Two of our experienced reviewers, along with their respective partners, tested Talkspace Couples Therapy to evaluate its effectiveness. We found it to be a solid option for both romantic and non-romantic relationships, awarding it 4 out of 5 stars in our independent review. The platform stands out for its ease of use and insurance coverage, though its cash-pay rates are higher than some competitors.
Talkspace Couples At a Glance
Cost: $436 monthly
Insurance Accepted? Yes
Pros & Cons of Talkspace Couples Therapy
Pros - Allows for sessions both remotely and in the same place
- Live workshops and self-assessment tools available for free
- Couples can chat with their therapist in between sessions
- Offers therapy for non-romantic relationships, such as siblings
Cons - Can’t purchase individual sessions
- All session credits expire at the end of the month whether or not a session was completed
- All session credits expire at the end of the month whether or not a session was completed
- App can be glitchy
Preview Talkspace Couples Therapy
Talkspace offers couples therapy nationwide, helping both romantic partners and other relationships strengthen communication. Talkspace Couples Therapy costs $436 monthly and includes weekly sessions for you and your partner with a licensed therapist.
During my time with Talkspace, my partner and I experienced some minor technical issues that impeded the therapy session slightly, but an excellent session with our therapist made up for it. After using it hands-on, I believe Talkspace Couples Therapy offers good value for the cost and is a top-notch option for folks who want to improve their relationships – especially if they have an insurance plan that’s in-network with Talkspace.
While Talkspace is an excellent option that offers great value, if you’re looking for a more affordable couples therapy option, look to Regain. Regain is one of the most flexible and affordable couples counseling platforms available. In addition to couples counseling, Talkspace also offers therapy for individuals who may prefer to work with a therapist one-on-one. For a more in-depth look at individual therapy, take a look at our full Talkspace review. For other options, read our guide on the Best Online Marriage & Couples Therapy Options.
Detailed Review
Talkspace has created a valuable program for couples with its Talkspace Couples Therapy plan. For $436 monthly, you unlock weekly sessions with a licensed therapist for you and your partner, as well as weekly live educational workshops.
Review our scoring criteria for online therapy platforms here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
Virtual Couples Therapy Sessions
Sessions last 30 minutes and can be held via video or live messaging. Partners don’t need to be in the same location, making it convenient for busy couples or those unable to attend together. Likewise, both partners don’t need to attend every session – it’s up to you and your therapist to decide how sessions should work and flow.
When I signed up for Talkspace Couples Therapy, it was easy to get started by answering a few onboarding questions, selecting a therapist that seemed like a good fit, and adding my partner to the virtual therapy “room.” Unfortunately, my therapist had to cancel our initial session due to illness with very little notice, but I was able to get a new appointment a couple of weeks later.
When it came time for our appointment, my partner and I both attempted to join the virtual therapy session on separate devices on our home WiFi network. I was able to join right away, but my partner was unable to join the video session from multiple devices. Despite several attempts, we ultimately had to continue the session by crowding ourselves together using my phone’s camera. While we were easily able to remedy this since we were in the same room at the time of the session, we definitely would have run into problems had we not been.
Despite the technical hiccups, our session went quite well. Scheduled for 30 minutes, we used all of the time allotted, as our therapist was very detailed and took a thorough look at both my partner’s and my separate backgrounds and our history as a couple. I felt that our therapist was an excellent fit for us and felt a rapport instantly. I also felt reassured by my therapist’s statement that we could message him at any point using the app.
Talkspace Live Workshops
With a Talkspace Couples Therapy subscription, you also gain access to live workshops hosted by Talkspace therapists. The range of topics on offer was very impressive, ranging from coping skills, meditation techniques, parenting tips, resources and skills for couples, and much more. Several 60-minute workshops are held every week from Monday – Thursday via Zoom.
Talkspace workshops are available as an add-on to individual therapy plans and are available by default for couples therapy plans once weekly. There seems to be a good variety of content each week, so this is a great additional benefit that adds quite a bit of value to the service. Workshops are scheduled well in advance and the upcoming workshops can be viewed at any time in the Talkspace app.
