If you are in crisis right now
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide or self-harm, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, free and confidential, 24 hours a day. For Spanish, call 988 and press 2, or text AYUDA to 988. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
For a lot of Floridians, the hardest part of getting help for anxiety or depression is not the treatment. It is the logistics: taking time off work, finding a ride, sitting in a waiting room, or simply saying out loud that something is wrong. Telehealth removes most of that friction.
This guide explains how telehealth mental health care works in Florida, what it can and cannot replace, what it costs without insurance, and how to book a secure video visit with a DUG provider through our telehealth services.
What telehealth mental health care includes
Telehealth is a broad term. For mental health, it covers several kinds of care that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services groups under behavioral telehealth.
Virtual medication management
A licensed medical provider evaluates your symptoms, prescribes medication when appropriate, and follows up by video. This is what DUG provides.
Virtual talk therapy
Counseling or psychotherapy sessions with a therapist by video or phone. DUG does not provide therapy directly, but can refer you.
Group sessions
Online support or therapy groups led by a clinician, which can ease isolation.
Digital tools
Mood-tracking apps and text-based support that complement, but do not replace, clinical care.
At DUG, telehealth is used for mental health evaluation and medication management. Your provider can assess anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and mood changes, start or adjust medication, and keep an eye on side effects, all through a secure video link.
Why telehealth works well for anxiety and depression
Federal health officials point to several advantages of behavioral telehealth: care from home, less travel and fewer disruptions to work and childcare, more privacy, and better access for people in rural or underserved areas. In Florida, those benefits land hard. A patient in Milton or Tallahassee may be an hour from the nearest provider. A parent in Hialeah may not have anyone to watch the kids.
There is also something specific to anxiety and depression. When leaving the house feels overwhelming, a visit that happens on your couch is the visit that actually happens. Research summarized by the National Institute of Mental Health shows that anxiety disorders are highly treatable, and the biggest barrier is usually getting started.
Key takeaways
- Telehealth visits at DUG use secure video with a licensed Florida provider.
- Medication can be started, reviewed, and adjusted virtually for most patients.
- Self-pay telehealth encounters start at $90, with no insurance required.
- Some situations still need an in-person visit, and your provider will tell you when.
What a DUG telehealth visit is like
Step 1
Book your visit
Schedule online, call (877) 384-6337, or ask our team during any clinic visit. Choose a time when you can be somewhere private.
Step 2
Get ready
You need a phone, tablet, or computer with a camera and a reliable connection. Keep a list of your current medications nearby, including anything over the counter.
Step 3
Meet your provider
Join the secure video link at your appointment time. For a first mental health visit, expect questions about your symptoms, sleep, stress, health history, and what you hope will change.
Step 4
Follow through
If medication is appropriate, your prescription goes to the pharmacy of your choice. Follow-up visits are scheduled to check how you are responding.
Tip for your first visit
Write down three things before you log on: what has been hardest lately, when it started, and what you want to be different in a month. It makes the conversation easier and helps your provider build the right plan.
Is telehealth right for you?
Telehealth suits most people managing anxiety or depression, but it is not the best fit for everyone. Run through this quick checklist before you book.
- You have a private space where you can talk openly for 15 to 30 minutes
- You have a phone, tablet, or computer with a working camera and a stable connection
- Your symptoms are ongoing rather than an emergency
- You want to start, review, or adjust medication, or get an evaluation
- Getting to a clinic is hard because of work, transportation, childcare, or distance
- You would rather discuss something personal from home
If most of these apply, a video visit is a good starting point. If you are in crisis, cannot find a private space, or need labs or a physical exam, an in-person visit at one of our Florida clinics is the better choice, and you can switch to telehealth for follow-ups later.
What telehealth cannot replace
Telehealth covers a lot, but not everything. Being honest about the limits is part of good care. A DUG provider may ask you to come into one of our Florida clinics when a visit involves:
- Blood work, such as thyroid or metabolic labs that can affect mood
- A physical examination to rule out other causes of your symptoms
- A new concern that is difficult to assess safely over video
- Certain medications that Florida law restricts from being prescribed by telehealth
- A crisis situation, where in-person or emergency care is the safe choice
When that happens, we make it simple. Walk-ins are welcome at select locations, and you can find a clinic near you in Miami, Hialeah, Dania Beach, Orlando, Miami Springs, Tallahassee, and Milton. Many patients use a mix: an in-person first visit with labs, then video follow-ups.
Florida telehealth rules, in plain language
Florida passed its telehealth law in 2019 (Section 456.47, Florida Statutes). The Florida Department of Health summarizes what it means for patients:
What it costs without insurance
DUG posts its self-pay pricing openly. A telehealth encounter of 10 to 15 minutes is $90. A longer new patient evaluation is billed at the new patient rate of $200, whether it happens in person or by video. Established patient follow-ups are $150, and shorter check-ins can often be handled at the telehealth rate.
No insurance is required, and all major plans are accepted. Select services may be available at no cost for eligible patients, and assistance programs may reduce pharmacy co-pays and monthly premiums. If cost is the thing holding you back, read our guide to affordable primary care in Florida without insurance, or ask our team before you book.
Telehealth is also for the rest of your health
Anxiety and depression rarely travel alone. Sleep, blood pressure, chronic illness, and sexual health all affect how you feel, and DUG providers look at the whole picture. The same video visit can cover primary care follow-ups, PrEP management, and medication reviews.
If you live in the Orlando area and want to see a provider in person first, our guide to mental health services for the uninsured in Orlando covers local options. And if you are living with HIV, our next post on mental health and HIV explains why treating both together leads to better outcomes.
The best mental health visit is the one that actually happens. If a video call is what makes that possible, that is a good enough reason to choose it.
Frequently asked questions
In most cases, yes. A licensed DUG provider can evaluate you by video and prescribe medication when appropriate. Some controlled medications are restricted from telehealth prescribing under Florida law, and your provider will explain if that applies.
DUG provides telehealth mental health evaluation and medication management by licensed medical providers. We do not provide talk therapy directly, but we can refer you to counseling resources that fit your situation.
No. Self-pay telehealth encounters start at $90, and new patient evaluations are $200. All major insurance plans are also accepted.
Yes. Florida telehealth rules require that you are physically in Florida when you see a Florida-licensed provider by video.
Yes. DUG uses a secure video platform, and your visit is documented in your confidential medical record with the same protections as an in-person visit. Choose a private space on your end as well.
Your provider will ask you to visit the nearest DUG clinic. Many patients do an in-person first visit with labs, then continue by video.
Book a telehealth mental health visit with DUG
Secure video visits with licensed Florida providers. Self-pay from $90, no insurance required. Call (877) 384-6337 or book online.
Medical disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk with a licensed healthcare provider about your individual situation. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
References
External links are limited to government health sources and open in a new tab. All links verified working on October 12, 2026.
- Expanding Access to Behavioral Health Services Through Telehealth. Telehealth.HHS.gov, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/expanding-access-behavioral-health-services-through-telehealth
- Telehealth. Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance. https://flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/
- Anxiety Disorders. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders
- Depression. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/988