How To Make The Most Of Your BetterHelp Experience

BetterHelp is the world’s largest online therapy provider, offering online therapy sessions with licensed mental health professionals. With BetterHelp’s flexible online format, you can engage in talk therapy from wherever you have a connection to the internet. To make the most of your BetterHelp experience, during sessions, you might try to remain as present and engaged as possible. Actively participate in the conversation, listen to your therapist’s feedback, and be willing to explore your thoughts and feelings as openly and honestly as possible. Some individuals find it beneficial to bring a notebook to their therapy sessions, allowing them to record thoughts, ideas, and emotions as they arise. 

How can you educate yourself about mental health and therapy?

To get the most out of your therapy journey, you might find it helpful to begin by cultivating some general knowledge about mental health conditions and how they’re treated. Organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Mental Health America (MHA), and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) can offer reputable information, resources, and directories for mental health services. 

How to Begin Therapy and Prepare for Your First Session

It’s easy to begin therapy on BetterHelp. Once you create an account, you’ll answer a few questions so we can match you with a qualified therapist most likely to meet your needs and preferences. Then, you can schedule your first therapy session. During this initial meeting, you’ll tell your therapist what brought you to counseling and begin discussing a treatment plan. Revealing personal feelings can be uncomfortable at first, but rest assured your therapist will be completely discreet and professional. 

How BetterHelp Therapy Works

When you subscribe to live therapy sessions with BetterHelp, you can be sure your mental health is in good hands with a legitimate service provider. BetterHelp’s rigorous process of vetting therapists with their state licensing board ensures a quality therapy experience. In addition to live video sessions, you can also use BetterHelp’s messaging tool to contact your therapist at any time. 

How can you find the right BetterHelp therapist?

What constitutes the “right” therapist may vary depending on each individual’s unique needs and goals. For example, a person who is looking for help with emotional regulation and coping with stress might consider a therapist with experience treating anxiety and related disorders, while someone looking to process past trauma may need a trauma-informed provider.

Thinking about the specifics of what you need can help guide you in your search for a good match. If you’re not sure, that’s okay, too. Sometimes it’s difficult to put a label on how you feel, but realizing that can also point you towards therapists who can offer gentle, guiding support as you explore what you’re experiencing.

How can you browse therapists and pick a provider on BetterHelp?

BetterHelp can match you with a therapist based on your needs and preferences as outlined in a brief onboarding questionnaire. To get started with this method, you can navigate to the questionnaire. It will ask you about:

• The challenges you’re facing
• Your lifestyle habits
• Preferences you may have regarding the therapeutic process 
• Expectations you may have regarding the therapeutic process

This information can help you get matched with a mental health professional who may suit your needs. Most people can be matched in as little as 48 hours, but it can sometimes take longer depending on therapist availability.

What to consider when selecting a therapist

Key things to consider when choosing a licensed therapist include:

• Specialty
• Therapeutic approach
• Personality and style
• Compatibility

Understanding Therapy Modalities and Specializations

If you’re experiencing specific symptoms of a mental health condition such as panic attacks, for instance, you may want to consider various therapy modalities and specializations before settling on a therapist. You may consider talk therapy options to inform your treatment plan such as humanistic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or motivational interviewing for substance use disorder, for example. These therapeutic approaches can help people strengthen positive thoughts and cope with symptoms.

Switching Therapists and Finding the Right Fit

In many cases, finding a good therapist (whether a marriage and family therapist or licensed professional counselors) you’re compatible with can be challenging. While BetterHelp may initially match you with a potential therapist, you can also switch therapists at any time at no additional cost. Many people change therapists multiple times before finding one that works. 

How can I prepare for my sessions ahead of time?

• List your reasons for seeking therapy. Be as detailed and specific as possible. In your first session, you can share these to help your therapist understand your experiences and your current state of mental health. 
• List your treatment goals. What are you looking to get out of therapy? What skills would you like to learn, or what symptoms would you like to address?
• List your mental health symptoms, if any. How are these challenges affecting your daily life? For example, are you uncharacteristically distracted and have a hard time concentrating? Have you lost interest in the things you once loved to do? Are stress or trauma affecting your relationships? Consider physical symptoms, too. For example, unexplained headaches, gastrointestinal issues, and notable changes in sleep or appetite are sometimes linked to mental health challenges.
• Prepare any questions. Write down any questions you may have or topics you want to discuss to help ensure you don’t forget key points and can make the most of your session.

How can I take care of the logistics?

While it eliminates the need to travel to and from an office, virtual therapy may still require a bit of preparation to help you get the most out of your experience:

• First, ensure you’re clear on the terms of your subscription and payment options.
• Set up your space and the technology you’ll need (computer or smartphone, charger, headphones, etc.) at home or wherever you’ll attend sessions. 
• Learn how to join the session, mute/unmute your microphone.
• Adjust your settings by signing on a few minutes early to explore the interface and make adjustments.
• Ensure you have a reliable internet connection and a functioning webcam and microphone. 
• Make sure you’re in a quiet location where you can speak without being overheard or interrupted. 
• Let others in your household know you need uninterrupted time during your session.

