BetterHelp is one of the largest and most popular online therapy platforms out there. Whether you’ve already joined, or are considering it, it’s important to know about their services, how they work, how much it will cost, and how to maximize your savings, as well as tips and tricks for getting the most out of your membership. Read on for our full breakdown of the most common BetterHelp FAQs.
Betterhelp – Affordable, convenient, online therapy – Get 20% Off Your First Month
BetterHelp Cost & Pricing FAQs
How Much Does BetterHelp Cost?
BetterHelp costs range from $260 – $360 monthly (advertised at $65 – $90 weekly). This includes weekly sessions with your therapist, access to BetterHelp’s resource content, and one weekly group webinar. BetterHelp does not accept insurance at all.
A few key facts about BetterHelp costs include:
- BetterHelp does not accept insurance
- BetterHelp’s standard price is $260 – $360 monthly and varies slightly depending on your location and therapist
- Financial aid is available for people in times of financial hardship, potentially earning a discount of 10% – $40% off your monthly subscription cost
- You can use FSA or HSA to pay for BetterHelp
- BetterHelp will provide a superbill for out-of-network insurance reimbursement
- Your first month with BetterHelp is due upfront, but Choosing Therapy readers receive 20% off their first month of service
Does BetterHelp Take Insurance?
No. BetterHelp does not accept any kind of insurance, however, you can use your FSA or HSA for therapy costs through BetterHelp. Or, you can request that BetterHelp provide you with a superbill for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
Does BetterHelp Accept HSA/FSA?
Yes, you can use FSA or HSA funds for mental health services provided by BetterHelp. Simply enter your HSA card as a payment method just as you would with a debit or credit card.
It may be wise to double-check with your FSA or HSA provider to ensure that your plan covers this kind of expenditure. Your plan may also require receipts or documentation, so be prepared to provide that later.
Is BetterHelp Free?
No. BetterHelp is not free and does not offer a free trial. BetterHelp costs range from $260 – $360 monthly.
Is BetterHelp Expensive?
Depending on your financial situation, you might consider BetterHelp to be expensive. BetterHelp costs $260 – $360 monthly for weekly sessions with a therapist and all the other features that BetterHelp offers. However, this can be decreased by 10% – 40% by taking advantage of the BetterHelp financial aid program.
Is BetterHelp Cheaper Than In-Person Therapy?
According to a study, in-person therapy usually costs between $100 – $200 per session when insurance isn’t being used. Meanwhile, out-of-pocket costs for a therapist that’s in-network with your insurance plan are likely to fall somewhere between $30 – $50 per session.7
Considering this, if you have an insurance plan that has many viable in-network therapists, then in-person therapy may be more affordable for you. However, if you’re considering cash-pay only, BetterHelp’s average cost of $260 – $360 monthly averages to about $65 – $90 per session, which falls significantly below the national average for in-person therapy.
When considering what kind of therapy is best for you, it’s best to shop around and see what prices are in your local area as they can vary significantly nationwide. Then, see how that compares to costs at companies like BetterHelp.
Do You Pay Before or After BetterHelp Therapy?
With BetterHelp, you pay when you sign up for services, so you pay before you attend your first appointment and you pay in advance for the entire month of service.
What Happens If I Cancel a BetterHelp Session?
If you cancel a BetterHelp session within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment, BetterHelp will not charge you a no-show fee, however, you will not be able to make that session up in the same week. In other words, a no-show or late cancellation counts as your session for the week. If you need to cancel an appointment, it’s best to cancel with at least 24 hours’ notice.
Can I Pause a BetterHelp Membership?
Yes, you can pause your BetterHelp subscription at any time. To do so, simply log into your BetterHelp account and navigate to the account settings page. From here, you’ll find options to cancel your membership or pause your membership for up to 3 months at a time.
Does BetterHelp Offer Financial Aid?
Yes, BetterHelp financial aid is available to those who meet certain eligibility criteria. BetterHelp determines eligibility based on household income, employment status, financial stressors, hardship, and other factors. Those eligible can receive a BetterHelp discount of 10% – 40% off their monthly subscription.
