TalkSession

TalkSession, established in 2012, operates as a technology company focused on the mental healthcare sector. The company was founded by Melissa Thompson, who also serves as the CEO. Thompson's background includes a role as an analyst at Goldman Sachs and experience in digital marketing and technology strategy for a diverse range of clients such as the United Nations and the New York Stock Exchange. She holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BA in Economics from Barnard. The impetus for starting TalkSession stemmed from her personal experiences and recognition of the inefficiencies and stigma surrounding mental healthcare access.

The firm develops web-based solutions designed to enhance the efficiency of existing patient and provider networks. Its core offering is a platform that facilitates remote therapy sessions through HIPAA-compliant mobile and web technology, aiming to integrate behavioral health into primary care settings. This is intended to improve clinical care, reduce costs, and provide better access to quality treatment. The technology leverages WebRTC video for its virtual sessions. Initially, the platform worked by pairing patients with therapists using matching algorithms and online scheduling. A key feature was the ability to identify last-minute cancellations and no-shows from providers and offer that time to patients on demand.

TalkSession targets both individual consumers and healthcare provider networks. The business model appears to be centered on providing its technology platform to these networks to make their systems more efficient. Milestones for the company include being selected for the GE & Startup Health Academy's Entrepreneurship Program and Springboard Enterprises' Life Sciences Accelerator in 2013. The company has received funding from investors including 4DX Ventures, 500 Startups Canada, and Domain Associates. According to PitchBook, the company was designated as 'Out of Business' as of January 2024.

Keywords: mental healthcare technology, telehealth platform, behavioral health integration, remote therapy, telemental health, patient-provider network, HIPAA-compliant communication, healthcare efficiency, virtual care, Melissa Thompson, Goldman Sachs, Columbia Business School, GE & Startup Health Academy, Springboard Enterprises, WebRTC, digital health, healthcare software, online counseling, mental health access, behavioral therapy