Talkspace vs. Headway: Which is better for your needs?

Getting mental health support shouldn’t be another hurdle. Whether you’re beginning therapy or changing providers, choosing between platforms like Talkspace and Headway can meaningfully shape your experience — from how quickly you can start to what you’ll pay per session.

In this guide, we’ll compare their key features, pricing, provider networks, and clinical approaches so you can make an informed decision about which option best fits your needs and circumstances.

You may also want to consider Rula when exploring mental health platforms. Rula connects you with a nationwide network of over 21,000 providers, accepts most major insurance plans, and offers both therapy and psychiatry through virtual and in-person appointments. For many patients, sessions cost about $15 with insurance.

Talkspace vs. Headway: Differences at a glance

Talkspace is a virtual-only subscription platform that combines messaging with live sessions, while Headway is an insurance-first network that helps you find and book appointments with providers for both virtual and in-person care.

Average cost per session:

• Talkspace: $69 to $109 per week for therapy subscriptions; average copay is $15 to $30

• Headway: $0 to $35 per session with insurance

Number of providers:

• Talkspace: 6,000+ therapists and 200+ psychiatric providers

• Headway: 60,000+ licensed providers

Modes of communication:

• Talkspace: 24/7 asynchronous messaging plus scheduled live sessions; virtual-only

• Headway: Browser-based video sessions and in-person appointments; messaging portal available

Services offered:

• Talkspace: Individual, couples, and teen therapy; psychiatry

• Headway: Individual, couples, family, and child therapy; medication management

Insurance acceptance:

• Talkspace: Most major plans including Medicare; does not accept Medicaid

• Headway: 70+ major plans including select Medicare; certain Medicaid plans

States covered:

• Talkspace: All 50 states and Washington, D.C.

• Headway: All 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Number of specialties offered:

• Talkspace: 150+ conditions and areas of expertise

• Headway: 25+ specialties

Inclusivity and patient focus:

• Talkspace: LGBTQIA+ affirming and BIPOC therapists; 32+ languages spoken

• Headway: 57+ languages; serves ages 3 to 80; cultural competency training

Virtual-only or virtual + in-person availability:

• Talkspace: Virtual-only platform

• Headway: Both virtual and in-person options

Talkspace at a glance

Talkspace is an online therapy service that connects you to a dedicated, licensed provider in your state through a subscription model. Care is built around asynchronous messaging — meaning you can send text, audio, or video messages anytime — with the option to add live video sessions depending on the plan you choose.

Most people are matched with a therapist in two days or less, and you can switch providers anytime at no additional cost. Talkspace is available through both a mobile app and web browser, and includes progress tracking tools that help you monitor how you’re feeling over time. For self-pay users, therapy plans typically range from $69 to $109 per week, while psychiatry services cost $299 for an initial evaluation and $175 for follow-up visits. With more than 6,000 therapists and 200+ psychiatric providers, Talkspace offers nationwide access across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Headway at a glance

Headway is a mental health platform designed to help you find in-network therapy or medication management using your insurance. Instead of a subscription model, it works more like a searchable directory: you enter your insurance details, browse providers who accept your plan, and book directly with the clinician you choose.

Headway’s network includes more than 60,000 licensed providers across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. After you filter by things like specialty, appointment availability, and session type, you can view profiles and schedule a visit right from the platform. Headway offers both virtual sessions and in-person appointments depending on the provider, and it estimates your out-of-pocket cost in advance so you have a clearer sense of what you’ll pay before you book. Most clients are able to get started within about a week, with an average wait time of just under five days.

Rula at a glance

Alongside Talkspace and Headway, Rula is another option worth considering. Rula is a mental health platform that helps people find in-network therapy and psychiatry through insurance, connecting patients with a nationwide network of more than 21,000 licensed therapists and psychiatric providers across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. For many insured patients, the typical cost is around $15 per session.

“Rula was the only way I was able to find a therapist. Everywhere else I was running into barriers. At a time when I was really struggling, finding help seemed impossible. Rula made it possible,” says a Rula patient.

Rula offers virtual sessions via Zoom as well as in-person therapy options in some locations. The platform supports individual therapy for children ages five and up, teens, and adults, along with couples and family therapy, plus psychiatry services for ages 13 and older. With more than 180 clinical specialties available, patients can filter for providers based on factors like specialty, gender, ethnicity, language, age, and faith.

