Online Therapy Madrid: Why Talkspace Is a Good Fit for Foreigners

Many foreigners live in Madrid to enjoy its vibrant atmosphere and experience Spanish culture. The two chief expat demographics in the city are businesspeople and college students. This is likely due to its excellent quality of life and entrepreneurial opportunities.

However, life in Madrid isn’t always Spanish roses and wine.

Expats living in Madrid face a variety of problems. Finding therapy resources in Madrid can be a challenge due to a lack of mental health professionals and the cost of care.

Madrid is one of the most populated cities in Europe and has been hit hard by the economic crisis. This caused a decrease in access to affordable mental health services for people who need them.

In this post, we discuss how online therapy can help if you want to get help in Madrid from the comfort of your home.

Why Are Some Visitors in Madrid Looking for Therapy?

Madrid is a beautiful and exciting city, but it can be hard to navigate as a foreigner. There are many potential issues that foreigners visiting or living in Madrid may face, such as:

Language Barriers and Culture Shock

Knowing the local language is important for navigating Madrid and communicating with locals. Without knowledge of Spanish or Castilian, it can be difficult to socialize or find essential services. This can put extra strain on individuals with social phobias or low self-esteem.

Accessing Essentials

Foreigners can have difficulty accessing essential services such as banking, housing, and transport. Getting the necessary documents required for residency or employment may also be hard. This can cause feelings of stress, worry and anxiety.

Homesickness

Cultural differences can make living or working in foreign cities feel overwhelming. This is often made worse by infrequent access to loved ones due to timezone differences. Homesickness typically leads to feelings of sadness and depression.

Discrimination

Unfortunately, discrimination against (particularly BIPOC) foreigners is on the rise in Madrid. This is especially true for those from poorer countries or with darker skin tones. This can take a toll on BIPOC individuals already living with generational trauma or PTSD.

Mental health services are limited in Madrid, with long appointment wait times and inadequate funding for staff and facilities. If you want to see a psychologist in Madrid, it can prove to be a daunting process.

Another issue is cultural stigma: for many people, seeing a therapist in Madrid is a sign of weakness and embarrassment. This makes many locals and foreigners living in the city reluctant to seek help.

Online vs. Offline Therapy in Madrid

Cost comparison between in-person therapy & online therapy in Madrid

BetterHelp	In-person therapy
Cost ranges from $65-$100 per week (you can message your therapist anytime)	$100 to $200 per session
$260- $400 monthly Get 15% off for Healthy Minded visitors

Online

Its’ easier to access counseling without having to leave home or travel to appointments. Users can log in and talk with a therapist from anywhere with an internet connection.

Allows you to schedule appointments outside of regular business hours. Can fit into a variety of lifestyles better than traditional counseling sessions.

Tends to be much cheaper than in-person counseling in Spain. The cost savings come from not needing to pay for office space or travel expenses.

Individuals have access to psychotherapy specializing in different areas. You can find the therapist best suited to your needs and preferences.

Offline

It allows for one-on-one, face-to-face interaction with psychologists. This creates a deeper connection and stronger rapport between patient and practitioner.

Therapist can observe body language, facial expressions and tone of voice to better help you. This allows for more personalized treatment tailored to each individual.

Less chance for miscommunication due to technical errors or slow connections. Therapists are better able to create meaningful conversations without issues beyond their control.

Gives therapists access to additional resources that can help the patient, such as CBT triangles or books. This allows for a more comprehensive approach to treatment.

How Much Does an Online Therapist Cost in Madrid?

The leading online counseling provider for foreigners in Madrid is known as Sinews. Sinews is a multilingual therapy institute based in Madrid and is purposed for servicing expats living in Spain. Their online services range between €85-€130 per 50-minute session.

Sinews has some downsides when compared to specialized online providers like Talkspace. The most notable of these are cost, insurance coverage and available counselors.

Let’s look at the advantages of Talkspace in more detail below.

Why Talkspace Is Better for Foreigners in Madrid

Prices and Billing

Talkspace prices depend on the subscription chosen and can range between €64-€120 a week. They’re automatically billed to your account monthly, quarterly, or biannually. Sinews’ online mental health services only offer per-session or monthly subscriptions.

Availability

Many online therapy services place weekly limits on chat and messaging services. Sinews doesn’t support any communication outside of live sessions. On the other hand, Talkspace allows you to message your therapist anytime, even on their basic plans.

Counselors

Talkspace has over 3,000 licensed and experienced English-speaking therapists on staff. Once you sign-up, you get matched with three therapists, then choose who you work with. Changing therapists afterward is an easy process if you’re not a good match with your therapist.

Specialties

Talkspace therapists can provide specialized services like workplace coaching and relationship counseling. Sinews is primarily equipped to tackle more severe issues like panic attacks and anxiety disorders.

Community Support

Support isn’t available on many online therapy platforms, including Sinews, beyond a 24/7 hotline. Talkspace users often feel less isolated thanks to its interactive online community. This is a space where users can safely interact and share personal experiences.

Platforms

Both Sinews and Talkspace have apps available for iOS and Android. They’re also available on desktop computers via a web browser. The critical distinction between the two services is Talkspace’s across-the-board HIPAA certification.

Try Talkspace to Get Therapy Online

In most cases, Talkspace is the better choice for tourists and expats in Madrid. This is true even with the existence of local alternatives. Talkspace leads in terms of cost-effectiveness, available mental health professionals, and support. This makes it an excellent fit for both businesspeople and students.

Visit the Talkspace, sign up for a plan, and begin your journey to a happier, healthier you!