BetterHelp vs Regain: Comparing Online Therapy for Individuals and Couples

If you're wondering whether BetterHelp or Regain is right for you, you're not alone. These two platforms are actually sister companies, both designed to make professional therapy more accessible, but they serve different audiences. BetterHelp focuses on individual therapy for a wide range of mental health concerns, while Regain specializes in couples counseling and relationship issues. Once you've decided on the answer to the question, "Is therapy right for me?", understanding the differences between these platforms can help you make an informed decision about which online therapy service may best fit your needs.

Are BetterHelp and Regain the same company?

BetterHelp launched Regain in 2016 as a dedicated platform for couples therapy, recognizing that those seeking relationship counseling may have unique needs that differ from those seeking individual mental health support. While both platforms share the same parent company and may maintain similar quality standards for therapist vetting, they were designed to serve distinct purposes.

What this means for you is that whether you choose BetterHelp or Regain, you can expect a similar user experience in terms of platform functionality, therapist credentials, and session formats. The key difference may lie in the focus: BetterHelp connects individuals with therapists who can address personal mental health concerns, while Regain matches couples—or individuals working on relationship issues—with therapists who may specialize in relationship dynamics. Both platforms require their therapists to hold at least a master's or doctoral degree and meet rigorous screening standards.

What is Regain?

Regain is an online therapy platform that specializes in marriage and relationship counseling. You can partake in Regain online counseling with your partner or discuss your relationship concerns in individual counseling sessions. Regain sessions are available on desktop, tablet, or mobile devices with an internet connection.

The Regain counseling platform can provide affordable and convenient sessions with a licensed therapist to individuals and couples seeking relationship therapy. One partner can start sessions and invite their partner later for joint sessions, and both can be in separate locations if needed when meeting for virtual appointments. According to research published in 2022, video-based couples therapy may be "a viable alternative to face-to-face intervention."

Types of counseling available on Regain

Regain may offer several approaches to relationship-focused therapy, allowing you to choose the format that best fits your situation. The platform can accommodate various relationship concerns and offer various counseling approaches, including:

• Marriage counseling for couples seeking to strengthen or repair their partnership
• Relationship counseling for dating couples or those in committed relationships
• Individual sessions focused specifically on relationship issues and personal growth within partnerships
• Groupinars aimed at addressing common relationship challenges like co-dependency
• Pre-marital counseling for couples preparing for marriage

Session formats and scheduling

Regain offers flexibility in how you connect with your therapist. You can choose between video sessions, phone calls, or live chat depending on your comfort level and circumstances. Partners can join sessions from different locations if needed, making it easier to attend therapy even with busy schedules or when navigating a long-distance relationship.

When scheduling, one partner can initiate the session and invite the other to join. You can also create a joint account to split the costs of the subscription. This flexibility extends to how you communicate between sessions. For example, messaging with your therapist outside of sessions may be available for ongoing support and reflection.

What is BetterHelp?

BetterHelp is an online therapy platform that may provide affordable, convenient, and supportive care from licensed therapists. The licensed therapists at BetterHelp provide individual therapy to those experiencing life challenges or mental health concerns like stress, depression symptoms, or past trauma.

Understanding how BetterHelp works includes recognizing its broad network of over 30,000 licensed providers, with 93% of user preferences met when matching with a therapist. This extensive network means you're more likely to find a therapist who fits your specific preferences and needs. Studies have suggested that online cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may help reduce the symptoms of various mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, phobias, and panic disorder.

Mental health concerns BetterHelp therapists can address

BetterHelp therapists may work with you on addressing a wide range of personal challenges and mental health concerns, depending on your needs. The platform's individual focus may allow for deep, personalized work on concerns that may be affecting your daily life and well-being, such as:

• Anxiety and stress management
• Depression and mood concerns
• Past trauma and PTSD
• Life transitions and adjustment challenges
• Self-esteem and personal growth
• Grief and loss
• Work-related stress and burnout

Therapy approaches available

BetterHelp therapists may use various evidence-based approaches tailored to your specific needs. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one commonly used modality, which research suggests may be effective for addressing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. Your therapist may also draw from other therapeutic approaches based on what may work best for your situation.

Comparing BetterHelp vs Regain: key differences

According to a Regain counseling review by Forbes Health, in which a clinical social worker examines the pros and cons of online counseling services, ease of availability and convenience may be two of their main benefits. Both platforms share many features, but their core purposes may differ significantly. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right platform for your needs.

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Who should choose BetterHelp

BetterHelp may be the better choice if you're seeking support for personal mental health concerns that aren't primarily relationship-focused. People experiencing symptoms related to depression, anxiety, past trauma, or life transitions might be better served by BetterHelp's individual therapy approach. The platform's extensive therapist network may also mean more options for finding someone who specializes in your specific concerns.

Who should choose Regain

Participating in couples therapy through Regain may be ideal if you and your partner want to work on your relationship together, or if you're an individual who wants to focus specifically on relationship patterns and dynamics. Regain's therapists specialize in relationship issues, which may make them well-equipped to help with communication challenges, intimacy concerns, conflict resolution, and other partnership-related topics.

How much do BetterHelp and Regain cost?

