Online therapy has helped millions of people all over the world. As a global leader in mental health counseling, BetterHelp is designed to help people feel better. Get matched with an experienced, licensed therapist today.
Online Therapy With BetterHelp
A licensed therapist at BetterHelp can address things like depression, anxiety, anger, raising children, and other specific mental health conditions, problems, or illnesses. Therapists help people feel their best, improve mental health, and strengthen relationships. Online therapy is designed to make it as easy as possible to get the help and support you need without even having to leave the house.
All 20,000+ licensed mental health professionals and therapists currently available on the BetterHelp.com platform are experienced practitioners; with various training from different schools. Our online therapists come from a wide array of different backgrounds, practices, beliefs, and cultures.
Some counseling approaches and specialties that our therapists focus on include mental health care and wellness, marriage and family concerns, couples therapy, addiction, gender, and more. For example, if someone has depression, anxiety, panic disorder, or another mental health condition, speaking with a therapist through the BetterHelp platform who is experienced in this realm can help the individual recover, regain their energy, and move forward in life in a productive and meaningful way. Couples therapists on our platform help couples with marriage, trust, or other relationship issues via couples counseling sessions. We even have psychologists for teenagers who can help navigate the concerns that teens face daily.
BetterHelp counseling offers affordable therapy as an alternative to in-office therapy that allows a therapist to communicate with you remotely through text based chat, phone calls, or video calls. By choosing what method works best for you, you can get the help you need when you need it, and how you need it.
Benefits Of Online Therapy With A BetterHelp Therapist
Online therapy (also sometimes referred to as e-therapy, internet therapy, or distance therapy) with a licensed therapist is becoming a leading part of mental health treatment efficacy, and for a good reason. Getting support in a more accessible and immediate way is beneficial to many with tight schedules or lack of access to transportation. Not only have we facilitated more than 200 million sessions on our platform, but we have thousands of reviews and feedback from real users of our platform sharing their positive experiences.
Accessible And Affordable
One of the biggest differences between counseling online and traditional in-person therapy is that you can speak to your therapist anytime and anywhere. All you need is an internet connection. Online therapy costs less because therapists are able to work from their home and thus don't have common expenses such as paying rent for an in-person office space or paying for transportation to and from their office for face-to-face therapy. These added expenses for a therapist generally increase their overhead, making it more expensive and less cost-effective. Working through an online platform can often keep their costs lower and allow them to reach a more diverse audience with a variety of payment options. The cost of counseling on the BetterHelp ranges from $60 to $90 per week, billed every 4 weeks; you can cancel your membership at anytime for any reason.
No Location Or Insurance Issues
While metropolitan areas and cities generally have a large number of therapists available, these locations only make up a portion of the country. Rural and suburban areas generally have fewer therapists available, meaning appointments get filled up quickly and there might not be many therapists to choose from. BetterHelp seeks to fill that gap regardless of healthcare norms in specific regions.
Online therapy sessions are convenient for people who are not in a geographical location with easy access to a therapist and is an effective solution for people who don't have reliable transportation needed for in-person therapy appointments or don't have therapy services in close proximity to them. With BetterHelp, you can access a therapy appointment simply by logging onto your phone, tablet, or computer without paying the often excessive fees associated with this kind of support, regardless of your insurance company.
Comfort
Some people may have trouble or get nervous speaking to a new therapist face-to-face in a private office or practice. Online therapy allows anyone with verbal communication concerns to have an alternative form of communication that makes them feel more comfortable in a specific setting. Whether that means using messaging, live chat sessions, virtual calls, or other types of computerized psychological treatments; which is used for types of therapy like couples therapy, exposure therapy, and cognitive behavior therapy. The strategies used online have been proven to positively impact the lives of our users with a device that can be connected to the internet.
