How Long Are BetterHelp Sessions? Using Online Therapy For Better Mental Health

BetterHelp therapy sessions typically last between 30 and 45 minutes; however, you and your therapist might be able to change your session length if you wish. The length of your sessions might also depend on the type of therapy you receive. BetterHelp is the largest online therapy provider, and this post explains how online therapy services with BetterHelp work—from how long they are to how long it may take for you to begin seeing progress in your therapeutic journey. It also outlines how to get started with BetterHelp therapy and find the right therapist for you. 

How long are therapy sessions with BetterHelp?

The average therapy session using online platforms like BetterHelp lasts roughly 30 to 45 minutes, compared to conventional in-person treatment, which typically runs between 30 minutes and an hour. With certain types of therapies, such as psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or group support, one might expect longer sessions. 

Changing your online therapy sessions

To shorten or lengthen your sessions, communicate your needs with your therapist. If they agree, you can work together to establish a schedule that works for both of you. If your therapist is unable to accommodate, you have the option to switch therapists at any time. 

How many sessions will I have per week?

BetterHelp subscriptions usually include one live and one group session per week, with messaging capabilities in between (It may take your therapist some time to get back to you, however, depending on their availability). If you’d like more sessions per week, you can reach out to your therapist. If they can accommodate this request, BetterHelp can adjust your monthly subscription rate accordingly. 

BetterHelp subscription plan pricing

Standard BetterHelp subscriptions include once-a-week live sessions, one group session per week, and in-app messaging for $280 - $400 per month. A maintenance plan is also available at $200 per month, including one monthly session and messaging capabilities. Subscription pricing is based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply. 

Making the most of your online therapy sessions

With online therapy services on the BetterHelp app and website, you can enjoy the benefits of a multimodal digital psychotherapy platform. This means that not only do BetterHelp users get weekly online therapy services, but are also supported by additional tools in between session. There are several modalities available on the top online therapy company that you may use to interact with your therapist. They include:

• Video sessions
• Live chat sessions
• Messaging
• Phone sessions
• Journaling (optional)

Additionally, BetterHelp offers groupinars, which are live group sessions moderated by therapists on various topics. The platform also provides a journaling space in which your therapist might provide prompts as part of your mental health treatment plan. You have the option to share your journal with your therapist or keep it locked. 

As part of the sign up process, BetterHelp users complete an onboarding questionnaire that matches them with a therapist that meets their individual needs. However, because a strong therapeutic alliance is essential for success, if you don’t connect with your initial therapist, you can request a new therapist under your BetterHelp account. As the largest online therapy company, BetterHelp has a wide range of therapists to choose from and allows you to switch therapists for any reason. 

How Betterhelp works for different therapy needs

Talk therapy is offered under a variety of therapeutic approaches with their own techniques. Which one is most effective can depend on a number of factors including client goals, mental health challenges, and personal preference. Therapy services offered through multimodal digital psychotherapy platform BetterHelp include:

• Family therapy
• Couples therapy/marriage counseling
• Individual therapy 

While BetterHelp therapy covers a range of approaches like CBT, EMDR, DBT, and many others, some services are not available. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, in-person emergency services are recommended. Also, those who require medication management for more complex mental health disorders should also be working with a psychiatrist, although they may use BetterHelp for talk therapy as a supplemental treatment if referred by their doctor. 

How long does it take to see progress?

Whether you use online therapy or in-person counseling, your progress could depend on your treatment adherence and the therapeutic relationship with your counselor. According to a 2024 survey:

• 69% of users showed reliable improvement within 12 weeks
• 62% experienced symptom remission within 12 weeks
• 72% experienced symptom reduction within 12 weeks

How much does BetterHelp cost?

BetterHelp costs range between $280 and $400 per month, depending on factors including the payment plan or presence of financial aid. Online therapy services include a weekly one-on-one session and group session per week, and is billed monthly. You can reach out to the customer service team to learn more about online therapy services and what they entail, and to get a more detailed breakdown of costs. 

Does BetterHelp take insurance or offer financial aid?

BetterHelp is working with select insurance carriers to join their network. Some therapists on the BetterHelp platform now accept insurance (state-limited). Until then, our flexible subscription model continues to be an option to receive quality care from our extensive therapist network. We may also provide superbills for potential out-of-network reimbursement. BetterHelp accepts HSA/FSA cards and is recognized as an eligible expense by most HSA/FSA providers. In addition, we might offer financial assistance in the form of sliding-scale discounts to those who qualify. 

How to apply for financial aid

You can apply for financial aid during the intake process. After you’ve signed up, you’ll be directed to the checkout page where you’ll have an option to select “I can’t afford therapy.” From there, you can fill out a financial assistance application that includes questions about your:  

• Income
• Employment status
• Financial hardship

Once you submit your application, you may receive a response in a few minutes or up to two or three business days. 

Is online therapy with BetterHelp effective?

Research suggests that BetterHelp can be an effective option for those seeking mental health care through online therapy. The previous 2024 study not only found that clients experienced high rates of symptom reduction, remission, and reliable improvement for their mental health conditions, but also that “82% of clients in treatment were likely to recommend their therapist to others.” These figures may indicate positive therapeutic relationships—a factor shown to have a significant impact on therapeutic outcomes. 

Mental health treatment outcomes in online therapy

Research repeatedly shows that online therapy can be as effective as traditional, in-person therapy sessions for several types of mental illness, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more. Studies also indicate that clients in online therapy are more likely to adhere to treatment compared to those in control groups. 

How do I start caring for my mental health with BetterHelp?

To begin therapy with the largest online therapy company, register on the website or BetterHelp app. The sign up process is simple and the customer service team can answer any questions BetterHelp users have along the way . Once you’ve signed up, you will:

• Complete a questionnaire about your needs, preferences, symptoms, mental health background, and other pertinent information.
• Using your answers, BetterHelp will draw from a variety of mental health professionals from their network to select the right match. 
• Once matched, you may begin communicating with your therapist using the online scheduling tool.

Choosing the right therapist for you

To get the right match for online therapy work, you may want to fill out your intake questionnaire as honestly and thoroughly as possible. Once the platform has found a mental health professional for you, browse their profile to learn about their licensing, credentials, experience, and background. With talk therapy, the right therapist can make you feel comfortable, safe, and understood during your therapeutic journey. It may be helpful if you choose to do live video sessions for your initial weekly sessions in order to make eye contact and read body language, and determine whether you feel that a long term commitment with them will work. However, one of the benefits of online therapy services is that if you don’t feel comfortable with them, you’re free to choose your own therapist whenever you like or have the system match you again. 

Does BetterHelp offer flexibility in session formats?

One of the benefits of online therapy is the flexibility. On the BetterHelp app, not only do you meet with your therapist weekly, but you can choose your communication style. You can do online therapy work through live video sessions, audio sessions, or text therapy. And you don’t have to lock in to just one for your weekly sessions, but can choose what works best for a particular week. 

Why Betterhelp is a leading therapy provider

BetterHelp is the largest online therapy provider worldwide, having built a strong base of highly qualified mental health professionals since 2013. BetterHelp users have access to therapy services through a multimodal digital psychotherapy platform that offers both convenience and flexibility of therapist support. This convenience alongside high standards of service have helped BetterHelp become the trusted online therapy company that it has become.