I’m a Woman with Anxiety & I Tried Talkspace

Was Talkspace Worth it?

Yes. Talkspace provides a convenient and flexible option for therapy, particularly for those with busy schedules. Although I experienced some technical difficulties during my initial sessions, the ability to easily switch therapists and the overall flexibility in scheduling make it a valuable online therapy option. It’s especially beneficial for busy individuals with insurance who are committed to long-term therapy but may not have access to in-person providers.

Why Did I Join Talkspace?

Mid-December, 3 a.m., I found myself alone in the dark ICU waiting room, staring numbly at the clip-art pamphlets intended for grieving families. A doctor in a Boston Bruins surgical cap emerged from one of several ominous-looking hallways to inform me that my fiancé had a 99% blockage in his “widow-maker”—a term that felt cruelly ironic. He was lucky to be alive. The cause of his heart attack remains largely a mystery, only heightening my anxiety about when the proverbial other shoe might drop.

The following months were a blur of recovery (and wedding planning). I stayed calm, but my adrenaline never stopped surging. The silver lining of fear is that it comes with a kind of clarity. When our wedding day arrived, it was genuinely one of the best days, a moment of pure gratitude and joy. I’m proud of how I’ve handled the ups and downs this year, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t anxious about the future. More specifically, I wonder how I will handle stress when I’m not in fight or flight mode.

No matter what, I want to be proactive about my mental health. My past experiences with therapy have been positive but sporadic, and usually wouldn’t extend beyond crisis management. I want to give long-term therapy and self-care a chance. I considered Talkspace and BetterHelp, but after reading a few reviews for Talkspace, I decided to go that route.

Enter Talkspace.

My Concerns Before Starting

My biggest concern before starting therapy with Talkspace was finding the right therapist. I’ve always had a romcom-inspired belief that there’s a perfect therapist out there for me, and it’s just a matter of fate to find them. Realistically, I know it’s more about managing expectations and trying different options, but I can’t help where my mind goes. I worried that my search for “the one” (aka the right therapist) might end up being a waste of time, money, and emotional energy.

Having recently started a new job without health benefits and not yet opted into my husband’s plan, I would need to pay out-of-pocket, which was not ideal. I worried about how I would fit therapy into my already busy life as well. My schedule is a delicate balance of work commitments, personal responsibilities, and social obligations—not to mention a very needy German Shepherd who, at this very moment, is crying at the backdoor.

With so much on my plate, finding consistent time for therapy seemed challenging, and adding another commitment to my schedule felt counterintuitive. After all, the last thing I want to do while trying to manage my anxiety is introduce another source of stress.

My Experience With Talkspace

I signed up for Talkspace on a Thursday afternoon, with my dog now whining at a different door and a crew of workers outside digging a veritable moat as part of a larger project to keep water from flooding my basement. I put on my noise-canceling headphones and began answering a series of intake questions about my mental health history, whether I had ever experienced a traumatic event (hello, heart attack), and my location. I was pleasantly surprised by how straightforward the process was. It took less than ten minutes from start to finish.

What it Cost Me

After a few additional inquiries, Talkspace prompted me to select a plan.

There were three plans to choose from:

• Video + Messaging therapy – $99/week
• Messaging therapy – $69/week
• Video + Messaging + Workshops – $109/week

While I would be paying out of pocket, it’s important to note that Talkspace does accept many of the major insurance providers. I ended up selecting the most comprehensive plan (video+messaging+workshops). While $109/week feels pricey to me, I’d like to get the most bang for my buck. The video element seems like an absolute must and the workshops were intriguing.

From reading Talkspace reviews, I knew medication services were available for an additional cost. While it wasn’t something I was actively seeking, I kept it in mind in case my therapist and I decided it could be beneficial down the line.

After selecting my plan, I was given the option to schedule my first session via Live Video, Live Audio, or Live Chat. I went with Live Video, setting my appointment for Monday at 10:15 – 10:45 am. I had my pick of any time.

So far, so good.

Getting Matched with a Therapist

After picking a time, Talkspace matched me with a therapist in seconds. My therapist’s credentials were clearly listed – a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with two years of experience. A little note on screen reassured me that if I wasn’t happy with my provider, I could switch any time “at the tap of a button!” It reminded me that “it’s common to try a few providers before finding the right fit.”

My First Therapy Session

Over the weekend, my mind cycled through the usual pre-therapy jitters. Would I connect with my therapist? Would I feel comfortable opening up? I always want to say the right things, even though I know that’s not the point. On the day of, I noticed a section on the Talkspace scheduling page: “It takes about 12 sessions to start feeling better.” It eased my mind a bit, reminding me there’s no pressure to make monumental progress on day one. Rome wasn’t built in one therapy session.

My provider quickly sent me a message introducing herself, her hours, and other things to expect, which was helpful. I also received an email with tips to help my first session run smoothly. All of this went a long way in helping me feel prepared for my upcoming appointment.

