Editorial rating:
Talkspace Couples Therapy provides online therapy services for couples by licensed therapists in the U.S. and Canada. Couples can connect with therapists via chat, phone, or video. Subscriptions for Talkspace Couples Therapy cost $436 monthly, advertised as $109 weekly, and include four 30-minute video sessions. If your insurance plan covers couples therapy, overall costs could be less.
Rating of Talkspace Couples Therapy
I have dedicated a considerable amount of time reviewing and researching online couples therapy companies. Not only do I compare each tool and feature of each platform, but my partner and I actually attend therapy sessions to ensure quality support. During our independent review of Talkspace Couples Therapy, we found significant issues with Customer Service, leading to a score of 1 star in that category. However, we did have a terrific experience with our couples therapist, earning Talkspace Couples Therapy a 5 out of 5 stars in Online Marriage & Couples Counseling Scoring category.
Pros & Cons of Talkspace Couples Therapy
Talkspace Couples Therapy provides easy-to-access online therapy for couples, including non-romantic pairings such as siblings or friends. They also offer live workshops and self-assessment tools. Unfortunately, you can’t purchase individual sessions, and you must book all of your four sessions within one month of purchase, or you lose your credits.
Talkspace Couples Therapy Key Takeaways
- Only one person needs to register and purchase a subscription for couples therapy; you can add your partner to the chat room with your therapist after enrollment.
- There’s no option to purchase one session or a consultation. You must purchase a subscription package to get started.
- Insurance is accepted, but it’ll depend on your individual plan and coverage. Not all insurance companies cover couples therapy, so check with your provider to learn more.
- You must book all of your sessions within the first month, or your credits will expire.
- Talkspace Couples Therapy isn’t just for romantic relationships; they also treat co-workers, siblings, and friends.
Final Verdict on Talkspace Couples Therapy
There’s no doubt that Talkspace is a big player in the online therapy world, but bigger isn’t always better. Ultimately, I would not recommend Talkspace Couples Therapy for those who are seeking immediate help. In my experience with Talkspace, I wasn’t offered payment options, there were significant scheduling issues, I received no responses from my matched therapist, and customer service provided inconsistent information. While we finished strong with a great couples therapy session, I can’t say the process was easy or convenient.
Talkspace Couples Therapy at a Glance
| Cost of Online Therapy | $436 monthly/ $109 weekly |
| Insurance accepted | Depends on your insurance plan |
| Geographic Coverage | U.S. and Canada |
| Age Limitations | 18+ |
| Self-Selected or Matched with Therapist | Matched |
| Can You Change Therapists? | Yes |
| Speed to First Appointment | Depends on provider availability |
| Frequency of Appointments | Weekly |
| Messaging with Therapist Between Appointments | Yes |
What Is Talkspace Couples Therapy?
Talkspace Couples Therapy is an online platform that provides support from licensed therapists. Subscriptions include four 30-minute sessions for $436 monthly, advertised as $109 weekly, which includes messaging with your therapist in-between sessions. Insurance is accepted, but it will depend on your individual plan and coverage. Check with your provider to learn more.
The enrollment process begins with a brief questionnaire about why you’re seeking therapy and what kind of therapist you’re looking for. Only one person needs to register for a subscription –you’ll be able to add your partner to your account once you’re paired with a therapist. After you complete the survey, you’ll choose a payment plan and create an account. Next, you’ll be taken to a chat room while the Talkspace team looks to match you with a therapist. You’ll see your matched therapist enter the chat room with their picture and bio listed on the left-hand side of the screen.
Depending on your therapist and their availability, you may or may not be able to chat with them live at the moment you’re matched. Even if they’re not currently available, you’ll receive a generic welcome message from your therapist that explains how Talkspace for couples works and a link to invite your partner to join you in the chat room. There is no limit to how many times you can message your therapist in-between sessions, but keep in mind that they may take up to 24-48 hours to respond.
Talkspace couples therapists will list their availability and holiday schedule in the chat room, so you know when you log in if they’ll be working that day. If you feel confident that it’s a good match, you can schedule your sessions. You can schedule all four of your monthly sessions at once or one at a time, but keep in mind that your credits expire one month from the day of purchase, so it’s important to make sure that your appointments are booked in time.