Privacy
Privacy is an important concern for many when it comes to mental health care. With online therapy, there is no risk of bumping into someone you know or having someone see you pull up to the therapist's office. This is another benefit of not having to leave the house for a psychotherapy session. Additionally, your BetterHelp counseling room and private information is fully encrypted and you have the option to remain completely anonymous, even to your therapist. If you'd like to learn more about BetterHelp's privacy policy, you can read our entire disclosure here.
Accessibility
Disabled people may find the traveling required to visit a therapist's office every week to be a barrier to treatment due to their needs. Working with a therapist online can completely remove the need for typical in-office therapy sessions. An increasing number of people appreciate the features often associated with technology-based therapy such as messaging, live chat, phone calls, video calls, and text therapy. These modalities allow everyone to find available therapists to work with through their preferred communication method without any need to leave the home.
Easy And Flexible Scheduling
It can be difficult for traditional therapy to fit into your schedule if you have a busy lifestyle. A in distress or stressed-out college student who has a job on the side may find it difficult to be present for in-office visits. A parent juggling their kids' schedules with their own might also find it hard to squeeze in a twenty-minute commute to a therapist's office. Working with a therapist online means you can message them any time you're thinking and not overwhelmed, and see their session availability on a calendar in advance.
Online Therapy Communication Types
Messaging Therapy
Sending a message to your therapist allows you to take your time and write more which in turn allows the therapist to formulate a more detailed response. It's also helpful if you want to note something you'd like to discuss in your next live session.
Live Chat Therapy
Live chat is similar to messaging, except you will receive live responses throughout the duration of your session. This is a great option if you need to take your psychotherapy session someplace that isn't private such as a cafe, or if you are shy about speaking through phone or video.
Voice Call Therapy
Using your mobile phone or the BetterHelp app, you can speak to your therapist through voice calls, similar to talking on a phone. This allows for tone and emotions to come through to your therapist, although you will not see each other's faces.
Video Therapy
Video therapy is ideal if you want an experience that is comparable to seeing a therapist in person. You will be able to see each other's body language and hear each other's tone of voice. We recommend this type of session over others as it provides the most impactful connection and results.
Is Online Therapy Right For You?
Cost
For many people interested in psychotherapy in the United States, finding an affordable option can be a challenge. This is a primary reason that working with a licensed therapist (not social workers) at BetterHelp has become increasingly popular; generally, the cost ranges from $60 to $90 per week. Even if you have traditional health insurance, it can be a struggle to find a therapist that accepts insurance, which means many seeking psychotherapy have to pay out of pocket. Learn more about how much therapy usually costs through our platform, as well as how we handle insurance companies limitations.
Sessions
There are a variety of ways internet-based therapy can work, whether through unlimited messaging therapy, phone calls, or video sessions. This means visiting a therapist's office in person isn't required for BetterHelp sessions since all sessions are virtual. Sessions are personalized to you, whether for issues including anxiety, depression, anger, eating disorders, raising children, mental health conditions, or other life challenges and events.
Relationship, Family, And Child Care
If you're looking to get mental health support for your child/teenager, need a family session, or want to recommend it to a friend... we offer a platform of licensed therapists dedicated to marriage and relationship counseling at ReGain and a platform just for parents and teens between the ages of 13-19 years old over at TeenCounseling. Teenagers often respond well to therapists on our platform because they are more comfortable with messaging or video chatting than they are with sitting in a waiting room at a therapist's office.
Comfort
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. It could exacerbate anxious feelings for people with social anxiety, making them feel like shutting down. If you struggle with social anxiety or trauma, you can take extra time on BetterHelp to get comfortable with your therapist. You can start with messaging and build up to sessions that are mostly or all via video chats - whatever you are most comfortable with.
There's something special about communicating with a therapist in the privacy of your own home or a space that you've chosen for your online sessions. With a traditional therapist, you're on their turf and in their environment during a session waiting for them to guide you. The therapist typically chooses the place for treatment, and you're a visitor in their space.
