TimelyCare Virtual Mental Health Care

TimelyCare services will begin June 1, 2024.
TimelyCare will eventually replace TalkSpace; the last day to use Talkspace will be June 30, 2024. If you are currently using TalkSpace and need support transitioning to TimelyCare, please contact CAPS at caps@swarthmore.edu

In order to best support students’ mental health and well-being, CAPS has partnered with TimelyCare, a virtual mental health care provider. TimelyCare virtual care supports and enhances the resources already available through CAPS by facilitating 24/7/365 seamless access to mental health care. Currently enrolled students can access support from a licensed therapist through video or voice messaging at any time, including outside of regular working hours and during College holidays, and while at home or abroad.

TimelyCare can address a wide range of common conditions. Some common issues include stress and anxiety, relationships, depression, grief, adjustment, academic concerns, trauma, eating concerns and nutrition, and healthy lifestyle.

Using TimelyCare does not generally preclude a student from using CAPS services, and TimelyCare’s session limits do not apply to services at CAPS. Please consider providing feedback about your user experience with TimelyCare to caps@swarthmore.edu.

Accessing Scheduled Therapy Through TimelyCare

Our partnership with TimelyCare gives students access to 12 60-minute virtual scheduled sessions with a mental health provider of their choosing, free of charge, over the calendar year. Scheduled sessions can be reserved as early as two weeks in advance and are available 24/7/365 days a year. Sessions reset each calendar year on August 1.

Scheduled counseling and psychiatry appointments are available days, evenings, and weekends. Students can choose appointment times that are convenient for them.

All sessions take place on the TimelyCare platform, which is accessible online and through the TimelyCare app. Simply visit timelycare.com/Swarthmore or download the TimelyCare app and log in using your Swarthmore credentials. From there, select the Get Care option, and select a scheduled visit.

Selecting a Therapist

Students can select a therapist from a diverse pool of licensed providers from a range of backgrounds. Over 50% of TimelyCare’s providers identify as people of color; TimelyCare’s network also includes many bilingual and multilingual providers. Students are able to change providers at any time. Provider profiles are visible on the TimelyCare platform.

Any student interested in utilizing a translator for their visit can request to be connected with one via Language Line. These visits must take place through video and on a computer (not through the TimelyCare app).

Accessing Psychiatry Through TimelyCare

Access to psychiatric services will be determined by clinicians at CAPS, based on a student’s clinical needs. If, when working with a student, a clinician or care team member determines that psychiatric care is appropriate, they will provide access to those appointments through TimelyCare, free of charge. The number and frequency of sessions will be determined by the care team in consultation with the student.

If you are interested in accessing psychiatry services through TimelyCare and you have already completed a CAPS Access appointment for this academic year, please contact caps@swarthmore.edu. If you have not yet completed a CAPS Access appointment for this academic year, please complete this first step by visiting our Get Connected to CAPS page and clicking the New Clients button.

TalkNow On-Demand Support

Our TimelyCare partnership also offers access to TalkNow, where students can get on-demand support from a therapist at any time. TalkNow allows students to connect with a licensed provider by phone or video in less than five minutes, to talk through any concerns they may have. TalkNow providers are there to offer a compassionate, non-judgemental ear to listen to worries or stressors.

There are no session limits for the TalkNow service – students can call as many times as needed for concerns of any nature.

Although TalkNow providers can help navigate a crisis, the service does not replace CAPS On-Call, which continues to be available for consultation 24 hours a day (worldwide), every day of the year, at 610-328-7768.

Accessing TalkNow

TalkNow is available on the TimelyCare platform. To access TalkNow, log onto timelycare.com/Swarthmore or download the TimelyCare app and log in using your Swarthmore credentials. Then, select the Get Care option, where you can select a scheduled visit or a TalkNow visit.

Other TimelyCare Resources

In addition to the scheduled sessions and TalkNow, TimelyCare offers on-demand well-being and skill-building video and web resources on topics ranging from meditation to cooking to dealing with anxiety or substance abuse. These resources are accessible directly on the TimelyCare platform.

Support Using TimelyCare

Students can contact TimelyCare’s customer service team at 833-4-TIMELY (833-484-6359) or help@timely.md if they need help scheduling a visit, want to share a concern, or have any other issues or questions.

Need Help Now?

Please keep in mind that neither TimelyCare nor TalkNow are crisis hotlines. Anyone requiring immediate assistance is encouraged to access the following emergency services:

CAPS On Call at 610-328-7768
Public Safety at 610-328-8333 (or x8333)
911
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cancelation policy for TimelyCare scheduled counseling sessions?

For all appointment-based visits, students may cancel up to 24 hours prior to the time of the visit. Within 24 hours of the visit time, it will be considered a no-show. A student is also considered a no-show if they are more than 10 minutes late to a scheduled appointment. No-show visits will count toward a student’s 12 session limit.

Can I use both CAPS and TimelyCare?

Yes, although there are some limitations with Scheduled Counseling. You can use Scheduled Counseling either through CAPS or through TimelyCare, but not through both providers at the same time. TimelyCare's TalkNow service can always be used. Other CAPS services (groups, workshops, consultation sessions, Access appointments, etc.) can still be used in conjunction with Scheduled Counseling at TimelyCare. It is important that if you start using TimelyCare, you inform your current CAPS therapist. If you have further questions on this subject, we encourage you to reach out to CAPS to discuss your specific situation.

I have never been to CAPS. Can I still use TimelyCare?

Yes! You have access to TimelyCare regardless of whether or not you use the services provided by CAPS.

What if I need more than 12 sessions with a provider?

Students can discuss their needs with their provider and develop a plan for ongoing care, which may include a referral to an alternative provider outside the TimelyCare service, on campus through CAPS, or in the local Swarthmore community. If more than 12 sessions are needed, students can also reach out to CAPS to discuss options for continued care.

Can I access telehealth services outside of the United States?

Due to healthcare provider licensing laws, TalkNow is the only service available outside of the United States. In order to use this service, students must download the TimelyCare app in the U.S. prior to any travel. Students also must use a U.S. phone number or VPN while abroad to access TalkNow services.

What is not included in TimelyCare’s services?

TimelyCare does not provide letters for emotional support animals (ESA).

Do I need to be on the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) to access TimelyCare?

No. All services through TimelyCare are free of charge to Swarthmore students.

Will I need to provide insurance information?

No, insurance information is not needed to access services through TimelyCare.

Can TimelyCare providers prescribe medications?

TimelyCare’s psychiatric providers are licensed and able to prescribe certain medications as part of your care plan, if clinically appropriate. TimelyCare providers do not provide prescriptions for controlled substances, benzodiazepines, or opioids/opiates.

TimelyCare is not an online pharmacy, and cannot fill prescriptions. If a prescription medication is part of your treatment plan, it will be sent to the pharmacy of your choice. You are responsible for the cost of any prescriptions, over-the-counter treatments, or follow-up visits you may need related to prescriptions. TimelyCare counselors cannot write prescriptions