Getting started with Rula is straightforward. After verifying insurance and sharing a few preferences, patients receive a curated list of in-network providers along with an upfront estimate of their per-session cost. From there, they can review profiles, book an appointment, often as soon as the next day, and manage everything through a secure patient portal.

Clinical outcomes and how they compare

Clinical outcomes and evidence-based approaches matter because they show whether treatment actually helps people feel better in their daily lives.

According to Talkspace outcomes data, 70% of patients show significant improvement on standardized anxiety and depression measures, and 80% of users say Talkspace is as effective or more effective than in-person therapy.

Headway focuses on early engagement and short-term outcomes. It reports a 32% average reduction in PHQ-9 scores in the first 30 days of care, with 71% of patients showing measurable improvement within that timeframe. Headway also notes that 86% of patients attend at least three sessions, described as “a strong indicator of early engagement and sustained care.”

Rula also publishes outcomes data focused on both symptom improvement and quality of fit. Across the platform, 93% of patients report feeling better, 94% feel comfortable with their provider, and 98% say they found a provider who met their needs — results that are more than 10% stronger than national benchmarks on average.

Cost and insurance coverage

Talkspace features a hybrid payment model, accepting both insurance and self-pay with transparent pricing for out-of-pocket costs. Headway is insurance-first and requires new patients to have active, accepted insurance, with costs calculated based on your individual coverage.

Understanding if your insurance covers therapy can help you choose the right platform.

Insurance plans accepted

Talkspace accepts:

• Aetna

• Anthem

• Blue Cross Blue Shield

• Carelon

• Cigna

• Medicare and Medicare Advantage

• Optum

• Regence

• TRICARE

*Talkspace does not currently accept Medicaid plans — something to keep in mind if you plan to use Medicaid for therapy coverage.

Headway accepts:

• Aetna

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield (select states)

• Cigna

• Oscar

• Oxford

• Optum affiliates

• United Healthcare

• Select Medicare and Medicaid plans

You could also consider Rula if using insurance and understanding costs upfront are priorities for you. Rula is in-network with most major insurers, and patients typically pay around $15 per session when using plans like Kaiser Permanente, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, or similar coverage, with benefits verified before the first appointment.

Out-of-pocket costs (with insurance)

Talkspace estimates a $15 to $30 copay depending on your individual plan and coverage details. You'll need to verify your expected costs during sign-up or by contacting your insurance provider directly.

Headway advertises sessions as low as $0 with insurance, with a typical range of $0 to $35 per session depending on your plan. The platform uses your insurance information to calculate and display your expected cost in your account and confirmation emails, so there are no surprises when you're billed after your session.

HSA/FSA eligibility

Both Talkspace and Headway support health savings accounts (HSA) and flexible spending accounts (FSA), though with Headway, online some cards are eligible for online transactions. You can either pay directly with your HSA/FSA card or pay with a credit or debit card and then submit your bill to your FSA or HSA provider for reimbursement. You can request a superbill — a detailed invoice — for this purpose.

Self-pay pricing

Talkspace offers transparent self-pay pricing:

• Therapy subscriptions: $69 to $109 per week

• Couples therapy: Starts at $436 per month

• Psychiatry initial evaluation: $299

• Psychiatry follow-up sessions: $175 per session

• Extra live sessions: $65 per 30-minute session

Headway is insurance-first and doesn't have a clear self-pay option for new patients. Private pay is generally only available for existing patients if their provider offers it, and it's not available for anyone with Medicare or Medicaid policies. The platform doesn't publish standard self-pay rates.

Mental health services offered

The range of services a platform offers matters because different people need different kinds of support, from individual therapy to couples counseling to medication management.

Treatment approaches offered by Talkspace

Talkspace offers providers in over 150 specialty areas and serves diverse populations.

Common modalities include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Humanistic therapy 

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) 

• Mentalization therapy

• Emotion-focused therapy (EFT)

• Psychodynamic therapy

• Exposure therapy 

• Somatic therapy

• Grief counseling

Common specialties and conditions treated:

• Anxiety and mood: Social anxiety, panic disorder, depression, postpartum depression, bipolar disorder

• Trauma and stress: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma, grief, and childhood abuse

• Behavioral health: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, and anger management

• Relationships: Couples issues, family conflict, parenting challenges

• Identity and life transitions: LGBTQIA+ topics, chronic illness, loneliness

Talkspace offers online psychiatry, including medication prescription and management. However, they don't prescribe controlled substances, such as Adderall and Xanax.