BetterHelp and Regain may provide affordable virtual therapy services from licensed therapists and licensed clinical social workers, with BetterHelp's rigorous vetting process accepting only 25% of therapist applicants to the platform. When calculating how much BetterHelp costs, know that weekly prices for both platforms range from $70 to $100, based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, and therapist availability.

The total cost of Regain and BetterHelp subscriptions may be comparable to many insurance plan copays, and subscriptions to online mental health care platforms can often be more affordable than paying out of pocket for traditional therapy. Additionally, the cost of couples therapy through Regain might be split between you and your partner, making it more affordable overall per person.

Insurance coverage and financial assistance

Some providers on BetterHelp may be in-network with certain health plans in select states. You can check whether a provider is in-network for your plan on the BetterHelp site. Coverage varies by plan, provider, and therapist availability. Regain does not currently accept insurance.

When BetterHelp sessions are covered, eligible members may typically pay an average copay of about $23 per session. If you're not using insurance and are struggling to meet the cost of online therapy, both BetterHelp and Regain may offer financial assistance options to those who qualify.

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How to sign up for BetterHelp or Regain

BetterHelp and Regain are both online platforms that offer virtual face-to-face therapy through live video calls, audio messaging, and chat messaging. They may be alternative options to in-person or traditional therapy, and the sign-up process for each is designed to match you with an appropriate therapist.

The BetterHelp sign-up process

When creating an account for BetterHelp, you willl first be invited to fill out a brief questionnaire sharing the following information:

• Gender
• Age
• Religious or spiritual preferences
• Expectations for therapy
• Previous experience with therapy
• Preferred communication methods
• Preferred therapist identity (LGBTQ+ or BIPOC options available)

You may also include specific preferences for your ideal therapist during the sign-up process. Once you've created an account on BetterHelp, you can be matched with a licensed therapist specific to your requests. Because BetterHelp has over 30,000 licensed providers available, you may have many options, and you can request a different provider at any time if your initial match isn't the right fit.

The Regain sign-up process

When signing up for Regain, the initial questions you're asked may be focused primarily on your relationship dynamic, concerns, and goals for your love life. You can invite your partner during the initial session for relationship counseling or invite them to join your therapy sessions later, after you've already met with the therapist.

Regain makes professional therapy available through its wide network of licensed professional therapists, licensed marriage and family therapists, and clinical social workers. The platform is designed to accommodate both joint sessions and individual work on relationship issues.

Choosing your therapist on each platform

Both BetterHelp and Regain may have licensed psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and licensed professional counselors available. Different types of providers may have different approaches or areas of focus. Both platforms ask you to fill out a questionnaire to provide specific information about yourself that helps match you with a therapist. If you're interested in LGBTQIA+ affirmative therapy, both platforms may offer options to match with therapists who specialize in this area.

Therapist credentials and vetting

If you are wondering whether BetterHelp therapists are licensed, know that professionals on both platforms are required to be licensed, hold a master's or doctoral degree, and have at least three years and 1,000 hours of experience as a mental health professional. Providers must pass a vigorous screening process to work on either platform, including background checks, clinical case studies to assess skills and knowledge, and more.

Setting therapist preferences

When you sign up, you can set preferences for your therapist, including preferred gender, approximate age, religious affiliation, LGBTQ+ identity, or BIPOC identity. These settings are in place so individuals can be matched with a therapist with whom they feel comfortable. The matching process may take a few hours to 48 hours, depending on factors like therapist availability.

Once you're matched, your therapist will contact you to schedule your first appointment. You can also review their profile through the app or websit. You can switch therapists at any time if needed.

How sessions work on BetterHelp and Regain

Both BetterHelp and Regain offer remote sessions with a licensed therapist. You can choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions with your matched therapist. Sessions may typically last 30-45 minutes, depending on your needs and the therapist's availability. When your appointment time arrives, you or you and your partner can enter a safe digital room according to the type of therapy you specified when scheduling. Both sites also offer worksheets, webinars, or journaling prompts to use outside of sessions.

Benefits of online therapy

Whether you choose BetterHelp for individual support or Regain for couples work, online therapy may offer meaningful advantages. The flexibility to attend sessions from home or anywhere with an internet connection may make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule.

Also, for those with mobility concerns, a lack of transportation, a rural living situation, or difficulties leaving home, online therapy may provide access to care that might otherwise be challenging to obtain. BetterHelp and Regain allow you to attend discreet appointments from anywhere with an internet connection, so choosing online therapy can provide a convenient, approachable, and accessible way to receive consistent mental health support.

BetterHelp now also offers psychiatry services through Uplift as an additional care option alongside therapy, and psychiatric providers may offer evaluation and medication management when clinically appropriate. Medication availability and coverage may vary by member location, clinical appropriateness, and individual pharmacy/insurance benefits. Prescribing decisions are made by the treating clinicians. We do not guarantee that any specific medication will be prescribed or covered by a member's insurance plan. These services are also not a replacement for crisis support or medical care.

How effective is online therapy?

For both individuals and couples, online therapy is often similarly effective to traditional, in-office treatment. For example, a 2020 study published in Psychotherapy Research suggests that internet-delivered talk therapy may offer "comparable outcomes" to face-to-face therapy in many cases.