How Does BetterHelp Therapy Work? Common FAQs And Platform Overview

BetterHelp is a 100% virtual service that remotely connects licensed therapists with clients around the world. It's the largest therapy platform in the world, allowing users to access therapy from anywhere they have an internet connection. When you first sign up, you'll fill out a brief questionnaire and be matched with a therapist accordingly. Once matched, you can schedule your first virtual session. Below are more details about how BetterHelp therapy works and how you can use it to start receiving flexible, affordable support.

What is talk therapy for mental health?

Talk therapy, also called psychotherapy, is a type of mental health treatment. It usually involves a trained provider and a client speaking to each other regularly, such as once a week, using an evidence-based framework designed to address certain mental health challenges.

What are common types of talk therapy?

There are hundreds of different types of talk therapy available today. Certain approaches are more common than others, and each one has specific intended uses. Below are just a few examples of common talk therapy modalities:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): which generally involves teaching the client how to recognize and then shift distorted thoughts that may be contributing to unwanted feelings or behaviors.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): which teaches clients four key skills: distress tolerance, mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotional regulation.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): which is used to help a client process traumatic memories while their eyes or hands are engaging in bilateral movements. 
• Exposure and response prevention (ERP): which involves helping a client gradually learn that they can tolerate anxiety-producing situations without resorting to compulsions or harmful behaviors.

In some cases, a person seeking therapy knows the specific therapy modality they're interested in exploring. In other cases, a person will seek a recommendation from a general therapist about what therapy modality might be right for their specific situation.

What can therapy sessions help with?

Talk therapy is often considered the first-line treatment for symptoms of various mental health conditions, from depression and anxiety disorders to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, you can also seek and potentially benefit from therapy even if you’re not living with signs of a mental illness.

Challenges that therapy may help with

BetterHelp therapists are generally equipped to help you address a variety of life challenges or concerns that may be impacting your emotional well-being—even if they’re not related to a specific mental health condition. For example, they could guide a client in navigating situations like:

• A breakup or divorce
• Having a baby or going through another major life change
• Grief
• Chronic pain or a serious medical diagnosis
• High stress levels
• Trouble managing emotions
• Concerning behavior patterns 
• Relationship conflict
• Past trauma
• Burnout from work

How effective is working with trained therapists?

As talk therapy is the first line of treatment for most mental health challenges, it has been extensively studied. Here are a few key facts and figures about the state of talk therapy today:

• Of the 15.4 million adults with a serious mental illness in 2022, 66% received mental health treatment that year.
• Untreated mental health conditions can get progressively worse. For example, untreated anxiety could progress into depression and/or substance misuse and may also increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Research suggests that around 75% of people who attend talk therapy receive some benefit from it.

Potential advantages of online therapy sessions with a licensed therapist

Many people have the potential to benefit from talk therapy with a licensed professional. But what about access for people who don't feel comfortable or aren't able to attend in-person therapy sessions due to work or school conflicts?

For example, over 122 million people in the US live in what’s called a “mental health workforce shortage area,” where there aren’t enough mental health professionals like therapists and psychiatrists to serve the needs of the population. Others may live in an area that lacks certain types of providers to meet their needs, such as therapists who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC), who offer LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy, or who have training in trauma-informed approaches.

Transportation, scheduling, and therapist availability

In other cases, a person may have a physical disability or a lack of available transportation that prevents them from commuting to and from in-person appointments. Others may have a busy schedule that makes the commute to therapy sessions difficult, while still others may simply not feel comfortable meeting with a therapist in person. 

In all of the above cases, online therapy with BetterHelp can be a more convenient and comfortable way for people to work on their mental health and receive support. In general, online therapy involves meeting with a licensed therapist for regular sessions remotely, such as through an audio call, video call, or live chat. That means a person can receive care from anywhere they have an internet connection and a personal device. Plus, online therapy with BetterHelp tends to offer more flexible scheduling options than in-person sessions and can be more affordable than in-office care. 

Who are the BetterHelp therapists?

BetterHelp’s therapy services are provided by licensed professionals, including psychologists, counselors, and social workers, some of whom also have experience in private practice.

All BetterHelp providers are required to have licensure in their state, plus at least three years and over 1,000 hours of hands-on clinical experience—though most therapists on the platform have significantly more than this. 

They must also pass a rigorous application process, which includes a background report and a graded case study. Once approved to work on the platform, the providers use evidence-based therapeutic approaches to provide quality care. While they’re not able to diagnose mental health conditions or offer medication management online, they can provide support for a variety of mental health challenges.

How effective is online therapy with trained therapists?

In general, treatment approaches in the mental health care field must be studied extensively to confirm their effectiveness for different populations. As such, online therapy, like that through BetterHelp, has been widely researched in recent years. Today, a large and growing body of research suggests that online therapy can be similarly effective to in-person sessions for treating a variety of mental health concerns. For example, consider:

• A 2021 study suggests that virtual therapy in general is typically “no less efficacious” than traditional in-person therapy
• Another 2021 study, which indicates that online therapy for anxiety may produce “equivalent overall effects” to in-person treatment
• Research from 2020, which shows that the telehealth therapy process for depression can be “at least as effective” as in-person care
• A 2018 randomized controlled trial, which reports that virtual cognitive behavioral therapy of “a relatively short duration“ is indicated to be effective in reducing stress-related symptoms, including adjustment disorder and exhaustion disorder
• Another 2021 study, which suggests that “digital technologies are a promising platform for the delivery of affirmative therapies for LGBTQIA+ populations.”