Treatment approaches offered by Headway

Headway functions as a network of independent providers offering traditional, appointment-based care through both virtual and in-person sessions. Its network spans over 25 clinical specialties.

Common therapy approaches available through Headway include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)

• Strength-based therapy

• Trauma-focused CBT

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

• Emotion-focused therapy (EFT)

• Attachment-based family therapy

• Cognitive behavioral family therapy

• Gottman Method

• Integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT)

• Multidimensional family therapy

• Psychodynamic therapy

• Narrative therapy

• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)

• Motivational interviewing

Common specialties available:

• Mental health conditions: Addiction, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD

• Life challenges: Grief and loss, maternal mental health, PTSD and trauma

• Relationship support: Couples therapy, family therapy

• Identity-focused care: LGBTQIA+ specialization

Headway also features medication management, offered by psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, MDs, and DOs.

Treatment approaches offered by Rula

Rula’s nationwide provider network spans more than 180 clinical specialties and evidence-based treatment approaches, making it easier to find care that aligns with your specific needs, background, and goals.

Common approaches used by providers on Rula include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

• Trauma-focused therapy, including EMDR and prolonged exposure

• Internal family systems (IFS) and attachment-based approaches

• Couples and family therapies, such as the Gottman Method and emotionally focused therapy (EFT)

• Mindfulness-based and somatic therapies

Rula providers treat a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, ADHD, relationship challenges, parenting concerns, and more.

In addition to therapy, Rula offers medication management through licensed psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) for people ages 13 and older.

Inclusivity and specialized care

When it comes to therapy, finding a provider you can trust who understands your unique background and needs is crucial for making real progress. Both platforms prioritize inclusivity but take different approaches to ensuring you can find the right match.

Talkspace inclusivity and specialization overview

Talkspace curates its network to offer specific, dedicated support for diverse populations:

• Provider types: Talkspace features licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed professional counselor (LPC), psychologists) and psychiatric providers, including board-certified psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners (PMHNPs).

• Specializations: The platform offers over 150 specialties covering everything from anxiety and depression to chronic illness, parenting, and trauma recovery.

• Languages: Care is available in over 32 languages, including Spanish, Chinese, French, and German.

• Dedicated services: Talkspace explicitly offers "highly qualified affirming therapists" for the LGBTQIA+ community, dedicated teen therapy for ages 13 to 17, and has a network of BIPOC providers.

Headway inclusivity and specialization overview

Headway's approach centers on the size and diversity of its large provider network:

• Provider types: Headway features over 60,000 therapists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, medical doctors (MDs), and doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs).

• Specializations: With more than 25 specialties and directory filtering, you can find care for concerns like addiction, PTSD, LGBTQIA+ issues, maternal mental health, and more.

• Languages: Care is available in over 57 languages across Headway's network.

• Diversity initiatives: Headway has a diverse network, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) providers, and is piloting cultural competency training programs with Violet.

Platform availability and access

Access to mental healthcare shouldn't be complicated — the right platform makes it easy to find a provider, schedule appointments, and attend sessions in whatever format works best for your life and schedule.

Rula offers scheduled, appointment-based care, including live video (Zoom) telehealth appointments and in-person therapy appointments in provider-operated offices. The platform verifies your insurance in minutes and lets you schedule your first appointment as soon as the next day.

How access works with Talkspace

Talkspace is built around a digital-first, app-based experience that prioritizes quick access and flexible communication:

• Coverage: Talkspace has providers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

• Matching: Clients answer a short questionnaire and get matched with a licensed provider, typically within two days.

• Session formats: Talkspace's plans offer 24/7 asynchronous messaging, plus up to four 30-minute live sessions per month via video, audio, or chat.

• Scheduling: You book live sessions in advance with your provider. For psychiatry, you can book appointments within two days of signing up and up to three months in advance.

• Platform access: Talkspace is available via mobile app or web browser. The platform features progress tracking tools and a separate self-directed therapy app called Talkspace Go.