Talkspace Couples Therapy also offers live workshops taught by licensed Talkspace therapists. Even though you’re registered for couples therapy, you still have access to all workshops, including ones that are created for individuals and parents. Workshops cover topics like ‘Practicing Direct & Kind Communication,’ ‘Breaking Your Negative Cycle,’ and ‘Prioritizing Your Emotional Connection.’
How Much Does Talkspace Couples Therapy Cost?
Talkspace Couples Therapy subscriptions cost $436 monthly, advertised as $109 weekly. You get four 30-minute sessions with your purchase. You can choose to pay $436 a month, or you can save 10% by paying $1,188 quarterly.
Does Talkspace Couples Therapy Accept Insurance?
Talkspace Couples Therapy does accept insurance for therapy, but this will depend on your insurance plan and if couples therapy is included in your coverage. You can also choose to pay with an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) account if available.
Out-of-Network Benefits
Talkspace Couples Therapy will create an itemized bill, or superbill, for possible reimbursement from your insurance provider.
How Do I Sign Up for Talkspace Couples Therapy?
Talkspace makes it easy to sign up for Couples Therapy. Simply visit the Talkspace website and follow the steps listed below:
- Choose ‘Couples’ on the main landing page; under the header, ‘What type of support are you looking for?’
- Answer a brief survey
- Choose a subscription payment plan
- Create an account
- Enter the chat room and wait until the system pairs you with a therapist (about 10 minutes)
- Review the therapist’s welcome message, bio, and photo. You can respond to their chat if you wish
- Click on the ‘Book a Session’ and choose a time that works for you and your partner
- Add your partner to the chat room via the link provided by your therapist
- Attend your first couples therapy session
Talkspace Couples Therapy: Detailed Review
Talkspace Couples Therapy is an online platform that provides therapy for couples or any two individuals that need support, such as siblings, friends, or business partners. Talkspace Couples Therapy costs $436 monthly, advertised as $109 weekly, and will take insurance from some providers that include couples or marriage therapy in coverage.
What Is Therapy Like With Talkspace Couples Therapy?
My partner and I had a very productive session with our licensed Talkspace couples therapist. She was very welcoming, kind, and a great active listener. She asked useful guiding questions that helped us dig a bit deeper into certain subjects, and she left us with some insightful things to consider moving forward. She also sent us a PDF of an exercise to practice healthy communication. While my experience with our couples therapist was positive, I can’t say the rest of my experience with the Talkspace platform was as successful.
When I initially registered for Talkspace Couples Therapy, I was a bit disappointed that I wasn’t offered an option to purchase a consultation or a single session, like you can with Couples Therapy Inc. or Relationship Hero. I understand that subscription packages encourage clients to stick with more than one session and dedicate more time to getting help. However, some people want to test the waters before committing to a pricey subscription package, which was my circumstance.
After reluctantly paying for the four 30-minute sessions, I landed in a chat room with our matched therapist, who had an impressive background. She sent a fairly generic message that explained who she is and how she typically runs sessions. She also asked me to share some details about us and why we’re seeking therapy. I wrote her back a lengthy message greeting her and telling her about our situation. I received no reply, but I assumed we would just discuss everything at our session, which was scheduled for four days after my registration.
The day before our scheduled session, I received a message from Talkspace that our appointment was canceled. My partner was leaving to go out of town for three weeks, and attending that session together was important for us. I sent a message to our therapist again, begging her to reconsider and reschedule before his departure, but we received no response and had to choose a new provider. Because of this scheduling debacle, we weren’t able to have our session until weeks later. Thankfully, we were able to connect with a great therapist, but the process was complicated and inconvenient.
Issues with Refund
After our one session, I reached out to Talkspace to request a refund of my remaining credits. I tried to send a message through their customer service request form, but when I hit ‘Submit,’ the page kept refreshing without giving me a confirmation that it was actually sent. I resorted to the Talkspace chatbot, which sent me to their ‘Refund Wizard’ tool to see if I qualified for a refund.
The ‘Refund Wizard’ said I do not qualify, yet when I read their policies, I’m certain that I do. My remaining credits have not been used, and they don’t expire for another week. Despite receiving this message, I sent a request for a refund to Talkspace Support anyways. I was hoping to get on the phone with a representative, but Talkspace does not have a customer service phone number. This issue has not been resolved by the date of this publication, but we’ll be sure to update this section if and when we receive a response from Talkspace.
Who Is Talkspace Couples Therapy Right For?
