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If you’re looking for online or mobile mental health resources, Talkspace and Headspace are two of the most recognizable options. Both services are available via a mobile app, allowing you to access helpful resources from any location.
Yet, when it comes to Talkspace vs. Headspace, there are several essential details to consider. Talkspace and Headspace offer different features and services. Use the following in-depth review to compare options to decide which one best matches your current mental health needs.
Talkspace vs. Headspace Comparison Table
| Talkspace | Headspace | |
| Price | Starts at $69 per week | $69.99 annually or $12.99 per month |
| Mobile App Available | Yes | Yes |
| Text Therapy | Yes | No |
| Video Therapy | Yes | No |
| In-Person Therapy | No | No |
| On-Demand Video and Audio | No | Yes |
| Accepts Insurance | Yes | No |
| Access to Prescriptions | Yes | No |
| Age Range | 13 and older | 18 and older |
What Is Talkspace?
Talkspace is a leading online therapy platform. Users can communicate with licensed therapists and psychiatrists using text, video, or audio messaging.
Talkspace launched just over a decade ago but gained recognition thanks to a marketing campaign that featured Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. Since 2012, over 69 million users have used Talkspace to speak with licensed therapists.
Talkspace does not offer in-person therapy with local therapists. Your sessions are completed entirely through the app or website. With Talkspace, your therapist is always just a text message away.
How Does Talkspace Work?
You can access your Talkspace account and services through the website or a mobile app. The mobile app is available on iOS and Android devices. There are several steps involved in using Talkspace:
- Complete the assessment
- Pick a plan
- Receive your match
- Arrange therapy
After creating an account, you need to choose a plan. The company offers three plans:
- Text-based therapy – $69 per week
- Video messaging – $99 per week
- Live workshops – $109 per week
You also need to complete an assessment. The assessment includes questions related to your mental health needs. Talkspace uses the assessment to search its database and find the right therapist or psychiatrist.
Talkspace typically finds a match within 24 hours. However, it may occasionally take up to 48 hours. If you accept the match, your new therapist will contact you to arrange the first meeting. The sessions are completed using text or video chat, depending on the plan that you choose. You can also arrange weekly or monthly sessions.
Along with therapy sessions, you can use Talkspace to arrange psychiatric services. The psychiatry option requires an extra fee but allows a licensed psychiatrist to prescribe medications.
You may find this option useful if your mental health treatment is likely to benefit from a prescription medication. You can avoid the need to find a separate psychiatrist in your local area.
What Is Headspace?
Headspace is a mobile app designed to teach mindfulness and meditation techniques. The app guides you through breathing methods and meditation exercises to promote your mental well-being. Along with meditation, the app includes courses for sleep, exercise, and focus.
Unlike Talkspace, Headspace does not offer access to therapy services. You cannot connect with a licensed mental health professional through Headspace. It is an app with an extensive library of videos and lessons. You can browse and watch the videos at your leisure.
How Does Headspace Work?
Headspace is a paid mobile app. The app requires a paid subscription. You can pay monthly or annually. The monthly plan comes with a 7-day free trial, while the annual plan has a 14-day free trial.
After downloading the app and creating your account, you can watch a series of short introductory videos to get to know the app better. You can also navigate between four different screens:
- Meditate
- Sleep
- Move
- Focus
Each category includes separate lessons and videos. The meditate section includes meditation courses, including guided meditations with the app’s co-founder. Most of the courses are customizable. You can adjust the length of the session to suit your needs.
Headspace tracks your activity to help encourage you to continue meditating. You can see how many days you have meditated in a row and the total number of minutes you spent meditating.
The sleep section includes guided meditation sessions intended to help you fall asleep. These “sleepcasts” last about 45 to 55 minutes.
The app also includes workout videos lasting 10 to 30 minutes. The exercises in the “move” section include low-impact and medium-impact exercises.
The “focus” portion of the app includes music and playlists intended to help you stay focused when working. Many of the playlists include ambient music and nature sounds.
The app includes an easy-to-navigate menu, allowing you to browse the library and find the right video or audio track for any period of your day. Whether you want to stay focused, fall asleep, or let go of stress, Headspace can help.
Why Choose Talkspace?
Talkspace is a recommended choice for those needing to speak with a licensed mental health professional. Talkspace can connect you with a licensed therapist for text, video, and audio sessions.
Talkspace offers one of the most convenient ways to arrange therapy sessions. You can choose a package that suits your needs and budget and cancel at any time. Signing up is quick, and you can connect with a therapist in 24 hours or less.
All packages include unlimited text messaging. You can message your therapist as frequently as you need without worrying about added fees. You can also arrange live video sessions.
Keep in mind that Talkspace is not the only online therapy platform. In our comparison of BetterHelp vs. Talkspace, we offer a detailed look at another source for telehealth services.
Why Choose Headspace?
Headspace is a recommended option for those who want to develop tools for dealing with stress, anxiety, or depression. Instead of connecting with a mental health professional, Headspace helps you learn how to relax through meditation. It is also helpful for those dealing with sleep problems or trouble focusing.
Headspace is perfect for those that are new to meditation and mindfulness. However, it also has features intended for more experienced individuals. The app includes lessons for beginners and advanced students.
The app is beneficial for everyone, including children, as it promotes mindfulness and meditation techniques. Researchers have found that guided meditation apps can lead to several positive changes, including increased happiness and other positive emotions.
