In This Article
Talkspace is one of the largest online therapy platforms, offering text, video, and audio therapy with licensed professionals. Its key differentiator? Insurance coverage — making it potentially far more affordable than competitors like BetterHelp. After two months of testing, here's our honest assessment.
Talkspace — Our Rating: 4.2/5
Online therapy with insurance coverage and psychiatry options. Good for people who want clinical-grade support with potential insurance savings.
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Our Verdict
Choose Talkspace if: Your insurance covers it (check their website), you need medication management (psychiatry available), or your employer offers it as a benefit.
Choose BetterHelp instead if: You want a larger therapist network, easier therapist switching, or don't have Talkspace-compatible insurance.
How Talkspace Works
Step 1: Assessment
You complete an online questionnaire about your mental health concerns, preferences (therapist gender, specialisation, communication style), and insurance information. This takes about 10 minutes.
Step 2: Therapist Matching
Talkspace matches you with a licensed therapist within 48-72 hours (sometimes faster). You receive a brief profile and can accept the match or request a different therapist.
Step 3: Therapy Sessions
Depending on your plan, you communicate via text messaging (asynchronous — therapist responds within 24 hours), video sessions (scheduled 30-45 minute calls), audio messages, or a combination.
Step 4: Ongoing Care
Your therapist develops a treatment plan and works with you over weeks/months. You can switch therapists if needed, adjust your plan, or add psychiatry services.
Pricing
| Plan | Without Insurance | With Insurance | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messaging Therapy | $69/week | As low as copay | Unlimited text, audio, video messaging |
| Video + Messaging | $99/week | As low as copay | Above + 1 live video session/month |
| Video + Messaging Plus | $109/week | As low as copay | Above + 4 live video sessions/month |
| Psychiatry | $249 initial / $125 follow-up | Varies | Medication management |
The insurance advantage: If your insurance covers Talkspace, you may only pay your standard therapy copay ($20-50 per session). This makes Talkspace dramatically cheaper than BetterHelp ($65-90/week with no insurance option). Check coverage at Talkspace's website before signing up.
Therapist Quality
All Talkspace therapists are licensed professionals (psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, or licensed professional counsellors) with a minimum of 3,000 clinical hours. In our experience, the therapist quality was professional and effective.
One difference from BetterHelp: Talkspace's therapist network is smaller (~5,000 vs 30,000+), which means less variety in specialisations. If you have a niche concern, BetterHelp's larger network may offer a better match.
Pros & Cons
What We Liked
- Insurance coverage — the biggest advantage. Can reduce costs to just your copay
- Psychiatry available — can prescribe medication alongside therapy
- Employer programmes — many companies offer Talkspace as a benefit
- Messaging-only plan — affordable entry point for those who prefer writing
- Clinical approach — feels more like traditional therapy than some competitors
What Could Be Better
- Slower matching — 48-72 hours vs BetterHelp's 24 hours
- Smaller therapist network — less variety in specialisations
- Therapist switching less flexible — BetterHelp makes this easier
- Response times vary — some therapists respond within hours, others take the full 24 hours
- More expensive without insurance — $99/week for video + messaging is higher than BetterHelp
Insurance Coverage
Talkspace accepts many major insurance plans including Aetna, Cigna, Optum, UnitedHealthcare, and others. Coverage varies by plan and state. The best way to check is to visit Talkspace's website and enter your insurance details — they'll confirm coverage and estimated costs before you commit.
If your insurance doesn't cover Talkspace, BetterHelp is typically more cost-effective at $65-90/week with no insurance required.
Talkspace vs BetterHelp
| Feature | Talkspace | BetterHelp |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | 🏆 Accepted | Not accepted |
| Psychiatry | 🏆 Available | Not available |
| Therapist network | 5,000+ | 🏆 30,000+ |
| Price (no insurance) | $69-109/wk | 🏆 $65-90/wk |
| Matching speed | 48-72 hrs | 🏆 24 hrs |
| Therapist switching | Available | 🏆 Easier/unlimited |
For a full breakdown, read our BetterHelp vs Talkspace comparison.
FAQs
Is Talkspace legitimate therapy?
Yes — all therapists are licensed professionals providing real therapeutic services. Talkspace is accredited and meets the same clinical standards as in-person therapy.
Can Talkspace prescribe medication?
Yes, through their psychiatry service. A psychiatrist can evaluate you and prescribe medication if appropriate. This is a significant advantage over BetterHelp, which doesn't offer psychiatry.
Should I combine therapy with meditation?
Absolutely. Meditation between therapy sessions reinforces skills and accelerates progress. Many therapists actively recommend meditation apps like Headspace or Calm as homework.
How do I cancel Talkspace?
You can cancel anytime through the app or website. There's no cancellation fee or long-term commitment.