Cost & Insurance
A Talkspace Couples Therapy subscription costs $436 monthly, including weekly 30-minute sessions with a licensed therapist. In addition to therapy, subscribers gain access to live educational workshops once per week and unlimited ongoing messaging with their therapist.
Insurance is accepted, but coverage for couples therapy varies by provider. It’s best to check with your insurance company to confirm whether Talkspace is in-network and if couples therapy is included in your plan.
For those using an FSA or HSA, payments can be made directly with an HSA card. However, we recommend verifying that Talkspace qualifies as a service provider with your specific health plan.
Who Does Talkspace Couples Therapy Serve?
Talkspace Couples Therapy serves anyone above the age of 18 in any of the US states. You do not have to be part of a marriage or romantic relationship to use Talkspace Couples Therapy. People with other types of relationships such as family members, colleagues, or even just friends are able to use the service to improve their relationships and communication.
If you’re looking for individual therapy, you should consider Talkspace’s main individual therapy option, as seen in our full Talkspace review. Another great option for individual therapy is BetterHelp. For relationship coaching instead of therapy, Relationship Hero is a great option. For even more options, read our buyer’s guide on the best online marriage and couples therapy services.
User Reviews
Since Talkspace Couples Therapy doesn’t have a separate app or website from its main individual therapy offering, the reviews you find are more general and don’t specifically refer to Talkspace Couples. Regardless, the insights from user reviews are still valuable in helping us understand the quality of Talkspace’s platform.
Overall, users have a strongly positive sentiment toward Talkspace. Most reviews are positive, and negative reviews are usually a couple of years old, indicating that Talkspace has improved recently. By far, the most common issue cited in complaints and negative reviews was customer service. Many users felt that Talkspace customer service was unresponsive, difficult to access, and unhelpful.
Reviews from Apple App Store | 4.8 out of 5 stars | 35.6K reviews
Positive reviews from the Apple App Store indicated that users were generally pleased with the Talkspace app. Hundreds of users indicated they appreciated the accessibility and quality of services on the platform.
Negative reviews highlight issues with customer service, billing, and insurance services. There were several reviews stating that they had problems with individual therapists or providers that weren’t addressed. By far, the most common complaint was with customer service being unresponsive or unhelpful.
Reviews from Google Play Store | 4.4 out of 5 stars | 8.45K reviews
Positive reviews from the Google Play Store indicated that users tended to be pleased with the service they received. The majority felt that Talkspace was helpful for their lives and valuable.
Negative reviews from the Google Play Store present a considerable number of reports of bugs in the Android version of the app. Users reported audio issues, crashes, and other bugs as recently as February 2024.
Reviews from Trustpilot | 4 out of 5 stars | 541 reviews
Positive reviews from Trustpilot include many users appreciating the ease of accessing therapy through the platform, highlighting the flexibility of scheduling and the comfort of engaging from home.
Negative reviews from Trustpilot included some users reporting experiencing technical difficulties with the platform, such as app glitches or connectivity problems, which have impacted their therapy sessions. Several reviews express concerns about delayed responses from therapists, leading to feelings of frustration and decreased satisfaction with the service.
Reviews from Reddit | r/therapy | r/talktherapy | r/mentalhealth
Positive reviews on Reddit regarding Talkspace are a bit of a mixed bag. You can find several reports of people being disappointed by the service and feel that it’s not a good value. For every post outlining a bad experience with Talkspace, you’ll usually find 3 to 4 comments relating positive or – at least – neutral experiences. In general, people seem to believe that Talkspace is a good platform, as long as you find a therapist who’s a good fit for you.
Negative reviews on Reddit about Talkspace indicate that the greatest criticism is that many of the therapists appear to use this as a “side job” and so, some users feel as though they aren’t given the best care. In other words, your experience will vary significantly depending on your therapist.
Alternatives & Competitors
Talkspace couples therapy would be a good choice for many, but those interested in relationship coaching instead of therapy, people experiencing domestic violence, people looking for individual therapy, and people struggling with severe mental health symptoms should look elsewhere.