You may also consider using both Talkspace and Headspace, as the two platforms complement each other. Therapy may offer benefits that guided meditation cannot provide, while meditation can help with emotional regulation.
Talkspace vs. Headspace—The Initial Process
Talkspace and Headspace have similar sign-up processes, as you need to provide your billing information. Headspace includes a free trial, but you need to include your credit card or debit card details. Talkspace charges a weekly or monthly fee to use its services.
Both platforms also include access to mobile apps. You can complete the rest of the steps using the mobile app. However, Talkspace also allows you to access its features through a web-based interface on a browser.
Talkspace also requires you to complete an assessment. The company then finds a licensed therapist or psychiatrist and sends you a notification. You can accept the match and arrange your first session.
You don’t need to complete an assessment with Headspace. After creating an account and downloading the app, you are free to browse the library and access the courses.
Talkspace vs. Headspace—What’s the Difference?
Talkspace and Headspace are fundamentally different platforms. Talkspace is an online therapy platform. Headspace is a meditation platform.
Talkspace offers access to remote therapy, while Headspace can help you meditate and practice mindfulness. If you want to speak with a mental health professional, you can use Talkspace.
Affordability
Headspace is more affordable compared to Talkspace. The cost of the Headspace annual plan is comparable to one week of Talkspace text-based therapy. However, the two platforms provide drastically different services.
With Headspace, you pay to access a library of videos and lessons. With Talkspace, you pay to speak with a real person.
Talkspace also accepts insurance from many of the top insurers. Some of the accepted providers include Cigna, Premera, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Optum, and Gatocare.
Ease of Use
Both platforms are very easy to use. Talkspace simplifies the process of finding mental health services. The difficulty of finding a therapist is one of the reasons why many people avoid therapy. With Talkspace, you simply need to download an app and complete an assessment to connect with a licensed therapist.
Headspace is also very easy to use, as the app includes a simple menu and clear descriptions of each feature. New users should have no issues navigating the four main menus.
Customer Service
You can contact the Talkspace customer service department
over the phone or by sending an email. You may need to wait up to 24 hours for a response.
Headspace has a support team available seven days a week. You can reach customer service via email, live chat, support bot, or phone.
Availability
Talkspace is available to users aged 13 and up. Headspace requires an adult to create an account. However, Headspace also has activities and lessons designed for children and families.
Talkspace vs. Headspace—Pros and Cons
Talkspace and Headspace include distinct advantages and disadvantages, as they are made to address different needs. Here is a closer look at the pros and cons of each platform.
Talkspace Pros
- Unlimited text messaging
- Access to remote therapy sessions
- Affordable mental health services
Talkspace Cons
- Not all insurance options are accepted
- Psychiatry services require an added fee
Headspace Pros
- Costs less compared to Talkspace
- Access to a variety of meditations and exercises
- Convenient mobile app
Headspace Cons
- Does not include therapy services
Talkspace vs. Headspace—How to Choose the Right Platform
Choosing the right platform depends on what you hope to achieve and the types of resources you need. Talkspace and Headspace aim to serve different needs. You can use Talkspace for one-on-one therapy with a licensed therapist and Headspace for personal meditation.
If you’re suffering from severe depression, anxiety, or any other mental health issue, speaking with a licensed professional may be beneficial.
Most people are likely to benefit from therapy. Speaking with another person can be very healing, even if you don’t believe that you suffer from any serious mental health concerns. However, you may not want to pay for a subscription to a therapy service at this point.
If you want to try to deal with your concerns on your own, Headspace may be the right choice. Headspace doesn’t include access to therapy or messaging with a real person. The lessons are completed using prerecorded videos.
Headspace gives you on-demand meditation and mindfulness training, sleep exercises, and workout resources. You can use the lessons on Headspace to connect with your mind and body and ease stress and anxiety.
Headspace is also useful as a supplemental aid for your therapy treatments. Speaking with a therapist may help you work through some of your mental health concerns. However, the meditation lessons found on Headspace can provide relaxation and stress relief when your therapist is not available. You can develop tools for coping with stress and anxiety.
Conclusion
Talkspace and Headspace are both legitimate platforms that provide access to mental health resources, but they offer different services. Talkspace offers access to virtual therapy. Headspace offers access to meditation courses, sleep exercises, and workout lessons.
Talkspace includes affordable plans with text, video, or audio therapy. You can communicate with a licensed mental health professional, which is useful for anyone dealing with mental health concerns.
Headspace includes premium mindfulness and meditation courses on a mobile app. You can watch videos and listen to audio tracks designed to improve your focus and relieve stress. It also includes resources for helping you sleep better.
Users may also enjoy using Headspace to track their progress. The app includes a stats section where you can track your meditation sessions.
The bottom line is that Talkspace and Headspace are both valuable platforms for those dealing with stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. You can use Talkspace to communicate with a real person and Headspace for personal healing and relaxation.
Sources
- https://www.cnet.com/health/mental/talkspace-online-therapy-review/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/headspace-review#how-does-it-work
- https://www.headspace.com/meditation/kids
- https://www.talkspace.com/insurance
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200810005107/en/Talkspace-Expands-Affordable-Mental-Health-Care-Offering-for-40-Million-Americans-via-Insurance-Coverage
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/mindfulness-apps-how-well-do-they-work-2018110615306
- https://nypost.com/article/headspace-meditation-app-review/