Talkspace Couples Therapy would be a great choice for those looking for online licensed therapists that have been vetted and couples that are ready to commit to therapy. It’s also a viable option for non-romantic partners looking for support.
You Want a Vetted Licensed Therapist
Searching through an endless list of online couples therapists can certainly be a daunting task. Thankfully, Talkspace does all the heavy lifting for you by matching you with one of their licensed therapists. All of Talkspace’s providers are licensed and credentialed in accordance with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) standards. They carefully vet all of their therapists and ensure that they have an average of at least 7-10 years of experience providing therapy.1
You’re Ready to Commit to Couples Therapy
Because Talkspace Couples Therapy only offers four-session subscription packages and no individual sessions or consultations, it’s better if you’re committed to the therapeutic process. You have one month from the day of registration to book all of your sessions, or else you will lose your credits. This makes Talkspace Couples Therapy best for those ready to participate in at least four sessions.
Non-Romantic Partners
When you hear the term ‘couples therapy,’ you most likely think of romantic partners in need of support. However, there are plenty of reasons why two friends, colleagues, business partners, siblings, or two family members would want to seek out therapy. Talkspace provides support for all sorts of relationships, not just romantic ones.
Individuals looking for online therapy can check out our in-depth review of Talkspace.
Who Might Want an Alternative to Talkspace Couples Therapy?
While Talkspace Couples Therapy has some impressive online resources, it’s not necessarily the best fit for everyone. You may want an alternative if you’re more interested in relationship coaching, if you prefer to have a consultation before committing to therapy, or if your relationship is in crisis.
You’re Interested in Relationship Coaching
Relationship coaching and couples therapy have a lot of similarities, but some distinct differences that are important to know before you choose your source of support. Therapy often involves a deep dive into past experiences, treatment for mental health conditions, and longer commitments. Coaching is more geared towards the present issues and creating an action plan to reach goals. If you believe coaching may be a better fit, you may want to check out Relationship Hero, which hosts over one-hundred trained coaches.
Be sure to read our in-depth review of Relationship Hero to learn more.
You’d Prefer to Start with a Consultation
Those who are new to couples therapy may want to start by dipping their toes into the process rather than jumping in with both feet. Single sessions or consultations would be a great option if you’re not sure if you’re ready for therapy. If this sounds more like your speed, you may want to check out Couples Therapy Inc. They schedule consultations with a live enrollment coordinator first to discuss how it works.
You’re in Crisis
When you need help immediately due to a significant crisis, such as infidelity or a spouse threatening to leave, or one of you is suffering from a severe mental health issue, Talkspace is not the best option. In these cases, you may want to find an in-person therapist that can schedule a session as soon as possible. Check out our online therapist directory to find couples or marriage counseling services in your area.
If you feel your life is in danger due to a spouse or other family member committing acts of domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 for support.
Talkspace Couples Therapy User Reviews
Talkspace has 4.8 stars from 20K reviews on the Apple App Store and 4.4 stars from 6K reviews on the Google Play Store. While these scores reflect Talkspace for Individuals, Couples, and Teens as a whole, I combed through dozens of reviews to pinpoint comments that directly relate to Talkspace Couples Therapy services.
Several reviewers that joined Talkspace for couples therapy mentioned that they appreciated the convenience of online appointments, but many complained about expiring credits and problems with the matching process.
Convenient for Couples
Attending in-person therapy can be a challenge for many, but trying to pull it off as a couple presents even more obstacles, especially when it comes to scheduling. That’s why I wasn’t surprised to see many reviewers mentioning that Talkspace made it easy for them to attend therapy together through online sessions. Several stated that they appreciated being able to attend sessions while they were in different locations than their partner.
Problems with Expiring Credits
A lot of reviewers complained about losing credits due to not booking appointments within 30 days. It’s clear that the credit system can be a bit confusing for clients. Several expressed frustration about spending money on therapy that they never received. Personally, I think the expiration credit system is an unfair punishment to those who are desperately seeking help while on a budget and may have forgotten to check their session schedule.
Issues with the Therapist Matching Process
Some reviewers signed up for couples therapy and were matched with therapists that specialize in individual counseling. Others said that they were matched with therapists that were unavailable, unresponsive, or unfit to offer support in their specific situation. My partner and I were originally matched with a therapist that was unresponsive, which significantly delayed our time to our first appointment.
