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Talkspace at a Glance
| Our Rating | 4.5 / 5 |
|---|---|
| Best For | Therapy plus medication |
| Monthly Cost | $276β$396 |
| Providers | Therapists and psychiatrists |
| Formats | Video, phone, text |
| Insurance | Accepted by many plans |
| Match Time | 1β2 days |
What Is Talkspace?
Talkspace is an online mental health platform that uniquely combines therapy and psychiatry. You can receive counseling and prescription medication management in one place β a major advantage for people with diagnosed conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Having therapist and psychiatrist on the same platform means your care can be coordinated, without juggling separate providers who may not communicate.
Talkspace accepts insurance from many plans, which can bring the out-of-pocket cost down considerably. Self-pay plans run $276 to $396 a month.
Its dedicated app handles scheduling and messaging smoothly, and matching usually takes one to two days. Talkspace is more expensive than BetterHelp for self-pay users, and therapist turnover can be higher.
Talkspace ranks second in our online therapy platform rankings with our Best for Medication badge.
Combining therapy and medication is a common approach for moderate to severe depression and anxiety; the NIMHβs guide to mental health medications explains how these medicines are used.
For people who have tried therapy alone without enough improvement, adding medication under a psychiatristβs care can make a difference. Talkspace makes that step easier by keeping both services on one platform.
Insurance acceptance is the other big draw. Many people can use Talkspace through their health plan or employer, which makes it one of the more affordable options when coverage applies.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Psychiatry + medication management available
- Insurance accepted by many plans
- Dedicated app with seamless scheduling
Cons
- More expensive than BetterHelp
- Therapist turnover can be higher
How Talkspace Works
Assessment
Complete Talkspaceβs intake and check your insurance.
Match
Get matched with a therapist, and a psychiatrist if needed, in one to two days.
Therapy sessions
Meet by video, phone or text in the app.
Medication management
A psychiatrist can prescribe and monitor medication if appropriate.
Safety & What to Know
Online therapy is not for emergencies. If you are thinking about harming yourself or are in crisis, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) in the U.S., or call 911.
Antidepressants can take several weeks to work and may cause side effects; some carry a warning about suicidal thoughts in young people. Report mood changes to your psychiatrist promptly and do not stop medication suddenly.
If your therapist changes, ask for a handover so your new therapist understands your history.
Tell your psychiatrist about all other medications and supplements you take, including over-the-counter products, since some interact with antidepressants.
If you are already seeing a psychiatrist elsewhere, tell Talkspace so prescriptions do not overlap, and keep one prescriber responsible for your medication.
Talkspace Pricing
| Monthly Cost | $276β$396 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | Many plans accepted |
| Psychiatry | Available |
| App | Included |
Check your insurance first β with coverage, Talkspace may cost far less than its self-pay rates.
Who Talkspace Is For
A good fit if you
- Need therapy and medication together
- Want to use insurance
- Have a diagnosed condition
- Like app-based scheduling
Look elsewhere if you
- Want the lowest self-pay price
- Want the largest therapist network
- Are in crisis
How Talkspace Compares
BetterHelp has a larger network and lower self-pay prices but no psychiatry, and Cerebral specializes in ADHD and anxiety with a team model. Talkspace leads on combined therapy and psychiatry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Verdict
β 4.5 out of 5
Talkspace is the best online platform for people who need therapy and medication together, with psychiatry in one place and wide insurance acceptance. It costs more than BetterHelp for self-pay users, but the coordinated care is worth it.
See the full Best Online Therapy Platforms ranking β
Reviewed by
Dr. Lisa ChenHealth & Wellness Editor
Dr. Lisa Chen holds a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from UCSF and has 8 years of clinical experience in patient care and health education. She specializes in reviewing digital health platforms, wellness products, and nutrition services. Dr. Chen consults with a panel of MDs and registered dietitians to ensure all health content meets clinical accuracy standards.