What Is BetterHelp?

What is BetterHelp?

You may have come across a BetterHelp video, article, or advertisement for online therapy services. When seeking therapy, someone may also have mentioned BetterHelp, the world's largest online therapy service. As an alternative to traditional therapy (in-person therapy), online therapy through BetterHelp presents many unique features. With BetterHelp, therapy seekers can connect with online counseling providers through video calls, phone sessions, or in-app messaging. The online service also offers a range of useful tools and resources, such as interactive exercises geared toward addressing specific mental health concerns. BetterHelp’s practices prioritize flexibility, convenience, and affordability. This approach to mental health services can lead to increased availability for people who may not otherwise pursue care due to their financial status or certain life challenges. To learn more about these features, what you can expect from the mental health professionals who work through the platform, BetterHelp sessions, and additional tools to support therapy, read on. 

What is BetterHelp?

BetterHelp is a mental health platform that provides online therapy as an alternative to in-person therapy. For many individuals, online therapy can be a convenient way to manage symptoms of mental health conditions, address relationship challenges, and find support for life's challenges.

Founded in 2013, BetterHelp aims to remove barriers to therapy, making mental health care available to more people. Currently, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy service, offering high-quality and affordable therapy. (In 2024, the average rating for a live session through the platform was 4.9 out of 5 based on over 1.7 million client ratings.) Through the platform, individuals can get matched with qualified therapists who fit their preferences. In addition to individual therapy, BetterHelp also provides couples therapy and teen counseling through its sister companies, Regain and Teen Counseling, respectively. 

What is BetterHelp in terms of features

As part of its goal to provide high-quality online therapy services, BetterHelp has many unique features. These features include:

• A service delivery layer that employs a multitude of intelligent signals, including reduced wait times for tailored matching of individuals with therapists, giving clients ample options for scheduling live sessions with a qualified therapist
• A range of modality options for live sessions, including chat, phone, and video sessions
• Individuals can also message their therapist anytime, and they may respond at their earliest convenience with guidance and insights. 
• Service delivery monitoring to ensure platform quality 
• Human review processes for addressing client concerns 
• Clients' feedback is continuously given to therapists to enhance the therapeutic experience of each client. 
• A process of thorough vetting of mental health professionals and clinical reviews to ensure the quality of therapy services
• A specialized team that diligently oversees account safety, prevents fraud and abuse, and maintains the platform's observance with standards
• Multiple tools that further enhance therapy, including support groups, classes, and goal and habit tracking
• A clinical resource library for therapists, such as worksheets, that can be customized for individual clients
• New clients are assigned PHQ-9 and/or GAD-7 questionnaires when they start therapy, which assess depression and anxiety, respectively. These questionnaires are sent every 45 days to monitor progress throughout the therapeutic process.
• BetterHelp has affordable pricing options that are comparable to the co-pays of most insurance plans. 
• Accepts HSA/FSA cards: BetterHelp is also recognized as an eligible expense by most HSA/FSA providers.

These tools and features are all intended to provide a viable and high-quality alternative to in-person therapy, whether for individual counseling, couples counseling, or teen counseling.

Who are BetterHelp's therapists?

Therapy sessions through the mental health platform are conducted by BetterHelp therapists — licensed therapists who have been vetted for their experience and credentials to provide therapy sessions. Therapists include psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and licensed counselors. The range of therapists offering online therapy through the platform also widens opportunities for individuals to connect with someone with whom they feel comfortable, which can enhance the therapeutic alliance.

This factor alone can differentiate online therapy from in-person therapy in regions where there may be a limited number of mental health providers. With a provider network of over 30,000 therapists, the platform can draw from a large and diverse pool of therapists, tailoring matches to fit clients' preferences. These considerations apply to individual, couples, and teen counseling. 

How does the matching process work?

