TalkSpace Review - How Does it Work?

TalkSpace Review

Online therapy has become increasingly popular over the past few years. It can be a great way to receive cognitive behavioral therapy and other types of care without having to leave your home. All that you need to do is fire up your favorite device, speak with a professional counselor, and get the mental health and wellness support that you’re after.

But there are lots of different doctor-on-demand services to choose from. If you’re searching for the best online therapy, TalkSpace is one option that you may be considering trying. It’s a service that lets you meet with a licensed therapist every week to get help with everything from self-esteem problems to bipolar disorder.

If you’d like to learn more about whether TalkSpace is right for you, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to find our overall TalkSpace review of the mental health service and for more information about what TalkSpace can do for you.

What Sets TalkSpace Apart from Competitors?

TalkSpace is an online counseling service that’s worth your attention. The company has managed to differentiate itself from the competition in several key ways.

For example, TalkSpace gives you more control over the services you receive than other forms of online therapy. It gives users several plans to choose from so that they can pick and choose what they pay for. This is something that you won’t be able to do while using BetterHelp or some of the company’s other competitors.

TalkSpace also may be more affordable to you than other online counseling services. It accepts insurance while many of its competitors don’t. If you have a plan that includes coverage for TalkSpace, you could save a serious amount of money on your therapy sessions for eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and anything else you want help with.

The TalkSpace mobile app is also one of the best on the market. It features cool features that can help you get more out of your therapy sessions. For example, you can use the app to track your mental health progress as you work with your therapist. It’s an easy way to keep track of your goals and how well you’re progressing towards them.

Signing up for TalkSpace Online Counseling

Signing up for TalkSpace is a pretty easy process that won’t take very long. To get started, you can visit the company’s homepage or download their app on your iOS or Android device. Next, you’ll be prompted to enter your email address, create a password, and choose your username.

Once you've done that, you'll be taken to a private chatroom. Here, you'll speak with a consulting therapist who will ask you a few questions about what you're hoping to get out of counseling. They'll tell you more about what TalkSpace can do for you and will tell you about the various subscription options that are available for you to choose from. Your consulting therapist will take all of the information that you provide them into consideration. Then they'll provide you with several personalized therapist matches based on your unique needs. You'll have the final say over which of the options that you're given is best for you.

Therapist Certifications and Quality at TalkSpace

TalkSpace uses a fairly rigorous vetting process to choose the therapists that it will partner with. First, a therapist must have a valid license and be allowed to practice therapy in the state that they work in. All TalkSpace therapists will have at least one of the following licenses:

• LCSW
• LMFT
• LPCC
• PhD

Additionally, to become a therapist at TalkSpace, the individual needs to possess the following qualifications:

• Individual professional malpractice liability insurance
• A fully completed CAQH application
• An individual NPI number
• A reliable internet connection

What Does TalkSpace Offer and Company Info

TalkSpace was founded in 2012 by Oren Frank and Roni Frank. Its headquarters are located in New York, New York.

The company provides online therapy and mental health counseling to users across the United States and beyond. But it can be a bit difficult to connect with a TalkSpace therapist if you live outside of the country, as most keep hours that conform to the standard U.S. workweek.

If you’re unhappy with the service that you receive from TalkSpace, you may request a refund. The company evaluates all such requests on a case-by-case basis. They don’t automatically grant refunds for unused time, but they may make accommodations in unique circumstances. TalkSpace also says that if a refund isn’t granted, it will try to make accommodations in another form, such as a credit for future service.

TalkSpace gives its users several plan options to choose from, which makes it easier to find one that aligns with your specific needs. You can also add an extra live video session at any time that you wish. These last 30 minutes and cost $65 each.

Here’s a quick overview of each of the company’s subscription plans.

Unlimited Messaging Therapy Plus

• Includes text, video, and audio messaging
• The therapist responds daily, 5 days per week
• Costs $260 monthly, $708 quarterly, or $1,248 biannually

Unlimited Messaging Therapy Premium

• Includes everything covered in the Unlimited Messaging Therapy Plus plan
• Also includes 1 live, 30-minute session per month
• Costs $316 monthly, $852 quarterly, or $1,512 biannually

Unlimited Messaging Therapy Ultimate

• Includes everything covered in the Unlimited Messaging Therapy Plus plan
• Also includes 4 live therapy sessions each month (30 minutes each)
• Costs $396 monthly, $1,068 quarterly, $1,896 biannually

Couples Therapy

• Includes everything covered in the Unlimited Messaging Therapy Plus plan
• Also includes 4 live sessions per month (30 minutes each)
• Costs $396 monthly or $1,068 quarterly

Teens Therapy (ages 13-17)

• Includes text, video, and audio messaging
• The therapist responds daily, 5 days per week

TalkSpace FAQs

Does TalkSpace accept insurance?