If you can’t afford therapy, keep in mind that BetterHelp offers financial assistance programs, including financial aid, to those who qualify. Subscribers can also check with their insurance provider about possible coverage for mental health services. Even without insurance, BetterHelp tends to be more affordable than what many people pay out-of-pocket for ongoing support via in-person therapy.

How can I make the most of my BetterHelp experience during sessions?

During sessions, you might try to remain as present and engaged as possible. Actively participate in the conversation, listen to your therapist’s feedback, and be willing to explore your thoughts and feelings as openly and honestly as possible. Some individuals find it beneficial to bring a notebook to their therapy sessions, allowing them to record thoughts, ideas, and emotions as they arise. 

How can I communicate with BetterHelp therapists?

Your BetterHelp therapist may be a licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist, or licensed professional counselor. Whatever type of mental healthcare provider you meet with, you can expect them to prioritize therapy communication and help you reach your mental health goals. Thorough and honest communication between the counselor and client is generally necessary throughout the therapeutic process for achieving successful outcomes. If you don't understand something your therapist communicates, you can feel empowered to ask for clarification. If you don’t feel like you’re being understood, you should be able to express those concerns, whether it’s about a specific symptom or your overall treatment plan.

Scheduling and Communication Options 

With a BetterHelp subscription, you can schedule four live therapy sessions per month (i.e., one session per week). These can be phone calls or live sessions via video or chat. Whether you choose phone sessions or another online format, you can message your therapists anytime via the platform. 

What are considerations for communicating via online therapy services vs. in-person therapy services?

Both virtual and in-person therapy have their pros and cons when it comes to communication. For example, traditional therapy sessions may offer therapists a better opportunity to observe body language, facial expressions, and other nonverbal cues in person, which can provide valuable insights into the client's emotional state. That said, research suggests that online therapy sessions can often be as effective as in-person therapy sessions for treating a variety of mental health conditions.

Plus, some people feel more comfortable being themselves and opening up in virtual therapy compared to traditional therapy. Attending sessions via an online therapy platform from the comfort of one’s home may help reduce feelings of stigma or shame that some people are made to feel around therapy, and virtual communication can also make it easier for many people to attend sessions at all. 

How do you know if your online therapy services aren’t working for you?

Some signals might indicate your therapeutic process isn’t progressing. For example, you may find yourself repeatedly discussing the same issues without gaining new insights. You may begin to feel bored, disengaged, or as if you aren’t being heard and understood. In rare cases, you may feel criticized or judged by your therapist. If so, it can help to let your counselor know how you feel. Lay out your mental health concerns and what you think is missing from your progress. If they don’t seem receptive or you still don’t feel comfortable with them, it may be time to find a new therapist. 

How can I make the most of my BetterHelp experience if my therapist doesn’t feel like the right fit? 

If you don’t think your licensed mental health counselor is a good match or they aren’t helping you grow and progress in therapy, BetterHelp makes it easy to find a new mental health professional who may better fit your needs. 

On the platform, navigate to your account settings and find the section specifically for your current therapist or therapy information. There, you’ll find an option to request to be matched with a new therapist or browse through other available mental health professionals and select a new one. 

BetterHelp’s Approach: A Legitimate, Flexible Mental Healthcare Option

By choosing BetterHelp as a therapy platform, you’ve already taken the first step towards making the most of your therapy journey. BetterHelp is a legitimate service that hosts only licensed mental health professionals. These mental healthcare providers are thoroughly vetted with their state licensing board to ensure credibility.

How can I maintain progress between sessions of online therapy services or in-person therapy services?

When it comes to mental health challenges, it often takes time, consistency, and commitment to heal. Doing the work in between sessions can help you make progress and work toward positive long-term results. For example, if your therapist assigns homework, it can be helpful to make a dedicated effort to complete it. This might involve practicing new skills, trying out different coping strategies, or challenging negative beliefs.

Additionally, you might use a journal to explore your thoughts and feelings, track your progress, and identify patterns. A journal can also serve as a place to list topics you want to discuss in your next session. 

How can I practice self-care outside of sessions?

It can also be advisable to practice everyday self-care in between sessions as much as possible. In general, self-care involves regularly engaging in activities that promote your well-being, such as:

• Spending time in nature
• Pursuing hobbies
• Setting healthy boundaries in relationships
• Spending time with supportive friends and family members
• Getting enough sleep
• Eating nutrient-rich foods
• Practicing mindfulness
• Exercising

Can I check in with my therapist for extra mental health support if I need to?

With BetterHelp, you can use the in-app messaging feature to reach out to your provider at any time, and they'll respond as soon as they are able. 

Tips for a Meaningful Therapy Experience

To make the most of your therapy experience, try the following tips:

• Don’t be shy about revealing personal feelings. Be honest and open with your online therapist. 
• Message your therapist between sessions for ongoing support. 
• Write down your thoughts after live therapy sessions to further reflect and process your feelings.