Talkspace vs. BetterHelp: Which Online Therapy Is Better?

Talkspace and BetterHelp are undoubtedly known names to those familiar with the rapidly growing telehealth industry. They are two of the biggest and most popular online counseling platforms available. Users of Talkspace and BetterHelp can attend therapy sessions with licensed mental health doctors via video, text, or audio chat from the convenience of their homes.

We have compared Talkspace and BetterHelp on several parameters to understand which online therapy is better.

Insurance

Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, GatorCare, and other well-known insurance providers are just a few companies that Talkspace accepts.

Several companies, employee assistance programs (EAPs), and student healthcare providers also cover therapy at Talkspace, and sessions are HSA/FSA qualifying. Medicaid and Medicare are not, however, currently accepted by the business.

Although BetterHelp does not accept insurance, you can use your HSA/FSA card to pay for your sessions. The out-of-pocket costs for BetterHelp are less than many common co-payments for treatment.

Website Comparison

When you visit the BetterHelp website, you are welcomed with "You deserve to be happy." As per the company's website, it is "the world's largest therapeutic service, 100% online." The platform's homepage includes a live running total of the number of messages and treatment sessions that have been completed through it, the number of available therapists, and the total number of clients the business has so far assisted.

You can find a brief explanation of how BetterHelp's online counseling differs from in-person therapy, a comparison of the two, and a list of frequently asked questions as you scroll down. You can access different sections of the remainder of the website, such as "About," "Advice," and "FAQ," via the top navigation bar.

Similar in appearance, the Talkspace homepage features the heading "Feeling better starts with a single message" at the top. Users can start therapy with one click by selecting from individual, couple, teen, or psychiatric care below this sentence. You will begin your questionnaire to get matched with a provider as soon as you choose one of these alternatives.

Qualifications of the counsellors

Psychologists, licensed professional counselors (LPCs), licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), and licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) are among the service providers at BetterHelp.

Also accredited and licensed are the Talkspace service providers. Several hold doctoral degrees in psychology and are LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCs, or Ph.D. or Psy.D. The couples therapists at Talkspace provide relationship counseling, marital counseling, and prenuptial counseling, while the sleep therapists are trained to provide cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).

Cost

BetterHelp and Talkspace are both subscription-based services. While Talkspace subscribers can select to be invoiced monthly, quarterly, or biannually, BetterHelp users are billed every four weeks. A quarterly plan will save you 10%, while a biannual paying period will save you 20%. You can use a Talkspace website invitation code to get a $100 discount on your first payment.

You have two payment options at Talkspace: out-of-pocket and insurance. The business does not provide financial support. Talkspace offers the following subscription packages for individual therapy −

• Starting at $69 a week, only unlimited messaging is available (5 days per week).

• Live therapy and messaging are available at $99 per week for four monthly sessions and unlimited messaging.

• Live counseling, texting, and workshops at $109 per week for unlimited messaging, four live sessions per month, and weekly online workshops are offered.

You can stop using Talkspace at any moment, but if the payment period is only partially complete, you won't get a refund.

Depending on your region and the number of therapists, BetterHelp subscriptions range from $60 to $90 a week (billed monthly, at $240 to $360 per month). One live treatment session weekly and unrestricted messaging with your physician are often included.

Your membership can be canceled at any moment, no questions asked.

You might be eligible for lower prices at BetterHelp if you're a student, a veteran, or struggling financially. One vital component of BetterHelp's goal is its dedication to providing financial aid.

BetterHelp, in contrast to Talkspace, uses surge pricing, which means it raises prices for mental health treatments when there is a strong demand for such services.

Connecting with a counsellor

In 48 hours or less, Talkspace matches users with therapists. However, the procedure frequently takes much less time. If you opt for individual therapy, a therapist who meets your preferences will be assigned to you immediately. If you selected couples therapy, you will get a list of suggested practitioners from which you and your spouse can select one.

BetterHelp will find a therapist for you within 24 hours. Several users complain that they are paired with a provider much earlier than a full day has passed, similar to Talkspace. After that, you'll learn more about your therapist.

You can change service providers whenever you want with BetterHelp and Talkspace.

Conclusion

Talkspace accepts health insurance, provides psychiatric and medication management services, and offers talk therapy to adults and teens aged 13 to 17. It is our choice for the platform with the best overall user experience.

If you need financial assistance or are looking for a less expensive plan, BetterHelp might be a better fit for you. If you are temporarily away from the United States or Canada, you might prefer BetterHelp.

Overall, we choose Talkspace as an online therapy platform over BetterHelp because of its wide selection of services and easy access to psychiatric care.