If you're interested in trying therapy and improving your mental health, you may be wondering about the cost of online therapy. Traditional therapy can be an expensive investment and may not fit into everyone's budget or schedule. However, online therapy tends to be more affordable and convenient for those experiencing mental health challenges. With online therapy platforms like BetterHelp, you can receive support from home or anywhere you have an internet connection. If you're interested in learning more about online therapy at BetterHelp, how much it costs, and how it works, continue reading below.

How does BetterHelp work for mental health?

BetterHelp provides affordable mental health support from licensed therapists, which you can access from home or wherever you feel comfortable. The BetterHelp online therapy platform is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week through your desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

All BetterHelp therapists are licensed, experienced, and accredited mental health professionals who hold credentials such as: 

• Psychologists (PhD/PsyD)
• Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT)
• Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW / LMSW)
• Licensed professional counselors (LPC)

However, each therapist may have a unique approach or area of focus. Upon signing up with BetterHelp, you will be matched with a licensed therapist based on your objectives, individual needs, and preferences.

BetterHelp therapy services

Once you're matched with a therapist who best suits your needs, you can connect with them through various modes of communication, including:

• In-app messaging
• Video calling
• Live chat
• Phone calls

You can also use a combination of these methods. Each session with your BetterHelp therapist typically lasts 30-45 minutes.

 In a chat room, you can use the in-app messaging feature to contact your therapist 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and your therapist will respond as soon as they can. 

How much does BetterHelp cost? 

Traditional, in-person therapy can range from $100 to $200 a session, based on your location. Some major insurance providers may cover traditional therapy or a portion of the cost. At the same time, other plans may offer no coverage, and some individuals seeking therapy may not have insurance at all, in which case online therapy may be more affordable and accessible. The affordable subscription makes it more accessible for many individuals, even without insurance.

However, if you have insurance, insurance coverage can vary from provider to provider. Some plans may cover a portion of the cost, but in some cases, the co-pay could be comparable to the cost of a BetterHelp subscription. You can contact your insurance provider to see if you have any costs covered on the BetterHelp platform.

Many BetterHelp providers now accept major insurance plans in select states

Many providers on BetterHelp now accept major insurance carriers. In many states, certain therapists on BetterHelp may be in-network with certain insurance plans. Coverage depends on your plan, provider, and availability. When sessions are covered, members typically pay an average copay of about $19 per session. Check your in-network status on the BetterHelp site. Coverage varies by state and provider availability.

More questions and answers about how BetterHelp works

How to choose your therapist

With BetterHelp online therapy, you can select preferences that may help match you with a therapist who is a good fit for you. Here’s how it works: 

• When signing up on the platform, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire that will allow BetterHelp to better understand your objectives, unique needs, and preferences for a therapist. 
• Using this information, BetterHelp can match you with a therapist. 

Does BetterHelp provide faith-based counseling?

While BetterHelp is not a faith-based counseling platform, when filling out the questionnaire during sign-up, you can select a religious affiliation, like Christianity, and request that your therapist to be of a certain faith. While every therapist is a trained, licensed, and accredited therapist, each may have unique therapy approaches and different expertise or areas of focus.

Efficacy and Costs of online therapy platforms like BetterHelp versus traditional in-person therapy

When it comes to counseling options, many people may find benefits in using online counseling compared to traditional in-person counseling. However, they may be concerned about its effectiveness. Numerous studies show that online therapy is often just as effective as traditional in-person therapy for various common mental health conditions, including symptoms of depression, anxiety, and overwhelming experiences of neurological conditions.

Traditional counseling can be expensive, and it may pose challenges for those who have difficulty leaving their home or who have scheduling concerns for commuting to a therapist's office. For those who find in-person counseling inaccessible due to cost, time, convenience, long waitlists, or location, online therapy provides an effective resource for support from licensed therapists. With online therapy at BetterHelp, you can usually be matched with a licensed therapist and begin to get support within 48 hours.

When an in-person therapist might be preferable to BetterHelp

However, online therapy may not be the right fit for those living with severe mental health concerns, those who require medication, or those who have a court order for therapy. Professionals at BetterHelp and other online platforms may not be able to make a diagnosis, prescribe medication, or fulfill a court order. In these cases, it may be beneficial to seek support and guidance from a medical professional. It’s recommended that you not take medication without consulting a medical professional for a diagnosis and prescription. However, once you receive an official diagnosis, you may continue to use BetterHelp’s therapy services to receive tools and guidance from a licensed therapist.