With counseling online, you're in control of where you receive care for your concerns and challenging situations. If you're experiencing panic, sometimes being in familiar surroundings helps, rather than having to be in a space or environment you're uncomfortable or unfamiliar with. With BetterHelp, you choose the surroundings, and you control when and how you get the help you need.
Therapist Diversity
You can choose from many different licensed virtual therapists from our network of over 20,000 licensed therapists in their respective field of expertise. When you're looking through your health insurance company's list of providers, you may not see a therapist who treats your issues or one who is best suited for you. With BetterHelp, you can change your therapist with a simple click of a button until you find one who is a good match.
We strongly believe our customers should have the choice to be matched correctly, so feel test and see if you've been properly matched with a therapist. Alternatively, you can reach out to our member success team to be personally matched to someone. We want to to know that we support your decision to do an evaluation on whether or not you have the right fit when deciding the switch therapists. There is no hassle in making the needed change whether you are here for individual counseling, couples therapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy online.
Common Concerns Of Online Therapy
Privacy
Whether in-person or online, therapists are legally required to keep everything discussed in sessions confidential, unless you express a wish to harm yourself or others. BetterHelp therapists are HIPPA compliant, and all messages and sessions exchanged on the platform are encrypted. If privacy is a concern for you, we recommend speaking with your therapist from the comfort of your own home or other private and safe space.
Therapist Credentials
All therapists at BetterHelp are licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists (PhD / PsyD), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), clinical social workers (LCSW / LMSW), or board licensed professional counselors (LPC). Every therapist on our platform must pass through multiple rounds of interviews, including a rigorous background check to verify state licensing boards' credentials. All of our therapists have at least 1,000 hours and three years' worth of therapy experience. This allows them to help with general topics and concerns or something very specific like cognitive behavioral therapy (cbt), couples therapy, anxiety, stress, or you just want to try the best online therapy platform using our mobile app.
Why BetterHelp Is The Best Option
BetterHelp is a therapy service designed to help people struggling with common mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, anger, eating disorders, smoking cessation, weight loss, addiction, and more mental health conditions. You're not alone, and we're ready to help you regardless of whether you have health insurance. It's easy to find an available therapist who can help you navigate mental health and life.
For more information about our company and therapy services, as well as the kind of therapeutic relationship you might build with our therapists, please visit our FAQ section to view answers to common questions about therapy on our platform. If you have specific questions about therapy with BetterHelp, please use our contact page to send us an email message and one of our caring member advocates will reach back out to you.
If you are in a crisis or any other person may be in danger due to an emergency, please don't use this service.
For domestic violence support, please contact TheNational Domestic Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
For substance abuse support, please contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
For sexual abuse support, please contact the Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network at 1-800-656-4673.
For help with suicidal thoughts, call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, which can provide you with immediate help for an emergency call, or visit the nearest emergency room and get the emergency resources you need.
"My BetterHelp therapist asked the same kinds of thought-provoking questions as the traditional therapists I worked with in the past. (What is it about your future that you're unsure of? Can you tell me about your old life and what is different now?) Because of the continuing, open-ended nature of the text chat, however, she helped me identify anxiety triggers and coping mechanisms much faster than it would have taken had we met only once a week. What's more, I came to find that launching the BetterHelp site on my smartphone or laptop and writing out my thoughts became therapeutic in itself."
"A lot of the user base that's interested are people who have never set foot in a therapist's office," says Haesue Jo, a licensed therapist and clinical support lead at BetterHelp, an online counseling and therapy service that provides web-based, phone, and text interaction. "This is a way for people to stick their toe in the water if they've been fearful of talking to a therapist before."
