Yes, Talkspace providers are licensed professionals who can diagnose many mental health conditions. Receiving a diagnosis through Talkspace is similar to what you'd experience in a traditional, in-person setting—just online.
What the process looks like
- Start with an initial evaluation: Your provider will ask about your symptoms, personal history, and goals.
- Use assessment tools: To get a full picture of your mental health, your provider may use clinical questionnaires or structured interviews.
- Receive a diagnosis: A diagnosis is part of every member's care on Talkspace. If you’d like to know more, you can ask your provider to share their clinical impression, explain what it means, and answer any questions you have.
- Develop a personalized care plan: Your provider will work with you to create a treatment plan. This may or may not include medication (see How to Get A Prescription and Manage Medication with Talkspace Psychiatry).
The timeline for this process can vary depending on your symptoms, needs, and provider type. For a fuller picture of what to expect from therapy or psychiatry, read our blog posts: Understanding the Therapy Process and The Talkspace Guide to Psychiatry.
Limitations of Talkspace diagnoses
While Talkspace providers can diagnose many mental health conditions, there are some limitations:
- Autism assessment: Comprehensive evaluations for autism, typically conducted by specialists, are not within the scope of Talkspace's services.
- Active addiction: Talkspace isn’t a fit for individuals in active addiction who need a higher level of care, such as medical detox. Once stable, continued care may be possible.
- Psychosis, schizophrenia, and hallucinations: Talkspace isn’t recommended for individuals experiencing these conditions.
While your diagnosis becomes part of your private medical record, Talkspace is not the right fit for legal, employment, or academic documentation. For example, providers cannot:
- Declare someone “sane”
- Remove a previous diagnosis
- Fill out administrative or legal paperwork (including court letters)
- Guarantee acceptance of diagnoses for disability accommodations
You can, however, request a copy of your medical records (including treatment summaries and diagnoses). See How Can I Receive a Copy of My Medical Records?