How access works with Headway

Headway offers a more traditional, self-directed experience focused on connecting you with an in-network provider:

• Coverage: Headway is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

• Matching: Start by searching the provider directory, filtering by insurance, specialty, and location, then book directly from profiles.

• Session formats: You can choose between HIPAA-compliant browser-based video sessions and in-person appointments at provider offices.

• Scheduling: Booking is based on provider availability. You can self-schedule with an available provider, and the average time from booking to first appointment is 4.9 days.

• Platform access: Headway offers a browser-based portal for managing appointments, messaging providers, and viewing expected session costs.

What each platform does best

Consider each platform’s strengths to pinpoint the option that best matches your priorities, budget, and how you prefer to receive care.

Talkspace is best for people who:

• Want flexible communication through 24/7 messaging combined with live sessions

• Need quick access to care with matching in two days or less

• Prefer a comprehensive virtual experience through a dedicated mobile app

• Want integrated services like teen therapy, couples therapy, and psychiatry all in one platform

Headway is best for people who:

• Prefer choosing their own provider from a large network of over 60,000 professionals

• Need in-person appointment options in addition to virtual care

• Want traditional appointment-based therapy rather than messaging platforms

• Need family therapy or child/adolescent services that aren't widely available elsewhere

Summary: Is Talkspace or Headway right for you?

Talkspace excels at providing quick, flexible access to care through its unique combination of 24/7 messaging and live sessions. It's ideal if you value a comprehensive digital experience, want transparent self-pay pricing, and need integrated services like teen therapy or psychiatry all on one platform. However, it doesn't offer in-person sessions and doesn't accept Medicaid.

Headway stands out for its massive provider network and hybrid care model that includes both virtual and in-person options. It's perfect if you want to use your insurance with upfront cost transparency, prefer choosing your own therapist from a large directory, and want traditional appointment-based care. Its main limitations are the lack of clear self-pay options for new patients and browser-only access without a dedicated mobile app.

Rula offers a third option for people who want the structure and insurance support of a coordinated platform, without giving up choice or flexibility. It combines fast access, broad insurance acceptance (including Medicaid in many states), and a guided matching process that helps patients find in-network providers who align with their clinical needs and personal preferences. With both virtual and in-person options, along with integrated therapy and psychiatry, Rula can be a good fit if you want support navigating care.

FAQs

How do Talkspace and Headway differ in how you get started?

Talkspace uses a matching process where you answer questions online and they connect you with a licensed provider, while Headway lets you search their provider directory by entering your insurance information and preferences, then book directly with a therapist who fits your needs. Both platforms require you to create an account and add payment information before your first session.

Do Talkspace and Headway offer out-of-pocket options?

Talkspace publishes transparent out-of-pocket pricing ($69 to $109 weekly) for therapy plans that include unlimited messaging and optional live sessions, making it straightforward to understand costs before you sign up. Headway is primarily designed for insurance-based care, and while providers can discuss private pay options directly, the platform doesn't display self-pay rates upfront.

What insurance limitations should you know about when choosing between Talkspace and Headway?

Talkspace accepts a wide range of insurance plans including Cigna, Optum, Aetna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, and covers Original Medicare (Part B) and Medicare Advantage (Part C), though Medicaid isn't currently accepted. Headway works with Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare, Oxford, and Oscar, and accepts select Medicare and Medicaid plans.

Why choose Rula for quality of care?

Rula is designed to deliver care that’s both accessible and clinically effective. Patients are matched with licensed providers from a nationwide network of 21,000+ clinicians across 180+ specialties, with therapy and psychiatry available for children, teens, adults, couples, and families. Combined with broad insurance acceptance (including Medicare and Medicaid in many states), typical $15 copays, and virtual and in-person options, Rula prioritizes quality outcomes (with 93% of patients reporting symptom improvement and 94% feeling comfortable with their provider).

Find care with Rula

Choosing a mental health platform is one step — what matters most is getting connected to care that feels like the right fit and supports real progress. With Rula, getting started is simple. You can verify your insurance in minutes, explore in-network providers who match your needs, and often book your first appointment as soon as tomorrow.

Rula brings therapy and psychiatry into one coordinated experience, with a team that helps you navigate the details, from insurance questions to switching providers if you need to. When you’re ready to take the next step, Rula is here to help you start with clarity, confidence, and the support you deserve.