"We've heard from our therapists how Coronavirus increased the level of anxiety with their current clients. We've also seen a spike in people starting online therapy with us,' Alon Matas, President of Teladoc's BetterHelp, told me. 'The number of new members with concerns of stress and anxiety in February more than doubled vs. February of last year, and this trend is accelerating in March.' BetterHelp provided free service for clients who have been financially impacted by the outbreak (e.g., layoff or loss of income). The company is offering financial aid for a new client that can cover nearly 50% of the counseling cost. Counselors will still be paid, but BetterHelp will subsidize the loss."
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online Therapy
How much is online therapy?
The cost of online therapy varies by platform. BetterHelp ranges from $60 to $90 per week (billed every four weeks) for unlimited messaging and weekly video, phone (talk therapy), or chat appointments with a licensed therapist; not simply social workers. This is much less than the national US average for therapy appointments while offering even more ways to communicate with your therapist. BetterHelp also offers a financial aid discount to those who qualify. Reach out to us at contact@betterhelp.com if you have any questions about the cost of using BetterHelp.
How can online therapy help me?
Online therapy holds all the same benefits as in-person therapy, with the added convenience of being able to talk to your therapist anytime, anywhere. With options for messaging, live chat, phone calls, and video calls, you can choose a method of communication that is most comfortable for you, all with a licensed therapist just as qualified as one you would see in an office. After filling out a questionnaire and being matched with a therapist who fits your needs, you can start working on yourself right away. If the therapist you are initially matched with isn’t a good fit, you can change therapists at any time right from your profile, no questions asked. This allows you more time to get started on your own betterment rather than having to go through your insurance or calling multiple therapist offices in your area which often have long wait times.
Where can I learn more about BetterHelp?
Interested in learning more about why BetterHelp is the leader of online therapy companies? Find our social media, sister sites, and news about us using the below links:
About BetterHelp - Learn more about us and our mission as the global leader of online therapy services.
BetterHelp Reviews - Real experiences and online therapy reviews that our users have had on our virtual counseling platform that offers convenient, affordable services.
BetterHelp Press Room - News coverage about BetterHelp as the global telehealth leader.
BetterHelp Advice Content - 1,000s of researched articles designed to help our readers understand mental health topics like psychology, depression, anxiety, and more. If you're looking for a topic we haven't covered, reach out to our team (a growing editorial staff with bios included) to see how we can produce the best content to address that subject. Let the global leader of online therapist services help you.
FaithfulCounseling.com - Professional mental health online psychotherapy from a biblical perspective. Visit the website to see if this faith-based service is the type of counseling you're looking for.
TeenCounseling.com - Our teen counseling platform allows parents and teens to set up an online account to provide teen therapy, helpful recommendations, and assistance. Learn how this form of family counseling can help your teen.
ReGain.us - Couples and families on this platform have experienced how teletherapy can help better understand a majority of the reasons and behaviors that can make relationships challenging and how to deal with them via marriage counseling. Learn how we can help your relationships with counseling online.
PrideCounseling.com - Pride Counseling has a missing that offers counseling services for adults in the LGBTQIA+ community. Learn how Pride Counseling can help you.
Does insurance cover online therapy?
This depends on a few factors and varies among insurance plans. .BetterHelp does not officially accept insurance or partner with any insurance providers and partners. However, the Mental Health Parity Act currently requires that employers and others who provide access to group health plans must offer equal benefits for medical and mental health-related services. As a result, some major health insurance providers now cover online behavioral and mental health services; all of which is covered by insurance. The best way to find out if you can have online therapy covered by your health insurance is to ask your provider by either calling them or reviewing your coverage plan online.
Does Medicare or Medicaid insurance cover online therapy through BetterHelp?
BetterHelp offers affordable online therapy with experienced and licensed therapists. In some cases, out-of-pocket costs for therapy can be reimbursed by medical insurance or a behavioral health plan. If you aren’t sure if your health plan provides insurance coverage for therapy and related services, reach out to your Medicare or Medicaid insurance provider before your first appointment. You can find the contact information for your Medicare or Medicaid provider on the back of your state-issued health insurance card. Much of the same can be said about using FSA or HSA cards on our platform although some therapy programs accept them.