How Can I Get a BetterHelp Discount?
To receive a BetterHelp discount, you must meet certain eligibility requirements based on your financial situation. If you can’t afford therapy, consider filling out an application for BetterHelp financial aid during your sign-up. If you already have an account and are facing a difficult financial situation, reach out to BetterHelp customer service by email at [email protected], or by phone at 888-688-9296 to request financial aid.
If you do not meet the criteria for BetterHelp financial aid, Choosing Therapy offers its readers a discount of 20% off of your first month with BetterHelp. This will allow you to try the services at a discounted rate, to see if they are right for you.
Are There Promo Codes for BetterHelp?
The best BetterHelp discount available to the general public is 20% off your first month. Choosing Therapy offers its readers a discount of 20% off their first month with BetterHelp.
Is There a BetterHelp Student Discount?
BetterHelp does not offer student discounts, specifically. However, if you are unemployed or are facing a difficult financial situation, you may be eligible for financial assistance through BetterHelp.
Betterhelp – Affordable, convenient, online therapy – Get 20% Off Your First Month
BetterHelp Services & Subscription FAQs
How Does BetterHelp Work?
BetterHelp is an online therapy platform that allows people across the country to easily access virtual therapy online. For a monthly fee of $260 – $360 monthly, BetterHelp allows you to meet with a therapist weekly via audio, video, or live chat via the BetterHelp mobile or desktop app. You receive four therapy sessions per month with your subscription. You can also message your therapist in between sessions, and access hundreds of live educational group webinars, and a host of excellent self-guided resources. For more details on how BetterHelp works, and our personal experience using it, you can read our full BetterHelp review.
Can BetterHelp Prescribe Medication?
No. BetterHelp does not prescribe medication. If you’re looking for a subscription-based cash-pay provider for psychiatric medication care, Brightside Health is one of our favorite options.
How Does BetterHelp Therapist Matching Work?
BetterHelp matches you with a therapist based on your responses to its intake questionnaire. Multiple questions ask about your needs and preferences in a therapist to help guide BetterHelp’s algorithm in matching you with a therapist.
Once you’ve completed the questionnaire during sign-up, BetterHelp will choose a therapist and match you within a few business days. However, if you find your therapist isn’t a good fit for you, it’s very easy to request a different BetterHelp therapist.
What Types of Sessions Does BetterHelp Offer?
BetterHelp offers video, phone, and live chat options for therapy. In our full BetterHelp review, we tried multiple methods and found that we preferred video therapy the best. However, some folks may prefer the convenience and flexibility of text-based therapy.
What Language Options are Available for BetterHelp Services?
BetterHelp states that its platform can offer therapy in up to 56 different languages. The exact availability of therapists who can speak these languages will vary, so BetterHelp can’t guarantee service in any particular language aside from English. However, with the large number of therapists on the platform, therapists will likely be available who speak the most widely spoken languages of the world such as Spanish, German, French, Russian, Japanese, Hindi, Mandarin, Portuguese, or Arabic.
How Long Are BetterHelp Sessions?
According to BetterHelp, therapy sessions are usually 30-45 minutes long, but may vary slightly depending on your provider and treatment plan.1
Does BetterHelp Have a Maintenance Plan?
Yes, BetterHelp does offer a maintenance plan. According to BetterHelp users, the maintenance plan is not visible at sign-up; rather, when you are attempting to cancel your BetterHelp account, you’ll be prompted with an option to downgrade to a once-monthly therapy plan for $160 monthly. In addition to one therapy session per month, this plan also gives you continued access to BetterHelp’s live educational group webinars and self-guided resources.
Does BetterHelp Offer Couples Counseling?
BetterHelp does not offer couples counseling on its main platform, but it does operate a separate brand called Regain that offers online couples counseling. Read our full Regain review for more details.
Betterhelp – Affordable, convenient, online therapy – Get 20% Off Your First Month
BetterHelp Safety FAQs
Is BetterHelp Legit?
