Seeking Online Therapy Services: What Does BetterHelp Cost In Canada?

Canadians who are seeking mental health support have options. One of these is online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp, which can be used to address a variety of mental health concerns. The BetterHelp platform can be a valuable resource for individuals who are interested in starting a flexible subscription plan that supports overall well-being and mental health. Here, we’ll discuss the cost of BetterHelp for Canadian users, what a BetterHelp subscription includes, and how to get started with this form of mental health care.

What does BetterHelp cost in Canada? 

The subscription model

Unlike traditional mental health services, BetterHelp runs on a subscription model. This means that you’ll be billed for your use of the platform weekly or every four weeks unless you cancel. It also means you get to take advantage of more tools and resources than individual therapy sessions alone. We’ll talk more about what else is included in a BetterHelp subscription below.

About billing and seeking customer support

BetterHelp subscription costs are billed weekly or every four weeks. Whether billed monthly or weekly, you can pay for the associated costs via credit card, debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Financial aid may be offered to those who qualify based on income (similar to sliding-scale fees). It’s possible to cancel your subscription at any time. If you have questions about your specific billing situation, you can contact the BetterHelp Customer Success Team.

Online therapy options with BetterHelp

Online platforms offer a variety of online therapy options. A BetterHelp subscription comes with weekly virtual sessions with a qualified therapist. Individuals can schedule sessions that suit their schedules and choose between live chat, audio, and video sessions.

Who you’ll work with: Qualified and experienced therapists

BetterHelp’s providers go through a rigorous application process that ensures they have the education, experience, and credentials to help clients with a broad spectrum of concerns. Each therapist, from mental health counselors to marriage and family therapists, undergoes a background check and completes a case study graded by a qualified clinician. The platform has over 30,000 experienced therapists who specialize in different modalities. Whether you have a major concern about depression symptoms or are going through a life transition, it’s likely you’ll be able to find a suitable match.

What is included in a BetterHelp subscription, aside from online therapy sessions?

With your BetterHelp subscription, you can get matched and then meet with a credentialed therapist for a live session via phone, video, or live chat each week. In addition, you can make use of asynchronous messaging with your therapist at any time outside of sessions, and they’ll respond as soon as they’re able. This could be a helpful way to share strong emotions or symptoms you may be experiencing at the moment so you can discuss them in your next session, for example.

Outside of sessions, there are many additional, optional mental health support tools included in your subscription that you might make use of:

• A journaling feature with prompts to help you express yourself and track your progress
• Worksheets and other educational tools
• Goal and habit-tracking tools
• The option to join any of 300+ support groups and 35+ educational classes

Making use of the other available mental health tools

BetterHelp’s additional tools can be helpful resources on your mental health journey. If you’re not sure where to start, you can talk to your therapist about them. They may have suggestions for which tools might be the most useful to you, given your key symptoms or needs.

Additional BetterHelp features, aside from meeting with therapists

There are a few other features this online therapy platform offers that clients may find useful. For example, BetterHelp offers a matching process to make it easier to find the right therapist for you—which, research suggests, can promote positive therapy outcomes. The process involves completing a brief questionnaire about your reasons for seeking therapy and your preferences for a provider.

Many people can be matched with one of the 30,000 providers BetterHelp partners with in as little as 48 hours, although it can take longer, depending on therapist availability. In 2024, BetterHelp was able to fulfill 93% of client preferences for matched therapists. In addition, you can request to switch therapists at any time, for any reason, at no additional cost. 

Another advantage of BetterHelp is the flexibility of your appointments. Many BetterHelp therapists offer appointment times outside of standard business hours, which can make receiving care easier for people with busy or atypical schedules. You can choose to attend appointments via phone, video call, or live chat, depending on your preferences. Plus, you can log on to your sessions from anywhere you have a stable internet connection, whether that’s home, work, or another quiet location.

Getting started: First session and ongoing support

Many users of the BetterHelp platform, which can be a suitable option for people who live in remote areas or have busy schedules, feel a little nervous before their first session. In general, therapists strive to cultivate a warm, welcoming environment where you’ll feel comfortable opening up about your concerns. During the first session, it’s common for your therapist to introduce themselves and talk about their approach. They may also ask you about what brought you to therapy and what you’d like to achieve by working together. Outside of sessions, a BetterHelp subscription allows users to message their therapist anytime, and they will answer when they can.

Advantages of online therapy services compared to in-person therapy

Online and in-person therapy have many similarities in that they’re both ways to receive individual therapy or couples therapy from a qualified therapist, counselor, or social worker. However, online therapy specifically can be a way for people to receive support, even if they can’t physically travel to in-person therapy appointments. This can be convenient for people who live in rural areas or can’t travel due to a disability or illness, for example. 

Virtual therapy can also be more affordable than traditional in-person treatment without health insurance coverage. This is another factor that may allow more people to receive care, whether they’re looking for mental health assessments, talk therapy to address certain symptoms, or just someone to speak to about life’s challenges. 

The cost of online therapy services vs. in-person therapy

Online therapy can be more affordable than traditional in-office sessions without insurance because virtual providers typically have less overhead. In Canada, in-person therapy sessions can cost $100 to over $200 each, plus the time and financial cost of commuting. In many cases, online counseling represents a more convenient and affordable option for care.

What to do if you can’t afford the BetterHelp cost in Canada

While receiving mental health resources and care through BetterHelp can be more cost-effective, it still may not be affordable for many Canadians. In such cases, financial assistance may be available. To find out about your options and whether you may qualify for financial aid, you can reach out to the BetterHelp Customer Success Team.

Why connect with therapists through BetterHelp?

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition, like depression or an anxiety disorder, seeking therapy as soon as possible is recommended. While a BetterHelp therapist can’t diagnose or provide medication management services for a mental illness, they can provide care to address symptoms. Without professional treatment, mental health symptoms may worsen.

That said, you don’t need to show signs of a mental illness to benefit from therapy. A therapist can also act as a listening ear and provide support as you navigate life’s challenges. For example, a person may seek therapy for help coping with difficulties like:

• Grief
• High stress levels
• Relationship challenges
• Major life decisions or transitions
• Low self-esteem

If you need emotional support, a BetterHelp therapist can provide quality care.

Situations in which using BetterHelp may not be appropriate

BetterHelp therapists can’t provide official diagnoses, but they can provide quality treatment for many different symptoms. While they can’t prescribe medication, they can offer talk therapy as part of treatment for someone who is receiving medication management services from a psychiatrist.

Finally, note that BetterHelp is not intended for immediate crisis support. If you’re experiencing a mental health emergency, you can reach out to resources like Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline by calling or texting 9-8-8.

What the research says about online therapy for mental health

People who are considering online therapy may wonder about its efficacy. In recent decades, researchers have conducted many studies to determine whether online therapy can be an effective form of care. In general, this growing body of research suggests that virtual therapy tends to be similarly effective to in-person therapy. For example, a 2021 meta-analysis of studies on the topic indicates that online therapy appears to be “no less efficacious” than in-person care.

Getting started with BetterHelp

If you're interested in receiving online mental health care through BetterHelp, getting started is easy. You’ll simply need to fill out a brief onboarding questionnaire about your needs and preferences for a therapist. Once matched, you can schedule your first appointment. Everyone deserves to have the emotional support they need, and quality care is available online.