Is it worth the money?

Need to talk some things out, get some advice, and be heard in a safe, comfortable place? I did.

Emma’s personal experience with BetterHelp

Personally, I found that finding and affording quality counseling from a therapist I connected with to be a huge challenge. Schedule challenges, high costs ($100+/hour in New York City where I lived, as my insurance does not pay for behavioral health), the time it takes to travel to a session, and investing the time to find a therapist that I really trusted and could help all stood in the way of seeking out counseling.

I finally found BetterHelp.

BetterHelp (often mistakenly referred to as “BetterHealth”) is the biggest online therapy app with nearly 1 million users, and makes getting counseling from a licensed therapist as easy as sending a chat message, or engaging in a video or phone session. Prices start at $60/week for unlimited messaging and weekly live sessions. Financial assistance available. Use this link to get 20% off and get connected with a therapist immediately >>

Quick summary of BetterHelp:

  • A- Better Business Bureau rating, accredited since 2015
  • 20% discount for new clients — no coupon or discount code needed
  • You choose from more than 25,000+ licensed and certified counselors (other sites match you with a therapist)
  • All BetterHelp therapists have a Master’s or Doctorate degree
  • BetterHelp pricing starts at $60/week for unlimited messaging
  • Financial aid available — see if you qualify for financial assistance from BetterHelp >>
  • All BetterHelp plans include a weekly live video or phone session (your choice)
  • You choose how to communicate: Chat, email, phone, video, text
  • Used by more than 1 million people
  • Free and easy to change counselors
  • Financial aid available
  • Free access to online “groupinars” (similar to group therapy) for 20 topics
  • Many specialists, including by religion, for teen, LGBTQ, Christian, couples, by race, age and gender

Top BetterHelp pros:

  • Quick access to a qualified therapist
  • Low cost
  • Lots of specialties to choose from
  • Easy to change therapists

Top BetterHelp cons:

  • Live sessions are only 30 minutes
  • Cheapest prices require bigger commitment (though still affordable when billed monthly)
  • Not always a good fit for serious mental illness or addiction.

But how do you know if BetterHelp has the right online therapist for you? Go to BetterHelp now for more information >>

If you’re looking for a detailed run-through, I share my personal experience here about how BetterHelp online therapy works, the types of therapy involved, and how to get started.

What is BetterHelp?

BetterHelp is the largest provider of online therapy. They offer counseling services for individuals, couples, and teens working through depression, anxiety, grief, narcissistic personality disorder, stress, addiction, and more. With private communications through chat, phone, and video sessions, BetterHelp simplifies mental health treatment.

Is BetterHelp legit?

BetterHelp was founded in 2013 by entrepreneurs Alon Matas and Danny Bragonier, and acquired in 2014 by Teladoc, the publicly held telehealth company. Betterhelp maintains headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.

BetterHelp has an A- rating, has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2015, and has 4.07 out of 5 stars.

An independent study in 2017 by the Berkeley Well-Being Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, confirmed several benefits of online counseling services. The report states that people receiving therapy with BetterHelp saw improvement similar to in-person treatment, and that symptoms of depression were reduced overall.

But this study and the positive online therapy reviews show BetterHelp is a legit company that can help clients work through their problems and improve their wellbeing.

Who is BetterHelp right for?

Betterhelp is for anyone who is struggling with a mental health condition or who wants to improve the quality of their life. Betterhelp has therapists who specialize in these, among other issues: 

  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Relationships/couples therapy (including dealing with gaslighting)
  • Parenting
  • Depression
  • Addiction
  • Eating
  • Sleeping
  • Trauma
  • Anger
  • Family conflicts
  • LGBT issues
  • Grief
  • Religion
  • Self esteem

If you are in a crisis or if you or another person is in danger, BetterHelp is not a crisis intervention service.

Additional resources if BetterHelp is not right for you

If you need immediate help outside of what BetterHelp can provide, here is a list of crisis intervention numbers and websites:  

  • Emergency: 911
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1- 800-799-7233
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433)
  • Crisis Text Line: Text “DESERVE” TO 741-741
  • Lifeline Crisis Chat (online live messaging)
  • Self-Harm Hotline: 1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288)

BetterHelp reviews 2023

Here are some client reviews posted on BetterHelp’s site:

BetterHelp reviews from real users dealing with depression

Review of Betterhelp from user with depression.

