Frequently asked questions

• What is an online mental health and wellness coach, and how does it work with Headspace?

  An online health and wellness coach is a certified professional who helps you improve your mental, emotional, and physical well-being through virtual sessions. At Headspace, your coach meets with you through secure, text-based sessions to create a plan, build healthy habits, and keep you on track. You can schedule sessions at times that fit your lifestyle and access everything in the app.

• How is Headspace’s health wellness coaching different from other wellness apps?

  Headspace’s health wellness coaching stands out because it combines certified, evidence-based support with a personalized, human touch that most wellness apps don’t offer. Get access to a trained coach who tailors each session to your goals. In addition, our platform integrates mindfulness, meditation, and sleep content to complement your coaching sessions, creating a holistic experience for your health wellness needs.

• Who can benefit from an online health and wellness coach?

  Anyone looking to improve their mental, emotional, or overall well-being can benefit from an online mental health coach. Whether you’re managing stress, feeling stuck in unhealthy habits, coping with burnout, or simply working toward a healthier lifestyle, a coach can help you create and follow a personalized plan. This support is especially helpful for anyone juggling busy schedules who need flexible, online access to guidance. With the right coaching, you’ll gain new skills and strategies to feel more confident and in control of your wellbeing.

• What do I get with my coaching subscription?

  You get 3, 30-minute texting sessions a month with your coach. Together with your coach, you will create a plan to reach your unique goals or overcome challenges you may be facing.

  Mental health coaches will help you develop new skills, healthy habits, and coping mechanisms to empower you to improve your mental health. Coaches draw from clinically validated techniques – like cognitive behavioral (CBT) and acceptance commitment (ACT) – to help you with many different goals ranging from challenging negative thinking to improving relationships. Here’s an overview of all the ways a mental health coach can help you.

  We recommend you discuss your regular coaching schedule with your coach during your first session. For more information about how to get started with mental health coaching, go here.

  The number of sessions may be subject to change based on the client or coach availability when you start your subscription.

• How does mental health coaching differ from therapy?

  While a mental health coach and therapist both work to help you improve your mental health, there are several important differences.

  Area of focus: Mental health coaches focus on where you are in the present and your goals for the future. Your relationship with your coach is collaborative, and you will work together to identify small steps you can take to achieve your goals, making adjustments along the way to keep you on track. Therapy consists of sessions with a licensed clinician to help you address ongoing psychological symptoms, or patterns of thought, behavior, or emotion that no longer serve you. Therapy allows you to dive deeper into past or present issues to make positive change in your life.

  Credentials: Therapists hold at least a master’s degree in psychology or a related field, and must complete licensing requirements in their state, along with a certain number of supervised clinical treatment hours. Certain types of providers, such as psychologists, hold a PhD or PsyD. Headspace mental health coaches, on the other hand, are required to complete a certification through accredited institutions, like the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC), and/or have a Master’s-level degree in a psychology related-field. Headspace mental health coaches are also required to complete additional training including two years of relevant experience, and 200+ hours of supervised training. Additionally, most Headspace coaches participate in The Headspace Training Institute, a comprehensive, ten-month training program designed and overseen by a team of psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, and nationally certified coaches.

  Diagnoses: Mental health coaches cannot diagnose mental illness, although they can recommend that a member seek a diagnosis from a therapist. They can work with you to co-create a personalized plan, but they are not trained to treat mental health disorders, such as Major Depressive Disorder or Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

  Medication: Mental health coaches do not prescribe medication. They can recommend a member see a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner if medication may be helpful.

  Online mental health and wellness coaching emphasizes forward-looking solutions and actionable strategies to improve your everyday life. Coaching is ideal for individuals who feel stable but want support with specific lifestyle goals or emotional challenges. The sessions are collaborative, goal-oriented, and often more flexible, making it a practical choice for those who prefer a non-clinical yet effective form of support.

• How much does the mental health coaching subscription cost and when will I be charged?

  A coaching subscription currently costs $99.99 USD per month and your first monthly payment will be taken out when you checkout. Following monthly payments will occur every 30 days. You can cancel your coaching subscription at any time and you will have access to your remaining coaching sessions until your coaching subscription end date, which is 30 days after your most recent coaching subscription payment. You can cancel your subscription:

  • On desktop, you can visit your Profile and Subscription Details section to cancel your subscription.
  • On the mobile app you can visit your Profile, then settings and then the Account & Subscription page where you’ll find the subscription end date for your coaching subscription and select Manage Subscription to cancel this subscription from renewing.
  • For more information on canceling your subscription, please go here.
• How do I cancel my coaching subscription?

  You can cancel your coaching subscription at any time and you will have access to your remaining coaching sessions until your coaching subscription end date, which is 30 days after your most recent coaching subscription payment. You can cancel your subscription from either desktop or your Headspace mobile app.

  • On your desktop, you can visit your Profile and Subscription Details section and follow the steps provided to cancel your subscription.
  • On the mobile Headspace app, click on the Profile tab, select the Settings gear icon, and then click on Account & Subscription. From there you can view your Subscription Details section and select Edit to follow the steps to select your cancellation preferences and complete the cancellation process.
  • Please note that once you cancel your coaching subscription, you will still have access to your full coaching subscription offering until the coaching subscription end date listed in your Account and Subscription page.
  • For more information on canceling your subscription, please go here.
• I think my insurance covers Headspace mental health coaching already, how can I check?

  At this time, access to Headspace Care coaching is offered as a benefit to members of select insurance organizations. If you believe that your insurance provider may provide access to Headspace Care coaching, we encourage you to connect with them directly to review your benefits, by calling the number on the back of your insurance card or connecting through your online portal. You can also email caresupport@headspace.com with any additional access questions.

• Can I meet with my coach over a video session?

  At this time we only offer text-based coaching sessions. If you’re interested in signing up for video-based coaching when it’s available, please provide your information here and we will reach out as soon as video-based coaching is available.

• Can I switch to a different coach if the coach I match with isn’t the right fit?

  Yes. To switch to a different coach, select the Member Support icon on your Headspace app Care Tab to contact our Support Team directly.

  You can also reach out to caresupport@headspace.com to request this change.

• I am interested in signing up for Headspace therapy. Where can I find more information and sign up?

  Headspace offers online therapy through our platform, making it easier than ever to access care when and where you need it. With Headspace Therapy, you can connect with a licensed therapist through secure video sessions, receive personalized treatment plans, and work toward your mental health goals. Our therapy services are designed to complement our health and wellness coaching and meditation programs, offering you a more comprehensive approach to your mental health.

  Whether you’re managing stress, anxiety, depression, or life transitions, therapy can help you develop deeper self-awareness, build coping strategies, and improve your overall well-being. Combining therapy with online coaching sessions and mindfulness tools from Headspace gives you a holistic way to manage your wellness journey.