New partnership launches to address women’s mental health needs

Let's face it — when it comes to healthcare, women have long been shortchanged, especially in mental health. But a new partnership between Talkspace, the well-known digital therapy platform, and Tia Health, a fast-growing women's primary care provider, is aiming to flip that script.

The two are teaming up to weave therapy and psychiatric care directly into the fabric of women's primary healthcare. And it's not just lip service. This move promises real, practical support — from teenage years through menopause and beyond.

As Felicity Yost, Tia's Co-founder and CEO, puts it: "From adolescence to menopause and beyond, women face distinct emotional and psychological needs that too often go unaddressed in traditional primary care."

How does it work?

Here's the nuts and bolts:

• Tia doctors will now refer patients directly to Talkspace therapists and psychiatrists, streamlining access to mental health care.
• The two systems will collaborate behind the scenes — referrals, feedback, coordination — so patients get seamless, whole-person care.
• Talkspace providers will handle psychotherapy and psychiatric services, building on Tia's existing medication support model.
• The focus? Treating the whole woman — body, mind, and everything in between.

In plain speak: no more passing the buck between GPs and mental health specialists. It's all stitched together under one roof — or, more accurately, across two strong digital platforms.

And as Dr. Nikole Benders-Hadi, Talkspace's Chief Medical Officer, points out: "By integrating our services directly into primary care, we're removing barriers and creating a more holistic approach to women's wellness."

Why does it matter?

Because women are hurting — and it's high time someone took that seriously.

• A JAMA report found mothers' mental health plummeted between 2016 and 2023.
• Hormonal shifts around menopause? They're not just physical. They're linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression.
• And in too many cases, those emotional struggles are shrugged off or misdiagnosed.

This partnership gives women real tools, right when they need them most. It's not just about reacting to crises — it's about proactive, ongoing care.

Talkspace isn't new to women's health, either. This move builds on its earlier work with Ovia Health and Evernow — both of which target digital support during fertility, pregnancy, and menopause.

The context

Tia isn't your everyday doctor's office. Think of it as primary care, but custom-built for women:

• Services include gynecology, mental health, dermatology, acupuncture, and more
• Over 100,000 women served (and counting)
• Active in six states: CA, NY, CT, NJ, MA, AZ

And now, with Talkspace in the mix, Tia is doubling down on its "whole-life" mission.

"We believe that mental health is foundational to women's overall health and must be integrated seamlessly," Yost emphasized.

It's a model that feels more like the future of care than some futuristic promise. Digital, personalized, and finally — finally — centered on what women actually need.