Our verdict: BetterHelp is a good fit for adults with mild to moderate concerns, such as stress, anxiety or depression, who want to start therapy quickly and pay a set weekly price: $70 to $100 a week, or $280 to $400 a month, as of October 2026. It suits people less well if they need medication, a formal diagnosis or a specialist program, or if their insurance plan is not one BetterHelp takes.
ChoosingTherapy.com may earn a commission from the companies whose services are linked on this page.
Over the past four years, the Choosing Therapy team has used BetterHelp more than 20 times. During our time reviewing BetterHelp, we’ve uncovered a few tips, tricks, and techniques to help you get the most out of your experience. We’ll explore how to optimize your therapy journey with BetterHelp, maximize savings, and find a therapist who’s a great fit for you.
BetterHelp also offers therapy for teens through Teen Counseling, and couples counseling through Regain. These platforms are both part of the BetterHelp platform and function essentially the same, so the guidance below will likely still apply.
BetterHelp – Affordable, convenient, online therapy – Get 20% off your first month!
Editor’s Notes
We regularly review and update our content to ensure the most accurate and up-to-date information. In this round of updates, we added answers to more common questions and brought prices and insurance details in line with BetterHelp’s site as of October 2026.
We maintain that BetterHelp can be a great option for those paying for therapy out-of-pocket, especially those new to therapy, as it’s quick and easy to sign up and get started right away. BetterHelp now accepts some commercial insurance plans, and it confirmed to ChoosingTherapy.com in September 2026 that its insurance option is live in all 50 states and DC, though coverage depends on your plan and on therapist availability.
Cost & Pricing FAQs
BetterHelp costs $280 to $400 per month ($70 to $100 a week) for weekly therapy as of October 2026. Subscriptions include access to therapy sessions, messaging with your therapist, all the content in the BetterHelp app, and a weekly group webinar. BetterHelp also accepts some commercial insurance plans: it confirmed to ChoosingTherapy.com in September 2026 that its insurance option is live in all 50 states and DC, though whether you can use it depends on your plan, your network and therapist availability. Aetna members can start with our guide to BetterHelp and Aetna. If your plan is not covered, take a look at our list of the best online therapy platforms that accept insurance, which have other in-network options.
How Much Is BetterHelp?
BetterHelp costs range from $280 to $400 monthly (advertised at $70 to $100 weekly) as of October 2026. This includes weekly sessions with your therapist, access to BetterHelp’s resource content, and one weekly group webinar. Eligible members can use commercial insurance instead and pay an average copay of about $23 a session. Paying out of pocket with pre-tax funds is covered in our BetterHelp HSA and FSA guide.
Here are a few key facts about the cost of BetterHelp and your payment options:
- BetterHelp accepts some commercial insurance plans in all 50 states and DC, depending on your plan and therapist availability (confirmed by BetterHelp, September 2026)
- BetterHelp’s standard price is $280 to $400 monthly (checked October 13, 2026) and varies slightly depending on your location and therapist
- You can also sign up to pay weekly instead of monthly, though this will be slightly more expensive
- Financial aid is available for people in times of financial hardship, who are jobless, or who are students, potentially earning a discount of 10%–40% off the total monthly subscription cost
- You can use FSA or HSA to pay for your BetterHelp subscription
- BetterHelp does not provide superbills for out-of-network insurance reimbursement, but you can download invoices from your account settings (confirmed by BetterHelp, September 2026)
- Your first month with BetterHelp is due upfront, but Choosing Therapy readers can receive 20% off their first month of service
Does BetterHelp Take Insurance?
Yes, BetterHelp takes some commercial insurance plans. BetterHelp confirmed to ChoosingTherapy.com on September 11, 2026 that its insurance option is live in all 50 states and DC, with more than 125 plans, though availability depends on your state, plan, network and therapist availability. It does not take Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Advantage or TRICARE. Eligible members pay an average copay of about $23 a session, and you can check your coverage during sign-up.
BetterHelp does not provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement, however, you can use your FSA or HSA for therapy costs through BetterHelp.
