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What is Online Therapy?

You can't talk about online therapy, without talking about the experienced and licensed professionals that provide the help and support that people are looking for online... that is, there therapists.

The more than 3,900 therapists currently available on the BetterHelp.com platform should be recognized as professionals who are licensed practitioners of mental health care. There are many different types of therapists that are able to help our online users with a variety of important concerns online at a time and location best suited for the user. Psychotherapists help those who are having mental problems, dealing with marriage and family concerns, or other challenges in life. For example, if someone has depression, an online therapist can help them get back on schedule and manage those depressive episodes. A couples' therapist can help couples that are having marriage issues using our online platform with scheduled sessions. We even have teenage therapists online that can help a middle or high schooler with things teens face on a day to day basis.

An online therapist is a therapist who communicates with you remotely through the Internet; providing web therapy services online using our platform. You can talk with them using a computer, tablet, smartphone, and any other device that can use an Internet connection.

Why Online Therapy is More Popular Than Traditional Therapy The Many Ways You Can Talk to a Therapist Online Online Therapy Testimonials The Benefits of Online Therapy Therapy FAQs Choosing a Therapist Issues With Online Therapy Interesting Facts About Online Therapy About BetterHelp - The Leader In Online Therapy Services

Why Online Therapy is More Popular Than Traditional Therapy

Online therapy (also known as e-therapy, internet psychotherapy, distance therapy, etc) is becoming quite popular as of late, and this fact is becoming more well known with the passing of time. Not only have we been able to help facilitate more than 41 MILLION therapy sessions online with one of our licensed counselors, but we have 1,000s of reviews from real users of our platform sharing their positive experiences that have come from working with a BetterHelp therapist.

We encourage you to take the time needed to see what some of our users are saying about our online platform, and our platform has assisted them with their mental health and wellness.

In addition to what real people are saying about online therapy services offered here at BetterHelp.com, you might find it beneficial to see some of the most common benefits that our users have most appreciated as indicated below:

  • For those with disabilities:

    • Someone who can't walk may find the traveling required to visit a therapist's office every week quite difficult. When working with a therapist online however, that can completely remove the next for typical in-office therapy sessions. Examples like this are one of the many reasons why an increasing number of people appreciate the features often associated with technology based psychotherapy such as video or texting therapy. Additionally, finding and working with one of the many therapists available & helping people online has become a very useful option for someone who is able-bodied but has a fear of going outdoors, and as a result, would prefer not requiring visits at a therapist's office in-person.

 

  • Location and transportation problems:

    • With a growing number of people living in rural areas away from large cities and towns that typically have a variety of therapists available, working with a licensed professional online has added benefit. Regardless of how far away they might physically be, therapy sessions online are a very useful tool for people that depend on this type of support but are not in a geographical location with available therapists. The same would apply for someone that does not have reliable transportation needed for therapy appointments in-person, which is why more and more people are signing up for sessions with online therapists.

 

  • It's good for those who have trouble communicating:

    • Some people can't talk at all, or have trouble talking with strangers face-to-face. Online therapy can help anyone having problems with verbal communication have an alternative form of communication that makes them feel more comfortable; whether that means making use of therapy chat sessions online or other types of computerized psychological treatments.

 

  • You can communicate with someone on your own schedule:

    • Online therapy is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Meanwhile, for traditional therapy, it can be a little more difficult fitting it into your schedule if you have a busy life. A stressed-out college kid who has a job on the side may find it difficult being present for in-office therapy visits, but when working with one of the 1,000s of online therapists, that's a problem that can be avoided entirely.

 

  • Confidentiality:

    • There's less of a risk of bumping into someone you know or having someone see you pull into therapist's office for a scheduled in-person psychotherapy appointment. Despite some people having issues and reservations about e-therapy in general, this is yet another benefit as it relates to privacy.

