BetterHelp vs. Talkspace

Which is right for you? We break down the pros, cons, and which option is best for lasting, impactful change.

Platform Overviews

BetterHelp touts itself as the world's largest therapy network. When signing up, it asks you a wide range of personal questions, then matches you with an available therapist. If a therapist isn't the right fit, BetterHelp claims that you can switch therapists as many times as you want.

Patients meet with their therapist in a virtual call room similar to Zoom or Google Hangouts. In some cases, a session may be audio only instead of both audio and video.

It's important to note that when matching you with a therapist, BetterHelp uses an algorithm — there are no humans involved in the process. So, expect a "trial and error" process of finding a therapist that's a good fit.

While BetterHelp is based in the US, you can access support from BetterHelp in Canada and connect through text, phone calls, and video sessions. Note that BetterHelp is not eligible for insurance coverage in Canada or the US

Talkspace is another online alternative to in-person therapy. After a brief assessment, you’ll get automatically matched with three therapists to choose from. Like BetterHelp, you can switch therapists anytime.

Also like BetterHelp, Talkspace hosts therapy sessions in virtual call rooms. You can message your therapist via text, audio clips, or video messaging.

Talkspace is eligible for insurance coverage, but it depends on your location and specific benefits package. Since Talkspace primarily serves the United States, it may be more difficult to get covered in Canada.

If you're seriously considering Talkspace, be sure to check your insurance policy or with your human resources department.

Feature Comparison

BetterHelpTalkspace
Ability to select a therapist based on personal preference and history
Diverse range of therapeutic approaches, backgrounds, and techniques
Direct insurance coverage under many workplace plans
Browse therapists via search filters, area, certification or specialization
Ease of switching therapists
Direct booking
Rigurously vetted network of licensed therapists
Free first session with therapist

BetterHelp vs Talkspace Summary

If you value convenience and flexibility, BetterHelp and Talkspace offer easy access and make switching therapists easy. However, reviews and community feedback show that the quality of Talkspace therapists is higher than BetterHelp. On top of that, Talkspace is eligible for insurance coverage, while BetterHelp is not. Talkspace is the better option. However, Talkspace still lacks the ability to choose your own therapist which could result in a prolonged "trial and error" period for finding the right therapist. For that reason and more, we recommend First Session as the ideal alternative to Talkspace.

Why you should consider First Session

First Session fixes the exhausting process of finding the right client-Therapist fit.

BetterHelp and Talkspace

Frustration from not being able to preview or meet Therapists before getting matched.
Emotional stress from constantly switching providers and having to repeat private feelings to incompatible therapists.
Financial strain of paying out of pocket with BetterHelp (and, depending on location, Talkspace).

The First Session Experience

Confidence you have the information you need to find the right therapist for you.
Assess for fit before booking and find the right therapist the first time.
Relief in knowing many employer/group benefits and extended insurance plans cover First Session Therapists.

Meet Your Therapist

With First Session, you're the one in control of your therapy experience.
“I wish I’d known about this platform sooner! I loved the introductory videos–this is what helped me choose the therapist to book an intro consultation with.”
— Satisfied First Session User
“I was able to use First Session to find my therapist for the past two years within 24 hours. First Session eliminated a lot of the friction associated with finding a therapist....”
— Satisfied First Session User
“Having short videos of the therapists sharing a little bit about themselves and their approaches is such a simple concept but made an  absolute world of difference.”
— Satisfied First Session User

Meaningful Change Begins with the Right Fit

Client-therapist fit is the most important factor of long-term therapy success. But getting "matched" with incompatible therapists and repeatedly sharing your most vulnerable feelings with multiple providers is emotionally exhausting. That’s why 50% of people seeking care don’t get past an initial consultation.

First Session puts you in control of the process from the beginning. In-depth interview videos from our providers give you a true sense of each practitioner's approach, communication style, and experience.

Commit only when you feel there's a connection. Then, book directly from the First Session platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages and disadvantages of in-person vs online therapy?

The answering to that question is "it depends." Research shows that one of the defining features of productive therapy is consistent work with a single Therapist over the long-term. With that in mind, both in-person and online therapy can be equally as effective. However, it depends entirely on the online therapy platform chosen and the quality of the client-therapist relationship.

For example, BetterHelp does not emphasize the importance of client-therapist fit, and instead focuses on instantly matching therapy seekers with a Therapist. It's a trial and error process that is time-consuming and less likely to produce impactful results.

Other platforms like First Session place big emphasis on client-therapist fit, with the goal of matching therapy seekers to a single Therapist for the long-term.

In cases like First Session, the quality and impact of online therapy can match that of an in-person client-therapist relationship. And, of course, some individuals prefer in-person therapy — it's entirely subjective.

To summarize, both can be equally as effective as long as you pay close attention to the quality and approach to therapy of an online platform.

Is online therapy covered by insurance in Canada?

In most cases, yes! However, it's important to note that every employee insurance policy is different. It's increasingly common (if not the norm) for employee insurance programs to cover online therapy. 

As a Step 1, we highly recommend consulting your specific policy or checking in with an HR representative to confirm coverage before booking for any online therapy platform.

For Step 2, you need to check if the online platform of your choice is eligible for insurance coverage or reimbursement. BetterHelp, for example, is not compatible with any insurance plan, so is not eligible for any form of reimbursement or coverage.

On the other hand, First Session is eligible for coverage with the majority of Canadian insurance policy providers and even provides direct billing in many cases.

Step 3, check your coverage for the required Therapist designation or license to ensue coverage (ex. Registered Social Worker, Registered Clinical Counsellor).

First Session makes this process easy by providing explicit details in each Therapist profile page. Check in Insurance Coverage, to see what designations/coverage they fall under.

If you're unsure about coverage, you should ask your benefits provider whether they cover that specific designation of therapist or counsellor. You can also read this guide for more info.

How do I find the right therapist? 

At First Session, we believe finding the right fit in a Therapist is the most important factor to feeling better and having a successful outcome from therapy.

Numerous research studies have proven that forming a strong client-Therapist relationship is more important than the type of therapy used.

To help you assess fit, every Therapist listed on First Session has a short introductory video you can watch to get a sense for who they are.

We've also put together a thorough guide to help you find the right Therapist, determine what the different designations mean, and what you should be looking for when assessing fit. Find the guide here.

Can I find a Therapist according to my age, cultural background, sexuality or gender identity?

Absolutely. We understand that one’s cultural background, age, sexuality, or gender identity can bring unique elements to the process of therapy.

To support every therapy seeker, we actively work to build a highly diverse and inclusive roster of therapists.

For questions or feedback on how we can improve these element of the process, send us a message.

What types of Therapists from First Session provide services in Saskatoon?

First Session Therapists support individuals, couples, and families.

Every First Session Therapist is accredited and insured to provide online and/or in-person therapy in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Designations of First Session therapists and counsellors include:

  • Psychotherapists
  • Psychotherapists (qualifying)
  • Social Workers
  • Clinical Counsellors
  • Psychologists
  • Canadian Certified Counsellors
  • Provisional Psychologists

You deserve more from therapy.

You've made the courageous decision to reach your full potential. Find the right therapist to help get you there, and make the most of the time and money you’re investing in yourself.