What do you guys think about apps like BetterHelp and Talkspace? I understand they might have real therapists working on their content, but a lot of the marketing I see is so vague and broad that it feels like a lie. Seems like "This app got rid of my anxiety with a 30-minute automated text questionnaire" is the new "This tea made me lose 20 pounds in two weeks!" Just seems a little fad-like and money grabby to me. Thoughts?

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I kind of agree. I like the idea of the apps and think virtual therapy is awesome, but they are kind of dumbing down what therapy really is and the commitment it takes from both the patient and the therapist. It certainly isn't something that can happen in 30 minutes. The marketing is bad.

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Chiming in with perhaps a different perspective. I actually worked as a therapist on betterhelp for just over 2 years. It’s like any other 1099 contracting position- you’ll see lots of variability. I valued quality work over quantity, so I only took a small number of people, had spots available weekly, and did 45-50 minute sessions- as I would in traditional in-office therapy. My clients seemed pleased with the working relationship and I enjoyed working with people from all over the state. The catch with better help is they incentivize therapists to see more people, which (in my opinion) absolutely impacts therapists’ decision to take on perhaps more than they can reasonably handle. I will also note that better help is only really intended for the “wounded well.” Severe mental illness, addictions, recurrent si/sib- not for this platform. In sum, you’re essentially hiring an independent contractor and there’s some work to be done on the front end to interview the therapists and determine who might be a good fit. There’s also work for the therapist to do with setting appropriate expectations up front about their scope of practice and availability and managing the quality of their “product.”

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I tried talkspace for myself since my job offers it as a free benefit. I only got automated replies from the “therapist” I was assigned. I was able to see her photo and credentials but it sat for 5 days with no actual response even though I did write a message of my Concerns that I wanted to speak about. That being said I think it’s a joke. If correctly staffed etc. maybe it would be effective. I didn’t have a good experience.

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This sounds like most of the stories I'm hearing from therapists and patients. It's a bummer since it's a great idea, but the execution does not seem to be actually helping people at all.

I have not heard good things. It sounds like they nickel and dime patients and it can be very hard to get booked in for an appointment.

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I work for Talkspace as a contractor. I love working for Talkspace and have worked as a 1099 for six years for them. In that time, there has been a shift from stressing text messaging to more scheduling live video sessions. I respond to text messages two or three times a day. I also schedule 15 hours of live video a week.

I know that some of my colleagues on that platform do not respond to patients as frequently and some do a lazy version of CBT, sending worksheets to patients instead of genuinely encouraging them to talk freely.

Despite that, I think working for Talkspace is terrific. The platform does billing, insurance verification, appointment scheduling, has an EMR and handle secure video.

From the therapist side, it is great working as a 1099 for Talkspace. From the patient side, it is no different than finding a therapist in a large group private practice. You might find a terrific therapist or be assigned someone you just don’t click with.

It is easy to switch therapists on TS and find another you click with.

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