ADA Member Benefit: Talkspace Therapy

Talkspace is a digital space for convenient individual mental health support. Access therapy via text, audio, or video sessions.

Talkspace - Woman with headphones on computer.

Pathway to Wellness (Talkspace Therapy)

Talkspace Therapy is a secure, confidential way to connect with a dedicated, licensed therapist at your convenience. The Talkspace network features thousands of licensed therapists in all 50 states representing more than 20 clinical specialties and supporting a wide range of needs including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, substance abuse, and more. ADA members and dental students receive an exclusive discounted rate (approximately 90% off) for access to Talkspace Therapy.

Dentists who purchase Pathway to Wellness will receive:

  • a confidential 30-minute telehealth visit with a licensed therapist from Talkspace each month
  • unlimited asynchronous messaging via text or audio through December 31, 2025. (Users can send messages to Talkspace therapists at any time of day. Talkspace therapists are on the messaging platform five days a week and will respond during normal business hours.)
Step 1: Go to the ADA Store
Purchase Talkspace Therapy in the ADA Store.
Step 2: Get your access code
When you receive the confirmation email, enter your code in on Talkspace.com/ADA.
Step 3: Get started with Talkspace
Create an account and login.
Step 4: Talkspace Therapy App
For those that prefer mobile use, download the Talkspace Therapy app and enter in your login. information
Step 5: Brief assessment
Answer a few questions to get started — it takes less than two minutes.
Step 6: Receive personalized match
Talkspace's team will match you with a licensed provider within a few days.
Step 7: Start treatment
Connect with your provider and begin your mental health journey.

Talkspace Therapy for ADA members

The ADA and Talkspace are separate legal entities. Talkspace provides the online services to members for Pathway to Wellness (Talkspace Therapy). All information provided in the following FAQs has been provided by Talkspace, so to the extent you have any additional questions, please reach out to Talkspace directly.

Talkspace Therapy Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Talkspace Therapy?

Talkspace Therapy is an online therapy service that connects users to a dedicated, licensed therapist in their state of residence via private messaging or live video. Users can regularly message their dedicated therapist via text, voice or video as life happens - anywhere, anytime. Therapists engage daily, 5 days per week.

Founded with the mission to eliminate the stigma associated with mental health and make therapy available to all, Talkspace has a network of thousands of credentialed clinicians and has been used by over one million people.

Talkspace Therapy should not be considered for meeting requirements for employment, school enrollment, disability, or legal documentation.


Is the Talkspace Therapy service secure?

Yes. On the Talkspace platform, privacy and safety are always Talkspace's first consideration. Talkspace deploys a variety of techniques to ensure that you and your data are always kept safe and confidential, and Talkspace's technology is fully compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

All data is encrypted on the servers, and all communication between Talkspace's software and the servers is encrypted. The Talkspace app requires you to enter your password and allows you to create a unique passcode for extra security. If you have a device that supports fingerprint authentication, Talkspace also has a feature that recognizes your fingerprint.

Is Talkspace Therapy confidential?

Yes. Talkspace will not share your information with your organization. In order to protect confidentiality according to HIPAA, Talkspace requires all users to create a unique nickname during the registration process, which is only shared with their therapists.

You can determine whether you want your therapist to call you by your first name or nickname during therapy. While Talkspace will not share your information with your organization, Talkspace requires every user to submit emergency contact information, which is only accessed according to safety and reporting mandates.

Are Talkspace therapists licensed?

Absolutely. Talkspace has an extensive, nationwide network of thousands of licensed mental health providers, credentialed in accordance with NCQA standards. All Talkspace therapists have been carefully vetted and trained on the platform, and have an average of 7-10 years of experience, post-supervision, providing therapy.

How does Talkspace ensure that their therapists are high-quality?

Talkspace constantly monitors both engagement quality and clinical outcomes to ensure that all of Talkspace's users are receiving the best possible care. By tracking this data, they are able to strengthen Talkspace's matching process to ensure that you will be matched with a therapist who will support you in making the greatest progress. Not only are all of Talkspace's therapists rigorously vetted, but every therapist who is part of the Talkspace provider network undergoes an extensive onboarding process to ensure that they are able to apply their skills effectively to Talkspace's digital platform.

Will I know who my therapist is?

Yes. First, Talkspace’s proprietary matching algorithm will present you with one therapist based on a combination of factors including preferences, needs, and therapist capacity. You can change your provider as many times as you like to find the right fit.

Once I sign up for therapy, will I have the same therapist?

Yes. You will maintain an ongoing relationship with the same therapist unless you request a change.

How often should I contact my therapist?

Talkspace recommends checking in with your therapist at least three times per week for the best possible clinical outcomes. Communicate openly about your schedule and needs, and figure out a pace that works best for both of you. The more consistently you contact your therapist, the faster you will develop an open, trusting dialogue. Sign up for daily reminders on your phone in the morning, afternoon, or evening.

How does messaging therapy work?

Messaging between users and Talkspace therapists is asynchronous, meaning that users and therapists do not communicate in real time. You can reach out to your therapist as often as you need to (and at any time of day), and expect to hear back from your therapist within one working day, during their business hours, five days per week.

If your therapist is responding less frequently than daily/five days a week, please contact the Talkspace support team at: partners-support@talkspace.com

Can I call or Skype my therapist if I want?

