Apps and online care
Teen Counseling vs Talkspace
They differ on 7 of 10 things we check. No winner here: the better one is the one that fits what you need and how you'd pay.
Teen Counseling
A parent signs up and consents, then the teen is matched with a licensed therapist and talks with them by messaging, phone or video in a private room parents can't read.
Talkspace
You answer an intake questionnaire, get matched with a licensed therapist, then message them any time and meet by live video depending on your plan.
Where they differ
- Kind of help
- Teen Counseling: A therapist
- Talkspace: A therapist, Medication
- Good for
- Teen Counseling: Teens 13–19 with stress, anxiety or low mood who would rather message or talk from home; Families who can pay out of pocket
- Talkspace: Adults with depression, anxiety or stress who want a therapist they can message between live sessions; People whose insurance or employer plan covers Talkspace
- Probably not for
- Teen Counseling: Teens in crisis: call or text 988
- Talkspace: Anyone in crisis: call or text 988
- Cost
- Teen Counseling: $60–$90/week, billed every 4 weeks
- Talkspace: $69–$109/week self-pay; copay with insurance
- Research
- Teen Counseling: Early research
- Talkspace: Strong research support
- Privacy
- Teen Counseling: Grade D
- Talkspace: Grade C
- HIPAA
- Teen Counseling: Not stated
- Talkspace: Yes
The same for both: how you pay (i'll pay myself), where (iphone, android, web), sells your data (yes).
In crisis or thinking about suicide? In the US, call or text 988. This page is information from our reviews, not medical advice.