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Talkspace and Ginger offer comparable services, as both platforms offer access to remote therapy sessions and other mental health care options. So which platform is the best choice for online therapy?
Before signing up for Talkspace or Ginger, you may want to know more about each platform and what they offer. Here is a closer look at Talkspace vs. Ginger, including how the two options stack up, how much they cost, and other important details.
Talkspace and Ginger give you someone to talk to. You can talk to a licensed therapist 24/7/365. Choosing between the two may come down to whether Ginger is available from your employer.
Talkspace vs. Ginger Comparison Table
| Talkspace | Ginger | |
| Price | Starts at $69 per week | Free for employees |
| Mobile App Available | Yes | Yes |
| Text Therapy | Yes | Yes |
| Video Therapy | Yes | Yes |
| In-Person Therapy | No | No |
| Accepts Insurance | Yes | Employer-sponsored |
| Access to Prescriptions | Yes | Yes |
| Age Range | 13 and older | 13 and older |
What Is Talkspace?
Talkspace is a leading online therapy platform. It offers access to licensed therapists over the Internet, allowing you to receive mental healthcare from the comfort of your home.
Talkspace offers access to therapy sessions via text and video chat. You cannot arrange an in-person session, as Talkspace focuses on providing telehealth services.
Talkspace was launched in 2012. The company originally provided access to marriage counseling before broadening its services. It is now one of the most well-known companies in the telehealth industry.
You have likely seen advertisements for Talkspace featuring famous faces, such as gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps and pop star Demi Lovato. Thanks to the popularity of the platform, Talkspace has helped over 69 million people receive access to remote mental healthcare services.
How Does Talkspace Work?
Talkspace requires you to signup for a service plan before using its services. The company offers the following plans to suit different budgets and needs:
- Text messaging therapy—$69 per week
- Video-based therapy—$99 per week
- Text and video therapy with live workshops—$109 per week
You need to pay per month for the services. However, Talkspace accepts insurance
from many of the biggest insurers, including Optum and Cigna.
You can access therapy using a web browser or Talkspace’s mobile app. Both options allow you to arrange text or video therapy, depending on the plan that you choose.
For example, text messages are available with all three plans. Video sessions are only available with the video-based therapy plan and the live workshop plan.
After selecting a plan, Talkspace requires you to complete a brief assessment. The assessment includes questions about your mental health and concerns, which allows Talkspace to compile a list of therapists who meet your needs.
You can choose from a list of recommendations provided by Talkspace. After choosing a therapist, you can arrange your first session. Future sessions and billing are all handled through your Talkspace account, making it easier to address your mental health.
Talkspace also recently added psychiatry services to its selection of options. With Talkspace Psychiatry, you can arrange virtual psychiatry appointments and ongoing medication management.
What Is Ginger?
Ginger is another platform dedicated to providing access to remote mental health services. As with Talkspace, Ginger allows you to arrange text-based therapy or video therapy. The available services include:
- Immediate text-based coaching
- Video therapy and psychiatry sessions
- Self-guided care resources
A group of data scientists and entrepreneurs founded Ginger in 2011. The company is committed to providing mental healthcare services to people around the world. Ginger currently serves millions of patients in over 50 countries.
Unlike Talkspace, Ginger is only available to individuals who belong to organizations that work with Ginger. Your employer needs to sign up for coverage through Ginger.
Instead of providing services directly to the public, Ginger offers solutions for employers and healthcare providers. Ginger works with organizations to deliver more effective therapy and psychiatry services.
How Does Ginger Work?
Using Ginger for individual therapy or psychiatry appointments requires you to download a mobile app. The company’s services are not available from a web-based interface. You need to use the app to access on-demand coaching and other services.
After signing in, you can request a coaching session at any time. The services are available 24/7. The app will try to connect you with a real coach within 60 seconds. You can also arrange personal therapy or psychiatry sessions. The sessions are completed remotely through the app using text-based or video-based communication.
Ginger is also available for dependents of existing members. Adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 can use Ginger to access the same services as their parents.
Why Choose Talkspace?
Talkspace is a good fit for anyone who wants convenient access to remote therapy from the comfort of their home. You can choose a plan, answer a few questions, and receive help from a licensed therapist within minutes.
Talkspace is a leading choice for on-demand therapy. All plans include access to unlimited text messaging with your therapist, even if you choose the video-based therapy plan. You can also arrange psychiatry services through Talkspace Psychiatry.
Talkspace is also available everywhere. You can use it in any state. Ginger is also available in every state, but only through employer-sponsored programs.
Talkspace is one of the more recognizable online therapy platforms. The company has over a decade of experience helping people receive mental health services.
You can also rest easy knowing that you are receiving treatment from a qualified professional. Talkspace only works with licensed therapists who have completed at least 3,000 hours of clinical work.
Why Choose Ginger?
Using Ginger makes sense if your employer has already signed up to use the services. Employees do not pay to use Ginger, as the employer covers the costs.
Ginger is not open to the public. However, individuals who work for organizations that develop a Ginger plan can enjoy free therapy and psychiatry services.
As with Talkspace, Ginger allows you to connect with a therapist quickly. You can arrange text messaging therapy within 60 seconds. Virtual video sessions are available every day of the week through scheduled appointments.
Ginger may also make more sense if you want to work on a specific mental health concern, such as depression. The team at Ginger is more focused on providing tailored treatment plans compared to the type of on-demand therapy promoted by Talkspace.