Does BetterHelp offer free online therapy?
The therapy services offered at BetterHelp are not free or on a trial basis. As the leading global provider of all online therapy platforms, we employ a large, dedicated team and contract with thousands of licensed therapists to provide convenient, accessible, and affordable online therapy. Making this happens comes at a cost which is why we can’t provide the service for free because we feel people do best when therapists are licensed. That being said, we offer financial aid to those who qualify to make getting therapy even more accessible and affordable to those who need the extra help. Simply reach out to contact@betterhelp.com to find out how to apply.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person?
Many studies have confirmed the effectiveness of online therapy for making positive life changes. For example, research published by JMIR Publications and the Berkeley Well-Being Institute found that online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy. Whether you decide to seek therapy in-person or online, working with an experienced and licensed therapist can help you overcome various mental health and life challenges. You can read the full study and survey here.
Andersson, G., & Cuijpers, P. (2009). Internet-based and other computerized psychological treatments for adult depression: A meta-analysis. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 38(4), 196-205. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20183695
Is online therapy cheaper than in-person therapy?
Generally speaking, yes! While we can not guarantee that online therapy pricing is the cheaper option 100% of the time because in-person session prices will vary by therapist, location, and insurance plans, we can confidently say that BetterHelp is more affordable than most other options when paying out of pocket, while also helping you save money that you may otherwise spend to see a therapist in person, such as bus fare, gas, or parking.
How much is an online therapy session?
The cost of therapy through BetterHelp subscription options ranges from $60 to $90 per week (billed every 4 weeks as a subscription plan) and it is based on your location, preferences, budget, and therapist availability. You can cancel your membership at any time, for any reason. Your membership payments will be charged to a credit card or PayPal on a recurring basis. If you accomplish your goals or if you find therapy with BetterHelp to no longer be helpful for any reason, you can simply cancel the subscription. Whether you have been using our
What are the disadvantages of online therapy?
Online therapy is found to be just as effective and sometimes even better than in-person therapy when it comes to treating common mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, online therapy is not recommended for those struggling with more serious mental health concerns such as psychosis or suicidal thoughts. If BetterHelp is not the best fit for you, our member advocate team can help refer you to a local in-person psychologist.
Can counseling help with depression?
Review this comparison between online therapy for depression (a common mental illness) and face to face therapy; which involved text message based therapy with an online therapist (which on our platform are professionals licensed in their state).
Most people who see a therapist whether in-person or online have a session once a week. This allows a steady pace of communication with healthy reflection between sessions. BetterHelp subscription plans include one live session per week along with unlimited messaging with your therapist. If you would like more than one session a week, you can let your therapist know and reach out to the member advocate team to make an adjustment to your subscription plan. Ultimately, it's up to you how much you want to use the service. The best way to make use of your BetterHelp subscription is to have weekly live sessions with messages, journal writing, and group session communities in between.
Is BetterHelp actually good?
BetterHelp is the leading online therapy platform in the industry and has the largest selection and network of therapists for a good reason. With over two million sessions completed and thousands of positive reviews (generally 4-5 stars), it's obvious that BetterHelp is a great option for improving mental health and addressing everyday life challenges. Of course, therapy is what you make of it and how willing you are to work on yourself. If you put in the effort with a therapist who is a good fit for you, we're confident that you'll join the thousands of others with positive reviews. Lastly, we are HIPAA compliant.
Is therapy over the phone effective?
Therapy in any form can be effective, with phone sessions being an excellent option for those who struggle communicating over video or face-to-face. On the phone, you have freedom of movement which helps many organize their thoughts. Although your therapist won't be able to read your body language or see your facial expressions, they can still hear your tone of voice which can help them add a layer of insight to the words you say. BetterHelp gives you multiple options to communicate with your therapist, so we encourage you to try them all out and see what works best for you.
