BetterHelp Vs. Talkspace: A Comparison Of Online Therapy Platforms
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| Number of Therapists | 30,000+ | 3,000+ |
| Therapist Qualifications | LCSW, LPC, MFT, PsyD | LCSW, LPC, MFT, PsyD |
| Messaging | 7 days per week | 5 days per week |
| Live Chat Sessions | ||
| Phone Sessions | Available at extra cost | |
| Video Sessions | Available at extra cost | |
| Session Length Limit | 45 minutes | 45 minutes |
| Sessions Booking | Pick from a calendar No confirmation needed | Pick from a calendar Therapist's confirmation required |
| Matching To Therapist Options | Matching algorithm Can change to pick from a list matching specialist available | Pick from 3 options Matching agent available |
| Digital Worksheets | ||
| Journal | ||
| Interactive Group Sessions | 20 per week No extra cost | 5-6 per week For extra cost |
| Self-Help Content | 4,000+ articles and guides | Blog |
| 10+ exercises | ||
| Showing "Therapy Timeline" | ||
| Psychiatry Option | ||
| App Store Rating | 4.8 | 4.7 |
| Google Play Store Rating | 4.6 | 4.4 |
| Payment Commitment | Month-by-month default Can change to week-by-week or quarter-by-quarter | Month-by-month, quarter-by-quarter, or semi-annually |
| Monthly Cost | $260 to $360 Depends on location Includes a weekly live session | $276-436 Depends on subscription plan |
| Financial Aid Options | ||
| Payment Options | Credit card, PayPal | Credit card |
| Insurance/Payer Coverage | Options available Some FSA/HSA providers, some employers, some EAPs, some universities | Options available Some insurance plans, FSA/HSA providers, employers, EAPs, universities |
Comparing Talkspace and BetterHelp
There are a few core differences between the services offered by BetterHelp vs. TalkSpace. Although both are online therapy platforms, the differences between the two can make a significant difference in your experience upon signing up and being matched with a therapist.
Recent studies have found that online therapy is the most popular form of telehealth available, with four out of every ten adults using online therapy since 2021. With these high numbers, ensuring you find a reputable, affordable, and effective therapy platform or therapist can be essential.
BetterHelp review
BetterHelp is the world's leading online therapy platform. With over two million users, it serves clients in the US and abroad to bring cost-effective, convenient, and quality therapy to individuals worldwide.
Features
When you sign up for BetterHelp, there are several features to which you can gain access. Upon enrolling signing up, you'll be matched with a therapist within 48 hours. Before that point, you can access BetterHelp's journal feature through the app, check out articles on their blog, and register for interactive webinars led by licensed therapists and counselors on popular mental health topics like trauma, depression, anxiety, and other concerns.
Other features you can expect to find through BetterHelp include the following:
- Video, phone, or chat sessions with your therapist
- Unlimited messaging
- Digital worksheets that can be sent to you by your therapist
- A secure chat room between you and your therapist to which you can returnat any time to review
- The option to share your journal entries with your therapist automatically or manually
- Sister sites dedicated to couples, teens, and LGBTQ+ therapy
Pricing
BetterHelp costs $65 to $90 weekly, billed every four weeks, which amounts to about $260 to $360 per month, depending on location, availability of providers, and your session needs. This cost includes a weekly session of 30 to 45 minutes in length. In addition, you may be able to pay an extra cost if you want to schedule a second session in one week.
The service cost includes your weekly session with your therapist, unlimited messaging, group webinars (optional), and self-help tools like worksheets. BetterHelp also offers discounted rates and financial aid in some instances, subject to approval.
You may pay for your BetterHelp services using a debit or credit card or a PayPal account with a linked card or bank account. BetterHelp bills every four weeks, and you can cancel at any time. You may also be able to pay for your BetterHelp account through some FSA/HAS providers, employers, EAPs, or universities. However, BetterHelp does not take insurance at this time.
