How Much Does Online Therapy or Counseling Cost? BetterHelp Pricing and Affordability

A BetterHelp subscription typically costs around $70-$100 per week, billed every four weeks. The exact cost can vary based on factors like your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability, and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply. 

If you are currently looking to start therapy, you may be weighing options and considering online therapy or counseling due to its convenience and affordability. Understanding the pricing and affordability of BetterHelp online therapy and other therapy options like counseling may support you in making a decision on online treatment.

Therapy sessions can range in price; for some, in-person counseling is out of budget due to it not being affordable based on their current financial situation. For others, an online platform can be a viable and cost-effective mental health treatment option through many platforms.

BetterHelp pricing can be affordable the therapists are qualified, and communication can be convenient. Once you’re matched with the right therapist, you can schedule your first session.

Betterhelp pricing: How affordable is online therapy?

Potential clients often ask the question how much does online therapy cost? Many virtual therapy platforms, like BetterHelp, offer affordability compared to in-person options. Often, the cost of therapy through online therapy services is lower than the cost of traditional therapy sessions conducted in person. 

BetterHelp aims to help clients feel comfortable with a therapist and believes the online format provides for millions of users. BetterHelp's online platform stands out from other online therapy platforms by providing its clients with a variety of options when it comes to mental health care that fits their financial situation. 

BetterHelp's team consists of licensed professional counselors, clinical social workers, licensed therapists, and family therapists that are available for an array of live sessions, including live chat sessions, video sessions, and phone sessions.

This variety allows users to find the therapy format that works best for them. No matter what option you choose, you’ll be charged a flat rate for your monthly subscription. BetterHelp also offers financial assistance for those who may not have mental health coverage through their insurance company or be able to afford traditional therapy.

Why BetterHelp Can Be More Affordable Than Traditional Therapy

There can be a vast difference in pricing between online and in-person therapy for many people. That is why BetterHelp has become such a popular choice for those seeking mental health care. With an online platform, therapists don’t have to cover expensive overhead costs like rent and utilities. Thus, they may be able to provide services that align with your financial situation as opposed to more costly in-person sessions. This could be especially relevant if your insurance company doesn’t provide mental health coverage. With BetterHelp, you can use our matching service to find the right therapist and then attend sessions at a monthly flat rate.

BetterHelp is the largest online therapy platform that allows people to find counselors and a therapist anytime from the comfort of their own homes. BetterHelp therapists, professional counselors, psychologists, and other mental health professionals can help individuals navigate their mental health journey.

Comparing BetterHelp to In-Person Therapy

When seeking therapy, you have the choice of attending online or in-person sessions. The choice is often made after careful consideration of one’s schedule, transportation options, and individual preferences. When weighing your options, it might be important to consider the legitimacy of online therapy. When you attend sessions online, you’ll meet with a professional counselor, clinical social worker, or licensed marriage and family therapist. Often, the same therapeutic techniques for treating mental health conditions are used in both traditional and online sessions. Whichever option you choose, it could be important to find the right therapist match. With your BetterHelp subscription, you’ll have a therapist matching service on hand, and you can switch therapists at any time. 

Before you decide which is more affordable for you, online or in-person therapy sessions, ask yourself the following questions: 

• Is using your health insurance able to cover the costs vital to you? 
• Do you live in a major city or an expensive region of the US? 
• Do you have to spend time and money commuting to see an in-person therapist? 
• Do you have insurance co-pays? 
• Do you have trouble keeping in-person appointments? 
• Are you more comfortable at home? 
• Are you seeking individual, couples, or group therapy?

The price of online therapy can also depend on what platform you choose. The online therapy market continues to grow. While BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy service, other choices are available, such as Regain, BetterHelp's partner site for couples therapy.  

Through BetterHelp or one of BetterHelp's partner sites, online counseling may cost around $70-$100 per session (based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply) to have sessions with a qualified therapist.

The average cost of in-person therapy is $100-$200 per session. With BetterHelp, you can save a few hundred dollars a month. 

Does Insurance Cover Online Therapy? 

BetterHelp strives to offer therapy that everyone can afford, regardless of their financial situation. This is why we offer an affordable flat rate for a monthly subscription. We are currently working with some insurance companies to join their networks. Call your insurance company to find out whether you have coverage for our online platform.

