A New Look For Talkspace

Mental health isn’t what it used to be. Only a few years ago many people saw depression and anxiety as something to hide and therapy as reserved for people with major problems. Receiving therapy or other mental health care required hunting for a provider with availability, taking time away from work or life for an appointment, and, often, lying on a couch.

But the past decade has seen a whole lot of progress in the world of mental health. People are more willing than ever to talk about mental health struggles and share that they’re in therapy. There’s also a growing recognition that therapy isn’t only for diagnosed mental health conditions or moments of crisis, it can also be an ongoing practice that improves work, relationships, physical health and more—and should be accessible to all.    

Talkspace has both helped usher in this cultural shift and had a front row seat. From our beginnings as the pioneers of text-based therapy more than a decade ago we’ve evolved into the leading provider of virtual mental health care, offering both message-based and live virtual therapy, psychiatry, self-guided programs, classes in mental fitness and emotional well-being, teen therapy, couples counseling, and a referrals to specialized and holistic care.  

But while both the mental health conversation and Talkspace itself evolved dramatically, our visual identity stayed somewhat static. We realized we needed a bold new design that reflects the vital role that Talkspace plays in rewriting the narrative of who and what mental health care is for. We wanted Talkspace to show up as a celebration of the mental health journeys that our providers make possible, and an inclusive invitation to everyone to embark on one, while also articulating our ongoing role in breaking down structural and systemic barriers to care.

With that as our guiding idea we infused the visuals and voice of Talkspace with the feeling of possibility and growth potential that people discover when they partner with a Talkspace mental health provider. These are some of the changes you might notice and the inspiration behind them:

Expansive T symbol

Talking to, or texting with, your therapist creates space where you can sit with thoughts and feelings, find strength to face down challenges, or achieve clarity out of murkiness. Not static or symmetrical, our new T’s borders shift to reflect the many different ways therapy makes space for us to make sense of things. More than an icon that sits in a corner or phone screen, the T frames the experiences of our members and the wisdom of our providers. 

Grown-up logo

The refined Talkspace logo is a bolder look that leads with a crisp capital T and unites the words “talk” and “space.” The new logo unapologetically takes up space, and the speech bubble graphic that defined our original logo is gone. This reflects that Talkspace has grown from a trailblazing way to text a therapist to a respected single destination for comprehensive mental health care of all kinds. The angular serif punctuating the logo visually connects it to the T symbol and reinforces the power of talking and texting to make meaning.  

Emotive typeface

Our new typeface represents the journey to clarity, as the type takes on a feeling of momentum to reflect how Talkspace members actively make sense of their lives and selves. The typography frames images to reflect the space created by therapy and the weight of each character moves from thick and heavy to light and crisp, or vice versa, a visual representation of the therapeutic experience. Applying varied weights to the typeface and framing faces in evocative copy points to the importance of words, and subtle inflections that add a layer of communication when exchanged through talk or text between member and provider.

Color creates a journey

We built upon our signature palette with new colors that speak to the shades of feeling therapy gives rise to. The names of each element of our palette reflect the positive aspects of mental health journeys: Change Chalk, Present Pink, Gratitude Green, Brave Black, Optimist Orange, Balance Blue, Lifted Lemon, and Motivation Maroon. 

Imagery with impact

We’ve doubled down on showcasing the diverse faces and stories of our members, because they are the best demonstration that therapy is for everyone. By showing them in kitchens, bedrooms, and sidewalks we emphasize that mental health care is part of everyday life, not something that happens in the single setting of the therapist’s office. Their authenticity and honesty make our strongest case for the life-changing impacts of Talkspace.

When these design elements come together, they frame the faces and words of Talkspace members and providers with shifting borders and fresh, nuanced colors that capture the uniqueness of each mental health journey and the potential that therapy holds for greater self-awareness and life-changing clarity. The new art direction deftly makes the case that anyone can benefit from mental health care, everyone deserves access to it, and Talkspace is making that possible. 

We’ve timed this launch alongside Mental Health Awareness Month because this is the time of year when the topic of mental health gets to seize center stage. Our 2024 Mental Health Awareness Month theme, Talk it Out, speaks to the power of putting words to our thoughts, emotions, and experiences, and the value of therapy as a space to sort through what we speak to and emerge with greater clarity.  

The new brand represents the universal human need to make sense—of our circumstances, our relationships, our work lives, and our inner lives—and together with the Mental Health Awareness Month theme “Talk it Out” we’re emphasizing that you won’t make those discoveries in silence. Ongoing, honest communication with a mental health provider gives you the power to live a life of greater clarity, consciousness, and purpose.