Is BetterHelp Right For Me And My Mental Health Needs?

In recent years, more and more people have begun seeking therapy for various mental health needs, and many wonder if online therapy services are right for them.

Users can connect with BetterHelp for individual therapy, group therapy, or couples therapy, depending on their mental health needs. You can stay connected to your therapist throughout the week through in-app messaging, which may help you make progress more quickly. 

Keep reading to learn more about BetterHelp’s therapy services and decide whether BetterHelp is right for your needs.

Is BetterHelp right for me?

To decide if BetterHelp is right for you, it may help to consider several facets of online therapy vs. in-person therapy in relation to your personal preferences. Some people may prefer to meet with a licensed therapist in person, at least for the first therapy session.  

Benefits of online therapy

However, other people may feel more comfortable communicating with a therapist from home. This option can provide a certain distance that might make it easier to express some thoughts and emotions. With BetterHelp’s video option, you can still get face-to-face contact with your therapist, which may add more nuance to your shared interactions. 

BetterHelp may be a good option for those who:

• Are managing mental health concerns that make it difficult to attend in-person due to disability or social anxiety
• Have a busy schedule and are looking for more accessible therapy from home
• Are looking for a more affordable option because they don’t have insurance coverage for mental health

With flexible BetterHelp therapy sessions, an individual has the ability to connect with their therapist anytime.

Is BetterHelp right for me if I take medication?

While the mental health professionals at BetterHelp cannot prescribe medication, they often work with clients who take medication for various mental health conditions. Many mental disorders are treated with a combination of medication and talk therapy. Medication management is typically handled by a psychiatrist or primary care physician who knows a person’s medical and mental health history. Medication may help a person get the most out of sessions with a qualified therapist who has experience with their specific mental health concerns.

How Betterhelp works: From sign up to first session

When a user gets started, the first step is to fill out an online intake questionnaire, designed to match you with your first therapist based on preferences, goals, and availability. Your first scheduled session is an opportunity to build rapport, as your therapist gains insight into your mental health needs and therapy goals.

If at any point the client doesn’t feel aligned with their therapist, they will be able to easily switch to a different one. The whole process is structured to make it easy to begin therapy and access therapy conveniently online. 

What to expect from your online therapy experience

The online therapy experience includes flexibility and client-centered design. BetterHelp therapy sessions can be tailored to meet your needs, scheduled weekly or biweekly, as needed. The professionals use therapeutic techniques rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and other evidence-based care to gain insight into behavior and thought patterns during these sessions. BetterHelp users often report a positive experience, specifically citing affordability and accessibility. 

Are there BetterHelp therapists who specialize in my concerns?

BetterHelp has a network of more than 30,000 licensed mental health professionals, which may make it easier to find a therapist with expertise in your specific area of concern. BetterHelp’s therapists can address a diverse array of mental disorders, including the following:

• Social anxiety disorder
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Substance use disorders
• Bipolar disorder

BetterHelp also ensures therapist’s qualifications meet specific guidelines. They are licensed and accredited, holding a master’s or a doctoral degree in counseling, psychology, or social work. Many specialize in issues like anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, or relationship dynamics. BetterHelp also ensures that its BetterHelp professionals maintain professional practice standards through continuous training and supervision. 

Therapists are trained not only to handle a wide variety of mental health concerns, but you can also find specialists who are experts in family therapy, LGBTQ+ support, and more.

Does BetterHelp have immediate availability?

With BetterHelp, most people can be matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours. Also, therapist availability tends to be greater with online therapy than with in-person therapy, as many therapists can see clients outside traditional work hours. 

Therapy formats available through BetterHelp

For many, what stands out most about BetterHelp when compared to other online therapy services is their standout flexibility and accessibility. Users can access BetterHelp for individual therapy, group therapy, or family support. In addition, therapists meet with their clients either through video chat, phone calls, or live chat sessions for greater flexibility. Finally, clients have the ability to contact their therapist anytime between sessions for guidance or check-ins with anachronous messaging. Their therapist will respond when they are able. 

Can I change therapists at BetterHelp?

Yes. One reason that some people find BetterHelp to be right for them is that it makes switching therapists easy. Individuals can change therapists at any time, for any reason, and at no additional cost. Given that BetterHelp has a network of thousands of licensed professional counselors, you can quickly be matched with a new therapist instead of having to call various therapists on your own time. 

Is BetterHelp a good fit in terms of price?

BetterHelp offers financial accessibility, and typically costs between $70 and $100 per week, which is billed as a weekly or monthly subscription. Subscription pricing is based on factors such as a client's location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply. BetterHelp’s practices include options for reduced rates and financial assistance for eligible users. 

BetterHelp is a private service which may not cover therapy through insurance, but can be more affordable than traditional in-person therapy without insurance. It is also usually comparable to co-pays required by some insurance plans. 

How can I save on therapy sessions with online therapists?

Most providers of health savings accounts (HSA) or flexible savings accounts (FSA) recognize BetterHelp’s therapy services as an eligible expense. This allows you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for therapy services. 

Online therapy vs. in-person therapy sessions

Many people wonder about the differences between online therapy and in-person therapy. Online therapy with BetterHelp allows people to choose a communication method that feels right for them, such as audio or video sessions. Clients can also attend therapy sessions via live chat, which may be better for people who prefer to communicate about their emotions in writing. 

Traditional therapy has its own benefits, but BetterHelp allows users to access therapy anywhere with flexible online scheduling. And compared to other online therapy services, BetterHelp offers more diverse therapy formats and support options like group therapy and couples counseling. 

Evidence of effectiveness of online therapy compared to in-person therapy

In addition to offering flexible communication options and a large selection of therapists, online therapy has a strong basis of support in psychological literature, with many studies showing online therapy to be just as effective as in-person therapy. A recent Health Affairs Scholar study noted that the growing acceptance of online therapy as an effective mental health solution.One review of multiple studies concluded that online therapy can be effective for depression, social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, and substance use disorder, among other disorders.