Looking for in-network therapy options? Take a look at our list of the best therapy platforms that take insurance.
Does BetterHelp Accept HSA/FSA?
Yes, you can use FSA or HSA funds to pay 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 confirm that your plan covers this kind of expenditure. Your plan may also require receipts or documentation, so be prepared to provide that later.
Can You Get a Receipt or Superbill From BetterHelp?
You can get a receipt from BetterHelp, but not a superbill. BetterHelp confirmed to ChoosingTherapy.com in September 2026 that members can download invoices from their account settings, and that it does not issue superbills for out-of-network insurance claims. BetterHelp’s HSA and FSA guidance notes that if you do not pay with your HSA or FSA card, you may need to submit receipts to your plan for reimbursement. Our guide to superbills explains what an out-of-network claim needs.
Is BetterHelp Free?
No, BetterHelp is not free and does not offer a free trial. BetterHelp costs range from $280 to $400 monthly as of October 2026. However, you may qualify for financial aid of up to 10%–40% off your subscription cost.
Is BetterHelp Expensive?
Depending on your financial situation, you might consider BetterHelp to be expensive. BetterHelp costs $280 to $400 monthly for weekly sessions with a therapist and all the other features that it 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 one study, in-person therapy typically costs between $100–$200 per session when insurance isn’t being used. Meanwhile, copays for a therapist that’s in-network with your insurance plan are likely to fall somewhere between $30–$50 per session.7
So, if you have an insurance plan that has many viable in-network therapist options for you to choose from, then in-person therapy may be more affordable for you. However, if you’re considering cash-pay only, BetterHelp’s average cost of $280 to $400 monthly averages to about $70 to $100 per session (or less, if you take advantage of the other tools included in your monthly plan), 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 in advance for the entire month of service before you have any therapy sessions.
What Happens If I Cancel a BetterHelp Session?
If you cancel a BetterHelp session within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment or don’t show up, BetterHelp may charge you a $15 fee, plus 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 or reschedule with at least 24 hours’ notice.
Can I Pause a BetterHelp Membership?
Yes, you can pause a BetterHelp membership from your account settings, where our reviewer found options to pause for two, four or six weeks at a time, once every three months. BetterHelp does not describe a pause option on its public site or in its terms (checked October 13, 2026), so if you do not see it in your account, contact customer service. You can also cancel, keep access until the end of your billing cycle, and sign up again later.
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 when you sign up. If you already have an account and are facing a difficult financial situation, reach out to BetterHelp customer service by email at contact@betterhelp.com, 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 code for 20% off of your first month with BetterHelp. This will allow you to try the services at a discounted rate to see if it’s a good fit for your needs.
Is There a BetterHelp Promo Code?
Yes, Choosing Therapy offers its readers a promo code for BetterHelp that can offer 20% off your first month. This can be a great way to try the platform and see if it’s a good fit for you.
Is There a BetterHelp Student Discount?
BetterHelp does not publish a set student discount, but its customer service guide says you may qualify for one, and the sign-up asks whether you are a student. When our reviewer checked this box, they automatically got $25 off the weekly price that was originally $90, bringing the monthly cost to $260 total.
BetterHelp – Affordable, convenient, online therapy – Get 20% off your first month!
Services & Subscription FAQs
BetterHelp is a subscription-based online therapy platform. For a monthly cost of $280 to $400 (as of October 2026) depending on therapist availability in your area, you will be able to meet with a therapist weekly through video, phone, or live-messaging sessions. Therapy sessions are usually 30–45 minutes. BetterHelp uses your responses on a questionnaire to match you to an initial therapist, but you’re able to change therapists at any time. BetterHelp therapists do not prescribe medication or diagnose mental disorders, so it’s not appropriate for those with more intense mental health challenges.
If you’re looking for full diagnostics, psychiatric care, or medication management, Talkiatry or Brightside Health could be better options.
How Does BetterHelp Work?
BetterHelp is an online therapy platform that allows people across the country to easily access online therapy. For a monthly fee of $280 to $400, BetterHelp allows you to meet with a therapist weekly via video, audio, or live chat using its 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, plus 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.