BetterHelp reviews from real users dealing with anxiety

Review of Betterhelp from user with anxiety.

BetterHelp reviews from real users dealing with stress

Review of Betterhelp from user with stress.

BetterHelp reviews by therapists

This is what the therapists on the site Therapy Den say about what it is like for counselors to work with BetterHelp:

BetterHelp reviews by therapists.

BetterHelp reviews on Better Business Bureau

BetterHelp has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2015. BetterHelp has an A- BBB rating, and over 500 reviews.

Betterhelp BBB rating.
.

BetterHelp reviews on Trustpilot

BetterHelp has a 4.6-star rating based on over 6,000 reviews on Trustpilot, where it has had a profile since 2015.

Screenshot of Betterhelp reviews on Trustpilot.

BetterHelp reviews on Reddit

There are several threads and comments about BetterHelp on Reddit — there are mixed reviews, but the takeaway is that the quality of therapy depends on the therapist, and the therapy-client chemistry:

Here’s my personal experience with and review of BetterHelp:

How does BetterHelp work with individual therapy?

BetterHelp works by using technology to facilitate open communication between you and your therapist. To talk with your counselor, you can send text messages throughout the day or schedule a time for a live chat, phone call, or video session.  

The signup is painless and begins with a short questionnaire you complete on the BetterHelp website to better understand why you are seeking therapy, and what your preferences are in terms of schedule, gender and race of therapist and other factors.

Getting paired with a therapist takes about 24 hours. However, you can exchange messages right away after that. In my experience, upon sign up I immediately received an email telling me who my therapist was, and a link to his profile. By the next morning he messaged me with what to expect in terms of communication frequency (he responds within 24 hours of all messaging), and a request to share with him my family history, any personal information, and goals for working together.

How does BetterHelp work with couples therapy?

You can sign up for couples counseling through BetterHelp, or its sister site Regain. Similar to the process for individual therapy, the couples BetterHelp counseling process is:

  1. Go to BetterHelp.com and create an account
  2. Set your preferences for a counselor’s race, gender, age, political leaning and the type of help your relationship needs (better communication, overcoming infidelity, deciding to stay together, etc.)
  3. Add your partner’s contact info to invite them into the account.

All messaging with the therapist is accessible and visible to both partners. Live sessions must be done from the same screen (the BetterHelp platform is not enabled for three-way calls).

Does your family need counseling?

How does BetterHelp protect my privacy?

“BetterHelp provides a personal, convenient chat room that can be used to communicate directly with your therapist. Anything you send to your therapist is encrypted and hosted on their robustly secured AWS cloud. Additionally, conversations with your therapists are covered by terms of confidentiality which provide an additional layer of contractual protection for your messages. More information about BetterHelp’s privacy practices can be found on their Privacy Policy (with this link).” – from BetterHelp

In my personal experience using the platform, BetterHelp takes extensive measures to uphold its policy to protect your personal information and comply with the law.

5 tips for Self-Care Sunday to refresh and recharge yourself

Does BetterHelp have an app for therapy?

BetterHelp can be used through their secure website, or secure app, available through iTunes or Google Play. Both the mobile app and website allow you to choose a therapist, have a live video session, or use the secure text messaging feature on the platform. You can also sign up for and participate in a live Groupinar through the app.

I used the BetterHelp app on my iPhone X and found it very easy to use, with no glitches. The connection during my weekly live sessions was clear.

See if you qualify for financial assistance from BetterHelp >>

What do you do in therapy with BetterHelp?

In short: Therapy with BetterHelp is the same as regular therapy in-person in an office.

The differences are that BetterHelp sessions are less expensive and less time-consuming, and more convenient than driving to a counselor’s office. Many want to know how long are sessions on BetterHelp? Live sessions on BetterHelp are 30 minutes, which is shorter than the typical 50-minute sessions. However, this is augmented by unlimited messaging between weekly calls. This feature was especially helpful on the first meeting, as I was able to write out in advance the lengthy process of sharing my family and relationship history, which typically takes up one or two entire counseling sessions. With BetterHelp, we jumped right in to working out all my problems!