Signing up
To sign up for BetterHelp's services, click on the "get started" page on the BetterHelp website. You can then answer a few short questions about your preferences for a therapist. If it is important to you, you can ask for a BIPOC, LGBTQ+, or Christian therapist and specify whether you have a gender or age preference for your therapist.
The form will also ask you about the following:
- Your symptoms
- Any mental health conditions you'd like to address
- Whether you have any crucial comments for your therapist
- Your pronouns
- Your relationship status
- Whether you've been in therapy before
- What approach you'd like your therapist to take
- The state of your physical health
- Whether you're experiencing depression or anxiety symptoms
- Your substance use habits
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helplineat (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources.
After submitting your preferences for a therapist, you will be asked to complete the sign-up process by adding your name (or nickname), email, and password. Once you've completed your account, BetterHelp will offer you a weekly rate. You can apply for a cost reduction at this step if you have a low income.
Social impact
Outside of the therapy offered to individuals through the BetterHelp platform, the company offers support worldwide to various communities in need through its social impact program.A few of the initiatives in which BetterHelp has been involved include the following:
- Over $42 million offered in discounts and financial aid to low-income clients
- Over 31,000 months of therapy donated to communities in need
- Free therapy for those impacted by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine
- Therapy donated to those impacted by Hurricane Ian
- Therapy donated to those impacted by the shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs
- Partnerships with over 100 non-profit organizations to donate free therapy to under-resourced communities
- Celebrity partnerships to raise awareness and reduce mental health stigmas
Talkspace review
TalkSpace is an online therapy service that offers several service plans depending on the client's needs. They are one of several popular online therapy platforms but differ in a few ways from BetterHelp.
Features
TalkSpace offers therapy for individuals, teens, and couples seeking support. Similarly to BetterHelp, TalkSpace matches clients with a therapist after a brief assessment. Below are several of the features offered:
- One 30-minute video session per week (only in the top two tiers of pricing plans)
- Messaging with your therapist for five days a week
- The ability to choose between individual, couples, or teen therapy
- The option to speak to a psychiatrist at a higher cost
- The option to select your therapist or be matched
Unlike BetterHelp, TalkSpace does not offer a journal, digital worksheets, interactive group sessions, or free webinars. They do offer a few self-help exercises and a blog.
Pricing
TalkSpace costs $69 a week for messaging only, $99 per week for one video therapy session per week with messaging, and $109 per week for video therapy, messaging, and weekly workshops. Additional live sessions cost $65 per session. All plans are charged monthly, incurring a charge of around $276 a month for just messaging to $396 for video and messaging. With workshops, the cost is $436 a month.
In addition to their plans, TalkSpace is covered by some insurance providers. Check their insurance page on their website or speak to your insurance company to learn more. You may still be subject to co-pays or out-of-pocket fees. TalkSpace doesn't offer financial aid; you can pay for your services with a debit or credit card.
Signing up
When you sign up for TalkSpace, you'll be guided through a few questions before joining. A few areas about which TalkSpace may ask you include the following:
- Your reason for seeking support
- The quality of your sleep
- Your physical health
- Whether you have a gender preference for your therapist
After signing up, you'll be prompted to pay your monthly cost upfront. You may be given a discount for your first month, depending on TalkSpace's promotions. After signing up, you may be matched with a therapist or select one from a list of providers that may meet your needs.
Social impact
TalkSpace does not list any social impact information on its website or blog at this time. However, they state they are committed to offering flexible, cost-effective care to those who struggle to access it in person.
BetterHelp Vs. Talkspace comparison chart
BetterHelp | TalkSpace | |
Number Of Therapists | Over 30,000 | Over 3,000 |
Session Formats | Live phone, video, or messaging sessions | Non-live messaging or live video sessions |
Messaging | Unlimited messaging included for free in all plans | $69 per week on its own, with messaging for five days a week |
Digital Worksheets | Hundreds of worksheets | N/A |
Digital Webinars | Offered as an optional free add-on | Workshops offered in the $109/month package |
Psychiatry | N/A | $374 for an initial evaluation and one follow-up |
Financial Aid | Offered to those who qualify | N/A |
Google Play Store Rating | 4.6 stars | 4.4 stars |
App Store Rating | 4.8 stars | 4.7 stars |
Social Impact | Millions of dollars of financial aid awarded, thousands of months of therapy donated, and partnerships with many non-profits and celebrities | N/A |
Getting started with online therapy
Signing up for online therapy can be a significant commitment. However, regardless of your choice, internet-based therapy is often more cost-effective, convenient, and accessible than in-person sessions.
