BetterHelp and Talkspace are both highly rated online therapy services. They offer affordable and reliable help for those needing or wanting remote professional services for mental health. However, in this article, we look at BetterHelp vs Talkspace and which is better for your mental health needs.
Firstly, both BetterHelp and Talkspace offer different levels of mental health services. The most significant difference in service is that Talkspace offers psychiatric services on top of their therapy services. This means Talkspace may be a better fit for those already on medication. Or, those interested in learning whether medication could help in their treatment. While BetterHelp does not offer psychiatric services, they do offer live video chats, phone services, and unlimited messaging on all plans.
On Talkspace, registered you can choose which therapist you would like to work with. The downside of this, however, is that it can take a while to find a therapist. Thus, your first call may not happen until week 2 or 3 of your subscription.
On BetterHelp, your therapist is matched with you within 24 hours based on a questionnaire that you complete during the signup process. This ensures that you get to speak with your assigned therapist right away, and you have the option to switch therapists later if you like.
All therapists on both BetterHelp and Talkspace are fully licensed and certified. Thus, there is no need to worry about not having a fully trained medical professional on your side. Previous clients speak highly of response times from both BetterHelp and Talkspace. However, the guaranteed response window from Talkspace can help to alleviate anxiety. Some previous users also found the worksheets therapists at BetterHelp assign as homework, impersonal and generic. Both websites follow HIPAA regulations so you can be confident that your information is secure and confidential.
Therapists at both BetterHelp and Talkspace have the qualifications to treat various mental health conditions and your therapist will have experience with your specific struggles. They are here to help with;
At Talkspace, you can access therapy sessions for any of your mental health needs, however, you can also access psychiatric services. The Talkspace registered psychiatrists can prescribe medication to help with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression over video chat.
For many people struggling with mental health, financial expenses are often more stressful. This is why both BetterHelp and Talkspace allow users to pause their membership at any stage. Both offer weekly payments, however, Talkspace requires a monthly (or four-week) subscription. Talkspace plans start at $65 per week and they accept various insurance options. You can even use an insurance card scan to upload information. However, users do need to pay extra for live video sessions. Psychiatrist sessions on Talkspace start at $199 for the initial evaluation and $125 for follow-up sessions.
BetterHelp plans start at $60 per week and offer financial aid, though they do not accept insurance. All of BetterHelp’s plans include one live video chat per week. More expensive plans often include extra video sessions. Both services accept all major credit cards and BetterHelp also accepts PayPal.
So, when it comes to BetterHelp vs Talkspace is there a winner? Really it depends on what mental health services you need. If you prefer video calls and don’t need medication prescribed then BetterHelp may be better for you. Talkspace, however, offers a wider variety of services. So, if you think you may need to talk with various mental health professionals or need medication, these services may be best for your needs. Choose the option that best suits your needs, and change if it’s not working for you and your health.
