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Therapy for Depression

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Eligible insured members pay an average copay of $23/session*

What you might be experiencing

No calling around to find a therapist when you have no motivation

No commuting to an office when you have no energy

No getting ready for appointments when taking care of yourself feels impossible

No running into people you know when you’re worried about judgments from others

No waiting until your appointment to talk about the symptoms that disrupt your life

How therapy adapts to depression

Simply fill out a short questionnaire to get matched with a licensed therapist who specializes in depression.

Meet with your therapist right where you are, even from bed.

Have virtual therapy sessions with your camera off, without changing out of your pajamas.

Connect with your therapist wherever and however you feel most comfortable (video, phone, or live chat).

Message your therapist at any time, even at 2 a.m., and they will respond when they can.

How depression therapy works on BetterHelp

BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed therapist who specializes in depression for accessible care, completely online. Signing up to get talk therapy treatment through BetterHelp is a simple process:

Woman using a laptop for online therapy at home.
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Fill out a 5-minute assessment.

Complete a short assessment about your symptoms, your therapy goals, and your needs in a therapist to help inform accurate diagnosis and care plan.

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Get your monthly cost estimate.

Receive a monthly quote for online therapy; cost is typically $70-100/week billed weekly or monthly. Subscription pricing is based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability, and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply. Financial aid is available to those who qualify, and most subscriptions are eligible expenses under FSA/HSA accounts.

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Most match with a therapist in 24-48 hours.

Get matched with a licensed therapist based on your questionnaire. Many people can be matched in as little as 48 hours.

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Start therapy.

Attend virtual therapy sessions from the comfort of home, via video, phone, or chat, which can make it easier to seek support while staying connected with family members and daily routines. You can message your therapist any time if you find yourself needing support in between therapy sessions, making it easier to treat depression consistently.

Get ongoing support outside of sessions.
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Get ongoing support outside of sessions.

Take advantage of a massive library of worksheets, goal and habit tracking tools, journaling, 300+ support groups, and 35+ educational classes to accelerate your healing journey, supporting healthy habits like exercise and a healthy diet.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Restructure negative thought patterns

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): Learn distress tolerance

Interpersonal therapy (IPT): Strengthen communication and relationships

Psychodynamic psychotherapy: Understand underlying emotional causes

Mindfulness and acceptance-based approaches: Build coping skills and resilience

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Cost of therapy for depression

72%

of BetterHelp users experienced a reduction in symptoms in 12 weeks

4.9 out of 5

average rating for a live session, from over 1.7 million client ratings

82%

of clients in treatment likely to recommend their therapist to others

93%

of use preferences met when matching with a therapist

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Online therapy vs. in-person therapy

While virtual therapy can be beneficial and effective for a range of mental health concerns, for individuals experiencing severe symptoms of depression, seeking in-person therapy may be more appropriate.

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Medication options

For those interested in exploring medication options for depression treatment, it is important to note that while the therapists on the BetterHelp platform only provide talk therapy, BetterHelp now offers psychiatry as an additional care option through UpLift.

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Is online therapy right for me?

If you have questions about whether BetterHelp might be right for you, you can talk with your therapist to learn more about online therapy for depression and help you determine how you want to move forward.

What progress actually feels like: A roadmap for depression therapy

Woman using a laptop for online therapy at home.
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Before the first therapy session

Many people feel nervous or stressed about what's to come, which is completely natural. Be kind to yourself and celebrate your decision to seek help. Oftentimes, the first step is the hardest, but once you take it, you're on your way.

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First few sessions

Many people experience a noticeable sense of relief from simply feeling heard and being able to speak freely in a safe space. Being able to open up about what you've been experiencing can often bring real comfort, and talking with a trained mental health professional can help you realize you are not alone and you were never "broken."

Therapist video call on laptop at home desk.
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Weeks 4 to 6

Many people start noticing small but meaningful changes in their daily lives, such as sleeping a little better, feeling slightly less irritable, or finding tasks like showering to be a little more doable. As you work with your therapist to unpack your experiences and learn new ways to cope, you may start to see the weight of depression lighten and various parts of daily life become a little more manageable.

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Weeks 8 to 12

Many people experience significant symptom relief: BetterHelp's results show that 72% of users experience a measurable reduction in depression symptoms at 12 weeks. For some, a reduction in depression symptoms might look like having more energy; for others, it might mean showing up more fully in relationships and self-isolating less often. Exactly how this progress looks can vary, but it can involve meaningful improvements in your quality of life.

Get ongoing support outside of sessions.
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After week 12

Some people may be ready to take what they've learned in therapy and apply it on their own, and others may prefer to continue improving their mental health with support from a licensed therapist. For those who continue with therapy, sessions can provide a safe space and ongoing support with the various challenges of life, helping them achieve their goals, build healthier habits, and cultivate more fulfilling relationships.

Built-in Flexibility That Evolves with You

  • Some weeks, you may be feeling particularly low and choose to have a live text session with your therapist, so that you can get support without even speaking.

  • Other weeks, you may feel more energized and choose to have a video session, complete mental health worksheets, join support groups, and take classes to help you accelerate your progress.

  • Over time, you might even decide that you want to switch to a different therapist who takes a different approach, which you can do easily in just a few clicks.

BetterHelp Reviews & Success Stories

Hear from real users about their experience in our more than 60,000 5-star reviews:

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“Michelle helps me tremendously to work through my grief journey and the anxiety and stress. She arms me with appropriate coping mechanisms and to understand sometimes you just need to be sad, as long as you don't stay there. She communicates effectively, quickly and remembers my story and all the characters involved- very important to me. Would highly recommend”

Date of review • 9 décembre 2025

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“I love Jan! She is so helpful. I cannot say enough positive things about her as a therapist. I know that if I am feeling down, stressed, anxious, or sad – Jan will help me process my emotions and work towards a better path.”

Date of review • 24 novembre 2025

“Perry has been amazing to work with. She understands where my struggles are and helps direct me with appropriate guidance and resources. She has a strong understanding of people and how our bodies and minds work. It is refreshing to have a therapist that is extremely knowledgeable, kind and caring. I truly appreciate her and highly recommend her. I can see the happier version of myself coming back out. Which is amazing to feel again. Thank you, Perry!!”

Date of review • 10 décembre 2025

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“I love that she gives so many different options to try to get through anxiety and depression. She’s very knowledgeable, friendly, and listens well.”

Date of review • 17 novembre 2025