TalkSpace Review
✔️Fact checked
Published: March 19, 2021
Whether you're at home or on-the-go, telehealth allows you to receive health care via text messages, phone calls, and video chats. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth's popularity was steadily growing, and it has only accelerated since, with many new providers entering the field.
Since its launch in 2012, TalkSpace has grown into one of the best-known telehealth services for comprehensive mental health treatment. Its monthly subscription service connects you with licensed mental health providers through its website and app. TalkSpace's services include psychotherapy and medication management. Custom plans are available for teens, adults, and couples. Once you sign up, you can send messages to your provider whenever you’d like.
Our review: TalkSpace's user-friendly app and website offer flexible, convenient access to mental health care.
What You Should Know About TalkSpace
Best Features
- Easy-to-use app and website
- Flexible communication via text messages, audio, pictures, and videos
- Choice of subscription plans
- Clinical Progress Tracker to set customized goals and monitor outcomes
Drawbacks
- Plans may be pricey without insurance
- Most interactions aren’t in real-time
- Doesn’t offer therapy for children under the age of 13
How Does TalkSpace Work?
TalkSpace matches you with qualified therapists and prescribers through its mobile app and website. Plans are billed monthly and start at $65 per week, and these costs may be covered by insurance. TalkSpace’s providers treat many of the most widespread mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Prescribers can write prescriptions for any medication, provided it isn’t a controlled substance.
How do you use TalkSpace?
Getting started with TalkSpace is easy. After you go to the website or download the app to your mobile device, simply enter your email and create a username and password. TalkSpace asks you to answer a few questions about yourself and your preferences to help you get started. Based on your answers, you’ll be matched with a therapist or psychiatrist who is carefully selected to meet your needs. You’ll be able to leave text, audio, video, or picture messages for your new therapist at any time.
How much does TalkSpace cost?
TalkSpace offers a variety of subscription plans to suit your needs and budget, such as the Unlimited Messaging Therapy Plus, Premium, and Ultimate plans for adults. The Plus plan costs $260 per month and includes text, video, and audio messaging with a therapist who replies daily, five days a week. The Premium plan adds one live 30-minute session with your therapist per month, while the Ultimate plan includes four 30-minute sessions each month. Premium and Ultimate plans cost $316 and $396 per month, respectively. Other options are available for couples and adolescents aged 13-17. If you opt for billing on a quarterly or biannual basis, you may receive a discount.
| Appointment type | Price |
| Individual Therapy | $260-$396 per month |
| Couples Therapy | $396 monthly |
| Teens Therapy (for ages 13-17) | $260 per month |
Does Insurance Cover TalkSpace?
TalkSpace works with several employee assistance programs and insurance plans, including Cigna, Premera, and Optum. If you have a Health Savings Account or Flexible Savings Account, TalkSpace also allows you to make payments using your HSA or FSA card. If TalkSpace doesn’t work with your insurance plan, its customer service department can give you a receipt to provide to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
What Does TalkSpace Treat?
The licensed psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and therapists at TalkSpace are qualified to assist you with mental health concerns, including anxiety, addiction, depression, eating disorders, PTSD, LGBT+ issues, and relationship issues.
Can TalkSpace write prescriptions?
TalkSpace’s team of psychiatrists and nurse practitioners can write prescriptions for all medications, with the exception of controlled substances. For your convenience, TalkSpace can send prescriptions directly to your preferred pharmacy. If you have a mail order delivery service through your insurance, you may also be able to have your medication delivered to you.
When can you get a TalkSpace appointment?
After picking a plan, you’ll be matched with a therapist or prescriber within 24-48 hours. You can message your therapist or book an appointment with your prescriber right away, or you can view your prescriber’s schedule and book an appointment time that works for you from three days up to three weeks away.
Can you pick a TalkSpace doctor?
During your free initial consultation, a specially trained TalkSpace agent will ask you a few simple questions before asking you to complete a questionnaire. Based on your answers, your agent will select therapists in your area who they believe will be a good fit for you. You’ll be able to read more about each potential therapist, and if you have multiple matches, you’ll be able to select the one you prefer. If you don’t click with a therapist, you can easily switch therapists at any time from within the app.
How can you get TalkSpace support?
On the TalkSpace website, you can search for and find answers to many of the most frequently asked questions. You can also send an email to TalkSpace’s customer service representatives 24/7 at [email protected].
What Customers Say About TalkSpace
Good Reviews about TalkSpace
“There are so many plans to choose from and the therapists and support are amazing for people that don’t have time to go to an office and sit for an hour from 8-4.”
“This is like writing in your journal and getting an insightful, empathic, and helpful reply, from a trained professional who can offer an alternative perspective and clinically proven tools to help overcome any obstacles. I think this is a great alternative to talk therapy. You can leave voice and video messages and nothing gets missed like in a live synchronized dialogue. It’s like having this ongoing conversation that waits for you when you are ready to talk.”
“I am glad I gave TalkSpace a try. It has become a vital part in my healing and rediscovery of self.”
Bad Reviews about TalkSpace
“If you are looking for therapy that you can rely on on a consistent basis, this is not it. The interaction is sporadic.”
“Way too expensive for the treatment I have been receiving.”
“While the idea of being able to talk with a therapist whenever you’d like throughout the day is great, it’s equally frustrating to not get a response back for numerous hours and sometimes days later.”
Bottom Line
TalkSpace provides a convenient, flexible alternative to traditional in-person mental health care. Instead of committing to meet in-person at a scheduled time, you can reach out whenever you want, in whichever way feels most comfortable to you. Using TalkSpace is like having a therapist at your beck and call, even if you have a demanding or unpredictable schedule.
When signing up for TalkSpace, you need to have realistic expectations. One drawback is having to wait for a response from a therapist. Although some therapists offer the ability to schedule live sessions, TalkSpace is not an instant messaging service. You can leave messages for your therapist whenever you want, but there may be a delay before you receive an answer. Most, but not all, therapists respond once or twice a day. Once you match with a therapist, you can discuss what schedule works best for both of you.