Talkspace Review: Expert Tried And Tested 2024

Jun 18, 2024
Fact Checked
Learn about Talkspace and see if this online therapy platform is right for you.
Written by: Lauren Evoy Davis
Medically reviewed by: Haley Stricker, LPC
Reviewed by: Kathleen Cameron, BSPharm, MPH

The need for mental health services continues to grow for all populations, including older adults. Barriers to care remain, and access to care is chief among them. The rise of online therapy can help ease those barriers by eliminating driving time, expanding access in rural areas, and aiding those with mobility issues who may be homebound. Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for certain mental health conditions. [1] Freytag J, et al. Advances in Psychotherapy for Older Adults Using Video-to-Home Treatment. Advances in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. Sept. 2, 2022. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9458515/   

Vikas Keshri, MSW, RSW, clinical director at Bloom Clinical Care Counseling and Therapy Services, is familiar with some of the mental health issues older adults face. “Many face challenges like isolation, grief, or adjusting to retirement, impacting their well-being,” he said. “What they often crave is simply a listening ear. Their stories are incredible—tales of their grandchildren, life experiences, and even the ageism they sometimes face.” Keshri said it’s eye-opening to see how mental health issues can present differently across generations and how physical health intertwines with mental well-being.

Help is available—no matter the season of your life. Talkspace is an online therapy and online psychiatry platform that allows users to meet with a provider via online chatting, video, voice messaging, and live workshops. If you’re looking for online therapy, read our review to see if Talkspace may be right for you. 
8.9
Very Good
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Price: $230–$396 per month
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Accepts many insurance plans, but not Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans
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Live video sessions, messaging with your provider between sessions, and weekly educational workshops
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Providers available in all 50 states
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Our Talkspace review

Talkspace

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Key features
  • Cost per month: $230–$396 per month without discounts
  • Types of therapy: Individual, teen, and couples therapy; psychiatry for people age 18 or older
  • Financial aid: No
  • Accepts insurance: Yes
  • Prescribes medication: Yes
Pros and cons of Talkspace
Pros Detailed therapist profiles Psychiatric services are available for adults 18+ Accepts insurance Offers individual therapy and couples therapy Cons Sessions are only 30 minutes long Therapists are not always available at optimal times Not covered by Medicare or Medicaid

How does Talkspace work?

Talkspace has licensed therapists, psychiatrists, and nurse practitioners available in all 50 states. Psychiatrists and nurse practitioners can prescribe medication, and licensed therapists cannot. Talkspace guides you through a questionnaire and uses your answers to match you with a provider based on your needs, preferences, and location. During sign-up, you can select between three plans: Messaging, Video + Messaging, and Video + Messaging + Workshops. 

Screenshot of Talkspace questionnaire
The Talkspace questionnaire asks what areas in your life you are seeking help for: feeling anxious, relationship problems, trauma, sleeping issues, addiction, stress, and others.

Talkspace allows you to schedule an appointment with a provider who can meet you on your desired day and time. If your first provider is not a good fit, you can change providers easily and at no extra cost.

Our tester occasionally had long wait times between appointments, so keep this in mind when scheduling. One provider our tester was matched with didn’t have an opening for more than a week. Therapists seemed busy, joining and ending appointments promptly to make it to their next session. However, if the therapist didn’t have another appointment, they stayed in the session with our tester for a bit longer at no extra charge.

Live video therapy sessions

During a live therapy session, you and your therapist meet on a scheduled video call, talk on the phone, or chat through the Talkspace app. You can choose your preferred format and schedule through the website or app. If you choose a plan that includes live sessions, you meet with your provider once per week.

Right before the appointment starts, Talkspace will send you a reminder in the chat room with a link for you to click to join your session. Your session will begin once you and your provider are both in the room.

Messaging

You don’t have to wait until your next session to communicate with your provider. Between sessions, you can message them as many times as needed with any questions or concerns you may have. 

Keep in mind, though, that your therapist will respond based on their availability. Our Reviews Team recommends you ask your provider about their schedule during your first appointment so you can realistically set your expectations for response times. 

Weekly workshops

One of the Talkspace plans includes weekly workshops, which are webinars that provide information on specific topics. Our tester found the workshops valuable and informative. There are webinars for individuals, groups, and couples. 

Some of the available workshops are:

Most workshops are offered at 7 p.m. ET or later, so if those times don’t work for your schedule, this plan may not be a good fit. 

Who is Talkspace right for?

