Octave Online Therapy Review 2023

Introduction:

Octave is an online therapy platform that connects individuals with licensed mental health professionals for live therapy sessions. Established in 2018, Octave seeks to make therapy more accessible by accepting insurance plans. However, the platform's services are currently limited to six states and Washington D.C., and it accepts only a limited range of insurance plans.

Sign-Up Process:

1. User-Friendly Sign-Up: The sign-up process is simple and straightforward. To begin, click the "Get Started" button on the homepage.
2. Basic Information: Provide basic contact details and answer a brief questionnaire about your mental health history and therapy preferences.
3. Free Phone Consultation: If the provided information is insufficient, Octave may offer a free phone consultation to gather more details.
4. Manual Matching: Octave's therapist matching system is manual, aiming to pair clients with suitable therapists based on intake forms.
5. Diverse Therapist Pool: Octave offers a wide range of mental health professionals, including clinical social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors.
6. Evidence-Based Practices: Therapists employ evidence-based practices such as CBT and EMDR to address various mental health concerns.
7. Intake Forms: The intake forms consist of short answer questions and allow for the selection of preferred therapy issues.
8. Diversity and Inclusion: Clients can request BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color) therapists and specify gender identity and sexual orientation preferences.
9. Matching Timeframe: The matching process typically takes 7-10 days, though the reviewer experienced a quicker match within 48 hours.
10. Session Fees Confirmation: After matching, clients receive an email confirming the session fees.

Therapy Sessions:

1. Live Zoom Sessions: Therapy sessions are conducted live via Zoom and typically last 45 minutes.
2. Rapport Building: The reviewer's therapist demonstrated effective rapport-building skills, actively gathered relevant information, and shared helpful stress and anxiety reduction techniques.
3. Guided Meditation: Sessions may conclude with guided meditation, exemplifying the therapist's engagement and attentiveness.
4. Establishing Connections: The reviewer and therapist quickly established rapport during the online session. The therapist addressed a stressful life issue and provided valuable guidance.
5. Homework: Homework assignments are generally not provided during the initial session, as the focus is on building a therapeutic relationship.
6. Treatment Focus: Initial sessions emphasize building a secure attachment and modifying thinking patterns.
7. Engaged Therapist: The reviewer's therapist displayed high levels of engagement, attentiveness, and guidance, creating a positive therapy experience.

Switching Providers:

1. Swift Care Navigator: To switch providers, reach out to Octave's care navigator, who will match the client with another therapist meeting their criteria.
2. Waiting Period: There was a two-week wait to meet with a new therapist, which could be perceived as a lapse in care.
3. Feedback Request: After requesting a provider switch, the reviewer's therapist texted asking for feedback, which may make therapy beginners feel obligated to respond.
4. Email Communication: The reviewer found email communication with care navigators to be somewhat cumbersome, especially regarding the therapist-switching process.

Pros:

1. Diverse Languages: Octave offers therapy sessions in multiple languages.
2. BIPOC Therapists: The platform features a wide range of BIPOC therapists.
3. Manual Matching: The human-to-human matching process aims for a good client-therapist fit.
4. Quality Care: Octave provides excellent quality of care.
5. Overlooked Issues: Providers are trained to address often-overlooked issues like chronic illness and racial stress.

Cons:

1. High Out-of-Pocket Costs: The out-of-pocket costs for Octave's services can be high.
2. Session Fees Confirmation: Session fees are confirmed after matching with a therapist.
3. Limited Insurance Coverage: Octave accepts a limited number of insurance plans.
4. Limited Availability: The platform's services are restricted to six states and Washington D.C.

Final Thoughts:

Octave excels in providing high-quality care, matching clients with diverse and ethical therapists who provide outstanding clinical care. The platform's shortcomings lie in its affordability and limited acceptance of insurance plans. Despite the high price tag, I would encourage therapy seekers to explore Octave if they can afford it.