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About Talkspace
Now, you may know that physical health is vital, but have you considered your mental health? When was the last you thought about your emotional well-being?
In many parts of the world, the majority of individuals with mental illness do not receive treatment from healthcare professionals. Research[1] suggests that there are several reasons why people may avoid or delay seeking treatment, including a lack of understanding about mental illness, a lack of knowledge about how to access treatment, negative attitudes towards people with mental illness, and a fear of discrimination.
Telehealth has gained tons of traction in recent years. With the influx of digital technology, you can get the care you need in a matter of minutes—wherever you are in the world.
Talkspace specializes in virtual mental healthcare and online therapy. They work with a network of licensed professionals who provide services through video chats, messaging, and phone calls.
The brand has over 157k followers on Instagram where they share resources and self-care tips and tricks. You can also catch them in the news where they’ve been featured on CNN, The Huffington Post, and Business Insider.
Ready to show yourself more self-compassion and give therapy a try? Stay tuned to this Talkspace review as we take a deep dive into the company’s services, customer reviews and ratings, FAQs and more, so you can decide whether you’ll want their help.
Overview of Talkspace
Oren and Roni Frank, two entrepreneurs from New York, wanted to establish a mental health community where everyone could access if they needed. In 2012, the duo co-founded Talkspace hoping to provide more people with an easier entry to high-quality, professional therapy.
Through this fully encrypted online service, you can connect with practitioners for individual therapy, couples therapy, or even psychiatric management. Talkspace also offers support to teens ranging from ages 13 to 17 as well.
The brand’s tagline is, “feeling better starts with a single message.” With Talkspace, you can get mental healthcare anytime and anywhere through the interface of your phone. By the end of 2021, over 2 million people have used the brand’s services.
Now that you know a bit more about the brand’s concept and roots, this Talkspace review will cover some key points:
Highlights
- Online mental health support through a mobile phone application
- Network of licenced professionals
- Convenient and flexible therapy options
- Switch providers at no additional cost
- Affordable
- Accepts insurance
- Limitless messaging therapy
- Available for businesses as well
- Veteran therapies
Talkspace has a host of professionals who specialize in a variety of different concerns such as eating disorders, bipolar, OCD, stress and anxiety, trauma and grief, family conflict, and more. Whatever you are experiencing, Talkspace can connect you with someone qualified to give you advice on how to control your emotions, rather than letting them control you.
In the next section of this Talkspace review, we’ll take a peek at the brand’s subscription plans, cost, types of therapy offered, and more. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to decide whether the brand is the right fit for your needs.
Talkspace Subscription Plans Review
Talkspace offers free mental health tests which are accessible through their website to find out what you might be suffering from. From there, you can sign up for one of the brand’s subscription plans.
Listed below are the three different plans offered by the brand:
- Online Therapy: connects you with a therapist for long-term or short-term support based on your needs
- Couples Therapy: connects you and your partner to a relationship therapist
- Psychiatry: for those with a diagnosed mental health condition, helps with medication management.
Once you decide which type of therapy you need, you’ll be guided to an online questionnaire that asks you a few basic questions. After the brief assessment is completed, it will take 48 hours to find your ideal match.
The brand will email you once they find a suitable fit, based on the answers you provided. Don’t worry if you don’t jive with the first therapist they pair you with, you always have the option of switching providers for free.
Talkspace Cost
Now that you know what you can expect in terms of subscription plans, you might be curious about the cost. Traditional therapy can be quite costly if you aren’t covered by insurance; it’s not uncommon to pay around or over $100-$175 for a one-hour session. If that price tag has you sweating in your seat, you’re not alone.
Fortunately, Talkspace reduces the financial barriers of therapy by offering low-cost plans. You’ll be billed monthly, quarterly or bi-annually and can quit at any time—no binding contracts. If you opt for the quarterly or bi-annual payment plan, then you’ll save an additional 10%-20%.
Here’s what you can expect to pay:
- Messaging therapy: includes text, audio, and video messaging, and starts at $69/week
- Messaging therapy + 1 Live session: includes one 30-minute live session per month plus unlimited messaging, and starts at $79/week
- Live + Messaging therapy: includes messaging communication and four 45-minute live sessions per month, and starts at $99/week
If you want to add an extra live session here and there, you can purchase live session credits for $65 with any of the plans above. When comparing the cost of traditional therapy and Talkspace cost, it’s clear that you’ll get more bang for your buck by going the digital route.