Online platforms like Talkspace may be a good place to start with online therapy for people with certain mental health conditions like depression, which affects people of all ages. Research shows that among people ages 50 and older, nearly 20% experience symptoms of depression, and 17.1% of people ages 75 and older experience depression. [2] Maier A, et al. Risk Factors and Protective Factors of Depression in Older People 65+. A Systematic Review. PLoS One. May 13, 2021. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8118343/pdf/pone.0251326.pdf  

Talkspace can be a great option for addressing the unique mental health needs of older adults, Keshri said. 

“The stigma around therapy can be especially strong for this generation,” he said. “Platforms like Talkspace offer a confidential and convenient way to access care, a huge step forward. It allows them to get support from the comfort of home, especially beneficial for those with limited mobility or transportation issues.”

Who should seek an alternative to Talkspace?

Online therapy through Talkspace or other platforms might not be for everyone. “While it’s perfect for tech-savvy people, others may prefer face-to-face interaction,” said Keshri. 

If you have a serious mental health condition such as an eating disorder or schizophrenia, are experiencing mania, crisis, or thoughts of suicide, Talkspace is not the right choice for you, and you should seek immediate, in-person help or call 911.

In case of an emergency

Online therapists and psychiatrists are not the most appropriate resource to help in a mental health crisis. If there is an emergency, including plans to harm yourself or others, call 911. If you are having suicidal thoughts or experiencing a crisis, you should seek in-person care immediately.

You can find help immediately by:

You may be experiencing a mental health crisis if you are [3] Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Crisis services: Identifying a crisis. Jan. 2, 2024. Found on the internet at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/crisis/signs.htm : 

Types of therapy offered by Talkspace

Talkspace offers several subscription plans, including individual therapy, therapy for teens ages 13–17, couples therapy, and psychiatry. 

Individual therapy

Talkspace has licensed therapists on staff who provide online therapy for teens and adults. If you are going through a major life change—retirement, health concerns, or the loss of a loved one—and need someone to talk to, individual therapy may be right for you. 

Therapy for teens

The teen years can bring about feelings of anxiety and stress. Talkspace teen therapy is available for teenagers ages 13–17 with parental or caregiver permission. Talkspace therapists are trained specifically to work with children in this age group.

Teens living in New York City can access free mental health care through NYC Teenspace, a New York City Health Department program. NYC Teenspace includes Talkspace’s Video + Messaging Therapy plan and the Talkspace Go app, which you can download from the Apple Store or Google Play. The app has interactive lessons and exercises. Teens can use this program until they turn 18.

Couples therapy

Whether you are celebrating your silver anniversary or are in a new relationship, a licensed therapist can help you identify issues and resolve conflict from the comfort of your home. The couples therapy plan includes four 30-minute video sessions per month and messaging with your therapist between sessions. 

Couples therapy can include other relationships such as parent/child, friends, or siblings. The person who signs up for Talkspace will be the primary account holder who can invite their partner to join live sessions. Although both people attend sessions, the primary account holder is the only one who can change providers, schedule live sessions, check the clinical progress tracker, and respond to assessments from your therapist.

Talkspace has experts who specialize in these areas for couples therapy: 

Psychiatry

Talkspace psychiatrists can prescribe and refill medication in addition to providing talk therapy. After completing the questionnaire, you will be matched with a licensed telehealth psychiatrist or a nurse practitioner. If the first provider is not a good fit, you can change psychiatrists at any time through the app. 

Some mental health conditions Talkspace psychiatrists treat include:

Does Talkspace prescribe medication? 

Yes, Talkspace psychiatrists can prescribe medication and help you with medication management. The psychiatry program is different from the therapy platform, and costs vary. 

Talkspace providers can prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of drugs that are typically used as antidepressants, such as sertraline (Zoloft) and escitalopram (Lexapro) and selective Serotonin–noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), among others. Talkspace providers cannot prescribe stimulants, such as Adderall, a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, sedatives like alprazolam (Xanax), or any controlled substances, such as opioids like oxycodone (OxyContin).

Can I receive a mental health diagnosis through Talkspace?

Yes, Talkspace therapists are trained in diagnosing and treating certain mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. If you have a serious mental health condition that may warrant a prescription medication, your therapist will refer you to a Talkspace psychiatrist.

How much does Talkspace cost?

Talkspace costs will vary depending on the subscription plan. Here’s a breakdown of the different costs associated with each therapy and psychiatry plan:

Cost of therapy

Individual Therapy & Therapy for Teens:

Couples Therapy: 

This plan includes text, video, and audio messages for both partners, with responses from their provider five days a week. This plan provides four live 30-minute couples therapy sessions each month and starts at $436 per month.

Cost of psychiatry

Talkspace also offers psychiatric services. Your plan will be based on whether you are a first-time or returning client.