Can online therapists prescribe medication?
Online therapists are not licensed to prescribe medication. BetterHelp does not offer medication management services at this time. For mental health medication, please reach out to your doctor, physician, or psychiatrist.
Are BetterHelp therapists licensed?
All therapists at BetterHelp are licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists (PhD / PsyD), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), clinical social workers (LCSW / LMSW), or board licensed master's degree holding professional counselors (LPC). Our team ensures that every provider we bring to the platform is fully licensed and in good standing. Providers who apply are required to provide proper licensure documentation and proof of identity. We then cross-check their licensure information with their respective state licensing board.
In addition to checking credentials, each potential provider needs to complete a case study exam graded by a licensed clinician and be evaluated in a video interview. The result of this rigorous process is that only about 20% of the therapists who apply to work through BetterHelp are accepted to the platform. We also show the full licensing information for each provider to make it easy for you to do your own due diligence on your therapist.
How long do online therapy sessions last?
The length of a BetterHelp online therapy session depends on the therapist you're matched with and the program they put in place for your benefit. Most therapists on our platform offer one 30-50 minute live therapy session per week, although other platforms like Talkspace or Amwell might differ. If you would like longer or more frequent appointments with your online counselor, please reach out to your therapist as well as the member advocate team to see if this is something we can accommodate. Outside of your weekly live session, you can message your therapist at any time.
Therapy Is Personal
Therapy is a personal experience, and not everyone will go into it seeking the same things. Keeping this in mind can ensure that you will get the most out of counseling, regardless of what your specific goals are. If you’re still wondering if BetterHelp is right for you, and how much online therapy costs, please contact us at contact@betterhelp.com. BetterHelp, the world's largest therapy platform, can help you today on your journey to better mental health.
Medically Reviewed Online Therapy Articles
What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)? - Learn how this form of counseling can help individuals, regardless of their challenges, deal with things like depression, grief, self-esteem, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as a long list of other mental health issues & stressors or challenging circumstances. Learn more about cognitive behavioral therapy today, and how our counseling platform online can help you.
How Do I Find DBT Therapy Near Me? - Learn more about dialectical behavior therapy and how to find therapists near you that can help. If you would like to explore some of our therapy options, sign up to BetterHelp today to try our counseling sessions via our website and see how our rates, flexibility, worksheets, and toolbox can help you. Let us help you find a therapist near you so you can start your counseling sessions online.
Identifying Stress Symptoms and Solutions - Discover how self-care, peer support, coping skills, and discussions with a clinical psychologist or therapist can help you with stress and improve mental health.
How Does Stress Affect The Body? - Read insights from mental health experts that explain how stress can affect your physical health. From there, you can see how teletherapy can help you via a variety of communication methods like video conferencing, talk therapy audio messaging, text messaging (via our app), and video messaging. Learn how a BetterHelp therapist can help you.
What Are Gestalt Therapy Techniques? - Learn how these techniques can positively impact your mental and physical health withthe help of a therapist.
Articles About Psychiatry - Browse through a wide variety of articles about psychiatry that explain what it's like to work with a psychiatrist, a type of mental health doctor that can prescribe medication. Learn how psychiatrists (technically medical doctors) provide their patients with diagnosis, guidance, and prescription medications (filled at a pharmacy) along with other tools to help make progress with challenges. Read about online psychiatry here.
Is Solutions Counseling Right For Me? - Learn how this therapeutic practice with a trained psychotherapist can help you get the support you needafter a simple consultation and assessment. Discover how a BetterHelp therapist can help you.
Why Am I Lonely? Possible Answers And Solutions - Better understand how loneliness and traumatic stress affect mental health. Due to various individual circumstances as well as the covid 19 pandemic, we understand that loneliness has become even more challenging. Get matched with a therapist on our platform today.
Additional resources and articles reviewed by our mental health professional editorial team here in our advice section.