The process of starting therapy with BetterHelp starts with getting matched with a counselor based on the preferences you select. All of BetterHelp’s counselors:

  • Have a Master’s or Doctorate degree
  • Are either accredited psychologists (PhD / PsyD), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), clinical social workers (LCSW / LMSW), or licensed professional counselors (LPC).
  • Are qualified and certified by their state’s professional board
  • Have at least 3 years and 2,000 hours of hands-on experience

You will be matched with a therapist based on your preference for gender, race and age, specialty and experience, such as LBGTQ issues, depression, mental health issues, aging and menopause, sexuality, grief, addiction, relationship issues, abuse, parenting challenges, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, dating, self-esteem, trauma, eating disorders, health challenges, money and career problems, communication style, and more.

BetterHelp is not a crisis hotline, and it is not self-help, but professional counseling conducted online — through email, chat, video or phone calls (your choice)

Some BetterHelp therapists specialize in different types of therapy:

  • Person-centered therapy, also called client-centered, or Rogerian therapy (referring to psychologist Carl Rogers), is a therapy where the therapist takes a non-directive, empathic approach that empowers and motivates the client in the therapeutic process.  This therapy is based on Rogers’ notion that human beings naturally strive for and have the capacity to reach their human potential. The client-centered therapist is supportive  and does not provide direction or instructions, but rather, allows the client to guide the sessions.
  • Gestalt therapy is considered a type of client-centered therapy, one that helps clients focus on the present and understand what is really happening in their lives, rather than what they perceive to be happening based on their past experiences.
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a short-term, goal-focused approach that takes a hands-on, practical problem-solving method. CBT’s goal is to change patterns of thought and behavior — and therefore change how the client feels.
  • Psychodynamic therapy focuses on early attachment relationships and  the power of unconscious thought in driving thoughts, behavior and feelings.
  • Humanistic therapy requires the counselor to provide unrestricted acceptance, freeing the client to openly express their feelings and thoughts. Humanistic therapy often overlaps with client-centered therapy.
  • Interpersonal therapy focuses on improving interpersonal behavior and communication to help the patient understand how she contributes to her struggles, and by improving her relationships with others and herself, will receive the support and acceptance that will improve mood and wellbeing.
  • Schema-focused therapy seeks to create a new, healthier framework for your thinking, perception of recent events and view of relationships and the world.

Once you are paired with a therapist, you can start communicating by email or within the app’s chat function, and, if you prefer, schedule a phone or video session.

This is what happened when I signed up with BetterHelp:

1. I went to BetterHelp.com. It took me about 10 minutes to fill out the intake form, and fill in my credit card info.

2. Immediately, I received a confirmation email with a match: Jorge (M.S.W., L.C.S.W.) I was happy that it was a man (as I requested), who has a strong background in spirituality as well as some issues that matched the help I need. His profile also included his license numbers, details about his experience, and several dozen client reviews:

List of Betterhelp services.

3. I then logged on to see his profile, and was prompted by a few questions from Jorge, including some of my family and personal history. I really appreciated that I could type this out ahead of our first session. If you have ever gone to therapy, you know that the first or second session is often a long intake process in which you recount all your family, relationship and health drama, as well as goals for therapy — all of which you then have to repeat in the event you switch therapists. If I ever change counselors, I am totally copy-pasting this part!

4. In his welcome message, Jorge explained that we have unlimited communication via messaging, and he promised to respond within 24 hours. Personally, I prefer to do most of my work during weekly phone or video sessions, but unlimited communication is a great benefit for many people.

4. Right in the app I scheduled a phone session for the next week with Jorge. Note: One-on-one BetterHelp therapy appointments are for 30 minutes.

Can BetterHelp therapists diagnose?

BetterHelp therapists can diagnose many conditions including depression, anxiety, trauma disorders, bipolar disorder, narcissistic and borderline personality disorders.

All therapists who work through BetterHelp are licensed and certified by their state’s board, which means they undergo the same rigorous standards of any other mental health professional.

Can BetterHelp therapists prescribe medication?

Like most online therapy companies, as well as therapists who are not medical doctors, BetterHelp does not prescribe medication, which is typically provided by a medical doctor, or psychiatrist.

Does BetterHelp have same-day psychiatry appointments?

BetterHelp therapists are not medical doctors and otherwise do not offer psychiatric care or prescription writing services. Seek the care of a local psychiatrist, or, if you are in crisis, call 911 or go to your local emergency room.

How much does BetterHelp cost?