How Do You Get Started on BetterHelp?
You get started on BetterHelp by answering a sign-up questionnaire about your needs, your preferences for a therapist and how you plan to pay, and BetterHelp then matches you with a licensed therapist. BetterHelp says matching can take a few hours or a few days, and it reports a median of 7 hours to a match and 2 hours from match to first session for US members (checked October 13, 2026). If the match does not suit you, you can change therapists at any time at no extra cost, or choose a therapist yourself from BetterHelp’s directory, as described below.
Can BetterHelp Prescribe Medication?
No, therapists on BetterHelp do not prescribe medication. If you’re looking for an online platform for medication management, we recommend Talkiatry or Brightside Health, or you can see all our recommendations in our list of the best online psychiatry options. BetterHelp now also offers psychiatry as a separate service through UpLift, where licensed psychiatric providers can manage medication when clinically appropriate, though they do not prescribe controlled substances.
Can BetterHelp Therapists Write ESA Letters?
No, BetterHelp therapists do not write emotional support animal (ESA) letters through the platform. BetterHelp’s terms say you should not use the service if you need official documentation or approvals, and they name emotional service dog certification as an example (terms last updated August 26, 2026). If you need an ESA letter, ask a licensed clinician outside BetterHelp who has evaluated you.
Can BetterHelp Fill Out FMLA Paperwork?
No, BetterHelp therapists are not set up to fill out FMLA paperwork: BetterHelp does not say they do, and its terms say the service is not meant for anyone who needs official documentation. BetterHelp’s own guide to FMLA leave for mental health (updated October 13, 2026) tells readers to see their doctor or a mental health care provider for the medical certification an employer asks for. Your primary care doctor, or a therapist or psychiatrist you see through your insurance, is the usual route.
How Does BetterHelp Therapist Matching Work?
BetterHelp uses an AI tool to match 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 good fit.
Once you’ve completed the questionnaire during sign-up, BetterHelp will choose a therapist and match you. BetterHelp says matching can take a few hours or a few days, depending on therapist availability. However, if you find your therapist isn’t a good fit for you, it’s very easy to request a different BetterHelp therapist.
While algorithm-based therapist matching is a useful tool, it isn’t always perfect, which is why we’ve developed a few tips and tricks for finding a great therapist on BetterHelp.
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 like the convenience and flexibility of text-based therapy or a phone call instead.
How Does Text Therapy Work on BetterHelp, and Is There a Message Limit?
Text therapy on BetterHelp works in two ways, and BetterHelp publishes no limit on how many messages you can send. You can message your therapist at any time in the app, and they reply when they are next working, since messages are not answered in real time. You can also book a live chat session, where you and your therapist type back and forth in real time for the length of a session. If you pay through insurance, BetterHelp says chat-based sessions may be limited or unavailable on that route (checked October 13, 2026).
Where Is the Video Room on BetterHelp?
The video room on BetterHelp opens inside your account: at your scheduled time, log in on the app or website and you will be prompted to start the session, much like Zoom or FaceTime.
Can You Schedule Evening or Weekend Sessions on BetterHelp?
Yes, you can schedule evening or weekend sessions on BetterHelp if your therapist offers those hours, since each therapist sets their own availability. BetterHelp therapists answering members’ questions on its site say many of them work evenings and some see clients on weekends. If you need a particular time, say so in the sign-up questionnaire, or change therapists until you find one whose calendar fits.
What Happens in Your First BetterHelp Session?
Your first BetterHelp session is a get-to-know-you session in which your therapist asks what brought you to therapy and what you want to work on. BetterHelp’s guide to first sessions says therapists typically ask about your concerns, your work, your physical health and your goals, then talk about how your sessions will go from there, and you can ask questions too. It takes place by video, phone or live chat, whichever you booked, and a short introductory message sent beforehand, as we suggest below, gives your therapist a head start.
Does BetterHelp Offer In-Person Therapy?
No, BetterHelp does not offer in-person therapy, and all of its sessions take place online by video, phone, live chat or messaging. BetterHelp describes itself as 100% online (checked October 13, 2026). If you want to see a therapist in an office, our guide on how to choose a therapist covers how to find one locally.
