
An Exclusive Discount + Special Perks
AARP members can get 30% off their first month* with pricing starting as low as $70/week or an average $23 co-pay per session with qualifying insurance. Your BetterHelp membership includes access to:
- 30,000+ licensed therapists in BetterHelp’s online community
- 3 Free Months of BetterSleep Premium
- Therapy sessions via video, phone, or chat
- Exclusive mental health webinars
How BetterHelp works
Online therapy through BetterHelp is straightforward, effective, and easy to use.
Here's how to get started:
Fill out a 5-minute assessment
Answer a short series of questions about your virtual care preferences and mental health to help us find the right therapist for your needs.
Get your monthly cost estimate
A BetterHelp subscription (for non-insurance users) includes one live session per week and typically costs $70-$100/week, billed weekly or monthly. If you would like to have more than one live session per week, additional fees will apply. In some cases, financial assistance may be available depending on income or employment status. For those using insurance, some providers on BetterHelp may be in-network with certain health plans, and $23 is the average co-pay based on insured BetterHelp clients.**
Match with a therapist in as little as 24-48 hours
Quickly match with a qualified therapist who is licensed in your state, has been rigorously vetted, and who meets your specific needs. In 2024, BetterHelp’s data-driven matching algorithm met 93% of client preferences***, reflecting the strength of its therapist community and matching process.
Start Therapy
Address your concerns and begin finding relief with weekly therapy sessions conducted by video, phone, or live chat. Weekly sessions are included in your subscription and can range from 30-45 minutes.
Get ongoing support outside of sessions
Take advantage of a massive library of worksheets, goal and habit tracking tools, journaling, 300+ support groups, and 35+ educational classes to accelerate your healing journey. Plus, you can message your therapist anytime.
Ready to get started?
Begin your healing journey today**Actual costs may vary for eligible members depending on plan, coverage, and therapist availability.
***Figures from a survey in the BetterHelp Platform Quality & Outcomes report. Individual experiences may vary.

How much does therapy cost with BetterHelp?
Costs are around $70-100 per week, billed on a weekly or monthly basis, or an average co-pay of $23 per session for insurance-eligible BetterHelp clients.****
BetterHelp has joined with major insurance carriers in select states to provide in-network therapy coverage and may accept insurance as a payment option depending on the state that you currently reside in.
Do you have health insurance or an HSA/FSA? BetterHelp accepts HSA/FSA cards and is recognized as an eligible expense by most HSA/FSA providers.

With BetterHelp, you get more than just a weekly therapy session—your plan also provides added features and resources to support you along the way:
- Message your therapist anytime
- Digital journal with guided prompts
- Group sessions to learn about mental health
- Therapy-focused worksheets to track your progress
****Subscription pricing is based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply. Average co-pay based on insured BetterHelp members. Actual costs vary by plan, provider, and therapist availability.
Meet BetterHelp's licensed, professional therapists
All therapists providing online therapy or mental health services through BetterHelp must undergo a rigorous vetting process and meet a strict set of minimum criteria:
- Relevant academic degree in their field (such as a master’s degree, PhD, or PsyD)
- Licensed mental health professional in their state
- At least 3 years of experience (therapists have 8+ years on average)
- At least 1,000 hours of hands-on experience
BetterHelp’s therapists also undergo a background report, are subject to periodic checks, and must complete a case study graded by a licensed clinician.
This results in a highly selective, highly qualified diverse network of trusted therapists, with only 25% of therapist applicants accepted to the platform..
3 Free Months of BetterSleep
Get full access to BetterSleep Premium and discover soothing sounds, stories, and meditations designed by sleep experts to help you relax deeply and wake up refreshed.
Enjoy 3 months free when you sign up for BetterHelp with an AARP membership.
Say goodnight to sleepless nights
Sleep easier
Calm your racing mind with custom sleep sound mixes, meditations, and more.
Think clearer
Boost your focus. Gain mental clarity. Let your brain fog disappear.
Feel better
Face everyday hurdles with a bit more bounce-back as your mood and well-being improve.
BetterHelp Online Therapy Frequently asked questions
You have questions, we have answers. Explore answers to a few common questions about Betterhelp and online therapy.
What is BetterHelp?
BetterHelp, under parent company Teladoc Health, is one of the world's largest online therapy platforms, committed to making affordable therapy and counseling services available to more people worldwide. Offering a convenient alternative to traditional counseling, BetterHelp enables users to connect with qualified mental health professionals for compassionate online counseling anytime, anywhere, online.
Is online therapy effective?
Yes,therapy online is highly effective for addressing mental health concerns. A large and growing body of evidence has demonstrated the effectiveness of online therapy for a range of conditions and concerns.
What happens in online therapy sessions?
In virtual therapy sessions, an online therapist can draw on various forms of therapy approaches to meet an individual's mental health needs—just as they might during in-office therapy. Common approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal therapy, talk therapy, client-centered therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy, to name a few.
What concerns can online therapy help with?
Online therapy can help individuals with a wide range of mental health conditions and concerns, including depression, anxiety, stress, burnout, social media addiction, pre marriage counseling, relationship issues, panic attacks, anger management, family conflicts, trauma, self-esteem, and much more. In online therapy, individuals can develop healthy coping skills, gain valuable emotional support, and discover practical solutions to improve daily life.
Can BetterHelp therapists prescribe medication?
