How To Change Therapist On Talkspace: Complete Guide

With the growing advent of technology and lack of time, almost everything is going digital. And therapy is among one the few things that have seamlessly gone online in the last few years.

As online therapy is getting popular, numerous platforms have come up to help people get access to therapists and counseling from anywhere and at any time. One such therapy platform is Talkspace.

The online platform Talkspace has a network of therapists that have expertise in various aspects; however, not everyone might be suitable for your needs.

Are you not satisfied with the therapist you matched with? Wondering how to change therapist on Talkspace? Well, there are a few easy steps you can follow to change the therapist and signs you should.

What Is Talkspace?

Oren and Roni Frank started Talkspace in 2012 after their success in couple therapy. They wanted to offer a convenient, low-cost, and stigma-free area for group therapy.

Over the years, Talkspace evolved into a platform that offers message-based therapy to people. It also offers other services like sleep therapy, couples therapy, and even psychiatric services.

Talkspace strives to remove the stigma associated with mental health treatment. The platform ensures people can get virtual mental health services tuned to their schedules, and the services include:

• Individual therapy
• Teen therapy
• Couples therapy
• Sleep therapy
• Psychiatry

What makes Talkspace distinct from competitors is its 24×7 message support. All the subscription plans allow users to message their respective providers at any time during the day or even at night.

The providers only have to respond twice a day and 5 days a week. A portion of the providers’ pay depends on how frequently as well as how much they respond.

Not all plans offer live video sessions, and for plenty of users, messaging is the extent of interaction with the provider.

How Does Talkspace Work?

The platform uses a detailed process that helps users connect with the right therapist or counselor. Here is how Talkspace operates:

1. Fill A Questionnaire

The process starts with filling out an intake questionnaire. You can sign up for online therapy within 10 minutes by answering a few questions about your therapy background, the issues you need to address, and your expectations from a therapist.

By answering only a few questions within a couple of minutes, you can get matched with a therapist. Or you may answer a few additional questions about your preferences and needs regarding the therapist’s style.

2. Choose The Provider

After filling out the brief questionnaire, you need to give your mailing address to receive your matches to choose from. The algorithm of Talkspace uses the answers you give in the questionnaire and matches you with 3 licensed therapists or psychiatrists residing within your state.

You will receive information about the therapists, including their biography, areas of expertise, and availability, down to the days and hours when they are available.

If you aren’t satisfied with these matches, you have the option to run a new search and receive new matches. In case you still don’t like them, the platform allows you to sign up and then talk to a matching agent in a chatroom.

These agents are licensed therapists and can help you find the right therapist. But you need to have a subscription to begin this matching process.

Whenever you sign up for counseling or therapy, you will have to sign up for a 10-minute free live session with the provider. The introductory call works as a nice bonus as it enables you to interact with the counselor and establish expectations at the beginning.

3. Confirm And Pay

After choosing your provider, you can then pick a suitable subscription plan. The individual plans range from $65 to $99 for a week.

By paying $65, you get the messaging service only. You get access to your “room” on the platform, which allows you to send text as well as voice messages to the therapist, but you won’t get the option to have live sessions.

If you pay $79 weekly, you get one live session in a month, and with the payment of $99 per week, you will get 4 live sessions in a month.

In case you sign up for psychiatry, there are three options to choose from – a single initial evaluation at $199, a bundle of initial evaluation and 1 follow-up visit at $315, and/ or a bundle that includes an initial evaluation along with 3 follow-up visits at the cost of $515.

4. Complete The Intake Form

Since Talkspace is considered a health provider, you will have to fill out a form containing your medical history as well as your mental health history to sign up.

5. Contact Your Provider

After you register, you can log in and access the Talkspace room. The room is your Talkspace HQ, which comes with a chat section where you can communicate with your provider through messages.

This room also gives you access to your profile, book live sessions, watch quick videos, track progress, and even change your subscription plan and provider.

You get access to the room to send and receive messages at any time from the provider with the basic subscription plans as well. The messages can be text, image, video, or audio.

6. Schedule A Live Session

You can schedule your live sessions with the provider at any time by simply logging into the room. Click on the movie icon, select the suitable one from the available slots of the provider, and then wait for the provider to confirm your appointment.

Signs That You Need To Change The Therapist

Many people have had the same therapist for years, but there may be situations when either the client or the therapist decides to end the association. More often, the client initiates it, and here are some signs you must look out for to know when it’s time to change your therapist:

1. There Is No Growth

The main aim of therapy is personal and mental growth. If you feel the therapy sessions aren’t pushing you toward new situations or helping you grow out of your comfort zone, it might be a sign that you need to change your current therapist.

2. Confidentiality Issues

It is essential for your provider to maintain confidentiality and privacy throughout your association, except under legal circumstances, which make it mandatory for therapists to contact authorities. If you have concerns about privacy, you must ask questions or look for a new therapist.

3. Too Much Or Too Little Contact

During the therapy sessions, your provider may cross boundaries with frequent texts or calls outside the therapy sessions, and it might not be ideal.

On the other hand, if you can’t reach the therapist when you need help, that is also a cause for concern. Therapists can have a set of rules as well as time schedules on how you can reach them, and if you still can’t communicate with them, you might feel like it’s time to change.

4. You Aren’t Getting Enough Attention

For therapy to work for you, you need to get attention and feel heard by your provider. If the therapist isn’t really listening to your issues, they’re dismissing your opinions, or they don’t understand where you are coming from, it might be a struggle for you to open up.

How To Change Your Therapist On Talkspace?

If you have realized you want to switch to a new therapist on Talkspace, there are two ways you can do that. They are:

Through Desktop:

• Open up a web browser and log in to the Talkspace website directly at www.talkspace.com.
• After logging in, click on the username present in the top right corner.
• It will bring a new menu, and you can select ‘My Account.’ 
• In the section of ‘My Private Rooms,’ select ‘Therapist’ and then click on ‘Change.’ 
• You can choose whether you want to share the old therapy notes with your new counselor or not.

Through App:

• Log in to the app, iOS or Android, using your email and password.
• Once you are in the Private Room, select the menu icon present on the left.
• Select ‘My Account’ or ‘Settings.’
• Select ‘Change Therapist.’
• You can decide whether to share the old therapy transcripts or notes with the new provider or not.

Final Thoughts

Talkspace is a popular platform among people struggling with mental health issues. It offers a wide range of services and has a vast network of therapists that can cater to the needs of users.

Although they have licensed, experienced, and professional therapists, you can always change your provider. It will help you find one that can understand your issues and requirements and offer you the right help!