own self-pay rate, some offer sliding scale, and in-person visits are a filter rather than a narrow exception. everything below comes from the two companies' own sites, checked on 2026-09-29.
checked on 2026-09-29 against growtherapy.com (home, how it works, and its client help center) and rula.com (home, FAQ and cancellation policy). coverage varies by state and plan, so confirm your own before booking.
| Grow Therapy | Rula | |
|---|---|---|
| average cost with insurance | "Sessions cost $21 on average with insurance"; "some pay as little as $0" | "Rula patients typically pay $15 per session" |
| without insurance | each provider sets a self-pay rate, shown on their profile; "self-pay and sliding scale options" | therapy $150/session; family or couples $165/session; psychiatry $225 intake, $175 follow-up |
| plans accepted | "125+ insurances & Medicaid plans accepted" | 100+ commercial plans, plus Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid "in many states" |
| Medicaid | yes, some plans | yes, in many states |
| platform fees | none stated; no-show and late-cancel fees set by each provider, up to $200 | "Rula does not charge any fees"; no-show or <24h cancel: $99 therapy, $150 psychiatry |
| ages | kids, teens and adults; minors booked by a parent in most states | therapy ages 5+; psychiatry ages 13+ |
| in person vs online | "virtual or in-person"; in-person is a search filter | mostly virtual; in person for Kaiser Southern California and Anthem CA members |
| medication | medication management with psychiatrists and psychiatric NPs; not every prescriber prescribes controlled substances | psychiatry and medication management |
| when you're charged | insurance: 3–4 weeks after the session; self-pay: 2–3 days after the invoice | not stated on the pages we read |
on insurance the two look alike. Grow says sessions average $21 with insurance and that it works with 125+ plans including Medicaid. Rula says patients typically pay $15 a session and that it accepts 100+ commercial plans plus Medicare, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid in many states. Rula names its carriers on its site: Aetna, Anthem, most Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield plans, Cigna, Kaiser (by referral), Optum, Oscar and UnitedHealthcare. both check your benefits before your first visit. one Grow detail: if you're on insurance, you aren't charged until 3–4 weeks after the session, once your insurer responds, so the bill can come later than you expect.
this is where they differ most. Rula posts a single cash rate: $150 for individual therapy, $165 for family or couples, and $225 for a 60-minute psychiatry intake then $175 for 30-minute follow-ups. HSA and FSA are accepted. Grow doesn't have one price. each provider lists their own self-pay rate on their profile, and Grow says it offers "self-pay and sliding scale options." that means you might find someone cheaper than Rula's rate, or more expensive, depending on who you pick. if you see a Grow provider who doesn't take your plan, Grow bills their self-pay rate automatically, and you can ask for a superbill to claim out-of-network reimbursement.
Rula's FAQ says its therapists treat children, teens and adults from age 5, and its psychiatric providers see patients 13 and up. Grow says it has providers for kids, teens and adults. in most states a parent or guardian books for a minor, but where state law lets minors consent to their own care, they can book themselves with age verification. the child has to be present for the intake.
Grow lets you switch a search filter from virtual to in-person and find a therapist near you. Rula's FAQ says most of its appointments are virtual, and in-person therapy is offered to Kaiser Southern California and Anthem CA members. if seeing someone in a room matters to you and you're not in one of those groups, Grow is the more likely route.
both charge for no-shows and late cancellations, with different rules. Rula's policy is a fee for missed appointments or cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice: $99 for therapy, $150 for psychiatry. on Grow, each provider sets their own fee, up to $200. Grow counts a no-show as not joining within 15 minutes of the start time, and a late cancellation as less than 24 hours' notice. neither fee is covered by insurance.
choose Rula if you want a predictable published cash price, you need care for a child between 5 and 12, or you want therapy and psychiatry from one network with fees set by the platform. choose Grow if you want in-person sessions, you want the chance of a sliding-scale rate, or you have Medicaid and Rula doesn't take it in your state. either way, filter by your exact plan before booking.
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With insurance they're close: Rula says patients typically pay $15 a session, and Grow says $21 on average. Without insurance, Rula's therapy cash rate is $150 a session; on Grow each provider sets their own self-pay rate, and some offer sliding scale.
Rula's site says it accepts Medicaid in many states, plus Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Check your state and plan on its site before booking.
Yes, some plans. Grow says it accepts 125+ insurance and Medicaid plans. Coverage depends on your region.
Grow lets you filter for in-person therapists near you. Rula says most appointments are virtual, with in-person therapy for Kaiser Southern California and Anthem CA members.
Rula's therapists see patients from age 5, and its psychiatric providers from 13. Grow has providers for kids and teens. A parent books in most states, and minors can book themselves only where state law allows them to consent.
Rula charges $99 for a missed therapy visit and $150 for psychiatry, including cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice. On Grow, each provider sets their own no-show and late-cancellation fee, up to $200. Insurance doesn't cover either.
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