Benefits of online therapy sessions
If you're unsure of the benefits of online therapy, you can look through some of the many studies that discuss the data found on the topic. For example, studies have found that internet-based counseling is cheaper, more accessiblefor those with a disability, and more effective for certain mental illnesses, like depression.
If you're interested in meeting with an online provider, you can get matched with a therapist through an online platform like BetterHelpfor individuals or Regainfor couples within 48 hours. In addition, you can access extra content like journaling, worksheets, and webinars upon signing up and paying for your subscription.
Takeaway
BetterHelp and TalkSpace are both popular online therapy options. When seeking a telehealth therapist, look at the features, pricing, and social impact of the platform you choose. In addition, ensure therapists are licensed to practice therapy and have clinical experience in providing mental healthcare. Once you're ready to sign up, you can get started at any time by filling out the online questionnaire.
Is BetterHelp worth it?
Depending on your therapy goals, BetterHelp may be worth it for you. BetterHelp is an online therapy platform that provides reputable mental health services through online therapy sessions. This mental health support service can be cost-effective as well. In-person therapy usually ranges between $100 to $200 per session. BetterHelp usually costs between $65 to $100 per session, billed monthly. In addition, BetterHelp offers financial aid for those who qualify.
Regarding therapist qualifications, BetterHelp therapists hold either a master’s degree or a doctorate, meaning the mental health professionals on the platform are licensed. Therapist bios are featured on the BetterHelp website, which can make the sign-up process easy by allowing you to choose your preferred therapist. Once you complete the sign-up process, you are also given the option to switch therapists if you think your first match does not fit your needs.
Besides offering potentially cost-effective therapy services, you can message your therapist at any time through BetterHelp’s communication methods. Live chat, text, audio calls, and live video sessions are all available through the platform. If you are looking for effective talk therapy sessions with qualified licensed therapists, BetterHelp can be worth your money and time. A reliable source indicates that BetterHelp talk therapy sessions can be a credible alternative to traditional therapy, and this study shows that BetterHelp can be effective in alleviating symptoms of depression.
What are the differences between Talkspace and BetterHelp?
Both BetterHelp and Talkspace can offer reliable mental health care support. However, these two credible online therapy platforms have differences. One difference is that Talkspace can offer psychiatry services. If your question is “Can Talkspace prescribe medication?” The answer is yes. Talkspace psychiatry services can provide a psychiatric evaluation and can prescribe medication. BetterHelp, on the other hand, does not provide medication management or psychiatry services. The initial evaluation cost of Talkspace psychiatry can also differ from that of follow-up sessions. It is worth noting that Talkspace medication management or psychiatric services cannot prescribe controlled substances.
If you’re looking to pay for online therapy with your insurance plan, Talkspace can be a good option, which is another difference between these online therapy companies. Talkspace online therapy services can accept insurance plan coverage and may offer employee assistance programs.
Does BetterHelp accept insurance too? BetterHelp does not accept an insurance plan and does not offer employee assistance programs right now. Though the BetterHelp platform does not accept insurance, it can offer financial aid and sliding scale options, if needed.
BetterHelp therapists may be available seven days a week while Talkspace therapists may only be available five days a week. The bios of BetterHelp therapists are publicly available on the website. This can be an advantage if you’d like to determine whether a particular therapist matches your preference. Overall, the cost of BetterHelp has been shown to potentially be lower than Talkspace.
Can mental health providers at BetterHelp provide diagnoses?