No, therapists on the BetterHelp platform cannot prescribe medication. For individuals seeking medication management services or other psychiatric treatments for a serious mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder, etc.), online therapy may not be an appropriate or sufficient treatment option, and other forms of mental health care—including in-person therapy options—may be necessary. Typically, only medical professionals, like psychiatrists providers (primary care doctors, nurse practitioners, etc), are able to provide medication-driven treatment approaches for serious medical conditions.
How does BetterHelp match me with a therapist?
To find your right therapist, you answer a few questions about yourself, your experience in therapy, your current mental health, and your personal preferences for a therapist; based on your answers, BetterHelp then matches you with a therapist in as little as 24-48 hours.
How can I tell if my therapist is a good fit?
In your initial consultation or first few sessions with a therapist, you can ask yourself if you feel comfortable opening up, feel heard by your therapist, and if their approach to therapy seems to resonate with you. There are many therapists on the BetterHelp platform—over 30,000 to be exact—so if your current provider is not the right fit for your tailored plan, there are many other licensed providers who may be able to help you gain insight into your mental health challenges.
Can I switch therapists if I am not happy with my current provider?
Yes, this is one of the key benefits of an online therapy service like BetterHelp: if you are not happy with your current therapist on the platform, it is easy to switch to a different therapist for no extra cost. Successful therapy often depends heavily on provider patient match, so don’t be afraid to switch therapist if your current therapist is not helping you.
Does insurance cover online therapy through BetterHelp?
Yes, some providers on BetterHelp now accept major insurance carriers. BetterHelp has joined with major insurance carriers in select states to provide in-network therapy coverage. Coverage may vary by plan, provider, and therapist availability. Insured members pay an average co-pay of around $23 per session. Average co-pay is based on current insured BetterHelp members.BetterHelp also currently accepts HSA/FSA cards and is recognized as an eligible expense by most HSA/FSA providers. For users who have insurance, you may consider checking with your therapists to see what insurance plans they accept, and you can also check with your insurance provider to conrim your health insurnace coverage or reimbursement for online therapy. Some providers on Betterhelp may be in-network with select insurance placns in these states: Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Nevada, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington DC. We are currently working with insurance carriers to expand coverage across the United States. Check back to see when your state gets added, in the meantime, our flexible subscription model continues to be another option to receive quality care from our extensive therapist network.
Are online therapy sessions discreet?
The information you share is protected by data privacy laws; for more information, please see our Privacy Policy and terms of service.
How do cancellations and refunds work for online therapy plans?
You can cancel your BetterHelp subscription at any time through your account settings, and while refunds are not guaranteed, they may be offered on a case-by-case basis by contacting BetterHelp Customer Service. If you decide you want to cancel your BetterHelp subscription, you may do so at any time.
Follow these steps to cancel your subscription:
- Login to your BetterHelp account.
- If you are currently receiving therapy, head to Menu>My Account >Payment Settings >Quit therapy.
- Once you log on to complete these steps, head back to Menu >My Account>Personal Information, and click on Request Erasure.
Once you have successfully canceled your service, you will receive a confirmation email from BetterHelp. If you have further questions, please reach out to BetterHelp Customer Service.
Are you looking for a refund? BetterHelp offers refunds on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to customer service to discuss the possibility.
Can I do online therapy without a diagnosis?
Yes, you don’t need a diagnosis from a medical provider to receive mental health services via online therapy. Anyone can benefit from online therapy for any reason, including depression, anxiety, stress, chronic illness, or family conflicts.
Some insurance providers may only cover therapy if a diagnosis is given, so if you plan to use your insurance, it’s best to check directly with your provider to understand their specific coverage requirements. Some providers on BetterHelp now accept major insurance carriers on its platform, though it is limited to a state-by-state basis.
How often should I have online therapy sessions?
Generally, it’s recommended to start with weekly online therapy sessions, as this allows your therapist to get to know your background, understand why you’re seeking therapy, and help establish clear goals for your treatment plan.
As you begin to make progress, you may choose to shift to biweekly or monthly therapy visits if that better supports your mental health and schedule.
Ultimately, the right session frequency is a personal decision. While many people find weekly therapy helpful, you may benefit from more or less frequent sessions depending on your needs and goals.
What’s the difference between online counseling and online therapy?
Online counseling and online therapy may be used interchangeably, but they can sometimes differ based on the scope and duration of care. Counseling typically refers to shorter-term support focused on problem solving specific issues, such as family problems, relationship challenges, or a life transition.
Therapy, on the other hand, often involves deeper, longer-term work aimed at supporting more complex or ongoing mental health concerns, such as childhood trauma, persistent anxiety or depression, or developing coping strategies for a chronic illness.
Are video therapy sessions better than chat-based ones?
Video, chat, and phone therapy can all be just as effective as traditional therapy, though certain formats or types of therapy may work better depending on your needs and circumstances.
For example, if you experience severe social anxiety, chat-based therapy may feel more comfortable and accessible than video-based virtual care. If seeing your therapist’s facial expressions, body language, and hearing tone of voice is important to you, video or in-person therapy may be a better fit.
Likewise, if you have scheduling challenges or live in a remote area, video or other online therapy options can offer greater flexibility and convenience by eliminating travel time and expanding appointment availability.
Most BetterHelp users choose video therapy because it allows them to receive real-time mental health support, that is just as effective as in-person therapy, from the comfort of their home.
The services are provided through BetterHelp and its independent licensed therapist, not AARP or its affiliates. BetterHelp pays a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP.