As a teenager, you’re experiencing many changes—physically, emotionally, and socially. Prioritizing your mental health is just as important as your academic or personal goals and if you're between 13 and 17 years old, Talkspace can connect you with a licensed provider who can support you through challenges, milestones, and everything in between.
For parents and guardians, this article provides an overview of the Teen Therapy program and how to support your teen.
A Teen’s Guide to Therapy
Anything that's on your mind! Teens often talk about:
- School or academic pressure
- Anxiety or stress
- Family or friend relationships
- Identity exploration
- Sadness, depression, or mood changes
- Big or everyday life events
Your provider is here to help you through tough moments and celebrate your wins.
To sign up:
- Visit talkspace.com.
- Click Get Started.
- Choose Teen Therapy when asked what kind of service you're looking for.
IMPORTANT: Make sure to create the account using your name, email, and date of birth—even if you're using a parent/guardian’s insurance or benefits. For more guidance, visit How Teens Can Sign Up for Talkspace Using Benefits.
Depending on where you live, you might need a parent or legal guardian's permission to speak with a therapist. To check your state's rules, visit Consent Exemptions for Minor Clients of Talkspace.
Once you're signed up, your conversations with your provider are private. They'll always ask your permission before talking with your parent or guardian.
A Parent/Guardian's Guide to Therapy
You plan an important role in your teen's therapy journey. Some ways you can help support them are by:
- Encouraging your teen to communicate openly
- Providing a quiet space for sessions
- Checking in without pushing for private details
- Reviewing helpful resources like our blog post: How to Help a Teenager with Mental Health Issues
State laws determine if your teen needs parental or guardian consent to receive therapy. For full details, check out Consent Exemptions for Minor Clients of Talkspace.
If you have specific questions about consent, you can contact privacy@talkspace.com.
Parent and guardian support can play an important role in a teen's therapy journey, and we understand that you may want to connect with your teen's provider.
To learn about the process, visit How to Provide Consent for a Third Party to Learn About My Diagnosis, Treatment Approach, and Speak with My Provider.
Depending on your state's requirements concerning access to your teen's medical records, you may have the right to request a copy of your teen's medical records. For details, see the "Obtaining Medical Records or Treatment Summary" section in the same article.
NOTE: At this time, our teen therapy sessions are not designed to support family therapy sessions.
NYC TeenSpace Program
Through the New York City Department of Health, individuals ages 13 to 17 who live in one of the NYC boroughs (Manhattan, Staten Island, Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens) can enroll in Talkspace's NYC TeenSpace program, which offers free therapy tools and services.
To confirm your eligibility, you'll need to provide your age and zip code during the registration process. To get started, visit the program page in English or Spanish!
If you're eligible, you'll have free access to:
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Talkspace Go
- This app grants access to hundreds of self-guided sessions, daily reflection questions, and therapist-led workshops available both live and on demand. You'll also complete a questionnaire that may recommend therapy with a Talkspace provider and you can choose to sign up if it aligns with your needs. Feel free to explore more about Talkspace Go here.
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Talkspace Therapy
- With Talkspace therapy, you'll be able to connect with a personal Talkspace provider of your choice as often as you'd like through asynchronous messaging. You'll can also schedule one 30-minute virtual live session with your therapist each month. Find out the differences between live sessions and messaging sessions at How Does Talkspace Therapy Work?
Notes on Eligibility and Program Limitations
- Medication management is not included in this program.
- Teens who will turn 18 after signing up will keep free access to Talkspace until June 30th of that year if they remain in NYC.
- Teens moving out of the NYC areas will no longer be eligible for this program, but can update their plan to use insurance or self-pay options to continue Talkspace services.
If you're encountering issues signing up for NYC TeenSpace, please check that:
- You're signing up directly from http://www.talkspace.com/nycteenspace (English version) or https://www.talkspace.com/es/coverage/nyc (Spanish version). If you choose to sign up from our main website or the Talkspace app, make sure you select Teen Therapy to see information on the program.
- You're entering your NYC zip code correctly.
- You're currently 13-17 years old.
Still experiencing an error? Our General Troubleshooting Tips help resolve most issues!