How To Become A BetterHelp Therapist And Provide Online Therapy

What is BetterHelp, and how does it work?

BetterHelp is the largest online therapy platform providing remote mental health services, making therapy accessible for many who would otherwise experience barriers to treatment. Through BetterHelp, users can access therapy from over 30,000 mental health professionals—including specialists in psychology, clinical mental health counseling, and social work.

Becoming a BetterHelp therapist involves undergoing a five-step process overseen by BetterHelp’s Therapist Onboarding Team. The team conducts rigorous assessments to ensure that all mental health professionals have not only proper credentials but also a strong record of providing high-quality, evidence-based care to clients. Keep reading to learn how to become a BetterHelp therapist and begin providing online care to people in need of support through the BetterHelp online platform. 

How BetterHelp supports mental health care

BetterHelp offers access to psychologists from diverse backgrounds and specialties, extending support to individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders, and more. Therapists deliver services using a range of evidence-based modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). In addition to one weekly live session, subscriptions include access to a journal feature, goal- and habit-tracking tools, digital worksheets, and therapist-moderated support groups and classes.

What does it mean to work as a BetterHelp therapist?

As a BetterHelp therapist, you’ll operate as an independent contractor providing remote mental health care via video, phone, or text. This arrangement allows therapists to keep flexible, self-determined hours. Therapists manage their own caseloads without the overhead of private practice, using the platform's messaging and session-management tools. 

Day-to-day experience on the platform

BetterHelp allows therapists to fill their schedules, which may be especially helpful for new therapists or those serving remote areas with fewer people seeking in-person therapy. Day-to-day, they may expect high autonomy and a steady workflow. In some cases, therapists may engage in messaging outside of sessions depending on the client’s needs. 

Additionally, time is spent in between sessions writing case notes, reviewing client history, assigning worksheets, and monitoring progress. From their first client, therapists working for BetterHelp have access to a library of more than 390 continuing education units (CEUs) for professional development.   

Therapists who specialize in specific mental health conditions or serve specific communities can connect with these individuals through BetterHelp’s matching process. Based on user input and therapy goals, the platform pairs clients with therapists who appear to be a good match. If the relationship isn’t a good fit, they may move on to the next therapist without charge.   

Applying to BetterHelp to practice online therapy: Licensure requirements, background checks, and more

BetterHelp is actively recruiting for online therapist positions. As a therapist working with BetterHelp, you may be eligible to receive a range of benefits, including a monthly health stipend, a free BetterHelp membership, and continuing education opportunities. If you’re ready to join BetterHelp, you can do so through a five-step application process. 

Some sections, such as message templates, will auto-fill based on information provided by therapists in the Expertise & Preferences portion. A therapist or social worker doesn’t need to complete the schedule and payment sections until just before approval. If needed, BetterHelp’s Therapist Onboarding Team will contact the therapist for any necessary changes to their application. Once the application has been submitted, qualifying providers can begin the five-step process outlined below.

Step #1: screening

Once a therapist begins the application process, the Therapist Onboarding Team ensures that they have a license accepted by BetterHelp. This process involves checking that:

• The license has not expired
• The license is in an active status
• The license is not an associate or temporary license
• There are no disciplinary actions (DA) against the therapist

All BetterHelp therapists must be fully licensed in their state. Most states’ licensing requirements require therapists to obtain at least a master’s degree in mental health counseling, psychology, or a related field, typically alongside additional education and supervised clinical practice. Following completion of a graduate program and the required hours of clinical supervision, therapists may still need to pass exams, complete additional training, and meet other requirements to obtain licensure. The following are some of the credentials of most therapists on BetterHelp today:

• LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor
• LCPC: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
• LCMHC: Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
• LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselor
• MFCC: Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor
• LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 
• LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker 
• PsyD: Doctor of Psychology

Step #2: profile review

The Therapist Onboarding Team then reviews each therapist’s profile. Therapists can begin creating this profile and continue working on it during the onboarding process. Therapists must complete all nine sections of their profile to be considered.

Step #3: interview

BetterHelp also conducts a 15-minute virtual interview, or “Meet & Greet session,” with each prospective therapist. This call provides the opportunity for BetterHelp staff to verify the therapist’s identity, ensure that they have a professional setting for video calls, and answer any questions about the onboarding process. 

Additionally, some therapists may undergo a technology check. The platform used for this check verifies identity by reviewing uploaded ID documents, confirms that the user’s microphone and speakers are working, and verifies a stable internet connection.

Step #4: clinical quiz

Every therapist must complete a clinical case study, which is evaluated by a licensed clinician. While the quiz doesn’t require preparation and only takes about 15 minutes to complete, therapists only have one opportunity to pass. If they fail, they have to wait three months before retaking the assessment. 