How the Therapist Matching Process Works 

BetterHelp doesn’t just offer therapy. There are other resources that come with your membership. For example, BetterHelp’s therapist matching service is included in a standard subscription. This service is intended to help you find the right therapist for your needs, whether that’s a professional counselor, social worker, or licensed marriage and family therapist. Before you start therapy, you’ll complete a short questionnaire designed to match you with a therapist based on your unique needs and preferences. After you’re assigned a therapist, you can then begin actual therapy. 

How BetterHelp Therapists Support Different Needs

After completing therapist matching, you’ll be assigned to a therapist based on your needs and preferences. You can then schedule an online session with your provider. During this initial session, your therapist may ask you to explain what prompted you to seek therapy. It could be important that you answer honestly and provide as much detail as you can. For example, you can tell your counselor or licensed marriage and family counselor whether you’re experiencing difficulty with self-esteem, or if you have a diagnosed mental illness. Based on the information you provide, the therapist may begin considering therapeutic techniques to meet your individual needs. They might also consider other support services and resources they can recommend. For instance, it’s not uncommon for therapists to refer clients to psychiatry services when treating mental health conditions. 

What to Expect From Your First Session 

Once matched with the right therapist, you can opt to meet with them via a live video session, chat, or phone call. During your first session, your provider may ask you to tell them about yourself and your past experiences. This can help them learn more about you and begin to build a strong therapeutic relationship before you start therapy. It can also give them an idea of what therapeutic techniques may work best for you. After this first meeting, you can then expect to have weekly virtual sessions with your therapist or counselor. 

BetterHelp breakdown of pricing, affordability, related costs, and billing

If you're wondering how much does therapy cost in BetterHelp, a BetterHelp monthly subscription typically costs around $70-$100 per week, billed at a flat rate every four weeks to your credit card or PayPal account. This is the monthly subscription fee for weekly virtual sessions. In some cases, you can opt to pay for additional sessions on top of the four sessions per month covered by your actual therapy subscription. 

You can expect a charge of around $260 to $400 on your account every month to cover weekly sessions. Exact BetterHelp pricing depends on your location, preferences, and therapist availability. 

What is included in the BetterHelp cost? 

If you're wondering how much does Betterhelp cost usually, BetterHelp therapy may cost between $70 to $100 without financial aid or insurance, based on factors like your therapist, where you live, and your preferences. We don’t only offer therapy, though. For this price, users will receive the following:

• Therapist matching service
• One 30-minute or 45-minute session per week (e.g. live video session, chat, or phone call)
• Guidance from a professional counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, or clinical social worker
• Unlimited messaging between you and your therapist 
• A journal feature through the Apple or Android app 
• Webinars on mental health topics led by experts
• The ability to switch therapists
• Worksheets assigned to you by your therapist 

As far as BetterHelp's therapist availability goes, if you message your therapist via the online platform, they will respond when they are available. If you forget to ask something during a session, you can refer to your chat afterward, and your BetterHelp therapist may offer tips or resources. 

How long are BetterHelp counseling sessions? What is the general time limit for therapists?

BetterHelp Lives therapy sessions are generally 30 minutes long. Some BetterHelp therapists offer a 45-minute session, depending on therapist's availability and preferences.

During these sessions, practitioners:

• Discuss the client's mental health concerns

• Provide guidance on managing mental health conditions or symptoms

• Practice evidence-based therapy techniques

How many sessions do you get for the price? 

You can have one BetterHelp live session and weekly messaging with your therapist. Some therapists may be available for more than one live session a week. If you schedule more than one per week, you may be charged an extra fee of around $20. 

When to Consider Additional Sessions or Psychiatry Services

When treating mental health conditions via evidence-based therapeutic techniques, additional sessions are sometimes required on top of the weekly sessions a standard subscription services cover. If you’re not progressing in therapy the way you expected to, or if symptoms like low self-esteem or anxiety are worsening, you might want to consider talking to your therapist about the possibility of extra sessions. If you’ve been diagnosed with a serious mental illness, your therapist may also refer you to psychiatry services.

What happens when you try to cancel BetterHelp?