For initial evaluations:

For returning clients:

You can also use benefits through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to access Talkspace. An EAP allows you to attend a certain number of counseling sessions for free through your employer. If your company offers an EAP, you will need a valid authorization code and the approved number of sessions from your employer to sign up for Talkspace. 

Depending on your financial situation and insurance status, you may be able to access therapy at a low cost. Talkspace offers free therapy services for teens ages 13–17 in New York City. Also check the Talkspace discounts page to see if the platform has any coupons on offer.

Does Talkspace accept Medicare or insurance?

Talkspace accepts major health insurance plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Optum, and others, and you can expect a copay of approximately $25. Without insurance, you can expect to pay about $69 per week out-of-pocket. 

Talkspace does not take Medicare or Medicaid plans. You can find other online therapy platforms that accept insurance in our review.

Does Talkspace offer financial aid?

No, Talkspace does not offer financial aid, but the platform sometimes offers promotions for cheaper subscriptions. Talkspace also provides discounted therapy for registered college students at the following schools:

You must enter your college email address and a keyword provided by your university to sign up.

Comparison table of online therapy platforms as of April 2024

Talkspace Visit Site
BetterHelp Visit Site
Brightside Visit Site
Calmerry Visit Site
Monthly cost* $230–$436 $280–$400 $95–$349 $228–$360
Session format Individual therapy, couples therapy, teens therapy, psychiatry Individual therapy Individual therapy Individual therapy
Insurance accepted? Live video, phone call, or chat, and messaging between sessions Live video, phone call, or chat, and messaging between sessions Live video and messaging between sessions Live video and messaging between sessions
Financial aid? Yes No Yes, including Medicare in some states and some Medicare Advantage plans No
Prescriptions available? No Yes No No

* Excluding any discounts or promotions

How we evaluate online therapy platforms

Based on our independent research and consultations with mental health experts, our Reviews Team determined the following factors to be important when looking for online therapy:

We also consulted with independent mental health professionals for their insights into the benefits and drawbacks of online therapy to aid our reviews.

Bottom line

Talkspace is a convenient online therapy and psychiatry platform for people seeking help from the comfort of their homes. With features like weekly workshops and medication management, Talkspace offers many of the benefits we seek in a platform. 

Although scheduling was sometimes difficult for our tester, they found a therapist who was the right fit and enjoyed their overall experience on Talkspace. With thousands of therapists available in all 50 U.S. states, you are likely to find a match that is right for you and your needs.

Frequently asked questions

Talkspace is an online therapy platform for individuals, teens, and couples that offers therapy and psychiatry services. Subscribers can choose from plans with live video sessions, weekly webinars, and messaging between sessions.

Yes, Talkspace accepts major insurance plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Optum, and others, but not Medicare or Medicaid.

Talkspace has a very detailed data privacy policy linked on their website. In this policy, Talkspace outlines exactly what type of information they collect, why they collect it, how they use it, and who they can share it with. Read though the policy and reach out to Talkspace customer service if you have questions.

Talkspace offers a seven-day free trial to try the self-guided app before you subscribe to its full list of offerings, such as live video sessions and workshops. You must input a credit card to access the free trial, but you can cancel at any time during the first week.

Sources

  1. Freytag J, et al. Advances in Psychotherapy for Older Adults Using Video-to-Home Treatment. Advances in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. Sept. 2, 2022. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9458515/
  2. Maier A, et al. Risk Factors and Protective Factors of Depression in Older People 65+. A Systematic Review. PLoS One. May 13, 2021. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8118343/pdf/pone.0251326.pdf
  3. Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Crisis services: Identifying a crisis. Jan. 2, 2024. Found on the internet at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/crisis/signs.htm
Lauren Davis
Lauren Evoy Davis Author
Lauren Evoy Davis is a health journalist with expertise in cancer and other chronic conditions. Lauren holds an MA in Journalism from American University and a BA in English from Elon University. Her work has been published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Legacy, Health Central, WebMD, Verywell Health, Patient Power, and Verizon.
Haley Stricker headshot
Haley Stricker Author
Haley Stricker is a licensed professional counselor who specializes in eating disorders, marriage and family counseling, women’s health, and trauma. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta, GA.
Kathleen Cameron
Kathleen Cameron Reviewer
Kathleen Cameron, BSPharm, MPH, has more than 25 years of experience in the health care field as a pharmacist, researcher, and program director focusing on falls prevention, geriatric pharmacotherapy, mental health, long-term services and supports, and caregiving. Cameron is Senior Director of the NCOA Center for Healthy Aging, where she provides subject matter expertise on health care programmatic and policy related issues and oversees the Modernizing Senior Center Resource Center.
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