Talkspace Ease of Use
Not only is Talkspace more affordable than traditional therapy, but it’s also more convenient. Using the Talkspace app to connect with your provider is simple—just the way it should be.
You can message your therapist at any time, 24/7. No need to wait until your live session to get something off your chest. This feature is especially ideal for when you need somewhere to put your thoughts and feelings right away.
As for your weekly live session, you’ll have to book a time that works for you in advance. Talkspace offers flexible options to fit within your lifestyle. You will have the choice of connecting with your therapist in real-time via audio, video, or live chat.
Talkspace Types of Therapy Offered
This Talkspace review discovered the brand offers many different types of therapy using an online interface. Believe it or not, digital therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy. Even arts-based therapies can be administered online.
Talkspace offers different therapy services for individuals and couples, depending on your needs. Listed below, are some of the therapy approaches used:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Exposure Therapy
- Grief Counseling
- Humanistic Therapy
- Mentalization Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Somatic Therapy
- Talk Therapy
Every individual has a different story and background, and therefore will benefit from some types of therapies and not others. We also noticed the brand has services for high-risk groups such as the LBGTQIA+ community, veterans, and teens.
Talkspace Therapists’ Qualifications and Quality of Care
You might be wondering what type of therapists are available in the brand’s network. Well, Talkspace counselors are fully qualified to give you professional help because they’re required to have the highest clinical license in their state. Therefore, you’ll only be connected to therapists who are licensed in your region.
As well, Talkspace therapists need a minimum of 3 years of clinical experience before applying to become an online provider. All that being said, you can rest assured knowing you are talking with someone who has lots of experience and knowledge under their belt.
Can The Talkspace Subscription Be Changed?
Yes! You can change your subscription at any point. Whether you want to upgrade or downgrade your plan, freeze your account, or change your provider, you can do so via the web or through the iOS or Android app.
Who Is Talkspace For?
It’s common knowledge now that mental health is just as important as physical health. Your body and mind are connected and when one is out of whack, usually the other follows suit. It’s safe to say that now more than ever, many people are in urgent need of mental healthcare.
Whether you’ve been experiencing minor stress at work or you have a diagnosable mental health condition, Talkspace gives you access to the resources you need to get back on track. This Talkspace review believes anyone and everyone can benefit from talking to a professional regardless of the scope of your distress.
Talkspace Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
Have you been thinking about taking the plunge and diving into therapy? Taking control of your mental health can be a daunting task. Before you settle on a decision, we encourage you to keep reading this Talkspace review to find out what customers are saying about the company and their experience with the brand’s services.
On a whole, Talkspace garnered a massive amount of positive reviews from customers on the App Store and the Google Play Store. Many Talkspace reviews speak highly of the convenience, affordability, and privacy of the brand’s services.
From over 7k reviews and a 4.7/5 star rating on the App Store, one 5-star reviewer wrote: “I have an infant so the idea of actually going out to therapy was daunting. This is much lower stress for me and I can check-in whenever works for me.”
A blogger from Trill Yoga glows about the brand’s features commented:
“With Talkspace I can leave written text messages for my therapist (which are therapeutic in themselves) as well as voice memos. We not only exchange voice memos, but also share articles and files. I’ve even had a video session (also an option on Talkspace) that was great to really hone in on a specific goal or topic we are discussing.”
With over 4.6k ratings and a 4.1/5 star rating on the Google Play Store, one happy customer remarked: “It felt like I was writing in a journal that spoke back. The daily texting for me was very cathartic.”
Finally, another 5-star reviewer from the Google Play Store comments on the ease of use and privacy of the app. They said: “Easy, quick, private. I love to text so this was better than the usual couch time. I highly recommend Talkspace if you are always on your mobile.”
As a consensus, many people report receiving effective therapy and having a better sense of well-being after using Talkspace over a short or long-term period. The platform allows people to get the support they need through the tap of their fingertips which plenty of reviewers found extremely useful.
Talkspace vs Betterhelp
More and more people are turning to online therapy due to its cost and convenience compared to traditional therapy. That being said, more companies have decided to launch digital online mental health platforms.