Yes, BetterHelp is a legitimate and well-known online therapy platform that we recommend as our top online therapy option for accessible and affordable online therapy. A recent study suggests that BetterHelp’s care model is effective in managing the symptoms of depression and anxiety.2
Are BetterHelp Counselors Qualified?
Yes, BetterHelp vets and verifies all of its therapists to ensure that all BetterHelp therapists have at least the minimum education required by their state, full unrestricted clinical licensure in the state(s) they practice and possess at least 3 years and 1,000 client contact hours of professional mental health experience.
Does BetterHelp Work?
A recent study suggests that online therapy – specifically, BetterHelp’s model of virtual therapy – is effective in curbing anxiety and depression over time.2 Keep in mind, that results are most often dependent on the specific therapist you choose and the efforts you put into therapy. Your effort can go a long way in ensuring you get the most out of therapy.
Does Online Therapy Work?
While more studies are needed, early research suggests that online therapy works and may be just as effective as traditional in-person therapy.3, 4, 5 However, online therapy is not usually advisable for severe mental illness or people with a high risk for suicidal ideation or behavior.
When considering if online therapy will work for you, keep these points in mind:
- Online therapy usually requires a stable internet connection.
- You should be relatively comfortable with computers and digital devices before pursuing online therapy services.
- Some people simply prefer the feel of in-person therapy to virtual.
If you’re ready to begin online therapy, BetterHelp is an affordable cash-pay option. If you have insurance Talkspace is a great choice, but there are several other online therapy options to choose from. Consider shopping around to find the best fit for you.
Can BetterHelp Diagnose?
BetterHelp is not able to diagnose mental illnesses, however, they can provide treatment for people with existing diagnoses, or can also provide treatment based on the speculation of a disorder from symptoms you discuss with your counselor.6
If you’re looking for a psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis, Brightside Health and Talkspace are both great choices that offer therapy and psychiatry through insurance and cash-pay.
Is BetterHelp Worth It?
BetterHelp may be worth it for those who are looking for a fast and convenient solution for therapy. Often, appointments are available same-day, and BetterHelp’s library of resources is great for those just getting started with therapy. It’s also a very affordable option for anyone who doesn’t have viable therapy options that are covered by insurance.
BetterHelp might not be worth it for someone who has insurance that covers therapy elsewhere, or someone who has been in therapy in the past and is familiar with the most common therapeutic techniques.
Betterhelp – Affordable, convenient, online therapy – Get 20% Off Your First Month
BetterHelp “How To” FAQs
How to Change Therapists On BetterHelp
To change therapists on BetterHelp, simply follow these steps:
- Log in to your BetterHelp account on the mobile app or desktop web app
- Navigate to your BetterHelp account settings
- Locate the “My therapist” section of information
- Click the button to request a new therapist
- Wait for BetterHelp to assign you a new therapist
Our Guide to BetterHelp Subscription Plans
Unlike other online therapy services, BetterHelp only has one subscription plan to choose from. BetterHelp costs between $260 – $360 monthly, depending on your therapist and geographic location. This set price gives you access to all features of the BetterHelp app, one weekly meeting with a therapist, ongoing messaging with your therapist, and access to live educational webinars and other useful resources.
Visit our full breakdown and review of BetterHelp for more details on subscription plans.
How to Reach BetterHelp Customer Service
You can reach out to BetterHelp customer service through email, phone, or by submitting a ticket through the BetterHelp help center.
BetterHelp customer service contact details are:
- Phone: 888-688-9296
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit the BetterHelp help center, and submit a ticket
How to Pause Your BetterHelp Subscription
You can pause your BetterHelp subscription at any time. To do so, simply log into your BetterHelp account and navigate to the account settings page. From here, you’ll find options to cancel your membership or pause your membership for up to 3 months at a time.
How to Cancel Your BetterHelp Subscription
To cancel your BetterHelp subscription, simply follow these steps:
- Log in to your BetterHelp account on the mobile app or desktop web app
- Navigate to your BetterHelp account settings
- Select the button related to your subscription
- Select “Cancel subscription”
- Answer a few confirmation questions and BetterHelp will cancel your subscription
- In account settings, request the deletion of your BetterHelp account data
How to Get a Refund for BetterHelp
If you believe you should receive a refund for services BetterHelp has provided, you can reach out to their customer service team to discuss why you believe you should receive a refund.