Talkspace vs. Ginger—The Initial Process
Talkspace and Ginger have different processes for signing up to use their services. Talkspace allows you to sign up using a web browser or the Talkspace mobile app. Ginger requires you to download its mobile app. You cannot sign up to Ginger through a web browser.
Talkspace allows anyone aged 13 and older to sign up. Ginger only accepts members whose employers have signed up to use the service. If your employer does not use Ginger, you cannot sign up for the service.
After signing up for either service, you need to answer a few basic questions about yourself. Talkspace and Ginger want to know more about the issues that you face to better treat you. The companies then search their databases to find the best therapist or psychiatrist based on your needs.
You can schedule appointments through your Talkspace or Ginger account. Talkspace also allows you to submit payments through a web browser or mobile app.
Talkspace vs. Ginger—What’s the Difference?
The main difference between Talkspace and Ginger is availability. You cannot use Ginger unless your employer has created a plan with the company. Talkspace is available to anyone aged 13 and older who can cover the cost of the membership plan.
Other details to consider include affordability, ease of use, and customer service. Here is what you should know about the differences between the two.
Affordability
Ginger is more affordable, as it is free for employees to use. You do not have to pay a dime to use the services made available through Ginger. You can schedule therapy sessions, text message your therapist, and receive an ongoing treatment plan for free if your employer uses Ginger.
If your insurance does not cover mental health services, you need to pay for Talkspace out of pocket. The cost starts at $69 per week for text therapy and $99 per week for video therapy.
Ease of Use
Talkspace is very easy to use. You can create an account and receive help from a mental health professional in less than 24 hours. After creating an account, you can manage everything through the Talkspace app. You can even message your therapist and complete video therapy sessions through the app instead of needing to use a web browser.
Ginger requires you to use the mobile app to access your account and communicate with your therapist or behavioral coach. The text-based therapy is completed through the app. Video therapy is completed using third-party video conferencing software.
Customer Service
Talkspace and Ginger have dependable customer service departments. You can contact the customer service department at Ginger using an email or an online contact form.
The Talkspace customer service department is available via email, online contact form, or phone call. Talkspace also has an online help center with answers to many frequently asked questions.
Availability
Talkspace offers greater availability compared to Ginger, as Ginger is only available as an employer-sponsored plan. You cannot sign up as an individual.
Talkspace vs. Ginger—Pros and Cons
See how Talkspace and Ginger stack up with a quick look at each service’s pros and cons.
Talkspace Pros
- Available to the public
- An affordable option for weekly treatments
- Receive help within the first 24 hours
Talkspace Cons
- A more expensive plan is needed for prescription medications
- No in-person treatment options
Ginger Pros
- Available for free to those who qualify
- Connecting with a coach takes just 60 seconds
- Access to weekly video sessions and 24/7 texting
Ginger Cons
- Not available to the public
- No in-person treatment options
Talkspace vs. Ginger—How to Choose the Right Platform
Talkspace and Ginger are two of the leading platforms for those seeking remote therapy. However, these two platforms cater to different patients. Choosing the right platform based on your needs may require you to consider
- The availability of services in your area,
- The cost of the mental health services that you need, and
- The type of treatment that you want.
Start by considering whether you can use Ginger. As mentioned, Ginger is not open to the public. If your employer uses Ginger, you can sign up for free. Otherwise, Ginger is not an option.
You should also consider the cost of treatment. If Ginger is available, you can save money compared to using Talkspace. While Talkspace is relatively affordable, it is most cost-effective for those who expect the need to text their therapist frequently.
The type of treatment that you seek may also impact your decision. Ginger can help with a wide range of treatments. The company even has access to psychiatrists, allowing you to receive prescription medications as part of your treatment. Talkspace also offers psychiatry services, but you need to pay an extra fee to access them.
Ginger may also be better suited for treating serious mental health issues that require a more comprehensive treatment plan. People often use Talkspace for short therapy sessions to discuss their issues on an on-demand basis. Ginger is more geared towards developing treatment options for addressing specific concerns.
Conclusion
Talkspace and Ginger allow you to receive professional therapy or psychiatry services from the comfort of your home. You can use a mobile app to chat with a licensed mental health professional. Both platforms allow you to arrange text-based or video-based therapy.
You can also use either platform to arrange psychiatry appointments. However, only one of these platforms is available to the public. You can only use Ginger if your employer offers it.
If your employer does not offer Ginger, Talkspace offers one of the most affordable alternatives. You can also sign up and connect with a therapist within the same day.
Yet, if Ginger is available from your employer, you may want to take advantage of the free service. Employees do not pay to use Ginger.
The bottom line is that Talkspace and Ginger give you someone to talk to. You can talk to a licensed therapist 24/7/365. Choosing between the two may come down to whether Ginger is available from your employer.
Sources
- https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/talkspace-review/#:~:text=Yes%2C%20Talkspace%20is%20legit.,to%20prescribe%20and%20manage%20medications.
- https://www.talkspace.com/psychiatry
- https://www.talkspace.com/michael
- https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/health-tech/amazon-care-teaming-ginger-add-behavioral-health-services
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210428005278/en/Ginger-Brings-On-Demand-Mental-Healthcare-to-14-Million-Cigna-Behavioral-Health-Customers-Nationwide
- https://www.verywellmind.com/talkspace-online-therapy-review-4777068
- https://www.uschamber.com/co/good-company/the-leap/talkspace-therapy-app-business-growth