Yes, TalkSpace does accept insurance. But you’ll need to check with your provider to see whether you have coverage for TalkSpace.

Is TalkSpace or BetterHelp better?

Both services are great. TalkSpace offers a messaging-only option while BetterHelp doesn’t. But BetterHelp has more rigorous standards for its therapists.

Is TalkSpace free?

No, TalkSpace is not free. But you may be able to try the service for free for a month, depending on whether the company is running a promo at the time.

Does TalkSpace work?

Yes, TalkSpace can be just as effective as in-person therapy sessions. Especially if you choose a plan that includes live sessions with a therapist. For some, TalkSpace’s messaging-only plan may not be as effective as other forms of counseling.

How are TalkSpace therapists paid?

TalkSpace pays its therapists about $20 per hour. That’s generally less than therapists make on their own. But TalkSpace gives them a steady stream of clients to work with around their existing practice if they wish to make extra income.

Are TalkSpace therapists licensed?

Yes, all TalkSpace therapists are licensed. Most have one of the following licenses: LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, PhD.

Is TalkSpace confidential?

Yes, TalkSpace promises both confidentiality and anonymity. You can speak to a therapist without them ever having access to your personal information.

Is TalkSpace legit?

Yes, TalkSpace is absolutely legitimate. The company has helped more than a million people with their mental health issues.

How much does it cost to use TalkSpace?

Your costs will vary based on the plan you sign up for. But you should expect to pay between $260 and about $390 per month.

Can TalkSpace prescribe medication?

Standard TalkSpace therapists can’t prescribe medication. But the company does have an online psychiatry service that does allow users to get prescriptions from the doctor they work with.

Can you cancel TalkSpace?

Yes, you’re free to cancel your TalkSpace anytime you want. Just log into your account and go to the settings tab to do so.

Does TalkSpace have a free trial?

TalkSpace sometimes has a 7-day free trial available for new users. But this isn’t always available.

Who is cheaper BetterHelp or TalkSpace?

BetterHelp is usually the cheaper option. It charges $280 per month for unlimited messaging and one 30-to-50-minute session per week. TalkSpace charges $396 for the same service.

Can TalkSpace therapists diagnose?

Yes, TalkSpace therapists are licensed mental health professionals who can diagnose a wide variety of mental health issues.

Is TalkSpace worth the money?

Only you can decide how much you’re willing to spend on mental health treatment. 

Does Blue Cross cover TalkSpace?

Yes, TalkSpace is covered by several of the nation’s largest insurance providers. This is a list that includes Blue Cross, Cigna, Optum, and Humana.

Can TalkSpace prescribe antidepressants?

You can be prescribed antidepressants through TalkSpace if you sign up for the company’s psychiatric service. But standard TalkSpace therapists won’t be able to prescribe you this type of medication.

TalkSpace Pros and Cons

Overall TalkSpace Review - 4.7/5

TalkSpace is a very solid online therapy platform. The company makes it easy to work with clinical social workers and professional counselors without having to visit the doctor’s office. You can use TalkSpace to have live chat sessions with doctors who can help you improve your mental health and well-being.

TalkSpace's app is especially impressive. It features helpful tracking tools that will make it easier to stick with your plan and work towards your goals. The company also accepts insurance from major providers, which many of its competitors don't. If you want to see a therapist, TalkSpace could be a great platform to do it on. TalkSpace's prices are a bit higher than competitors. But the company accepts insurance while certain competitors do not. Your overall out-of-pocket costs could be less when using TalkSpace or they could be more depending on your insurance plan.

Additionally, there have been some negative online reviews about the company's messaging service. It seems fairly hit-or-miss in terms of the quality of therapy that you receive from messaging. If you're going to use the service, signing up for a live therapy plan seems to be the best option.