How Much Does BetterHelp Cost? What To Know Before Signing Up

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,  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 BetterHelp works

BetterHelp provides affordable mental health support from licensed therapists, which you an 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 psychologists (PhD/PsyD), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), clinical social workers (LCSW / LMSW), or 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.

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, or 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 you’re therapist will respond as soon as they can. 

The cost of a subscription to BetterHelp

BetterHelp is the largest online therapy platform globally, and it is also one of the most affordable online counseling platforms available.

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.

Insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid may not typically cover BetterHelp or other online therapy platforms, but 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 limited portion of the cost, but the co-pay you may pay with your insurance plan is often 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. While BetterHelp does not work directly with insurance providers, some insurance companies may be able to reimburse you directly.

More questions and answers about BetterHelp

Choosing 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. 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 will match you with a therapist. However, if you believe your therapist may not be the right fit for you at any time, you can request to be matched with a new 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 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.

Online counseling versus traditional counseling

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 and anxiety.

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.

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 always 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.

Canceling your BetterHelp subscription

If you'd like to cancel your BetterHelp subscription at any point during your therapy, you can easily do so at any time. When you click on the option to cancel, you'll be offered different options to change your plan or quit counseling. Once you cancel your subscription, you will be able to continue to use the therapy services with BetterHelp until the end of the pay period.