BetterHelp mental health providers cannot provide diagnoses. For a formal diagnosis, you can make an appointment with your doctor or a mental health specialist. You may also consider in-person therapy. A BetterHelp therapist may not be able to diagnose, but they can still provide therapy. Based on the client’s mental health history and symptoms, BetterHelp therapists can evaluate and suggest evidence-based techniques or lifestyle changes. They can also refer a client to a specialist, if needed. If you’re looking for individual therapy or group therapy, BetterHelp can help you manage your symptoms while you seek a formal diagnosis via other professionals. Whether you have gender identity issues, concerns about sleep disorders, eating disorders, and more, BetterHelp therapists can provide helpful support.
Other potential benefits of BetterHelp:
Besides online individual therapy and group sessions, BetterHelp also includes self-help content for people seeking advice articles and mental health resources. Topics include couples therapy, teen counseling or teen therapy, individual therapy, mental health issues, and many more, with medical reviewers approving the content.
Can BetterHelp therapists provide medication?
No. A BetterHelp mental health professional cannot provide medication management services. Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners can offer medication management services. BetterHelp’s mental health treatment approach includes evidenced-based techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy. Even though BetterHelp does not offer medication management services, it offers counseling and talk therapy. According to research, combined psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy treatment may be superior compared to each treatment alone.
How many online therapy sessions can I participate in monthly with BetterHelp?
With BetterHelp, you can do four live therapy sessions monthly. An additional fee is required if you opt to have more than one session weekly. The live therapy sessions with online therapists can be through audio or video, but the platform also offers a messaging therapy option.
If you’re looking for a mental health professional that can help in treating sleep disorders, eating disorders, or bipolar disorder concerns, BetterHelp mental health services can be a good option. Besides therapy for mental health concerns, BetterHelp also offers family therapy, thus, if you need a family therapist, you can try the platform. If you need support for your child from a child’s therapist, BetterHelp’s sister site TeenCounseling.com can offer teen therapy or teen counseling. BetterHelp’s other sister website, Regain, specializes in couples therapy.
What are the benefits of BetterHelp vs. Talkspace?
Both Talkspace and BetterHelp are online therapy companies for people seeking to improve their mental health conditions. Both BetterHelp and Talkspace have qualified licensed therapists, psychologists, and licensed clinical social workers equipped to teach skills that can be helpful for people with mental health concerns.
Wondering, “Does BetterHelp accept health insurance?” BetterHelp does not accept a health insurance plan, but it can offer a discount and financial aid for qualified individuals. BetterHelp can offer several benefits. The processes for mental health therapy subscriptions and cancellations can be quick and easy. The therapist bios are found on the BetterHelp page, so clients can read the credentials of BetterHelp therapists ahead of time.
Talkspace offers psychiatry services and medication management services, but does Talkspace accept insurance? Talkspace accepts insurance from many major health insurance plans. Also, Talkspace can offer easy subscription and cancellation processes.
For people needing couples therapy, stress counseling, or other types of therapy, choosing the right mental health services that will meet their mental health care needs can be essential. Both Talkspace and BetterHelp mental health services have qualified licensed therapists. Both BetterHelp and Talkspace online therapy companies have live therapy sessions for therapy seekers who are unable to go to in-person talk therapy sessions. According to research, no time, no transportation, and inconvenience are some potential reasons for not seeking mental health help. Both BetterHelp and Talkspace online therapy companies can be beneficial for those experiencing these obstacles.
Is Talkspace only messaging?
Talkspace, a reliable online therapy platform, features couples therapy, individual therapy, Talkspace psychiatry, teen counseling, and medication management, so Talkspace is not only for messaging. Depending on the plan, communication modes can include audio, live chat, messaging, phone, and video chat.
Can my therapist see my journal on BetterHelp?
Can BetterHelp prescribe Xanax?
No. BetterHelp cannot prescribe Xanax and other medications. BetterHelp therapists offer psychotherapy using evidenced-based techniques to help alleviate mental health concerns. BetterHelp offers individual therapy and group sessions. It also features teen counseling or teen therapy and couples therapy through its sister websites TeenCounseling.com and Regain, respectively.
Does BetterHelp use AI?
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