BetterHelp vs. Talkspace: Benefits, reviews, and cost

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 5 people in the United States will experience a mental health condition in any given year. The COVID-19 pandemic increased demand for online therapy and counseling services, and the American Psychological Association predicts that this trend will continue.

This article looks at two online counseling services: BetterHelp and Talkspace.

BetterHelp has been operating since 2013 and claims to have more than 22,000 therapists available.

The company offers counseling services for individuals, couples, and teenagers. It also runs group seminars.

BetterHelp has an average customer rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. At the time of publishing, 84% of more than 3,000 reviews award the service the full 5 stars.

Positive reviews frequently mention the efficiency, convenience, and flexibility of BetterHelp, whereas less favorable reviews report bad experiences with therapists.

Learn more about BetterHelp here.

Pros and cons

BetterHelp comes with advantages and disadvantages:

Talkspace started in 2012 and offers counseling services for individuals, couples, and teenagers. It also provides psychiatry sessions that include medication management.

Talkspace has an average customer rating of 1.3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Of the current 65 reviews, the highest rating is 3 stars, with reviewers being positive about the therapist but claiming that the cost felt disproportionate and customer service is slow to respond.

In the negative reviews, customers mention that they experienced a lack of contact with their therapist and that the service does not offer good value for money.

Learn more about Talkspace here.

Pros and cons

The following are some advantages and disadvantages of Talkspace:

The table below shows the key features of each service side by side:

Sign-up process

When signing up with BetterHelp, a person has to fill in a questionnaire and indicate whether therapy sessions are for themselves, their child, or whether they are attending with their partner. They also have to state why they wish to see a therapist and indicate the issues they have been facing.

The platform also asks about any preferences individuals might have for their therapists, such as age or gender. After that, BetterHelp can match them with a therapist. A person can change their therapist at any time if they are not happy with their match.

Individuals who are interested in Talkspace’s services can also choose between individual, couple, or teen therapy. Psychiatry sessions are also available.

The platform requires people to answer a few questions, and then they can select their own therapist. They can change therapists at any time should they choose, with no additional cost.

Counselor qualifications

BetterHelp works with accredited psychologists, licensed marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and counselors. They must have a master’s or doctorate degree in their field, and they also have at least 3 years and 1,000 hours of hands-on experience.

Talkspace therapists are also licensed. They have similar accreditations to BetterHelp therapists, and some specialize in different areas, including:

• depression
• parenting
• anger management
• trauma

Types of treatment

Both BetterHelp and Talkspace offer therapy sessions to:

• individuals
• couples
• teens

They may help individuals to manage:

• anxiety
• depression
• eating disorders
• addiction
• relationship problems
• parenting issues
• stress

In addition, Talkspace offers psychiatry sessions. The psychiatrists can also prescribe medications.

BetterHelp does not offer psychiatry sessions.

Communication with counselors

BetterHelp’s live sessions are available through text, video, phone, and voice message. People can also send a message to their therapist on their phone, tablet, or computer at any time. Chat rooms are private, and people are free to talk about their concerns. They will get an email notification every time they receive a message from their counselor.

Individuals who use Talkspace can also message their therapists at any time and can access the chat room on the Talkspace app or website. People can also schedule a live video, audio, or chat session.

Privacy

Both BetterHelp and Talkspace conversations are private and secure. Sometimes, people may use a nickname to chat with their therapist.

Both companies follow Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) regulations and encrypt all client communication.

BetterHelp also allows people to remove messages they have sent, so they no longer appear in their account.

Cost and subscription plans

BetterHelp costs $60–90 per week, depending on people’s location, preferences, and therapist availability. If they wish to stop attending therapy sessions, they can cancel their membership at any time.

People can pay using their credit card or Paypal account.

BetterHelp’s plans come with unlimited messaging and one weekly live session.

The company’s services are generally not covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or health insurers. However, BetterHelp claims that its services are more affordable than in-person visits. It may also offer financial assistance to people with financial difficulties. A person can indicate their financial position in the initial questionnaire.

Talkspace has three plans starting from $69 per week. A person can get additional live session credits by paying an extra fee of $65.

Talkspace plans include:

• Messaging Therapy: Includes text, video, and audio messaging. Prices start from $69 per week.
• Live Therapy: Includes four 45 minute live sessions per month. Prices start from from $99 per week.
• Live + Messaging Therapy: Includes four 45-minute live sessions per month, plus text, video, and audio messaging. Prices start from $129 per week.

People who choose the quarterly or bi-annual payment option can benefit from a 10–20% discount.

Many insurance companies reimburse Talkspace costs, which vary among plans. Talkspace also accepts flexible spending account and health saving account payments.

Exclusive features

Below are some exclusive features that a person can benefit from when using BetterHelp:

• unlimited text messaging with therapists
• over 150 digital worksheets and modules
• phone calls with therapists
• more than 20 interactive live group sessions every week

Exclusive features from Talkspace include:

• psychiatry service for those who need prescription management
• option to choose a therapist from recommended suggestions
• instructional videos about the sign-up process

BetterHelp and Talkspace offer very similar online counseling services at varying prices.

When choosing, a person should look at the reviews, costs, and services each option offers. Individuals should also consider how they would like to contact their therapist, as this may determine which company and specific plan they use.