 

  • Lower costs:

  • Online therapy typically costs less because many of the counselors work from home and don't have common expenses like a need for a separate office, etc. These added expenses for therapists generally increases their overhead and results in them charging higher prices for therapy sessions with their clients. On the other hand, online therapists can keep their costs low, and as a result, focus on helping their clients with important life issues and other mental illness & health-related concerns.
therapy services using a phone
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The Many Ways You Can Talk to a Therapist Online

use texting for therapy sessions online Texting
Using an online therapy app, you can message your therapist through instant text messaging. As you can probably expect from an instant message, it provides quick advice. However, the problem with texting therapy is that the messages tend to be shorter or less thought out. When you need instant relief, texting is the way to go.
communication via email with therapy session online E-mailing
Emailing your therapist allows you to provide a more detailed message, and the therapist can formulate a more detailed response as a result. What is a disadvantage of email and text messaging is that it doesn't allow for body language or tone of voice, which are typically important in a traditional therapy session.
online communication using voice for therapy Voice chat
Using the mobile phone or an app, you can speak to the therapist through voice. This allows for tone and emotions to come through, but no body language.
online video sessions for therapy appointments Video chat
Video chatting is always ideal if you want an experience that is almost the same as visiting a traditional counselor. You can see both body language and tone.

Online Therapy Testimonials

LMFT providing online therapy sessions Cynthia Wiedemann(LMFT) & Online Therapist

"I am surprised at how positive I've found the online therapy experience to be, and Cynthia is no small part of that. It is wonderful to feel like I have a helpline when I need it and I trust her to respond thoughtfully and with all the weight of her experience and expertise."

Written by A.L.

have therapy sessions online with Psy.D Dr. Eileen Norton(Psy.D.) & Online Counselor

"Dr. Norton is patient and kind. Allows me the space to process my feelings, as well as offers suggestions and helpful advice. I am so happy I decided to do online therapy."

Written by M.A.

professional LCSW offering online therapy services Esther Gottlieb(LCSW) - Online BetterHelp Therapist

"Esther has been really great. She's incredible, attentive and knowledgeable. I was worried going into online therapy about not being able to communicate my thoughts and feelings very well through text but Esther has been patient, understanding and kind throughout all of this."

Written by K.E.

licensed and professional online therapists can help you Elaine Bonitatibus(MSW, LCSW, LICSW) - BetterHelp Therapist Online

"While I wasn't looking forward to signing up for any kind of therapy, Elaine is easy to talk to and has already helped in a lot of ways with how I cope with anxiety despite me being sort of new here. Would definitely recommend her expertise to anyone with a habit of worrying excessively."

Written by K.A.

The above written and video testimonials about our e-therapy services are just a few of the 1,000s of that we've received over the years from our users that have benefited from using the BetterHelp platform and being connected to one of our therapists.

Not only to these comments help us appreciate that fact that we're providing a service that really helps people, with a mental illness or other life issue, but it also results in us creating both a better psychotherapy product and service.

With that in mind, as long as we're in a position to help people connect with a licensed professional... we’ll be working hard to help as many people as possible that cannot benefit from typical in-office therapy visits to get them using the internet to get the support they need by using video, telephone, and texting therapy.

You still might be wondering... "how can this kind of therapy work for someone like me?" If that is the case, please take a look at some of our other reviews to see how our online therapists have been able to help people in more than 37 million online sessions.

The Benefits of Online Therapy

- Therapy Benefit #1 = Low-cost treatment:

For many people interested in therapy in the United States, finding an affordable option can be a challenge; which is a primary reason that working with an online therapist has become increasingly popular. Even if you have traditional health insurance, therapists often don't take insurance; which means potential clients must pay out of pocket. It starts with doing the hard work of seeking help, and then the therapist expects for the payment for the session take care of up front; which can cost over $200. When comparing that experience with online therapy, those in-person sessions generally don't include phone, video, or texting therapy sessions. (More about these types of online sessions from an interesting study about a randomized controlled trial here.)

If your insurance company will cover the cost of your sessions with a therapist (or part of the cost), getting reimbursed by the health insurance company is not always a simple process. With online therapy, sessions are much more affordable and can fit into your budget so you can get help for your mental health and wellness. Therapy sessions online typically range from $40-$70, and you can contact your online therapist as much as you need using unlimited messaging in between scheduled sessions.

