When the topic of online therapy arises, Talkspace is often one of the options discussed. Talkspace generally has a variety of plans and mental health services to choose from and can be a bit more expensive than similar online therapy platforms like BetterHelp. In addition, therapist availability on Talkspace is more limited and therapists usually take two days off each week, and the majority of communication between therapist and client typically takes place through in-app messaging rather than live therapy sessions. Meanwhile, BetterHelp therapists can be available as often as seven days per week, and there are usually options to connect with your therapist through video and audio in a live video session, or in-app messaging. Both Talkspace and BetterHelp can be effective ways to address mental health concerns through online therapy and can be found in the app store on a computer or mobile device.
BetterHelp | Talkspace | |
| Number of therapists | 30,000+ | Not specified |
| Therapist Qualifications | LCSW, LPC, LMFT, PsyD | LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, or PhD in Clinical Psychology. |
| Messaging | 7 days per week | 5 days per week |
| Live Chat or Text Therapy Sessions | Yes | Yes, may be an additional cost |
| Phone Sessions | Yes | Yes, may be an additional cost |
| Live Video Sessions | Yes | Yes |
| Live Sessions Length Limit | 45 minute sessions | 45 minute sessions |
| Sessions Booking | Choose availability based on a calendar, no confirmation needed | Choose availability based on a calendar,therapist confirmation required |
| Matching To Therapist Options | Matching algorithm or choose your therapist from a list - change at any time | Matched by algorithm |
| Digital Worksheets | Yes | No |
| Journal | Yes | No |
| Interactive Group Sessions | Yes, 1 included per week plus more available at extra cost | No |
| Self-Help Content | 4,000+ articles and mental health resources | Blog content |
| Showing "Therapy Timeline" | No | Track progress in app |
| Psychiatry Option or Medication Management | No | Yes |
| App Store Rating | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| Google Play Store Rating | 4.6 | 4.4 |
| Payment Commitment | Month-by-month default with option to change to week-by-week or quarter-by-quarter | Month-by-month, quarter-by-quarter, or semi-annually |
| Monthly Cost | $260 to $400, Depends on location and includes a weekly live therapy session | $400 per month, costs may vary |
| Billed Weekly or Monthly | Monthly | Both available |
| Financial Aid Plan Options | Yes | No |
| Payment Options | Credit card, PayPal | Credit card |
| Accepts Insurance | Options available Some FSA/HSA providers, some employers, some EAPs, some universities | Options available Some insurance plans, FSA/HSA providers, employers, EAPs, universities |
| Counseling options available | Individual, Couples therapy, Teen counseling | Individual, Couples therapy, Teen therapy, Psychiatry/Psychiatric care |
Breaking down Talkspace vs. BetterHelp
Reading a BetterHelp or Talkspace review or evaluation can help you decide which is right for you. Both BetterHelp and Talkspace have thousands of mental health professionals to choose from. BetterHelp also offers a teen therapy site called teencounseling.com for teenagers struggling with their mental health.
Cost and pricing comparison
While the Talkspace website generally has different plans to choose from, the most popular subscription is usually the unlimited messaging therapy or premium service that TalkSpace offers, which typically allows a patient to be prescribed medication and, after the initial prescription, offers medication management through Talkspace psychiatry and psychiatric nurse practitioners. One unique thing about Talkspace may be that it offers psychiatry services, unlike other platforms. This means that through Talkspace you may be prescribed a mental health medication that you can pick up at a local pharmacy. It also offers one live session in a safe virtual Talkspace therapy room each week, or four live therapy sessions per month, through the Talkspace app. Insurance may cover Talkspace services, on average, basic messaging therapy without live video sessions is about $260 a month, but with a three-month commitment, Talkspace offers a 20% discount for therapy sessions without live chat or video.
With BetterHelp, your monthly sessions are generally included in the cost. It can be important to note that Talkspace costs are often a bit more expensive than other online options. To see a full breakdown of pricing, you may visit each site or app. You may also qualify for employee assistance programs through your employer, which may be helpful to know about before signing up.
Talkspace offers a basic unlimited messaging therapy plan for $65 a week. It generally allows for unlimited messaging therapy, but no live video sessions or phone sessions with your therapist. You can use the Talkspace platform to video chat and text your therapist based on your monthly plan. Therapists are available to chat with you via the platform five days a week. With BetterHelp, therapists typically have the option to respond seven days per week outside of regular live sessions.
Some may think online therapy is not as effective as offline forms of mental health therapy because Talkspace online therapy providers primarily communicate via text. However, online therapy sessions can be effective, even without speaking face-to-face. BetterHelp and TalkSpace are both considered some of the best online therapy services available.
Benefits for both platforms
Online therapy with Talkspace therapists can be a wonderful therapy service that may empower you to work with a counselor who is right for you. For example, if you get paired with a counselor who isn’t a good fit, both Talkspace and BetterHelp usually allow you to switch therapists at any time to improve your clinical experience.
Overall experience for Talkspace and BetterHelp
Participating in mental health counseling online can be helpful for people who work split shifts or graveyard shifts, as well as for people who have difficult schedules and those who don’t live near therapists or don’t have reliable transportation to a therapist’s office.
Many licensed therapists may be available most times of the day or night for sessions, and you may be able to find a professional who’s willing to work with your schedule.
Drawbacks to Talkspace and BetterHelp
The biggest issue may be that online therapy, like other forms of therapy, usually takes time to see the effects you're hoping for. If you like immediate results, you may begin to feel that using the app is a waste of time. However, managing your expectations and understanding that healing can be a nonlinear process can be helpful.
In addition, being paired with a therapist whose views or advice don’t resonate with you can be challenging, but the opportunity to switch to another mental health professional for services is often available.
There are also therapist evaluation surveys on Talkspace, which you may have to do once a month to evaluate how your mental health treatment and experience are going. This kind of survey may be helpful for some. However, the potential downside is that they can be intrusive and impersonal.
Talkspace vs. BetterHelp platforms: Final notes
With both BetterHelp and Talkspace, you may find that you’re initially paired with a therapist who isn’t the best match for you. However, having the option to switch to a different mental health professional typically means that you do not have to stick with someone who doesn’t seem to be able to help you in the way you’d like. It can be important to note that you may wish to give each professional a fair chance by trying a few sessions with them before passing judgment or deciding to switch.
One thing you may note is that BetterHelp’s therapists can be available as often as seven days per week, while Talkspace’s therapists typically take two days off per week, and these days off can vary. You may wish to speak with your therapist about your scheduling preferences during your initial intake session. BetterHelp offers the opportunity to schedule all sessions on your schedule.
Whether you choose BetterHelp or Talkspace, it can be crucial to realize that you may not receive immediate replies from your therapist unless you are in a scheduled session. Although you may have the capability to send messages anytime, this does not necessarily mean that your mental health professional is obligated or able to respond 24/7.
Online therapy can be an excellent option for those who aren’t comfortable with a face-to-face traditional therapy session or don’t have in-office therapy. It can also be helpful for people living with symptoms of anxiety who may find it challenging to visit a new location and speak to a new therapist in person. Getting the help you deserve from the comfort of your home can be convenient, reachable, and affordable. With BetterHelp you can find a wide array of mental health professionals including a licensed clinical social worker, a family therapist, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and a licensed professional clinical counselor.
As this study explains, online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy for treating a variety of mental health conditions and concerns. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for professional support if you feel you’d benefit from it. If you’re struggling with finances, you may also qualify for financial aid to use BetterHelp or another online therapy platform, like ReGain for couples therapy.