Question 1

How does this work and what is the process to get started?

Accepted Answer

After you set up an account and answer a few online questions about your symptoms and preferences, a good place to start is to first talk with Sophia, our AI therapist. As you work through some exercises with Sophia, and after she begins to understand the challenges that you would like to work on, Sophia will bring in a licensed therapist or psychologist into the conversation to check on your progress.  If you wish, you can continue to primarily work with Sophia, but a human therapist or psychologist will need to check in periodically to monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed to maximize its effectiveness. Sophia is always available 24/7 via a phone number or online via the Aluma Health phone app.  Per the assigned human therapist or psychologist, once they are active, you’ll be able to communicate with them through text, audio, or video.  If at any time the human therapist or psychologist believe that your treatment plan should also include medication, a psychiatrist will be introduced to you so medication can be prescribed. You can change your human therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist at any time.

Question 2

How much does it cost to speak to Sophia, the AI therapist?

Accepted Answer

Talking with Sophia makes online therapy convenient, accessible 24/7, and affordable. Cost depends on how you pay: through US health insurance, Medicare, EAP, employer, organization, or out-of-pocket. Many employers cover Sophia for free, either directly with an employer code or through an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP). Most major health insurance plans cover sessions with either Sophia, our AI therapist, or with a human therapist. If your plan does offer coverage, you’ll most likely pay between $0 and $15 copay. If you pay out-of-pocket, sessions with Sophia cost $20 for each 45-minute session.

Question 3

Does insurance cover sessions with either Sophia or a human therapist?

Accepted Answer

Typically, yes. Aluma Health is in-network with many major insurance plans, and most insured members have a $0 to $15 copay. Our extensive network ensures you can get the treatment you need without worrying about cost. Thus, therapy may be covered by your employer’s healthcare plan. Or you may receive it for free as a direct benefit from your employer. Coverage will depend on your insurance company and health plan. Some of the mental health services most often covered include: talk therapy via Sophia, our AI therapist, talk therapy with a human therapist, co-occurring behavioral health and medical conditions, psychiatric emergency care, and medication management. Learn more about it here xxx

Question 4

Is virtual therapy with either an AI therapist or a human therapist effective?

Accepted Answer

Online therapy is proven to be as effective as face-to-face therapy. A study conducted by the Journal of Telemedicine and e-Health showed that virtual therapy was highly effective and comparable to traditional face-to-face therapy. With virtual therapy, you’re able to access a wider range of mental health services and receive high-quality, evidence-based care from wherever you are and at any time 24/7. Learn more by going to xxxx

Question 5

I think I want to get started with a human therapist or psychologist right up front. Is this possible?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can gain access to a licensed therapist or psychologist immediately without needing to talk with Sophia, our AI therapist. After you answer a few online questions about your symptoms and preferences,  you’ll be matched with a therapist or psychologist who is licensed in your state and who is likely to be a good fit for your needs.  If at any time your human therapist or psychologist believe that your program should also include medication, we will introduce a psychiatrist to you so medication can be prescribed. You’ll be able to communicate with your therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist through text, audio, or video. You can change your human therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist at any time.

Question 6

I like talking with Sophia, your AI therapist. I feel that she is helping me and she is also very cost effective. Can I only talk with her or does a human therapist or psychologist always need to get involved?

Accepted Answer

As you progress through some exercises with Sophia, periodically a licenses therapist or psychologist will need to check in to see how you are progressing. Sometimes the therapist or psychologist will want to tweak your treatment plan to optimize its effectiveness.  If cost is a concern, you can keep your interactions with the therapist or psychologist at a minimum and you can continue to primarily work with Sophia, the AI therapist.

Question 7

What is the difference between therapy and psychiatry?

Accepted Answer

Therapy and psychiatry can both play an important role in your mental health treatment plan. In therapy, an AI or human therapist works with you to discuss personal challenges and devise a personalized plan, but they aren’t able to prescribe medication. A therapist will help to understand your feelings, provide support, and help create a plan for the future.

Psychiatry is a medical specialty that prescribes and monitors medication to treat mental health symptoms. Psychiatrists and psychiatric providers are licensed medical providers who specialize in mental health treatment and can provide psychiatric care services and personalized medication management. Aluma Health connects you with an online psychiatric provider within a week, for an evaluation and ongoing care.

Question 8

Can the psychiatric provider provide therapy?

Accepted Answer

No, our psychiatric providers do not provide therapy services.

At Aluma Health, psychiatric providers focus on medication management and assessment, while therapists provide therapy services. They are separate and distinct services.

That said, some people choose to use both services together for a more complete and coordinated approach to their care. For example, you can work with a therapist to build coping skills, while a psychiatric provider manages medications to support your progress.

When you use both therapy and psychiatry services at Aluma Health, your providers can securely view each other’s notes, helping them stay aligned on your treatment plan and goals.

Question 9

How do I refer a friend or family member to Aluma Health?

Accepted Answer

You have a few options.  The first option is to call Sophia, our AI Therapist, at xxx-xxx-xxxx and refer your friend or family member to her.  Sophia will collect the name, email and mobile phone number of this person and she will text the person saying that either you, or an anonymous person, depending on your desire, has referred them to talk with Sophia. The text that Sophia sends to the person will ask the person to call Sophia, 24/7, to just have a conversation. The first conversation with Sophia is to just talk to get to know each other.  Before the end of the call Sophia will ask the person if they would like to set up a free account so when they talk again, they can pick up where they left off.  They can also schedule a time to talk next if the person agrees. If they schedule a time Sophia will call the person at the scheduled time.  The person can also call Sophia at any time, 24/7, to work on the first exercise.

Affordable & Convenient Mental Health Care for Everyone

Our Mission

Answers to Common Questions

Service 1

Testimonials