Talkspace Couples Therapy Vs Competitors
Talkspace Couples Therapy is a strong resource for partners and spouses, but it’s not the only option out there. Below you’ll find a brief comparative analysis of Talkspace Couples Therapy and two of its top competitors.
Talkspace Couples Therapy Vs ReGain
ReGain, which is a sister site of BetterHelp, and Talkspace Couples Therapy both connect you and your partner with a licensed therapist for live couples counseling via phone, chat, or video. You can also message your therapist in-between sessions with both companies. ReGain and Talkspace both offer live workshops/webinars for subscribers to attend at no extra cost.
While I was matched with a therapist within minutes of signing up with Talkspace, ReGain states that it may take hours or up to a few days to get a match.
ReGain costs will depend on your location, preferences, and therapist availability, but subscriptions run between $240-$360 a month, making it a more affordable choice than Talkspace Couples Therapy.
To learn more, check out our in-depth review of ReGain.
Talkspace Couples Therapy Vs Ritual
Ritual and Talkspace Couples Therapy are both online relationship counseling services that use evidence-based methods, like Emotional Focused Therapy and the Gottman Method. While Talkspace Couples Therapy tends to lean in a more traditional therapeutic direction, Ritual uses a program called Pathways that involves sessions with a trained therapist, as well as educational exercises, videos, and action plans.
Ritual will see individuals who are struggling with maintaining relationships, while Talkspace only sees clients in pairs. Talkspace Couples Therapy accepts insurance plans that cover couples counseling, but Ritual does not accept insurance at this time. Talkspace subscriptions cost $436 monthly and include four 30-minute sessions. Ritual subscriptions for individuals cost $160 a month, and subscriptions for couples cost $260 a month. Memberships for couples with Ritual include three private sessions for you and your partner and one extended session together.
History of Talkspace
Talkspace was founded by Roni and Oren Frank in 2012. The company started as a text-based therapy service and is now one of the leaders in the online mental health industry. The Franks resigned in 2021 due to low earnings, which was followed by a string of acting CEOs that came and went. As of November 2022, Jon Cohen was named CEO of Talkspace and has led the company to where it is today.2
Talkspace in the News
According to Yahoo Finance, Talkspace CEO John Cohen and CFO Jennifer Folk will participate in the Truist Securities 2023 Healthcare Disruptors & Digital Health Summit. They’ll be presenting a panel discussion titled “Addressing the Mental Health Crisis” on June 21, 2023.3
In addition, there have been reports of Talkspace overpromising on therapist availability. A class-action lawsuit was filed last year in a California federal court that accuses Talkspace of lying about their ability to meet patient needs and enrolling new users in automatic payments without confirming appointments with therapists.4
Frequently Asked Questions About Talkspace Couples Therapy
What Credentials Do Talkspace Couples Therapists Hold?
Talkspace couples therapists are licensed and credentialed in accordance with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) standards. They carefully vet all of their therapists and ensure that they have an average of at least 7-10 years of experience providing therapy in a post-supervision realm. Therapists hold a wide range of licenses under the mental health umbrella, such as LMFTs, LMHCs, and LICSWs.
How Do I Choose a Therapist with Talkspace Couples Therapy?
You’ll be matched with a therapist with Talkspace’s algorithm after you complete the onboarding questionnaire.
Can I Change Therapists?
Yes. If you are dissatisfied with your current therapist, Talkspace will allow you to switch to a new couples therapist.
Is Talkspace Couples Therapy Legit?
Yes, Talkspace is a legitimate and reliable company that provides quality therapy for couples.
Can I Use My FSA or HSA Funds?
Yes, if the account allows for couples therapy coverage, you may use your FSA or HSA for mental health counseling and couples counseling through Talkspace. Talkspace also accepts payments from EAP accounts.
How Do I Cancel My Subscription to Talkspace Couples Therapy?
To cancel your Talkspace Couples Therapy subscription, go to your account and click “Payment and Plan”, then you will simply click “Stop Subscription”.
Does Talkspace Couples Therapy Offer Refunds?
Yes, Talkspace may offer full, partial, or prorated refunds for services rendered. To get in touch with someone at Talkspace, email them at [email protected].
Is Talkspace Couples Therapy HIPAA Compliant?
Yes, Talkspace is HIPAA compliant. For more information, you can read the Talkspace Terms of Use and the Talkspace Privacy Policy.