If you’re considering online therapy, you may be wondering how BetterHelp connects members with mental health professionals. When individuals first sign up for online therapy through the platform, they can specify their preferences for therapists. This helps ensure BetterHelp therapy sessions are conducted by professionals who fit users’ mental health needs and objectives. Preferences may relate to specific mental health challenges, religious background, gender, sexual orientation, or age. While a qualified therapist, regardless of background, generally has the tools and compassion to support diverse clients, BetterHelp also considers that having similar lived experiences can enhance the therapeutic alliance. 

During the onboarding process, you will complete a questionnaire that helps match you with your first therapist. In addition to outlining your preferences, you’ll answer questions about your psychological well-being, current physical health, and goals for therapy. 

In 2024, the platform was able to match clients according to preferences 93% of the time, as the matching process can depend on a therapist's availability and specialization. The matching process, which also applies to couples therapy and teen counseling, can take a few hours to a few days. Clients can also change providers if they believe their therapist is not a good fit. That said, you can generally expect the same quality of care as that of in-person visits. 

Once you’ve matched with a therapist, you can begin participating in BetterHelp therapy sessions. BetterHelp offers flexible scheduling options, allowing you to participate in sessions at times that work for you. It’s easy to make appointments or reschedule sessions online or in the app (note that missed sessions may incur a fee).

Can a BetterHelp therapist diagnose?

Betterhelp therapists providing individual, couples, and teen counseling have the license and credentials, and are certified by their state boards, to provide therapy. However, they may neither provide an official diagnosis nor offer medication management through the BetterHelp platform. In-person therapy may be more suitable for some individuals, even though online therapy might provide similar mental health benefits for others. 

What types of therapy does BetterHelp offer?

Most therapists who work with BetterHelp engage in specific forms of talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, or dialectical behavior therapy. These professionals have a range of specialties, as well, practicing in areas like marriage and family therapy, psychology, social work, or career counseling. Because of these diverse areas of focus, BetterHelp’s team of providers can address challenges that range from depression and anxiety to chronic pain and grief. Additionally, by helping clients use tools like worksheets and journaling, BetterHelp therapists can develop tailored, comprehensive treatment plans. 

Tools for enhancing therapy

In addition to online therapy sessions, most BetterHelp clients also use self-care and clinical tools to further enhance therapy. While they may differ for individual, couples, and teen counseling, these tools are intended to support the therapeutic journey between clients and therapists. Whether online or in-person, self-care strategies like journaling and mindfulness can provide mental health benefits that complement the therapeutic process. A client can also share their tools with their therapist, such as journal entries about things left unsaid in therapy. 

What are these tools?

BetterHelp uses evidence-based tools to promote investment in one's therapeutic journey and mental health. In addition to online therapy sessions, these tools include:

• Goal and habit tracking allow clients to update their progress in real time
• Classes
• Support groups
• Worksheets
• Journal

Journaling, for example, can help individuals express thoughts and emotions — a process that can enhance therapy. Moreover, goal and habit tracking allow clients to update their progress in real time. 

Cost and subscription options

BetterHelp offers a monthly subscription model, though clients can also choose to pay weekly. The weekly costs typically range from $70 to $100 per week, based on therapist availability, location, and other factors. Those who choose to be billed monthly will pay between $260 and $400 every four weeks. BetterHelp is beginning to accept health insurance in select states. Further, many insurance plans reimburse online therapy costs. Additionally, BetterHelp can offer financial aid to users based on financial status, potentially reducing the economic burden of mental health care. 

Who can use BetterHelp?

Adults aged 18 or older are able to use BetterHelp, while teens aged 13 to 19 can use its sister site, Teen Counseling. In general, BetterHelp users are care seekers looking to address various mental health concerns and life challenges. Individuals looking to foster emotional resilience, self-awareness, and personal growth can do so by working with a BetterHelp therapist. It’s important to reiterate, however, that BetterHelp therapists cannot diagnose mental health conditions or prescribe medication. If you’re seeking those services, consider consulting with your primary care provider, a psychiatrist, or a community mental health clinic.  

