Montco Community College 1st In Nation To Offer Online Therapy

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Montgomery County Community College is now offering online therapy to help students navigate turbulent times, becoming the first community college in the nation to provide the unique and innovative service.

The new program is provided through a service called Talkspace, which connects students with licensed therapists via a secure app.

"Mental health affects every aspect of life, and it’s critical to have resources such as Talkspace online therapy available for all students," the college's president, Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez, said in a statement.

All enrolled students can use the service for free. Students can send voice, text, or video messages "as life happens," the college said.

Therpaists will be available five days per week. Talkspace recommends three therapists to each student, and students can then select their therapist and begin conversation. If you are a student, get started here.

“Campus uncertainty adds yet another dimension to the mental health crisis faced by students, nationwide,” Mark Hirschhorn, Talkspace President and COO, said in a statement. “As Talkspace’s first community college partner, MCCC sets an example by giving students the reassurance that professional support will always be available to them when they need it.”

Talkspace therapists are all credentialed and have an average of seven to 10 years of experience, the company said. They were founded in 2012.