Online therapy with BetterHelp starts at $60/week. There is an additional 20% discount for the first month for new members.

All BetterHelp prices include weekly live sessions (other online counseling services charge a premium for live counseling), and unlimited messaging.

Example of Betterhelp vs. traditional therapy.

How much does BetterHelp cost per month?

With the 20% discount, a one-month commitment starts at $192 per month, which includes weekly live sessions — plus unlimited messaging with your therapist between sessions.

Traditional, in-person, face-to-face therapy costs $60 to $200 or more per hour.

If you can’t afford to pay for BetterHelp, financial aid is available. Answering a few questions about employment status, income, and number of dependents may net you a discount on the regular price — no discount code required.

Does BetterHelp offer a free trial?

BetterHelp does not offer a free trial, though they do offer financial assistance, and a 20% discount for new members.

One of the things I like best about BetterHelp is the ability to quickly and easily change counselors, so if your therapist is not a fit, it is easy and free to switch to a new one.

BetterHelp offers new clients a 20% discount — no discount or coupon code needed! They also offer financial aid for those who qualify — not to mention the unlimited texting that is included.

This really stands out amongst the online therapy and counseling platforms. Go to Betterhelp.com/emmajohnson to get the discount automatically.

You can also apply for Betterhelp’s financial aid.

Can’t afford a therapist right now? Here are workbooks you could try to DIY:

Is BetterHelp covered by insurance?

Some insurance plans will cover online therapy, although BetterHelp’s website states their services aren’t covered by insurance.

Even if you have health care coverage, paying out-of-pocket for online therapy is likely less expensive than paying co-pays for traditional therapy via an insurer.

Is BetterHelp worth the money?

In my experience, after a few live sessions with my therapist, I have been very satisfied with BetterHelp. The quality of the therapist is remarkable and he has given me both the insights to understand my feelings and behavior, as well as some concrete steps to take to make my relationships better.

I really appreciate the quality of technology for both BetterHelp’s website and app — they are easy-to-use, look great, and make finding information, payments, and changes to my account straightforward.

As for the effectiveness of BetterHelp, it is fair to apply all the research that concludes that counseling helps people, as my experience with online counseling is so similar to face-to-face sessions.

There is a study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that online therapy is just as effective as in-person traditional counseling:

University of California online therapy study.

The question is not whether BetterHelp or other online therapy sites are “worth it” — but rather whether counseling and mental health services overall are worth it.

As troves of research has found, the answer is: yes.

A recent study published in Translational Psychiatry found that not only does cognitive behavioral therapy change a client’s life, it changes their brain. A Forbes journalist summarized it like this:

The study in Translational Psychiatry, suggests that people who have cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have measurable changes in the way certain regions of the brain are connected. Given what we already know, this isn’t so surprising in and of itself, but the results are noteworthy because the participants had more serious mental health issues than are usually the subject of CBT studies. This is the latest in a growing body of evidence suggesting that talk therapy not only has significant and lasting effects on mental health, but that these changes can actually be measured in the brain.

With the help of cognitive behavioral therapy, your counselor can help you retrain your emotional responses to people, situations, and events. This method can deliver the quickest results, and you may even notice a difference right away.

The value of online therapy sites like BetterHelp is that it is very convenient, affordable, anonymous, secure and takes away all the challenges that can stand between a person and the counseling they need.

BetterHelp cancellation and refund policy

You can cancel your BetterHelp subscription at any time.

Reputable therapists never guarantee any results, and BetterHelp is no exception. However, if there are customer service issues: this is BetterHelp’s policy, per the website:

We will evaluate your issue on a case-by-case basis and, at our discretion, take steps to resolve any issue, including but not limited to helping you find a new Counselor, extending your subscription at no cost to you, and issuing partial or full refunds when applicable.

Again, even the very first email from BetterHelp highlighted a link to cancel my subscription. The site makes it easy and straightforward to get what you need — including cancelations.

BetterHelp vs. Talkspace

BetterHelp’s top competitor is Talkspace. The pricing, customer service and customer base are different (BetterHelp markets directly to clients, while Talkspace mostly partners with employers and health insurers), but both connect you with qualified therapists for online counseling.

Not all online therapy platforms are equal. While most use cognitive behavior therapy online as the primary method of treatment, the intake process, services, and pricing options can vary.

