Talkspace is a well-recognized online therapy platform that offers therapy for various types of mental health conditions. Having received around $30 million in financial backing and celebrity endorsements, this service is one of the most recognizable brands for online therapy, followed by its most moderately priced competitor, Betterhelp.
In December 2019, Jack Morse of Mashable wrote an article titled, How a dead veteran became the face of a therapy app’s Instagram ad. The company was criticized for using a veteran family’s loss to market a therapy service.
A subsequent investigation into Talkspace’s policies raised vital questions concerning the power such agreements have over users’ personal information and may cause you to rethink your relationship with your favorite app.
3.5 out of 5.0 stars
Talkspace Is Ideal For
Those looking for online therapy with unlimited messaging access to their therapist and providing help with the following conditions:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Grief
- Family issues
- Parenting
- Addiction
- Workplace stresses
- Social anxieties
- Feelings of Guilt
- Betrayal
- Divorce and separation
- Anger Management
- Chronic stress
- Eating disorders
- Conflict Resolution
- Sleep Disorder
- Couples Counseling
- Trauma counseling
- PTSD
- Self-esteem
- Teen Counseling
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Switch therapists easily
- Unlimited messaging
- Different plans to choose from
Cons
- Matching with therapist can take a few days
- No free trial
- Some therapists don’t offer live appointments
Fast Facts
There is no weekly billing, so you will be charged for at least one month of service
Initial signup is done with either a consultation therapist or an online system that asks you questions to assess your needs and gather the data to match you with the right therapist
Talkspace uses IBM Watson, a predictive modeling computer system, to pair you with your therapist for pairing purposes.
Services
Talkspace provides access to online therapy via any mobile device, with unlimited messages via text, video, and audio, as well as an upgraded service that includes live sessions. See pricing and plans below for detailed information on available plans.
The therapists can help you through issues like depression and feeling stuck, love/sex/relationships, professional frustrations and roadblocks, and anxiety and chronic pain. They’ll work with you on gratitude, affirmations, trauma work, CBT, and other treatment strategies.
Sessions Available
Talkspace users have access to licensed therapists through the website or mobile app on iOS and Android. With Talkspace, you can send a therapist text messages, audio messages, as well as picture and video messages in a private, text-based chat room. Live sessions are available with premium plans.
Text sessions are done using the Talkspace mobile app or a desktop version, which is laid out much like any other texting, so there is no learning curve. The chat is hosted on the Talkspace platform with its HIPAA compliant state-of-the-art security safeguards.
What Makes Talkspace Unique
Besides the inherent ease of access provided by online therapy in general, Talkspace is known for its guarantee of a one-day response from the therapist 5 days the week
Pricing & Fees
Talkspace offers three different plans to choose from, all billed monthly. While you can choose to cancel anytime after your current subscription commitment ends, you will be billed for a full month or a current subscription cycle. The plans are as follows:
- Unlimited Messaging Therapy Plus: $65/week, billed monthly
- Includes text, video & audio messaging, therapist responds daily, 5 days per week
- NO LIVE SESSIONS
- Billed Monthly: $260
- Billed Quarterly: $708 every three months
- Billed Biannually: $1248 every six months
- Unlimited Messaging Therapy Premium: $79/week, billed monthly
- Includes text, video & audio messaging, therapist responds daily, 5 days per week
- 1 Live session per month (30 minutes each)
- Billed Monthly: $316
- Billed Quarterly: $852 every three months
- Billed Biannually: $1512 every six months
- Unlimited Messaging Therapy Ultimate: $99/week, billed monthly
- Includes text, video & audio messaging, therapist responds daily, 5 days per week
- 4 Live sessions per month (30 minutes each)
- Billed Monthly: $396
- Billed Quarterly: $1068 every three months
- Billed Biannually: $1896 every six months
Talkspace is also available for couples and teens!
- Talkspace Couples Therapy
- Includes Text, video & audio messaging, therapist responds daily, 5 days per week
- Billed Monthly: $396
- Billed Quarterly: $1068 every three months
- Includes Text, video & audio messaging, therapist responds daily, 5 days per week
- Talkspace Teens Therapy (for ages 13 – 17)
- Includes text, video & audio messaging, therapist responds daily, 5 days per week
- Billed monthly: $260
- Includes text, video & audio messaging, therapist responds daily, 5 days per week
Live Video Sessions can be added a la carte for $65 per 30-minute session.
Confidentiality and Privacy
Talkspace is HIPAA compliant throughout its platform (both mobile and desktop) and uses SSL encryption for additional protection. Their app also requires a password for access, so your unattended phone will not give anyone access to your secure messages with your therapist.
Counselor Qualifications
Talkspace offers an extensive, nationwide network of licensed therapists. The therapist you work with will be licensed in your US state of residence. All Talkspace therapists have been carefully vetted and trained specifically in online therapy and the Talkspace platform and have a minimum of 9 years of experience as professional mental health care providers. You can also change your therapist at no extra cost.
Specialties and Areas of Expertise
There are dozens of types of therapists [psychotherapists], each with a different method, specialty, area, and expertise. They can quickly match clients looking for a particular specialty. During the signup process, you’re asked to describe what’s leading you to seek therapy, which will help match you with the therapist that is best equipped to help you with the particular issues you want to address.
Credibility
Talkspace is a legitimate company that has made quite a name for itself since opening its virtual doors in 2012. It is A+ rated on BBB and has mostly positive consumer reviews.
Conclusion
Talkspace is certainly one of the biggest players in the online therapy market and offers competitive pricing compared to traditional therapy while being higher priced than some of its online therapy competitors. Overall, it is worth trying them out, if you are willing to commit to a month of service, as they do not offer a free trial.
Talkspace Review
Talkspace
Talkspace is a well-recognized name in the online therapy market, however, they are higher-priced than some of their competitors. If you are new to online therapy and you are looking for a free trial, Talkspace is not the answer, as they require a commitment to one month of service.
