Thriveworks operates on a pay-per-session model, meaning there are no monthly subscription fees.
All sessions are 50 to 60 minutes.
The initial session is an hour long and follow-ups are 20 to 30 minutes.
Just keep in mind that the plans accepted will vary by provider and state.
To get started, you simply head to the website and select which pop in of therapy youd like.
From there, youll be shown a variety of providers near you.
In the list of providers, you get a peek at their profile.
However, my experience getting started wasnt seamless.
This led me to almost book an in-person session by mistake.
I went ahead and called the customer service number to get some support.
At this point, I was pretty put off by my experience.
Nonetheless, I forged forward.
I was confused since this was the number that the support team told me to call in the email.
Luckily, I was transferred to the correct department and a very kind person was eager to help me.
She encouraged me to check every day, noting that provider availability shifts often.
She also promised to reach out as soon as a virtual provider was available.
I imagine a therapy newcomer might discontinue the process altogether at this point.
My First Session
For my first session, my therapist was punctual and professional.
She reviewed the limits to confidentiality and confirmed my address.
I immediately felt comfortable with her.
The intake questions were detailed.
While this was pretty extensive, it isnt unheard of to be asked these questions in therapy.
This was the same PHQ-9 and GAD-7 I was instructed to complete for my first session.
I did so a day before my appointment.
(Spoiler alert: I received messages to complete them again before my third session.)
My Final Session
The third session is where things got pretty wonky.
I logged on for our session and her camera was off.
Still, this opening threw me off.
I am also a strong proponent of canceling sessions when unwell.
[8]
The rest of the session felt off the rails, too.
I told her about an issue I was experiencing with a friend and her feedback was unprofessional.
She also disclosed a situation that occurred in her life that she felt was similar to what I described.
Other Services
While I only tested individual therapy at Thriveworks, the company does offer other services.
Folks can opt for couples therapy, family therapy, and therapy for kids 0 to 17.
(And yes, you read that right: 0 to 17.
Thriveworks also offers appointments for psychiatry services, with prices as I laid out above.
To cancel any session, you must provide 48 hours notice or be charged a $135 cancellation fee.
As I went through this process, I wished there was an option to input text feedback.
Having the option to provide direct feedback could improve Thriveworks quality of care.
How Does Thriveworks Compare With Other Online Therapy Services?
Id say Thriveworks closest competitor isGrow Therapy.
Grow Therapy focuses on accepting many major insurance plans and claims folks can see a therapist within two days.
In my experience, Grow Therapy follows through on their quick availability, but only accepts 51 insurance plans.
Their out-of-pocket fees are a bit higher, too.
However, their out-of-pocket fees are significantly higher than Thriveworks, clocking in at $226 to $260.
Innerwellalso could be compared with Thriveworks, solely because it offers a pay-per-session model.
BetterHelpandTalkspaceare subscription-based platforms, so their services differ slightly.
BetterHelp is $240 to $360 a month for weekly sessions and offers sessions quickly.
My Final Thoughts
Thriveworks is one of my least favorite of the platforms Ive tested.
We are also personally testing the platforms and surveying users of each platform.
Im a psychotherapist and own a private practice.
I specialize in trauma therapy and have specialized training, like EMDR, in treating trauma-related conditions.
Her writing often focuses on mental health disparities and uses critical race theory as her preferred theoretical framework.
She has been published by Verywell Mind, Health,Parents,Shape, Yahoo, and more.