Betterhelp is another virtual therapy platform that has been making headlines. You might have heard the brand being endorsed by podcasters, influencers, and celebs. We’ll now compare Talkspace vs Betterhelp to help you decide which brand might be more supportive of your healing journey.
First off, when it comes to cost, both Betterhelp and Talkspace are considerably more affordable than in-person therapy. If you have employment insurance, then you’ll be happy to hear that Talkspace has plans for both paying out of pocket or paying through your insurance coverage. On the other hand, Betterhelp does not accept insurance but they do offer financial aid.
Betterhelp plans start at $60 per week and include unlimited messaging, voice notes, and video communication as well as one weekly live session. Talkspace rates start at $69 per week and include text, audio, and video messaging with a limited amount of responses from a therapist. A plan that includes a weekly live session along with messages ranges at about $99 per week.
Aside from the cost, Talkspace and Betterhelp provide services for teens, adults, and couples. However, Talkspace’s services are more extensive, offering psychiatric help and medication management services.
Last but not least, the sign-up process between Talkspace and Betterhelp differs. Talkspace uses a human matching agent to help you find your therapist, while Betterhelp’s initiation process is automated and based on algorithms.
All in all, both Talkspace and Betterhelp are great alternatives to traditional therapy. Both brands break down barriers and make therapy more accessible to more people, with that being said we have to give the crown to Talkspace.
Does Talkspace Take Insurance?
Paying out of pocket for therapy can be expensive but if you don’t have insurance and require the help, sometimes it’s necessary. If you’re fortunate to have employment insurance and benefits, then perhaps you may be wondering: Does Talkspace take insurance?
This Talkspace review is thrilled to report that the brand accepts insurance! Talkspace works with many employers and companies to help bring you affordable therapy. Some of the eligible insurance companies include Cigna, Humana, and Resources for Living.
Is Talkspace Legit?
Yes! We can confirm that Talkspace is legit and is also a pioneer in the digital mental health care industry.
Is Talkspace Worth It?
Online therapy removes many of the barriers traditional therapy face. Talkspace, in particular, offers accessible and affordable ways to get the help you need, regardless of your background or living situation. All you need is a device!
You might have some doubts when it comes to signing up for therapy—and that’s totally fair. There are so many different options to choose from ranging in price and service. We think that Talkspace is worth a try if you’re looking for a place to start.
The company offers online assessments you can take to gauge what kind of support you need. If you don’t want to commit to therapy, you can at least gain access to important resources and skills through the brand’s social media pages and online space.
Talkspace Promotions & Discounts
At the time of this Talkspace review, the brand is offering $100 off with the code: SPACE. We also recommend signing up for the brand’s emails to receive weekly mental health news and being in the know of any upcoming deals or promotions.
Where to Buy Talkspace
You can buy a Talkspace subscription plan through the Google Play Store or iOS App store.
FAQ
Who owns Talkspace?
The current interim CEO of Talkspace is Douglas Braunstein. The brand is headquartered in New York City, New York.
Is There a Talkspace Free Trial?
Unfortunately, Talkspace does not offer a free trial. You will, however, be able to talk with an agent and have a free initial consultation before committing to a plan.
What is Talkspace’s Privacy Policy?
Talkspace ensures that your privacy is completely safe and protected. The brand uses technology that is HIPAA-compliant and chat data is fully encrypted. As well, the app is password protected for extra security.
What is Talkspace’s Refund Policy?
The brand doesn’t have a rigid refund policy but rather reviews refund requests on an individual basis, using their best judgment to approve or deny your request. Talkspace will offer full, partial, or prorated refunds depending on what they find appropriate for your situation. To make a refund request, email the brand at [email protected].
How to Contact Talkspace
We hope this Talkspace review provided you with all the information you may be itching to know about the brand. If not, you may be able to get in touch with someone through a few different methods.
Contact them via:
- Send in a support request through their site
- Email: [email protected]
Need some more help with your everyday health? Here are a few more options you can consider:
Manual Men’s Healthcare Review
Article Sources
- Henderson, C., Evans-Lacko, S. and Thornicroft, G. Mental Illness Stigma, Help Seeking, and Public Health Programs PubMed Central American Journal of Public Health, [online] 103(5), pp.777–780
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