BetterHelp customer service contact details are:
- Phone: 888-688-9296
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit the BetterHelp help center, and submit a ticket
How Can I Choose My Therapist with BetterHelp?
If you’d like to choose your own therapist on BetterHelp rather than have the algorithm choose for you based on your questionnaire responses, there is a useful method for choosing a specific BetterHelp therapist.
To choose a specific BetterHelp therapist, follow these steps:
- Visit the BetterHelp homepage.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and look for the gray text labeled “Find a Therapist.”
- Choose your state from the list.
- Browse a selection of BetterHelp therapists available in your area. You can select “View Profile,” and open this page in a new tab. It might be wise to open several of these so you can compare therapists easily.
- Once you find a therapist that you believe would be a good fit for you, simply navigate to their profile and select “Work with me.”
- Complete the BetterHelp intake process as usual.
How Can I Pick a Good Therapist on BetterHelp?
Picking a good therapist can be a difficult process whether you’re on BetterHelp or any other platform. Therapists are people, too, so all of them have different personalities, values, ideas, and beliefs. That can make finding a therapist that fits well with you quite difficult. Ultimately, it’s important to look deeply into any profiles or bios that are available and consider how a given therapist’s techniques might work for you. If you start working with a therapist and decide it isn’t a good fit, don’t give up hope and keep trying for a good fit.
For more detailed guidance, visit our full guide on how to choose a therapist.
BetterHelp Tips & Tricks
Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your BetterHelp subscription:
- Schedule your weekly BetterHelp sessions at your own convenience. Many therapists on the platform offer evening and weekend sessions, so don’t let your busy schedule restrict your care.
- Use the included text chat with your therapist. This feature is fantastic for quick check-ins with your therapist, asking clarifying questions, and jotting down ideas to discuss in your next session.
- Remember to use the built-in journaling feature. Journaling can be a very powerful skill in your mental health journey. Using BetterHelp’s built-in journaling system can be invaluable for jotting down insights in or out of sessions, noting areas you’ve progressed, and more. Individual journal entries can be shared directly with your therapist if you have some great progress you’d like to share.
- Request a new therapist if your current one isn’t a good fit. Sometimes, people get nervous about requesting a new therapist. There is nothing wrong with changing therapists if you find yours isn’t a good fit, and BetterHelp makes it very easy to do so.
- Take time before and after a therapy session to reflect. Many of us have very busy lives, but it’s very important to give your mind the time it needs to process the insights you uncover in therapy. Be sure to take time before and after therapy to reflect on what is important to you.
Alternatives to BetterHelp
Looking for an alternative to BetterHelp? Here are a few of our favorites for different groups of people:
- Those With Insurance: Try looking at our reviews of Talkspace or Thriveworks.
- Kids & Teens: We thought Manatee and Teen Counseling were great options.
- Substance Use Disorders: Bicycle Health and Workit Health earned our highest marks.
- Psychiatry & Medication Management: Two of our favorite providers are Talkiatry and Brightside Health.
Additional Resources
To help our readers take the next step in their mental health journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy is compensated for marketing by the companies included below.
Online Therapy
BetterHelp – Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. BetterHelp has over 20,000 therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. Take A Free Online Assessment and get matched with the right therapist for you. Free Assessment
Online Psychiatry
Hims / Hers If you’re living with anxiety or depression, finding the right medication match may make all the difference. Connect with a licensed healthcare provider in just 12 – 48 hours. Explore FDA-approved treatment options and get free shipping, if prescribed. No insurance required. Get Started
Medication + Therapy
Brightside Health – Together, medication and therapy can help you feel like yourself, faster. Brightside Health treatment plans start at $95 per month. United Healthcare, Anthem, Cigna, and Aetna accepted. Following a free online evaluation and receiving a prescription, you can get FDA approved medications delivered to your door. Free Assessment
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