Best Alternative for Relationship Coaching - Relationship Hero
Price: $80-$250 per session
Insurance Accepted? No
Relationship Hero provides relationship coaching, not therapy, focusing on practical strategies and advice for dating, breakups, and relationship improvement, with pay-per-minute or subscription-based coaching from trained relationship experts.
To learn more, read our full Relationship Hero review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Over one hundred relationship coaches to choose from
- Zoom sessions can be accessed via app or through the online portal
- You can choose a coach with a price point that works for you
- Addresses potentially dangerous domestic violence situations in the onboarding process and provides emergency contact info
Cons - Does not accept insurance
- Exact cost of coaching isn’t available upon registration
- Not initially clear that you can choose a different coach than the one they recommend at registration
- Coaches are not licensed therapists
Best Alternative for Overcoming Infidelity - Our Relationship
Price: $79 – $249 one-time fee
Insurance Accepted? No
Our Relationship is a virtual program lasting between 4 to 6 weeks, designed to help couples enhance their relationship and develop more effective communication habits. Participants can choose from different options tailored for couples, individuals, or military and veteran spouses. The program is inclusive, catering to both heterosexual and LGBTQ+ relationships. Pricing varies from $79 to $249 as a one-time payment, though no free trial is available.
To learn more, read our full Our Relationship review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Provides online relationship coaching for convenience and accessibility
- Multiple pricing options to fit different budgets
- Easy-to-navigate platform for a smooth user experience
- Allows users to choose their preferred coach
Cons - Lacks a free trial option for users to test the service
- The app does not include additional tools like a journal feature
- Does not support insurance for coverage
- Coach qualifications are not transparently displayed
Best Alternative for Cash-Pay - Regain
Price: $260 – $400 monthly
Insurance Accepted? No
Regain is an online therapy platform specializing in relationship and couples counseling, offering access to licensed therapists through messaging, phone, and video sessions. Regain is exclusively focused on relationship issues and operates on a subscription model without insurance support. However, since it is more affordable, it makes a better option for those who don’t have insurance.
To learn more, read our full Regain review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Affordable compared to in-person couples counseling
- Financial aid is available to those who qualify
- User-friendly and easy-to-navigate website and app
- You and your partner can text your therapist anytime
- Attend therapy sessions around your schedules
Cons - Doesn’t accept insurance
- Ultimate costs depend on your location
- You are initially automatically matched with a therapist
Best Alternative for Relationship Resources - Online-therapy.com
Price: $48 to $96 per week
Insurance Accepted? No
Online-Therapy.com is a self-guided online therapy platform that primarily uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help individuals and couples manage mental health and relationship challenges. It offers structured therapy programs, including worksheets, journal prompts, yoga/meditation videos, and unlimited messaging with therapists, with optional live video or chat sessions.
To learn more, read our full Online-therapy.com review.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Comprehensive CBT-based therapy program with interactive resources
- Offers video, phone, and text sessions
- Simple pricing system
- Well-designed website is easy to use
Cons - Insurance is not accepted
- Limited choice over initial therapist
- CBT-based therapy only; no other types of therapy
- No mobile app
Why You Can Trust My Review
“My partner and I spent several weeks fully immersing ourselves in Talkspace Couples Therapy to give you an honest, well-rounded review. We completed multiple therapy sessions, tested both video and messaging-based formats, and explored the app’s features, including live workshops. Our hands-on experience ensures that this review is based on genuine use—not just surface-level research.
Overall, I believe Talkspace couples therapy is an excellent choice for online couples therapy. The offerings are on par with BetterHelp’s Regain platform but are slightly more expensive cash-pay, so if you don’t have insurance that’s in-network with Talkspace (and covers couples therapy), then you might be better off with Regain, as most of the features are the same.”
