It's been on my Friday Favorites and I've spoken about it numerous times on socials. And after many questions and comments, I felt it time to write about my experience with Talkspace. 

Growing up, I was blessed to have parents who believed in therapy. At 10, after talking about “being sad” on and off for years, my parents sent me to a child psychologist. We looked at pictures. We talked about life scenarios. I talked about my dog dying. I avoided mentioning how I really felt. Weeks passed and I finally broke down about how much I hated my body. It was a major moment for little me, who probably was more upset about my parents’ divorce, while my body was taking the brunt of that emotion.

I was quickly told, that’s not a problem. You have nothing to dislike. Feeling entirely not validated, I never went back to that therapist. Years passed and all through my depression, anxiety, and eating disorder I saw many therapists, and finally settled on one who is an angel passing through this universe. She gave me hope. She helped me find me. She provided therapy in a way that empowered me, and ultimately changed everything I knew about the therapy process. I was a believer, but a believer based in reality. Not all therapy or therapists fit all people.

Fast forward to years later and I’m living in NYC, working for myself and traveling more than I even realized. A traumatic life experience happens. I knew I had to figure out therapy to process this event. My in-person options in NYC were limited due to time, expense, insurance, and frankly, my own scheduling and not being in a space to commit to weekly in-person sessions. I also didn’t want to spend weeks or months finding a good local fit. An exhausting process.

It’s not to say I’ve had bad experiences with in-person therapy sessions, but after too many sessions spent discussing what my being late really meant, I knew I needed to look for more options. I googled online therapy and found Talkspace right there. I saw a sweet sign-up deal and did not hesitate. The price point was manageable and, though I had no idea how their therapy text messaging system worked, I was hurting and needed to talk to someone qualified as I navigated that life experience. I filled out my questionnaire and was paired with a Therapist.

It’s two years later now and the rest is history. I love the help I get with Talkspace. I was given a therapist who is exactly what I needed. Who is respectful, qualified, and best of all, genuine. She is committed to my therapy as much as I am. Messaging allows me to really focus on feelings as they are coming up day to day, instead of having to mentally recap once a week in person (where I would, no fail, always end up talking about something else, and leave thinking, oh wow, I didn’t get the conversation I needed on that important subject).

With Talkspace I can leave written text messages for my therapist (which are therapeutic in themselves) as well as voice memos. We not only exchange voice memos, but also share articles and files. I’ve even had a video session (also an option on Talkspace) that was great to really hone in on a specific goal or topic we are discussing.

I also loved the fact I can use Talkspace as I need to. I come in for a few months. I go away for a few months. I check back in as I need. Their program is incredibly flexible, and that’s really the goal of good therapy. There is a beginning, the working phase, and closure. Closure does not mean forever though. Therapy is always there if and when we need it as we go about life and it’s many unpredictable but very human experiences and situations.

I’m a better me when I value myself enough to utilize therapy. Talkspace is a major component of that process. As someone who’s also about to get my own license to practice clinical therapy, I have learned innumerable lessons from the Talkspace model. Not only do I value the therapy and love my therapist, but I learned that this digital age has some hidden gifts. Talkspace and online therapy is one of those gifts.