- Therapy Benefit #2 = Accessibility:

There are a variety of ways of communicating with your online therapist, whether that's on the phone, via messenger or during video chats; which means visiting your therapist's office in person isn't required. Additionally, you can select and identify whatever matter you need assistance with, whether it's personal (like depression, anxiety or eating disorders) or you would like a couples therapy session online.

It's a fact that people express their emotions in different ways, and it's not always easy being open and honest about your feelings sitting in a therapist's office. For people with social anxiety, it could exacerbate their anxious feelings, making them feel like shutting down. Whereas, with online therapy, if you're struggling with social anxiety or severe trauma you can take the time needed for getting comfortable with your therapist. Maybe you start with online messaging and build up to sessions that are mostly or all via video chats.

- Therapy Benefit #3 = Intimacy:

There's something intimate about communicating with a therapist in the privacy of your own home or a space that you've chosen for your therapy sessions. With a traditional therapist, you're on their turf and in their environment during a session. The therapist typically chooses the place for treatment, and you're a visitor in their space.

With online therapy, you're in control of where you receive care for your mental health whether you're using video or unlimited messaging therapy. If you're experiencing panic, sometimes being in familiar surroundings helps rather than having to be in a space or environment you're uncomfortable with. It is for reasons like these that this type of online therapy is an excellent alternative to visiting a local therapist's office. You choose the surroundings, and you control when and how you get the help you need.

- Therapy Benefit #4 = Choices:

There are so many different online therapists you can choose from in our network; more than 3,800 to be exact. When you're looking through your health insurance company's list of providers, you may not see a therapist who treats your mental health issues or anyone who you find that is best suited for you. Whereas with online therapy there are so many licensed & experienced professionals available, it's very likely that you'll find one whom you click with that treats your mental health issue.

When you see how many online therapists are available that can help you, you'll soon realize that there's hope that things can change and get better. We're confident that there's an online therapist out there for you specifically to help deal with tough times. No matter how you discovered our page here at BetterHelp.com, even if it was a result of looking for any of the below commonly searched for types of support & help... we can get you matched today:

  • E-Therapy (or E Therapy)
  • Internet Therapy
  • Talk Therapy Online
  • Web-Based Therapy
  • Interactive Therapist
  • Therapy App
  • Therapy At Home
  • Text Based Therapy (or Therapy Via Text)
  • Phone Therapy (or Call Therapy)
  • Virtual Mental Health Therapy
  • Online Therapists
  • Online Therapy
  • Online Therapist
  • Therapist Online
  • Therapy Online
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Therapy FAQ

That's up to you. No matter who you choose, your therapist will be a licensed mental health professional with a wealth of experience in the field. Their credentials are listed on their BetterHelp profile, and you have the right to pick whichever online therapist fits your particular needs. Maybe you want to learn how to manage anxiety. Perhaps you're looking to leave an abusive relationship, but you're having trouble setting boundaries. These are issues that the online therapists at BetterHelp are familiar with treating and can support you while you confront them.
When you're seeking a romantic partner, you're bound to meet people you don't want to date. The same principle applies to online therapy. If you don't click with your online therapist, you can choose another one who works for you and your needs; something that isn't always easy to do with in-office therapy. You've done something positive for your mental health by signing up for online therapy, and you deserve to see a provider who gets you so you can get support and learn to cope with your life challenges.
The beauty of online therapy is how easy it is to find someone willing to work with your hectic schedule. You might work a graveyard shift and think it's nearly impossible to find a therapist ready to see you. You can find an excellent provider who wants to find time to meet with you when you're available, whether that means during a phone conversation, video call or sending text messages. Your therapist is there to help you, and they want to make therapy a convenient and comfortable experience; even if you're unable to have traditional face-to-face therapy sessions.
Over 40,000,000 sessions show that BetterHelp does work and online therapy helps people manage their emotions and live a healthy life. Several glowing testimonials show how much clients are benefiting from their experiences with online therapists. There have also been well-documented studies about the benefits and impact of Telemental Health Services (aka... therapy online). 