How does BetterHelp therapy work?

BetterHelp is the largest therapy platform in the world. It’s a 100% virtual service that remotely connects licensed therapists with clients around the world. In addition to offering all the above-mentioned benefits of online therapy in general, BetterHelp also provides a few unique advantages to make the process of finding quality mental health support online even easier.

How can I get matched with a BetterHelp therapist to get mental health care?

How do I meet with a licensed therapist for virtual therapy sessions?

After you've been matched with a therapist through BetterHelp, you'll be able to schedule your first weekly session with them. That appointment and each of the BetterHelp therapy sessions after can take whichever form is most comfortable and convenient for you:

• Live video sessions for real-time interaction (similar to being in a therapist’s office, allowing face-to-face connection and observation of body language).
• Live audio sessions, with a therapist speaking to you via phone call, with no video.
• Live chat sessions, where your therapist is chatting live with you, typing back and forth.

BetterHelp also allows you to reach out to your therapist via in-app, asynchronous messaging at any point between sessions, and they'll respond as soon as they're able. 

How can I find the right fit?

If you decide after working with your provider for a few sessions that they're not the right fit, you can also request to switch to a different BetterHelp therapist. You can do this at any time, for any reason, for no additional cost. This can make it easier for you to find a good match, since feeling comfortable with your therapist is typically crucial for effective treatment.

If you eventually decide to stop pursuing treatment, you can cancel your BetterHelp subscription at any point. Also, keep in mind that BetterHelp currently does not offer medication management services, so seeking an in-person psychiatrist may be recommended in such cases.

BetterHelp and legal or special requirements

While BetterHelp provides general therapy services, it cannot fulfill a court order or official documentation requests (like mandated counseling). Those who need court-mandated therapy may need to seek in-person therapist-based services from a licensed medical professional or other provider at a public or private practice.

How BetterHelp can support long-term growth

Your first BetterHelp session will usually involve you and your therapist getting to know each other. You might learn about their approach, and they’ll ask you about why you’re seeking therapy. Then, in future sessions, they’ll use evidence-based methods to provide ongoing support for your concerns. 

Remember that the first appointment, as well as later sessions, can all take place in the format that makes you feel most comfortable (phone, video, or live chat). Also, through tools like worksheets and journaling, BetterHelp makes it easy to engage in progress tracking over time. These features can help you and your therapist understand what your symptoms look like over time and which additional approaches may be necessary.

Accessibility and convenience through the BetterHelp app

For added flexibility and convenience, users can attend therapy through the BetterHelp app, which is available on both desktop and mobile. From the app, you can log on to live video sessions, send your therapist messages, and schedule future sessions. These features allow you to access therapy from anywhere.

Cost, subscriptions, and financial aid

The BetterHelp cost is structured as a monthly subscription, which includes weekly live sessions and unlimited messaging with your therapist. The subscription cost of BetterHelp ranges from $70–$100 per week, billed weekly or monthly. The exact cost is based on your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability, and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply to your therapy services. 

If your budget requires a lower price than the cost of in-person therapy without health insurance or insurance provider coverage, BetterHelp can be a suitable option. It costs less than most in-person therapy sessions. BetterHelp can also offer financial aid to those who qualify based on income eligibility. Many of our therapists are now accepting major insurance carriers, and your eligibility for insurance coverage depends on your location, plan, provider, and therapist availability. Members eligible for insurance coverage have an average co-pay around $23/week.

Common concerns when starting therapy

If you’ve never been to therapy, it’s common to feel nervous about your first session. If you’re worried it will be awkward, remember that BetterHelp therapists are specifically trained in effective methods for guiding the conversation so people feel comfortable enough to open up. It's their job to guide the session, so you can feel free to lean on them for that.

Some people who are new to therapy might also worry that the therapist will judge them or won't be able to work with them on their specific concerns. Know that it's part of therapist training to approach clients with an open, compassionate, and non-judgmental stance, a concept known as “unconditional positive regard.” They’re committed to working with you to help you feel better and are not judging you for your thoughts or feelings.

How does BetterHelp therapy work if I’m new to therapy?

Getting started with BetterHelp is easy, whether you’re new to therapy or not: Simply fill out the onboarding questionnaire to get matched. If you have any concerns about being new to therapy, your therapist will likely be happy to work with you on addressing them.

Why do some people still prefer in-person therapy

Online therapy services can offer meaningful support, convenience, and unique benefits. However, some users may still prefer in-person therapy. They may feel more comfortable with a face-to-face connection, which can allow for clearer body language cues. Choose the format that works best for your needs.

Getting started with BetterHelp

To start your BetterHelp therapy journey, fill out the brief intake form, which will ask you a few questions about what’s bringing you to therapy and what you’re looking for in a therapist. You can then get matched with your first therapist, often in as little as a few days.

Or, you can browse therapists who serve your area and request an appointment through their therapist profile. If you connect with a provider through the sign-up process but don’t feel like they’re the right fit, you can switch therapists any time. There’s no additional cost to change therapists.