TheresearchbehindTalkspace
Talkspace collaborates with major research institutions to expand knowledge of how virtual behavioral health care delivery can increase access and improve outcomes. See our industry-leading evidence defining best practices in virtual care and supporting Talkspace as a highly effective treatment method for mental health challenges.
Research with proven outcomes
Talkspace is committed to clinically validating our virtual mental health care methods and modalities through rigorous, independently conducted research. These peer-reviewed scientific findings have been published in numerous journals, and we’re grateful to have received four National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants to conduct further research.
30+
studies
20+
collaborators
4 NIH
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Published, peer-reviewed research on Talkspace therapy
Talkspace partners with major research institutions to validate the quality of our treatment methods.
Explore our research library
Beyond proving the efficacy of our modalities, Talkspace research explores how virtual care can best meet the needs of specific populations, including older adults, teens, and veterans. The results of these studies inform our rigorous standards for delivering care through innovative methods.
Thomas D. Hull & Kush Mahan
- 80% of members reported Talkspace was as effective or more effective than traditional therapy
- 98% reported Talkspace to be more convenient than traditional therapy
Matteo Malgaroli; Thomas D. Hull; Shannon Wiltsey Stirman; Patricia Resick
- This study concluded that multimedia message delivery for PTSD treatment showed symptom-reduction rates similar to traditional forms of treatment delivery
- 48.6% of members demonstrated clinically significant reduction of PTSD symptoms
Thomas D. Hull; Jacob Levine; Niels Bantilan; Angel N Desai; Maimuna S Majumder
- This study found that people who sought out treatment during the COVID-19 outbreak experienced more severe intake anxiety than they did before the pandemic
- Members reported a 20% increase in anxiety severity linked to the onset of COVID-19
Meghan DellaCrosse; Thomas D. Hull; Kush Mahan
- 84% of participants with clinically elevated depression and 64% of participants with clinically elevated anxiety experienced clinically significant symptom reduction.
- To learn more about the impact of mental health on workplace productivity see Talkspace’s Employee Stress Check 2022 Report.
Ongoing research
Learn more about the ongoing research being conducted by the Talkspace research team alongside academic collaborators.
Message-based psychotherapy and digital treatment sequences for depression
- Published results from the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing daily messaging to weekly live video sessions (traditional telehealth; Arean et al., 2024).
- Recently completed data collection on a second RCT in a larger sample of 1000 adults.
- The study aims to further establish the efficacy of messaging therapy and to develop methods for stepping care up or down depending on member response.
Funded by an National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Small Business Research Innovation Grant (R44MH124334) in collaboration with University of Washington
Telehealth 2.0: evaluating effectiveness and engagement strategies for asynchronous texting-based trauma-focused therapy for PTSD
- Currently conducting an RCT comparing an evidence-based treatment for trauma adapted for digital messaging with culturally-informed treatment for PTSD as usual.
- The study also uses a unique incentive strategy aimed to prevent early discontinuation in therapy and will implement a Natural Language Processing (NLP) approach to assessing fidelity to evidence-based treatment for PTSD.
- A pilot study demonstrated the effectiveness of message-based treatment for PTSD, establishing the feasibility of delivering care in this modality (Malgaroli et al., 2020).
Funded by an NIMH Research Project Grant in collaboration with Stanford University and the University of Texas Health Center San Antonio (RF1MH128785)
AI Innovation Group Launch
- The Talkspace research team contributes to Talkspace’s efforts to advance provider efficiency and enhance clinical quality through responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence.
- Published results from the development and validation of an NLP algorithm designed to detect and classify suicidal content in telehealth psychotherapy messages (Bantilan et al., 2020).
- Identified two distinct trajectories of suicidal ideation in older adults undergoing treatment for major depression, and baseline hopelessness, neuroticism, and low general self-efficacy as key predictors of an unfavorable trajectory using machine learning models (Alexopoulos et al., 2021)
Meet the team behind Talkspace research
The scientists on the Talkspace research team are dedicated to advancing understanding of how clinical care and technology can work together to improve mental health outcomes, through collaboration with researchers at major academic institutions and internally within Talkspace.
Let’s collaborate
We’re devoted to pursuing research on the cutting edge of virtual behavioral health care. If you’re a scientist, therapist, or psychiatrist interested in learning more about a research study, or collaborating on a project, please contact us at [email protected].
Any questions?
Find trust-worthy answers on all things mental health at Talkspace.
Why is research on mental health care important?
Research is important for establishing the efficacy of a form of treatment, providing scientific evidence that therapy can deliver positive outcomes for people struggling with a variety of issues. This evidence is critical for building trust in treatment and demonstrating its long-term value and viability.
How does Talkspace use their research?
Talkspace uses research to ensure the validity of its therapeutic services and treatment methods. In addition, Talkspace uses research to inform innovative ways to protect client safety, inform product improvements, enhance the effectiveness of specific therapies, and understand the mechanisms of change for therapy generally. Talkspace always aims to be at the cutting edge of the latest treatment options, while also ensuring that all offered treatments are as effective as they can be.
Does Talkspace have their own research?
Yes, Talkspace conducts its own research internally, with research partners, and through the support of federal funding agencies like the National Institutes of Health. This research is designed to continue establishing the field of digital mental health and to explore the utility of digital care in three areas: 1) Clinical Effectiveness, 2) Improving Access, and 3) Developing Novel Therapy Tools to Improve Care.
How are study participants protected in Talkspace’s research studies?
Talkspace adheres to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and principles of human subjects research by ensuring the protection of participant rights, safety, and well-being throughout the study. Informed consent is obtained from all participants, guaranteeing their understanding and voluntary participation. The study protocols undergo rigorous review and approval by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to ensure ethical standards are met. Research data is collected, managed, and protected in compliance with Talkspace’s privacy policy, relevant federal and state regulations, and HIPAA requirements to ensure confidentiality and integrity.
How can I join a Talkspace research study?
You may be offered the opportunity to participate in these studies. If your protected health information will be disclosed as part of these studies, your information will only be included with your written authorization. You will be asked to review and accept terms and enrollment separately from the information included in this Policy. Information from these studies may be published by third parties including through various media platforms/academic journals.
Is Talkspace taking proposals for additional research projects?
Yes! If you’re a scientist, therapist, or psychiatrist interested in learning more about a research study, or collaborating on a project, please contact us at [email protected].
