What To Do If Your BetterHelp Therapist Isn’t The Right Fit
When sessions are covered, members typically pay an average copay of about $23 per session. Check your in-network status on the BetterHelp site. Coverage varies by state and provider availability. Get started today.
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.
If your therapist isn’t the right fit, you can change at any time. On the BetterHelp platform, navigate to the “My Therapist” section under account settings, then click on “request a new provider.”
While BetterHelp offers a wide selection of therapists, your first match might not always be quite right. If your therapy sessions consistently leave you feeling drained, frustrated, or unheard, it may be worth exploring other therapists. BetterHelp’s platform allows clients the option of switching providers easily, without needing to explain themselves or seek approval. To make a change, visit your account settings, find the section titled “My Therapist,” and request a new provider. Clients can then explore new therapists based on their individual needs and preferences.
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Find the right therapist for you.
What type of therapy are you looking for?
Let's walk through the process of finding the right therapist for you! We'll start off with some basic questions.
What can therapy do for your mental health?
When therapy is performed with compassion, care, and an understanding of your individual needs, it may help you better understand your emotions, foster a healthier lifestyle, and cope with various mental health symptoms. For many, the goal of therapy is to improve overall health and well-being.
Research suggests that psychotherapy can often be an effective form of treatment for:
- Mood disorders
- Anxiety
- Substance use disorders
- Depression
- Other mental health concerns
Therefore, clients often find seeking therapy to be a worthwhile step toward healing, growth, and long-term mental wellness. Research suggests that around 75% of people who enter therapy receive some benefit from it.
What BetterHelp therapists can offer
BetterHelp therapists are trained, licensed mental health professionals who can offer evidence-based support remotely. Via internet, these professionals can use talk therapy methods like cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and many others to provide emotional support and care to clients.
While BetterHelp therapists aren’t permitted to diagnose mental health conditions online, prescribe medication, or offer medication management, they may treat the symptoms of many different mental illnesses and help clients cope with the challenges of everyday life. Note that in-person care may be necessary for those who need psychiatry services.
How can I find a therapist that suits my needs?
A given therapist will typically receive training in certain specialties, use particular approaches, and serve specific populations, so finding one whose expertise aligns with your needs can be helpful. Finding a therapist who understands your background, culture, communication style, and personal experiences may also be an important factor. While this process can sometimes be time-consuming when searching for in-person care or using other online therapy platforms, BetterHelp makes it easier.
How BetterHelp’s matching process works
BetterHelp makes the task of finding a therapist easier through its matching process. To start, clients are asked to fill out a brief questionnaire about their mental health needs, preferences, and therapy goals. The questionnaire also gives clients the option to request a therapist who shares their gender identity, cultural background, racial identity, or religious beliefs, if desired. Then, BetterHelp can match them with a therapist accordingly.
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What finding the right therapist can look like
The right therapist for you is typically someone who makes you feel safe, heard, and supported. For some people, this may be a therapist who shares their identity (e.g., racial background, LGBTQ+ identity) or some of their key life experiences (e.g., growing up in a certain religion, being an immigrant). You may also benefit from a therapist who has a personality and a general therapeutic style that you respond to—like direct vs. gentle or flexible vs. structured.
The right therapist for you will typically also have the right credentials and professional experience in the areas you need help with. For example, you might need a provider who specializes in treating depression or ADHD, or one who has the necessary education and hands-on experience to practice a specific therapy modality.
BetterHelp therapists are required to have the same qualifications as in-person therapists, such as a master’s degree or doctorate degree and the appropriate licensure. On the platform, you may find the following types of professionals who have a wide variety of experience and expertise:
- Licensed professional counselors
- Clinical social workers
- Licensed marriage and family therapists
- Accredited psychologists
Why finding the right therapist matters
Research suggests that a strong therapist-client relationship may promote better therapy outcomes. Online or in-person therapists who don’t make you feel comfortable, can’t understand your experiences, or can’t offer the type of care you need may negatively impact your progress and even make you less likely to continue attending sessions. Keep in mind that it often takes time to establish trust with a new therapist and put your nervous system at ease, so some patience and a good-faith effort to connect may be helpful on your part.
What are signs your BetterHelp therapist may not be the right fit?
While BetterHelp offers a wide selection of many therapists, the first match might not always be quite right. In some cases, you might find this discrepancy obvious, but other times, the signs are more subtle. For example, if your therapy sessions consistently leave you feeling drained, frustrated, or unheard, it may be worth exploring other therapists. While some therapy sessions may be more emotionally difficult than others by nature, you should never feel disrespected, ignored, or invalidated. Also, if your therapist shows inappropriate or unethical behavior, it’s commonly recommended that you switch providers right away and report them.