No. All communication between you and your therapist will happen via the Talkspace platform, as it is secure, confidential, and HIPAA compliant (unlike regular phone calls, Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangout, or other digital communication applications). You can use the Talkspace platform to send your therapist audio, picture and video messages in a private therapy room.

If my therapist doesn’t feel like a good match, can I get matched with a different therapist?

Yes. To switch therapists, please follow the steps below:

Desktop:

  1. Log into the Talkspace website directly at www.talkspace.com using a web browser.
  2. Once logged in, click on your username in the upper right corner of the screen. This will bring up a new menu, on which you can click on "My Account."
  3. In the “My Private Rooms” section, go to the row with the word “Therapist,” and click on “Change” found on the right side of that row.
  4. Keep in mind that you can choose whether to share your previous therapy notes/transcript with your new therapist.

App (For iOS/Android):

  1. Log into the Talkspace app with your email address and password.
  2. Once logged into their private room, you can select the menu icon, three lines on the left side of the screen, or slide to the right to find the menu where you can select "My Account" or "Settings".
  3. On the My Account or Settings page, select “Change Therapist.”
  4. Users can choose whether to share their previous therapy notes/transcript with their new therapist.

If you require assistance, you can email partners-support@talkspace.com directly, and the Talkspace support team will work with you to secure a new therapist. This can take up to three business days.

What information is required in order to access Talkspace Therapy?

You will need to enter all required access and/or personal information asked on the platform.

Is the platform only available in English?

Services are delivered predominantly in English, but the Talkspace therapist network covers 32 different languages. Please note that access to therapy in a language other than English is dependent upon therapist availability in your state of residence. If you are requesting therapy in an alternate language, Talkspace will work to meet your request while still adhering to the requirement that the therapist be licensed in their state of residence.

Most Talkspace therapists reside in U.S. time zones. However, international borders are not typically a barrier to receiving support. When matching you with a therapist, Talkspace will always try to address your country’s regulations in conjunction with the guidelines provided by the therapist’s state.

Who is eligible to use Talkspace Therapy?

The ADA has a limited number of licenses to Talkspace Therapy, but will regularly evaluate Member interest to determine if this license can be increased. The platform requires users to indicate their age (and participants need to be ages 13+) and will provide an automated message and alternative resources if the user is ineligible.

Talkspace should not be considered for meeting requirements for employment, school enrollment, disability, or legal documentation.

I purchased the Pathway to Wellness (Talkspace Therapy) customized offering at the time I renewed (or joined) my ADA Membership. What happens next?

When you purchased this customized offering, you should have received an email receipt containing fulfillment instructions within 48 hours (on business days) of your purchase. The email will be from "American Dental Association Support" with the subject "American Dental Association Order Confirmation" and will have instructions to access Talkspace Therapy. It will include directions on downloading an app and inputting a unique code. The email will also contain details on the quarterly wellness webinars from the ADA. Please contact our Member Service Center at (312) 440-2500 or msc@ada.org with any questions.

Can I continue to use Talkspace after my pre-paid services have ended?

Yes. With a Talkspace self-pay plan, you can continue your relationship with your therapist after your benefit ends. Please contact partners-support@talkspace.com to learn more about Talkspace's subscription plans, discounts and financial aid.

Are Live Sessions included?

Yes. The American Dental Association plan includes one 30-minute live therapy session each month. Discuss with your therapist if you are interested in this option. Live sessions can be conducted through the Talkspace mobile app (iOS or Android) or through the web on a supported browser.

Can I purchase additional live video sessions (30 minutes per session) in any month beyond the one session included?

Yes. You may purchase additional live therapy sessions (beyond the one 30-minute session included in your Pathway to Wellness (Talkspace Therapy) purchase. Each additional 30-minute live therapy session costs $65 per session, and you may be able to use your health insurance or a flexible spending account, should you elect to purchase additional live therapy sessions per month.

How does Talkspace handle emergencies? What if I am in crisis?

Talkspace is not a crisis hotline. Anyone requiring immediate assistance is encouraged to access emergency services (such as 911 or other resources), contact local authorities, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255). Like face-to-face therapists, Talkspace therapists are individually licensed, follow clinical and legal protocols if a person is at risk of harming themselves or others, and are available at flexible hours per their posted availability calendars that all clients can access.

Can I register for my Talkspace benefit using the Talkspace app?

No. In order to access Talkspace, you must complete registration at the talkspace.com/ADA address provided by your organization. After completing registration and creating an account, you can download and use the Talkspace app for ongoing therapy engagement.

How do I reset my password for Talkspace Therapy?

Desktop

  1. Visit the Talkspace website’s “Forgot Password?” page.
  2. On the form on the middle of the page, enter your email address that was used to create your Talkspace account.
  3. Wait to receive an email with instructions on how to reset your password.

Talkspace app

  1. Tap “Forgot Password?” and enter your email address that was used to set up your Talkspace account.
  2. Wait to receive an email with instructions on how to reset your password.

What browsers are supported by Talkspace?

Talkspace is optimized for Google Chrome. You will have the best Talkspace experience using this browser. Talkspace supports the latest version of all major browsers: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari.

Is Pathway to Wellness (Talkspace Therapy) refundable?

All sales are final and non-refundable.

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In a crisis? You’re not alone

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please text or dial 988 to be connected to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This service is free and confidential. For a medical emergency dial 911.

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Questions? Contact the ADA Member Service Center at 800-621-8099 (7AM - 6PM CT, Monday-Friday), click the LIVE CHAT button, or via email at membership@ada.org.