BetterHelp’s therapists: Qualifications and experience

BetterHelp’s therapist qualifications help ensure that clients receive thorough care via up-to-date treatment methods. BetterHelp professionals are licensed in their respective disciplines, having attained the necessary educational qualifications, completed training hours, and passed licensing exams. Most therapists center their practices around certain areas of the mental health field, such as mood disorders, ADHD, or couples counseling. These professionals often undergo specialized training, with many becoming certified in certain techniques or modalities. 

To help therapists provide the most up-to-date treatment, BetterHelp also offers continuing education opportunities. This allows providers to stay current on developments within their disciplines (e.g., new talk therapy modalities) while honing important skills (e.g., reading body language).

BetterHelp vs. traditional and community mental health options

With traditional therapy options, such as community mental health clinics, participants meet face to face with providers, which can involve commuting, sitting in a waiting room, and attending sessions during normal business hours. With an online service like BetterHelp, however, clients can engage in talk therapy from almost anywhere, at times that work for them. 

BetterHelp’s practices emphasize usability and affordability, helping make mental health care more readily available to those who need it. BetterHelp’s weekly membership costs, which range from $65 to $100, can be significantly lower than the cost of in-person therapy sessions, which may go over $300 in some cases. And, as we’ll discuss below, studies show that online therapy is as effective as in-person counseling when addressing a broad range of mental health conditions. 

Limitations and ethical practices

The professionals that work with BetterHelp have the skills and experience necessary to help address a range of mental health concerns through talk therapy. However, it’s important to note that BetterHelp’s practices are limited in certain ways. BetterHelp therapists cannot prescribe medication or diagnose mental health conditions. Additionally, therapists aren’t able to conduct formal psychological assessments during online sessions.

The role of support groups and psychoeducation within BetterHelp

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), support groups can reduce stigma associated with therapy for mental health. Besides online therapy, there are over 300 support groups on BetterHelp, offering opportunities to discuss concerns with peers and engage with the therapeutic process. (Support groups are also available on Regain and Teen Counseling.) These groups are moderated by therapists. 

How does peer support enhance the therapeutic process?

Support groups can help individuals connect with others, which may contribute to a sense of community. In regards to both in person and online participation, findings indicate that support groups can provide emotional support, boost self-esteem, and help users gain insights and strategies for coping with mental health concerns. The range of support groups on BetterHelp, Regain, and Teen Counseling ensures that individuals find others with similar concerns and interests. 

BetterHelp's resources for therapists 

BetterHelp therapists can reference a clinical resource library with more than 230 worksheets, assessments, and planning tools. These interactive resources address a range of mental health concerns and employ various treatment approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavioral therapy. In teen counseling, for example, dialectical behavioral therapy tools may be used to help teens manage emotions.

How do therapists use these resources?

As in traditional, in-person therapy, worksheets may be used to build skills, such as resilience, and foster self-exploration and discovery. Similarly, online therapy can draw on these resources. By tailoring worksheets and clinical assessments to their clients, such as adult individuals in BetterHelp and teens in Teen Counseling, therapists can meet the specific needs of clients and further address their mental health concerns. Assessments and scales can also bring clinical data to clients and therapists, possibly offering insights into the client's therapeutic journey. 

The benefits of online therapy

Among the key benefits of online therapy versus in-person therapy is that it offers convenience. A platform like BetterHelp, for example, may widen opportunities for individuals and couples to connect with licensed therapists to address challenges affecting mental health, well-being, and relationships. A person can also choose which type of live session modality suits them—videoconferencing, live chat, or phone—which could enhance a person's therapeutic experience. Additionally, parents can also seek therapy for their teenager through BetterHelp's Teen Counseling. 

How effective is online therapy?

Many studies support the use of online therapy, such as virtual therapy via BetterHelp, to address a variety of mental health concerns. A review of 24 studies suggests that online therapy can be comparable to in-person therapy for alleviating symptoms of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and adjustment disorder. The results of these studies led the researchers to conclude that there was "sufficient evidence to support" therapy by phone and videoconferencing. Other findings also suggest that teen counseling online may help teens manage emotions, stress, and challenges affecting their mental health.