History & News About Talkspace Couples Therapy
Year Founded: 2012
Parent Company/Owner: Roni & Oren Frank
Talkspace was founded in 2012 by married couple Roni and Oren Frank. It is headquartered in New York City and has been publicly traded since 2021. Early in Talkspace’s history, the company experienced criticism regarding inflated claims of effectiveness, therapists with questionable credentials, and issues with client data privacy.1
In 2020, journalists from the New York Times published an account that Talkspace was commissioning its employees to use burner phones to pump up positive reviews for Talkspace on app stores, and has knowingly released private client data and therapist chat logs in internal meetings, wherein supposedly anonymized identifying information was released.2 Talkspace co-founders Roni and Oren Frank wrote a response to the New York Times piece stating that many points within the article are false or misconstrued. Moreover, they contend that the New York Times reporter ignored many facts presented in their initial interview and further contend that Talkspace committed no wrongdoing in this instance.3
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Talkspace Couples Therapy Legit?
Yes, Talkspace is a reputable provider of online therapy. The platform verifies and vets all therapists, ensuring they meet licensing requirements. Based on our experience, we recommend Talkspace Couples Therapy for many couples.
What’s the Difference Between Talkspace and Talkspace Couples Therapy?
Both services operate on the same platform, using the same app, website, and therapist network. The key difference is that Talkspace Couples Therapy allows both partners to join sessions and participate in ongoing messaging with the therapist, enabling a focus on both individuals and their relationships.
How Does Talkspace Verify Its Therapists?
All Talkspace therapists are licensed mental health professionals, including psychologists, licensed professional counselors, clinical social workers, and other credentialed providers. They must meet the minimum licensing requirements in the state where they practice.
How Does Talkspace Match Me With a Therapist?
Talkspace Couples Therapy uses an intake questionnaire to suggest therapists who may be a good fit. You’ll receive three top matches to choose from, and if your initial selection isn’t the right fit, switching therapists is easy.
Can I Switch Therapists on Talkspace?
Yes, you can change therapists anytime through the Talkspace app or website. Simply go to your account settings, select “Change Provider,” answer a few questions, and choose from the available options.
How Much Does Talkspace Couples Therapy Cost?
The monthly subscription is $436, which includes:
- Weekly 30-minute sessions with a licensed therapist
- Live educational workshops (once per week)
- Unlimited messaging with your therapist
Talkspace accepts insurance, which can significantly lower the cost depending on your coverage.
Can I Use HSA/FSA Funds for Talkspace Couples Therapy?
Yes, Talkspace accepts FSA and HSA payments for therapy services. However, it’s best to confirm with your provider to ensure eligibility.
How Do I Cancel My Talkspace Subscription?
You can cancel at any time by logging into the Talkspace app or website, navigating to “Payment”, and selecting “Stop Subscription.” Your account will remain active until the end of your current billing cycle. If you’re unsure whether your cancellation was processed correctly, email [email protected].
Does Talkspace Offer Refunds?
Refunds are considered on a case-by-case basis. If you believe you’re eligible for a refund, contact [email protected] to discuss your situation.
Is Talkspace HIPAA-Compliant?
Yes, Talkspace follows HIPAA guidelines to protect client privacy. For more details, you can review their Privacy Policy and Terms of Use on their website.
Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
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Essig, T. (2015). Talkspace argues with Talkspace: Conflicting messages and clinical risk. Forbes. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/toddessig/2015/06/29/talkspace-argues-with-talkspace-conflicting-messages-and-clinical-risk/
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Hill, K., Krolik, A. (April, 2020). At Talkspace, start-up culture collides with mental health concerns. The New York Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/07/technology/talkspace
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Frank, R., Frank, O. (August, 2020). Talkspace founders respond to a New York Times article. Medium. Retrieved from: https://medium.com/@founders_22883/talkspace-founders-respond-to-a-new-york-times-article-78d6f5c45c59
We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.
Author: Matthew Church, MS (No Change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No Change)
Primary Changes: Fact-checked and edited entire article for improved readability and clarity, reviewed recent Apple and Google reviews to update user ratings.
Author: Matthew Church, MS (New author)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (New medical reviewer)
Primary Changes: Full rewrite of article, conducted new review of Talkspace Couples Therapy, and updated star rating score based on new experience. Fact-checked and rewritten for accuracy and readability. All new content was written by Matthew Church, MS and medically reviewed by Kristen Fuller, MD.
Author: Randi Sprintis, MS (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Added review summary and features.
Author: Randi Sprintis, MS
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD
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