Conversations surrounding mental health have historically left much to be desired. But now, we’re *finally* talking about the importance of nurturing our minds. From setting healthy boundaries to cultivating a sense of community and joy to prioritizing rest, we’re learning all sorts of ways to improve our mental well-being in our daily lives—and that’s thanks in large part to therapy.
Talk therapy is helpful for everyone, whether you live with a mental health condition like anxiety or depression, or you just need help navigating, well, life. Meeting with a licensed mental health professional can help in many ways, whether you’re looking to build resilience in a chaotic world, rewrite your life story so that it aligns with your desires, or simply have space to air out your emotions. No matter your goal, therapy is an invaluable tool.
Unfortunately for many, this type of quality care is not always accessible or affordable. But Headspace, the mental health app with guided meditations, expert-led programs, and resources galore for prioritizing mental well-being, is looking to change that with its new service, Therapy by Headspace. And it’s decently priced, whether you have insurance or not.
Well+Good spoke with Jenna Glover, PhD, Chief Clinical Officer at Headspace, and Jaime Fleischer, Director of Therapy at Headspace, to learn more about the features of this new service and how it’s making therapy fit for modern day.
All the features of Therapy by Headspace
Headspace is most known for its guided meditation, but the new therapy service takes care to the next level. Once you sign up within the app, you can schedule virtual one-on-one sessions with a licensed therapist, like with any other telehealth service.
“Therapy members also have access to Headspace’s full content library within the app, and therapists are trained to recommend relevant content to members as ‘homework’ in between weekly therapy sessions—from mindful cardio that keeps you grounded during your morning runs to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) guided programs that are proven to help people get better quality sleep to meditations that easy your anxiety related to work,” Dr. Glover says.
It’s pretty easy to use, too. You can schedule (and reschedule) or even switch therapists from within the app, making consistent support easy and possible. Finding a therapist or therapy schedule that works for you IRL can be stressful, but Headspace takes some of the guesswork out of the process.
And the cost? If you have health insurance, it can be as low as zero per session. “Most members will pay $0-$35 per session through Headspace’s partnerships with national and regional insurance plans, such as Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Optum, and Blue Cross Blue Shield,” Dr. Glover says. If your insurance provider is not yet affiliated with the brand, each session will cost $149 per session. But keep an eye out: More in-network plans will be added in the coming months.
Another thing to note: These prices do not include access to Headspace’s library of meditation content. But once you begin therapy, you’ll receive three months of free access to guided meditations, and then after that, 40 percent off your subscription.
There is an AI feature, but it’s actually helpful
The world is changing, which means therapy is, too. In the age of artificial intelligence, it can be so tempting to vent to ChatGPT about your worries. But you might be better off using an AI feature specifically designed for around-the-clock mental health support. This is exactly what Ebb, Therapy by Headspace’s AI chatbot, does.
“Ebb, our empathetic AI companion, provides members support between sessions to recommend mental health content within the app, engage in reflections, and provide 24/7 support,” says Dr. Glover. This feature was built by Headspace’s team of clinical providers and data scientists as a non-judgmental, always-there sounding board, ready to equip you with Headspace tools and resources the moment you need them.
While Ebb should not replace traditional therapy (with a real-life human who can empathize and relate to you!), the feature can serve as an extra layer of support, or a helpful tool to scan through Headspace’s extensive library of content if you’re not sure where to start. It’s just one piece of the therapy puzzle, not the entire experience.
Accessible mental health care is the ultimate goal
Finding quality mental health care can be difficult: some counties in the U.S. have fewer than 10 mental health care providers and are even considered “provider deserts.” No wonder the search for the right therapist feels intimidating. This is why, now more than ever, accessible services like teletherapy are so important, no matter where you live—Headspace, for instance, is available in all 50 states—or your situation.
“We believe that convenient, effective care that can meet people where they are is essential to being able to overcome the epidemic of worsening mental health,” says Fleischer. “With our app-based solution, we make mental healthcare accessible and convenient, both necessary in our modern, chaotic world,” she adds.
To try Therapy by Headspace, download the app for free and sign up to get matched with a therapist. Depending on your health insurance provider, sessions can cost $0-$35 or $149 per session with private pay.
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