Below are some other signs your therapist may not be the right match:
- You feel uncomfortable sharing personal thoughts, feelings, or mental health symptoms with them
- You believe your experiences are being judged, misunderstood, or dismissed
- The therapist pushes their values, beliefs, or political opinions onto you
- The treatment plan doesn’t seem to improve your symptoms
- The therapist is frequently late to sessions or appears disengaged when you speak
- The therapist’s approach, identity, or experience simply does not align with your needs
- Your free time and the therapist availability for scheduled sessions don’t line up
During and after individual therapy sessions, clients should generally feel understood, empowered, and safe, while also making meaningful progress toward their mental health goals. If any issue is preventing this, switching is always an option.
What is the BetterHelp process of switching therapists?
With in-person therapy options, switching providers can often be logistically difficult. With BetterHelp’s mental health services, however, you can get matched with a new provider in just a few clicks and at no extra cost. Simply navigate to the “My Therapist” section in your account settings and request a new provider. Your former therapist will be notified so you don’t have to let them know.
How does BetterHelp make switching therapists easy?
When switching your therapist on BetterHelp, keep the following points in mind:
- You can make a change at any time, at no extra cost.
- You don’t need to notify your current therapist, since BetterHelp will handle it for you.
- It’s common for users to switch therapists a few times until they find the right match.
- You can switch your therapist even if you’ve already done so before.
- You may have the option to choose a new licensed therapist from a list of providers instead of being matched.
After making a change, you may choose to leave a review about what did or didn’t work with your previous therapist. This feedback can help BetterHelp match more effectively in the future.
What should I consider before switching therapists?
Before requesting a new therapist, you might reflect on your current therapy experience. Consider the relationship status and its quality, whether the treatments being used are helping, if you feel safe and supported, how your therapist responds to your concerns, and whether their communication style aligns with your needs.
Should I give it a few sessions before switching?
Since it can take time for clients to be comfortable in clinical settings, for therapists to fully understand their clients’ needs, and for a strong therapeutic relationship to form, it may be helpful to give your therapist a few sessions before exploring other options. Allowing time also gives you the chance to experience their therapeutic style and approach. That said, there’s no minimum number of sessions you need to attend before switching, and you may feel empowered to make a change at any time—whether it’s been one session or more than a month.
Being honest with your therapist
While it may be the therapist’s job to help you feel comfortable opening up, being honest and vulnerable as you communicate with them can often be important too. Research suggests that effective therapist-client communication is linked to higher client satisfaction, better health outcomes, and improved emotional regulation. Being open and honest with your therapist may help make the process more productive and meaningful.
How can you give your therapist constructive feedback?
Whether you're deciding to make a change or looking to improve the quality of your sessions, providing your therapist with feedback can help them better understand your needs. When starting the conversation, you might:
- Focus on the positives
- Clarify your therapy goals, expressing where adjustments could be made
- Be specific or provide examples (e.g., “I feel rushed during sessions” or “I’d like more structured guidance”)
Throughout the conversation, being respectful and empathetic can make the experience more effective.
Getting the most out of therapy with a new provider
If you decide to switch therapists, a few tips may help you set yourself up for success after you get matched with a new provider. First, you might prepare for your first session ahead of time by clarifying your goals for how you want to grow in therapy, making any adjustments as necessary based on what you learned with your last provider. That way, you can communicate the goals clearly to your new provider during the first session.
If you feel comfortable, you may also share what didn’t work for you with your old therapist. This feedback might help your new therapist know how to best provide you with care. Finally, you may feel empowered to evaluate this new relationship in depth over time to ensure a good fit. If you need to switch therapists again, you can do so.
Exploring the benefits of online therapy
Platforms like BetterHelp and other online therapy services offer quality care that can be flexible, convenient, and affordable, making therapy in this format more widely available to people from diverse backgrounds. Once you’ve been matched with a BetterHelp therapist, you can meet with them remotely for live sessions using video chat, phone, or text therapy methods. You’ll also have unlimited messaging capabilities, so you can message your therapist through the platform any time outside of sessions and they’ll respond when they’re able to.
Finding the right therapist isn’t just important – it’s everything.
Find your matchHow much does online therapy cost?
The cost of virtual therapy (including the BetterHelp cost) tends to be lower than the cost of in-person sessions at a therapist’s office without insurance. A BetterHelp subscription in the US ranges from $70–$100 per week, based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability, and any applicable discounts or promotions. (Rates for international users vary based on country and other factors.)