Linda Godleski, M.D.; Adam Darkins, M.D., M.P.H.; John Peters, M.S. (2014) Outcomes of 98,609 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Patients Enrolled in Telemental Health Services, 2006–2010 https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/appi.ps.201100206

Wantland, D. J., Portillo, C. J., Holzemer, W. L., Slaughter, R., & McGhee, E. M. (2004). The effectiveness of Web-based vs. non-Web-based interventions: a meta-analysis of behavioral change outcomes. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 6(4). http://www.jmir.org/2004/4/e40/



Whether you're here to talk about finding a romantic partner, psychological treatments for adult depression, seeking cognitive behaviour therapy, or working through the death of a loved one, our licensed therapists can help.

Choosing a Therapist

With online therapy, you can choose between many different licensed therapists who are ready to speak to you. Working with a therapist online comes with the recognition that finding the best fit in this regard is a good thing, and thus they can match you by preference.
find the online therapy professional that is right for you

Issues With Online Therapy

Even though online therapy has much potential, it's not without its concerns.

  • Privacy concerns. Don't get us wrong; online therapy has a secrecy oath, just like traditional therapy. The problem is that this form of therapy creates the possibility of spealing with your therapist just about anywhere. If you're goal is for therapy sessions is to be secret, there's a chance that someone can hear you, look at your phone, or even recognize you during a video chat. On the other hand, it's important to keep in mind that your therapist should perform the session in the most private and discrete way possible.
  • You don't know who you're speaking with at times. This is not the case with licensed therapist hubs such as BetterHelp, which have licensed therapists ready for you. However, if you're talking with an individual outside of our system, you should check and make sure they are who they say they are. While anyone can give advice and help you, if you want professional therapy, you should make sure they're a licensed professional.
  • Online therapy isn't accepted or covered by many health insurance agencies. This is not the fault of this kind of therapy per se, but instead the slow progress of an insurance provider. It can take them a while before they accept that a treatment method is proven effective, and until then, they usually hold out on giving anyone insurance coverage. It would be best for you to ensure that they can give you the help you need and deserve. If enough people demand it, the coverage may change.

Interesting Facts About Online Therapy

an online checklist for therapy sessions
  • Ever wanted to know about the first computer therapy session? It first started over 45 years ago, in 1972. Two computers, connected between UCLA and Stanford, had a simulated therapy session; remember, this was at a time where in-office therapy was basically the only option available to most people.
  • Another effective form of therapy is group therapy, where people who have a similar problem work together to find solutions and help cope. 1993 had the first online depression support group formed thanks to Depression Central.
  • As the Internet became more public, a popular way to communicate between two parties was a chat room; using either text typing or video chats. Strangers would meet and have a conversation. In 1995, it was discovered that a chat room could be used for therapy, and the first online chat service was formed. London-based Pink Practice allowed people to receive advice and other services by chatting.
  • Four in five Internet users have searched something related to mental health. If you think you're alone with your problems, you're wrong. Many people are dealing with mental wellness & health troubles, so don't feel like your problems are alone. Everyone has some sort of mental trial he or she may go through, and there is no shame in talking to someone who can help whether that means in-office therapy visits or online.
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About BetterHelp - The Leader In Online Therapy Services

get started with online therapy today

BetterHelp is an online counseling service designed to help people who are struggling with anxiety, depression, or just need an experienced and licensed theapist to talk to or get advice from. You're not alone, and we're ready to help you get well. It's easy to find a therapist online who can treat your important life concerns. We've helped facilitate millions of online counseling and therapy sessions for our users to help them get help with issues like PTSD and manage chronic mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder. You don't have to suffer anymore, and you can find the right match without having to look for long at all. With thousands of counselors online available, you can find the counselor you need and be able to improve your life. 

For more information about the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, please visit the American Psychological Association that apply to our therapists & their sessions.

To follow us and our online mental health and wellness initiatives on our social channels, you can follow us on Pinterest, LinkedIn, Google+, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

For more information about our company & therapy services, please visit our FAQ section and learn more about our founder. To learn more about online therapy and if it’s right for you, take a look at our video about therapy online covering the topic. If you have questions for us, please reach us on our contact page or send an email to contact@betterhelp.com.

If you are in a crisis or any other person may be in danger - don't use this site's online therapy services. Call +1 (800) 273-8255 or 911 which can provide you with immediate help.