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How do these two online therapy giants compare?
Talkspace Homepage
As online therapy companies are becoming household names, chances are youve heard ofBetterHelpandTalkspace.
Here is how they compare.
Take a look at ouronline therapy methodology.
Betterhelp
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Talkspace is available in all 50 states as well as certain international locations, rivaling BetterHelp in accessibility.
This offer is a partnership between Verywell Mind and BetterHelp.
If you click this link and sign up for the BetterHelp membership, we will receive a commission.Learn more.
BetterHelps sessions last 30 to 45 minutes, while Talkspaces sessions last 30 minutes.
Each companys pricing is listed as weekly on their websites; however, users are billed monthly.
Talkspace offers a tiered subscription plan for individual and teen therapy.
This plan starts at $109/week.
Seventy-six percent of users we surveyed said Talkspaces subscription plans were affordable or very affordable.
Both companies have an easy cancellation process.
Since users are billed monthly, a cancellation means your plan will not renew at the next billing period.
Users are required to pay for the full month, and refunds for unused sessions are not available.
Betterhelp
Talkspace vs. BetterHelp: Website & Account Setup
Signing up with either company is fairly straightforward.
you might sign up for services via the websites of both providers or their corresponding mobile apps.
I signed up for both Talkspace and BetterHelp.
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Talkspace
Ninety-four percent of users said Talkspaces website was easy or very easy to use.
The websites design is straightforward and simple.
The entire process took me about 10 to 15 minutes to complete on Talkspaces website.
If you plan to use insurance benefits, you will need your Member ID accessible while signing up.
If you are seeking individual therapy, you will receive a personalized match within 48 hours.
BetterHelp
Signing up for BetterHelp is a longer and more comprehensive process.
The questionnaire also asked if I had problems with intimacy or with my identity.
I considered the questions to be random and not well organized when I completed my sign-up.
I found the website to be well-organized, eye-catching, and interactive.
Talkspace vs. BetterHelp: Psychiatry
Out of the two, only Talkspace provides psychiatry services.
These services are offered separately from talk therapy.
Of the users we surveyed, 92% rated Talkspaces medication management services as excellent or very good.
you’re free to sign up for a psychiatric evaluation on Talkspaces homepage.
Psychiatrists on Talkspace are unable to prescribe controlled substances, such as Xanax or Valium.
Medication prescriptions will be sent to a pharmacy near you.
All therapists through BetterHelp are independent contractors.
Upon logging into either app, users can pull up the portal.
When you initiate the BetterHelp app, the first page you see is your portal.
In the Journal tab, you will find optional daily prompts to complete in addition to therapy.
That being said, BetterHelps app is confusing to use because of its organization.
On the other hand, the app for Talkspace flows well and is simple to use.
you’re free to view most of its elements on one screen.
Asynchronous text messaging with your licensed therapist is available within the portals.
You are able to message your therapist at any time with both companies.
Depending on your plan, you will receive guaranteed therapist responses at least five days a week.
Your therapist will then confirm the session time.
This may be why 23% of users said Talkspace had more flexible session times than its competitors.
BetterHelp schedules roughly week-to-week.
I was disappointed with Talkspaces live sessions.
During live video calls, the video often lagged and the audio sounded staticky.
The low quality distracted me, and I felt unable to focus on my needs during therapy sessions.
The audio did not improve with live audio sessionsconfirming to me that it was an issue with Talkspaces platform.
In contrast with Talkspace, the audio and video quality during live video sessions was excellent on BetterHelp.
Live chats on BetterHelp and Talkspace were comparable to one another.
I found it more effective when therapists utilized text messages versus audio messages during the live chat sessions.
This was interesting to me and pushed the flow of conversation along.
My therapist at Talkspace often directed me towards live sessions when I messaged them.
Each companys blog provides informative articles about mental health conditions and coping strategies.
However, Talkspace includes a Mental Health Conditions library.
These pages thoroughly describe the symptoms, causes, and treatment of 32 mental health conditions.
Free mental health assessments are available on its website, too.
It is worth noting that the results of these tests are not an official diagnosis.
There is also an extensive blog with regular posts.
Talkspace also offers hour-long workshops through Zoom.
Users must attend these workshops live as they do not offer a link to the recording after.
Of the users we surveyed, 74% said Talkspaces additional resources were excellent or very good.
Similarly, BetterHelp offers Groupinars, which are short webinars users can attend about a variety of topics.
These live events are held within your portal on BetterHelps website or app.
Seventy-nine percent of users we surveyed rated BetterHelp’s additional resources as excellent or very good.
Talkspace vs. BetterHelp: Customer Experience
Overall customer satisfaction appears high for both companies.
Its easy-to-use app and website create a streamlined service for users.
However, without insurance benefits, the cost of Talkspaces subscription plans could be too costly.
BetterHelps overall affordability and available financial aid options make it a good choice for users prioritizing cost and accessibility.
Still, depending on where you are located, BetterHelp might be more expensive than Talkspace.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Are Therapy Sessions at BetterHelp and Talkspace?
Do Talkspace and BetterHelp Accept Health Insurance?
Talkspace accepts most health insurance plans.
BetterHelp does not accept health insurance.
Can Talkspace and BetterHelp Therapists Provide Diagnoses?
No, neither Talkspace nor BetterHelp therapists are able to diagnose you.
However, Talkspaces psychiatrists are able to provide diagnoses.
Can Therapists on BetterHelp and Talkspace Prescribe Medication?
Therapists on BetterHelp and Talkspace cannot prescribe medication.
Talkspace does have licensed medication management providers, such as psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners.
However, this service is separate from your therapy services.
When Should I Consider Getting Help Beyond Online Therapy?
Online therapy can benefitthose with moderate anxiety, depression, or life stressors.