If you have insurance coverage, note that some US-based BetterHelp therapists now accept select insurance plans. You can sign up with BetterHelp or contact your insurance company to find out more and locate a provider who takes insurance that you have, if applicable. For qualifying non-insurance users, financial aid is available. BetterHelp also accepts HSA/FSA cards as payment.
What does the research say about online therapy vs. in-person therapy?
While there are some differences between online and in-person therapy, including cost, convenience, and communication, the choice ultimately depends on individual preferences. Research suggests that there is typically no significant difference in effectiveness between the two when it comes to treating mild to moderate mental health conditions. Regardless of the setting, forming a strong connection with your therapist may improve the therapeutic experience.
Takeaway
Therapy may be a powerful tool to enhance mental health, strengthen interpersonal relationships, and navigate life’s challenges. However, if your therapist isn’t the right fit, sessions may be uncomfortable, unproductive, or disconnected. BetterHelp makes it easy to request a change in therapist at no extra cost and without you having to notify your current therapist. Before doing so, you might reflect on your therapeutic experience and explore ways to improve the relationship. If that’s not effective, the flexibility of online options can make it easy to find a new provider who helps you work toward your goals.
What if I do not like my BetterHelp therapist?
If you don’t like your BetterHelp therapist, you’re free to switch to a new provider at any time for no additional cost. With BetterHelp online therapy services, clients can switch therapists until they find the right fit.
How can you tell if a therapist is a bad fit?
A therapist who is a bad fit for you may not have the shared identity or expertise to understand your experiences or provide the type of care you need, or they may not make you feel heard and supported. Your therapist might not be helping you if you can relate to many of the following:
- You’re not making progress after many weeks of therapy.
- Your therapist doesn’t respect your preference for phone, chat, or video sessions (if applicable).
- They frequently talk about themselves during your session, and it makes you uncomfortable.
- They harm you with their words or actions in any way.
- Your therapist doesn’t seem to have a sense of empathy for your struggles.
- Your therapist’s skills don’t align with the modality you were looking for when signing up for therapy.
- The type of therapist you’re seeing doesn’t match your needs (individual therapy vs. couples therapy, missing a certain specialty or expertise, etc.)
- You don’t connect with your therapist and don’t like them as a person.
- You’re unsure about the effectiveness of their chosen practice or modality.
- You dread going to therapy because you don’t enjoy talking to your therapist.
How many sessions do you need to know if a therapist is a good fit?
It’s often recommended that you give a new therapist a few sessions before deciding whether to continue with them. However, some people may know by the end of the first session that a particular therapist isn’t right for them. Each situation can be different, and it may help to be patient while being honest with yourself about how your therapist makes you feel.
What is the two-year rule for therapists?
The two-year rule refers to a guideline stating that mental health professionals cannot begin a personal relationship with a client until two years have passed since the termination of services. It’s considered unethical for therapists to have personal relationships with current or recent clients.
Can you change your therapist on BetterHelp?
Yes; you can change therapists on BetterHelp at any time, for any reason, and without incurring an additional charge. Simply navigate to your account settings, find the section titled “My Therapist,” and request a new provider.
How to politely switch therapists?
In general, therapists may understand the importance of a good match and that they won’t be the right fit for every client, so you might simply tell them that you’re moving on. You might tell them directly at the end of your last session or message them afterward. They may ask for feedback, but you don’t have to share if you don’t feel comfortable.
How do you know when it is time to switch therapists?
It might be time to think about switching therapists if you’re consistently feeling drained, frustrated, unheard, or unsupported by your provider. You might also consider switching if you’ve realized that your therapist doesn’t have the expertise or training to offer the specific type of care you may need.
How to recognize a bad therapist?
A bad therapist may make their client feel unsupported, unheard, or uncomfortable. They may seem disengaged or dismissive, or they might make inappropriate comments. If you’ve been meeting with a bad therapist or one who simply doesn’t feel like a good match for your needs, you can feel empowered to switch.
What is a therapist not allowed to do?
Licensed therapists in the US generally must follow certain rules of conduct, so they may not be allowed to do things like date current clients or share sensitive client details with the public. If you’re concerned that your therapist is behaving inappropriately, you can feel empowered to switch providers at any time.
What is the most common ethical violation in counseling?
According to a review of ethical violations in counseling in one state between 1999–2019, counselors having sexual relationships with clients was the most common. If your counselor violates ethical standards during your treatment, you can feel empowered to switch therapists and report them.
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