BetterHelp Talkspace
Price Starting at $240/month, for unlimited texts and weekly live sessions Starting at $69/week for you and a partner with weekly live sessions and text message support.
Wealthy Single Mommy discount? 20% discount X
BBB grade A- B
Live sessions? Always included Included with some plans
Mobile video sessions included? Yes Yes
Desktop video sessions? Yes Yes
Phone sessions? Yes Yes
Couples therapy? Yes Yes
Teen therapy? Yes Yes
LGBTQ therapy? Yes Yes
Financial assistance? Yes X
Free group therapy? Yes X

BetterHelp vs. Talkspace: What has better pricing?

When considering BetterHelp vs. Talkspace, the cost for both is well below traditional, in-person counseling, but BetterHelp pricing is lower, with prices starting at $60 per week with one-on-one sessions included, while TalkSpace pricing starts at $69 per week, but you have to upgrade to benefit from phone or video sessions.

Side by side price comparisons of these two competitors:

Online therapy app / site Cost
Talkspace Basic plan costs $69 per week and includes text support and weekly live sessions.
BetterHelp Starting at $60 per week for unlimited messaging and weekly live sessions, or $240 per four weeks. Financial aid available.
Traditional face-to-face couples counseling $65-350+/hour

Plus, BetterHelp offers new clients 20% off, as well as financial assistance if you cannot afford to pay BetterHelp’s prices.

Talkspace offers unlimited text messaging as well, although the number of responses from your therapist depends on which plan you purchase. If you want to add video or phone sessions, you may pay more for those features.

The option to choose among different pricing structures can make online therapy more affordable for some, but you should make sure you’re making an apples-to-apples comparison between the two programs.

Betterhelp vs. Talkspace: Which accepts insurance?

Talkspace works with a number of health insurers and employers — call your carrier to see if they work with Talkspace.

BetterHelp only works directly with users — you. BetterHelp does not work with insurers.

BetterHelp vs. Talkspace: Which has the best reviews?

BetterHelp Talkspace
BBB accredited? Since 2015 Since 2017
BBB rating A- B
BBB avg. review 4.07 (out of 5) for 540 reviews 1.08 for 90 reviews
Trustpilot review 4.6 + for 6,000+ reviews 1.2 for 156 reviews

BetterHelp vs. Talkspace: Which offers a sliding fee scale?

BetterHelp offers financial assistance to those who cannot afford online therapy. Talkspace does not mention any financial assistance on its site.

Talkspace and BetterHelp are among top online therapy sites.

Bottom line: Is BetterHelp good? How do I schedule a session?

Getting started is easy, and the price seems reasonable considering you can message your therapist 24/7. Plus, you can schedule video sessions, phone calls, and live chats around your own schedule.

Sign up with BetterHelp online therapy in a few minutes, start chatting with your therapist within 24 hours, and get your 20% discount now >>

What is BetterHelp?

BetterHelp is the largest provider of online therapy. They offer counseling services for individuals, couples, and teens working through depression, anxiety, grief, narcissistic personality disorder, stress, addiction, and more. With private communications through chat, phone, and video sessions, BetterHelp simplifies mental health treatment.

Is BetterHelp legit?

BetterHelp was founded in 2013 by entrepreneurs Alon Matas and Danny Bragonier, and acquired in 2014 by Teladoc, the publicly held telehealth company. BetterHelp has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2015, and is not rated.

Who is BetterHelp right for?

Betterhelp is for anyone who is struggling with a mental health condition or who wants to improve the quality of their life.

How does BetterHelp work with individual therapy?

BetterHelp works by using technology to facilitate open communication between you and your therapist. To talk with your counselor, you can send text messages throughout the day or schedule a time for a live chat, phone call, or video session.

Does BetterHelp have an app for therapy?

BetterHelp can be used through their secure website, or secure app, available through iTunes or Google Play.

Can BetterHelp therapists diagnose?

BetterHelp therapists can diagnose many conditions including depression, anxiety, trauma disorders, bipolar disorder, narcissistic and borderline personality disorders.

Can BetterHelp therapists prescribe medication?

Like most online therapy companies, as well as therapists who are not medical doctors, BetterHelp does not prescribe medication, which is typically provided by a medical doctor, or psychiatrist.

How much does BetterHelp cost?

Online therapy with BetterHelp starts at $60 per week.

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