Attending My First Therapy Session

As far as technology is concerned, my first session didn’t go quite as smoothly as I’d hoped. My desktop video wouldn’t work, so I switched to my phone, only to experience an echo effect on her end. After several attempts to reconnect, we ended up back on my desktop, but I couldn’t use my camera, so it became an audio-only session.

Despite these small technical hiccups, it was a good session overall. My therapist was thoughtful and seemed knowledgeable, although she didn’t discuss much about her qualifications, experience, or general philosophies. I felt a slight disconnect between what I was saying and what she seemed to hear. While this could have been a communication issue on my part, it left me feeling uncertain. Ultimately, I decided to switch therapists.

If I’m being honest, my main reason for wanting to switch providers was simply because I could. I’ve often heard that finding the right therapist can take a few attempts, so I decided to put that theory to the test. To my delight, switching therapists was just as easy as Talkspace had promised. The process was incredibly straightforward, with “I just want to try someone new” listed as a reason for switching.

Almost immediately, I was presented with three alternative providers to choose from. I opted for a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who had a Maya Angelou quote in her bio and scheduled my next appointment for Friday afternoon.

Talkspace’s Extra Features

In the meantime, I decided to explore some of Talkspace’s additional resources, such as guided breathing exercises, tools for managing negative thoughts, and a symptom tracker. The design of these features was intuitive and visually appealing, which made using them a more enjoyable experience. I would imagine that long-term, I would stop using these features regularly, unless prompted by my therapist, but they were a good way to get myself into a therapeutic headspace.

Workshops

My plan also included weekly workshops for both individuals and couples, since Talkspace also offers couples therapy. While most sessions were scheduled in the evenings to accommodate many people’s schedules, I would have appreciated a few morning or early afternoon options. Regardless, these workshops were a valuable addition to the service.

I decided to attend a workshop for individuals called “Understanding Your Attachment Style.” Although I may not always have time to participate in these workshops (which may prompt me to change my plan), I enjoyed the experience. Attendees weren’t on camera, but they could raise their hand and message the host. The host conducted the workshop by presenting a slide deck on attachment styles, allowing time for personal reflection, and answering questions at the end.

I plan to attend three more workshops and then, at the end of the month, re-evaluate whether I want to continue with the plan that costs a bit extra for access to these sessions.

My Second Therapy Session

My second session, which was the first with my new therapist, took place on a Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, I encountered more technical difficulties right away. My therapist couldn’t see or hear me on my desktop, so I had to switch to my phone. Although this was a bit frustrating, I didn’t mind using my phone instead.

The therapist began by sharing some background about herself and her experience, which I appreciated. She had also read the introductory message I sent to my original therapist summarizing my reasons for trying Talkspace, so I didn’t have to repeat my entire story. She asked thoughtful questions, listened closely, and even shared a bit about her own life.

The conversation had a good back-and-forth flow. Near the end of our session, she messaged me some mindfulness techniques and suggested a few goals for the coming week. Even though I was already familiar with the mindfulness strategies she shared, I appreciated her strong leadership and proactive approach. She also sent a check-list of things I can do on my end to combat our video connection issues.

When we ended, I immediately scheduled a follow-up with the same therapist for the following week.

Is Talkspace Right For You?

Talkspace is ideal for someone looking to use their insurance to access convenient, easy-to-schedule online therapy and/or medication services. In addition to individual therapy for adults, Talkspace offers couples therapy and therapy for teens. The platform makes it very easy to switch therapists, so if you have the time to find someone within their network who suits your needs, it could be a rewarding experience.

Talkspace is well-suited for those looking to engage in therapy casually and for those with accepted insurance. However, if you need specialized or intensive treatment, or need to pay out of pocket for services, it might not be the best fit. If that’s the case, it may be better to explore other worthwhile online therapy services and online psychiatry services.

Who Would Benefit From Talkspace?

Many people would benefit from online therapy with Talkspace, including people who work from home or who have limited access to transportation. With only one car between my husband and me, online therapy seemed like the most practical choice.

Other groups that would benefit from Talkspace include:

• People seeking psychiatric services with medication management
• Teens and young adults (13+)
• Couples looking to try therapy
• Those living in a therapy dessert (no in-person access)
• People without a reliable form of transportation
• People with busy schedules (e.g., moms)

How to Get the Most Out of Talkspace

Try to be honest and transparent during your initial intake process and when communicating with your therapist. The more information you provide, the better your therapist can tailor their approach. If you’re unsure about your goals, that’s okay; a good therapist will help you define them. Remember, therapy is a collaborative process, so don’t hesitate to ask questions, seek clarification, or share concerns.

And if you find that your therapist isn’t the right fit, don’t hesitate to switch—it’s an easy process on Talkspace, and finding someone who aligns with your needs and communication style is crucial.