Talkspace Teen Therapy Review 2024

Talkspace - Teen Therapy Visit Site

Therapist Screening Process

Talkspace accepts only licensed therapists who have at least 3 years of clinical experience.

Therapists are only permitted to work in states where they’re licensed, and must provide a variety of professional information, including the reasons for any employment gaps longer than 3 months, all education and training information including highest degree, the presence of ongoing or historical sanctions or disciplinary actions, hospital affiliations and any disciplinary acts or losses of privilege, and liability claims history over the past 5 years. 

All therapists must be malpractice insured and hold a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number. The application process includes a qualification survey and a 20-30 minute interview, provided candidates have met the minimum requirements. 

Overall, the screening process is similar to those required by hospitals and private practices.

Get Help With:

Teens turning to Talkspace for help are first required to answer a questionnaire regarding their personal struggles. Some of the principal categories include generalized anxiety or panic, relationship help, recovery from a traumatic past or ongoing traumatic experiences, difficulty sleeping, addiction or substance abuse, generalized depression or unhappiness, and stress with work or school.

However, Talkspace holds one of the largest online networks of therapists in the world, and teens are free to describe their problems in detail to get help, without having to select one of the aforementioned categories. 

Types of Sessions Available:

Patients can reach therapists by sending an unlimited number of text, video, picture, or audio messages, either by logging into the platform online, or by using the Talkspace mobile app. 

Therapists are available on weekdays, and adhere to a “Guaranteed Response Time” schedule, divided into morning and evening response times. Patients can expect to hear back within 6 to 11 hours, depending upon when a request is made. For example, requests between 6am – 11am receive a response before 5pm. Patients who send a message between 2pm and 7pm should get a response before 12am.

Pricing & Special Offers

According to Talkspace’s website, pricing is on average 80% less expensive than traditional face-to-face therapy. Teens in most states will need consent from a parent or legal guardian before signing up, via text message and video message, in the presence of the prospective patient. 

Talkspace for Teens (ages 13 - 17) costs $260 per month ($65 per week), although you may also be eligible for financial aid through an employer, health plan, employee assistance program, or educational organization. For example, WellConnectTeens is a non-profit organization that offers Talkspace therapy to eligible students at participating high schools.

Live video sessions can be added at any time for $65 per 30-minute session. 

There is no free trial available per se, although Talkspace does offer a free initial consultation where a Matching Agent explains how the process works. To speak to a therapist, however, it’s necessary to sign up for a plan. 

Plans renew automatically unless you decide to cancel, and cancellations take effect at the end of the month. Because of how therapists bill hours to Talkspace, refunds are only very rarely afforded in cases of unique or legal circumstances, although you are free to change therapists at any time. 

What’s Unique About Talkspace for Teens?

Talkspace has done a good job of attracting skilled practitioners, and has a strong therapeutic track record. The fact that all plans include unlimited text, voice, and video messages is a plus, although response times can be a bit long, depending upon when you make a request. Some competitors offer unlimited live sessions as well, which is a paid service for Talkspace for Teens. That being said, the rates are very affordable, especially compared to traditional therapy. 

Talkspace has been able to maintain these standards thanks to its fairly rigorous screening process, similar to that employed by hospitals and private clinics. Practitioners are rescreened every 36 months, as well, to make sure all therapists still meet the minimum requirements. A Board of Advisors oversees all operations. 

From onboarding to therapy sessions, the experience is remarkably fluid and well-designed. The overall appearance of the app, the questions asked during onboarding, and the general interface all demonstrate forethought and quality care. The ability to go back and easily check your chat history is also of real benefit, and something competitors would do well to emulate. 

What Users Are Saying About Talkspace for Teens

“I’m incredibly grateful for receiving the best help right now. Thank you so much @talkspace ❤️✨”  – Ayla N.

“Thank god for talkspace therapy. Sending my therapist messages at 2 in the morning feels less weird when that's how most of your communication occurs.” – Kayla N.

“I like Talkspace. It’s nice to be able to say what I need to, and have somebody check in with me daily giving me feedback. It makes me feel more grounded and determined to do things.” – Sammy K.

“I love the help I get with Talkspace. I was given a therapist who is exactly what I needed. Who is respectful, qualified, and best of all, genuine. She is committed to my therapy as much as I am.” – Claire F. 

Scheduling Live Video Chats

Live video sessions are available at $65 per 30-minute session, and can be done from a computer or via the app.

To schedule a chat, scroll down to the Therapy Tools section of the app, and click on Live video sessions. Select the therapist you’d like to schedule a call with, and select “Book a session.” You can either pay for the session at this point or, if you have any, deduct it from credit. You’ll then have an opportunity to choose a time slot from the therapist’s availability. Be sure to carefully read the cancellation policy, and note that therapists can confirm up to 24 hours before the scheduled session. 

Talkspace - Teen Therapy Visit Site

Customer Support

Customer support can be contacted only by email, and typically responds within the same business date. There is also an extensive FAQ section, and a blog that covers a variety of therapeutic subjects, especially as related to online therapy. 

Bottom Line

Online therapy is an exciting new tool that promises to provide more affordable, comfortable and convenient therapy to thousands of individuals. Studies have shown it to be as effective as traditional therapy in a majority of cases, and often more comfortable for patients. Online platforms like Talkspace are to be commended for helping to normalize therapy, erasing the unfair and impractical stigma that’s often been attached to it. 

Talkspace is one of the leading online therapy platforms, and for good reason. The therapist screening process is comprehensive, the application is easy to use, and the rates are very affordable, especially compared to traditional therapy. While live sessions are only available at additional cost, the unlimited text, voice, and video chats are of great convenience, and will no doubt appeal to today’s tech savvy youth.