My Thriveworks Experience in 2024: A Comprehensive Review

Introduction:

In February 2024, I had the opportunity to engage in a month-long trial of Thriveworks, an innovative online therapy platform that recently launched its services in South Dakota. As a psychologist specializing in Neurodiversity-affirming therapy, I was eager to explore the platform and assess its suitability for clients seeking support in this area.

Pros:

1. Comprehensive Services: Thriveworks provides a diverse range of services, including individual, couples, family, and child/adolescent therapy. Additionally, they offer medication management, ensuring a holistic approach to mental health care.

2. Educational Resources: The platform features a commendable collection of free educational resources, including downloadable ebooks and informative blog posts covering various mental health topics. This information empowers clients with valuable knowledge and guidance.

3. Hybrid Service Model: Thriveworks offers both in-person and online therapy sessions, providing flexibility for clients who prefer face-to-face interactions.

Cons:

1. Cost Factor: The platform's service fees can be substantial for individuals paying out-of-pocket. The initial intake session is priced at $200, while subsequent hour-long sessions are charged at $170 each.

2. Insurance Coverage: Thriveworks's services do not enjoy universal insurance coverage. Depending on the insurance policy and provider, clients may have to cover the costs entirely from their own pockets.

3. Online Scheduling Limitations: My experience with online appointment scheduling was less than ideal, requiring phone calls to customer service instead. This adds an unnecessary layer of inconvenience.

4. Mismatch in Therapy Specialization: Despite my explicit request for a Neurodiversity-affirming therapist, I was only connected to a counselor specializing in general mental health concerns. This mismatch may be attributed to the platform's therapist availability.

5. Ethical Concerns: I had reservations regarding Thriveworks's practice of soliciting reviews from active clients, as it might potentially compromise the authenticity and objectivity of client feedback.

Therapy Experience:

1. Initial Session: During the initial intake session, my therapist displayed a structured interview style, actively gathering information about my background, treatment goals, and preferred therapeutic approach. While their initial approach seemed Neurodiversity-affirming, I observed that the therapist lacked specific training in this area.

2. Follow-Up Sessions: Subsequent sessions proved beneficial, with the therapist actively following up on previous discussions and providing ample space for new developments to be addressed. The approach shifted to become less structured,