talkspace

• Convenience
• Access to Psychiatric Services
• Variety of Options

Convenience 

The company offers a mobile app that allows for texting, audio and video messaging. Clients can reach out to a therapist at any time (although response times do vary).

Much like comparable platforms in the space, such as BetterHelp, TalkSpace uses an onboarding process to match clients with a therapist. The onboarding includes a questionnaire and an interactive text with a therapist, who then assigns a therapist based on what may be a good fit.

This can all happen rather quickly, rather than the inconvenience of offline therapy, which can take weeks or months to get started.

Access to Psychiatric Services

Talkspace offers psychiatric care as well as therapy. This is helpful for those that take prescription medications, as psychiatrists can write prescriptions, while therapists cannot. Many individuals who require therapeutic services also take medications, and it is helpful to bundle the therapist and psychiatrist under the same agency.

This alone is not a core differentiator; as other apps do provide both therapeutic and medical and/or psychiatric services, like Regain and BetterHelp. However, it is a definite plus of the platform, among other benefits.

Variety of Options

Aside from individual therapy, TalkSpace also offers therapy for teens and couplers. There is a unique eight-week program for insomnia. There are more than 1 million users, with celebrity endorsements ranging from high profile Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps to pop singer Demi Lovato, so the platform addresses a variety of individuals', couples', and families’ needs. 

• Lack of Communication 
• Inconsistent Quality
• Pricing

Lack of Communication 

Customers complain that contact is sporadic — messages go unanswered or with days in between responses — and that scheduling a session with a therapist is difficult or that internet connection is lost during appointments. For a platform promising consistent access to a therapist, this does not represent those promises effectively.

Inconsistent Quality

Many customers noted that therapists were not only not always available, but also not always up-to-date on their situation or would send generic, “how are you doing?’ messages. Other customers report being very happy with their therapists, so it seems to be the luck of the draw as far as the quality and attentiveness of the therapist.

However, this is not much different from offline therapy, where finding a good fit is just as random, and can depend greatly on the therapists’ skills, experience, or personality.

Pricing 

TalkSpace’s pricing is a little higher than other services, but the platform does allow for text, video and audio messaging five days per week for all plans. The basic plan doesn’t include a session, just messaging.

The premium plan includes one live session per month and the ultimate plan includes 4–30 minute sessions per month. It is subscription based and customers can cancel at any time, which may help if a customer has a varying budget and needs the option to pause services for a while.

TalkSpace is covered by some health insurance plans, but a majority of customers pay privately. Pricing starts at $260 per month for the basic plan and $396 per month for the ultimate plan.