Step #5: background check

The background stage consists of three parts:

• Google search

BetterHelp’s Therapist Onboarding Team first conducts a routine Google search to ensure that there are no obvious red flags about a candidate. Any concerning search results may result in a disqualification. 

• NPDB

The next part of the background check is the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) phase. The BetterHelp Therapist Onboarding Team adds therapist candidates to the NPDB to check for any negative reports or actions taken against them. By adding a therapist to the NPDB, BetterHelp can also receive any future reports for therapists who are active on the platform. 

• Checkr

The final phase of the background check involves Checkr, a third party that looks into the background of each therapist candidate. This process typically takes three to five business days. If a therapist passes this round, they proceed to approval. If they fail, they are disqualified. 

How online therapy sessions work on BetterHelp 

Once approved to work on the platform, BetterHelp allows mental health professionals to provide therapy through numerous formats, including weekly video sessions, live sessions via chat, phone calls, and text. They can also support to their clients via in-app messaging between sessions. Each online therapist works as an independent contractor, meaning they can set their own hours.  

Progress notes and documentation

During and between client sessions, BetterHelp therapists update their progress notes to track treatment, monitor clients' mental health, and deliver services aligning with their clients' goals. Documentation requirements are typically set by state licensure rather than by strict, mandated platform-wide standards. 

Pay, earnings, and workload expectations 

Like most in-person therapists, BetterHelp professionals are paid per client. Workload expectations are flexible, and it's up to the therapist to decide how many clients they’d like to take in a day or week. Some work part-time for BetterHelp as a supplement to other work, while others choose to work full-time. 

How BetterHelp therapists get paid

BetterHelp therapists are independent contractors paid weekly via direct deposit based on an engagement-based model rather than a flat hourly rate. The salary range may vary depending on factors such as client count, session volume (video/phone), and text-based interaction, with rates ranging from approximately $30 to $70+ per hour. Pay increases with higher weekly caseloads once a certain number of hours is reached. 

Caseload size and scheduling flexibility

BetterHelp therapists have high flexibility in setting their own hours. For those who prefer a large caseload, BetterHelp assigns more clients. As a BetterHelp therapist, you are responsible for managing your own caseload, and you can decide how many or few clients you want to focus on per week. 

Benefits and challenges of working for BetterHelp

There are several benefits to working for BetterHelp that support therapists' well being. Therapists can set their own hours and manage their own caseloads, and delivering treatment via online therapy allows mental health professionals to work from anywhere. Therapists can rely on BetterHelp to provide a consistent, high volume of clients, eliminating the need to find their own. 

Comparison with traditional therapy and private practice

Working from home with an online therapy platform offers many benefits over traditional therapy. For example, it eliminates the costs of renting an office or commuting to a private practice. When a therapist operates their own private practice, they often must pay for continuing education out of pocket. In contrast, BetterHelp therapists have free access to a wide range of CEU courses.

Career growth and long-term considerations

When evaluating career goals and growth, therapists considering employment with BetterHelp may benefit from weighing a few pros and cons. For example: 

• Therapists considering employment with BetterHelp can expect rapid caseload growth (which may be a big deal for those just starting out without a client base) 
• BetterHelp offers greater scheduling flexibility and autonomy. 
• The platform allows you to choose your focus and client types, enabling you to pursue your niche. 
• BetterHelp provides free access to a library of specialized, board-accredited continuing education units (CEUs). 
  

Such benefits are well-suited to therapists seeking immediate, flexible, part-time, or supplementary income, or those looking to build experience with a diverse international client base without administrative, billing, or marketing challenges.

On the other hand, there are factors to consider if you’re looking for a more long-term, full-time arrangement. These include, but aren’t limited to:

• BetterHelp therapists are independent contractors, meaning they’re responsible for their own taxes and liability insurance.
• BetterHelp doesn’t offer paid time off (PTO) or health insurance, although a health stipend is available if specific hours are met. 
• No, for: Those seeking the high income, stability, benefits, and mentorship of a traditional, full-time W-2 position or a well-established private practice. 
• BetterHelp provides little to no clinical supervision or peer consultation, so therapists must seek mentorship independently. 
  

Transitioning to or from private practice

For many clinicians, particularly those just starting out or returning from hiatus, BetterHelp is an excellent way to quickly build a caseload before transitioning to full-time independent practice. Keep in mind that the clients you’re working with through BetterHelp will need to change therapists should you leave the platform to practice privately.   

How BetterHelp helps therapists make an impact

Through the platform, BetterHelp therapists can make an impact by delivering evidence-based care via video, phone, or text, making therapy accessible for more people worldwide. 72% of clients who access therapy through BetterHelp report symptom reduction. Additionally, the platform’s therapists use proven methods, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), tailored to their clients’ needs to foster mental well-being and improve relationships.