What Language Options Are Available for BetterHelp Services?
BetterHelp offers therapy in English and in a range of other languages, depending on which therapists are available in your state. The sign-up questionnaire asks for your preferred therapy language, and in September 2026 the US list had 12 options, including Spanish, though BetterHelp cannot guarantee a match in any language other than English. With more than 30,000 therapists on the platform, the most widely spoken languages, such as Spanish, are the most likely to be available.
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. The subscription includes one live session a week (checked October 13, 2026).1
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 and our personal experience.
Is BetterHelp Good for LGBTQ+ Clients, and What Happened to Pride Counseling?
BetterHelp can be a good fit for LGBTQ+ clients, because its sign-up lets you ask for a therapist from the LGBTQ+ community and it reports that 18% of its US therapists identify as LGBTQIA+ (checked October 13, 2026). Pride Counseling, BetterHelp’s former LGBTQ+ site, now redirects to BetterHelp’s main site, so you get the same service by choosing that preference during sign-up. Our list of the best online therapy options for LGBTQ+ people compares other services.
Safety FAQs
While it is a legitimate and well-known online therapy platform, BetterHelp has had some controversies, such as past issues with data sharing and recent reports of therapists using AI to generate their messages to clients. The company only works with licensed therapists with at least three years and 1,000 client contact hours of experience. Recent studies indicate that online therapy is effective through platforms such as BetterHelp.2
Is BetterHelp Legit?
Yes, BetterHelp is a legitimate and well-known online therapy platform that we recommend as one of our favorite online therapy options 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 each of them has at least the minimum education required by their state, full unrestricted clinical licensure in the state(s) they practice, and possess at least three years and 1,000 client contact hours of professional mental health experience.
Does BetterHelp Use AI?
Yes, BetterHelp uses AI for tasks such as matching you with a therapist and its sign-up intake, and it says its AI does not provide therapy, diagnosis or treatment. BetterHelp’s Responsible AI page (checked October 13, 2026) says every client is connected with a human therapist, and that it prohibits therapists from using third-party AI tools such as ChatGPT for therapy communications. Some members have reported therapists using AI to write messages, which we cover in our article on BetterHelp controversies.
Is BetterHelp Available 24/7, and What About Emergencies?
BetterHelp is available 24/7 for messaging, since you can send your therapist a message at any time, but messages are not answered in real time and live sessions happen at times you book. BetterHelp is not for emergencies: its FAQ says it is not the right service if you are in an urgent crisis. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.
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 depend on whether you have a good therapist fit and the efforts you put into therapy. Your buy-in 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, Grow Therapy could be a great choice, but there are several other online therapy options to choose from. Consider shopping around to find the best fit for you.
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 looking for a specialist.
BetterHelp – Affordable, convenient, online therapy – Get 20% off your first month!
“How To” FAQs
BetterHelp makes it relatively easy to resolve a number of common issues without needing to involve customer support. Changing therapists and subscription plans, and pausing or canceling your account are all very straightforward. If you do need support, I’ve found BetterHelp’s customer service to be quite responsive and helpful.
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
- Select the preferences that you would like to be considered
- Read through a list of new potential therapists and select one
In my experience using BetterHelp, I have had to change therapists a few times, but the process was always easy to follow. It’s important to read therapist bios carefully and consider your needs, but it helps to stay open to the process of trying a few providers before you find the right one. Take a look at our tips for finding a good BetterHelp therapist for more strategies.
Our Guide to BetterHelp Subscription Plans
Unlike other online therapy services, BetterHelp only has one subscription plan to choose from at the start of services. BetterHelp costs between $280 and $400 monthly as of October 2026, depending on your therapist and geographic location. BetterHelp also has options for paying week-by-week, which includes one live session and unlimited messaging for that week.
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: contact@betterhelp.com
- 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 in to your BetterHelp account, go to the “More” tab, select “My account,” and then you will be able to pause your membership for two, four, or six weeks. Note that you can only pause your membership once every three months. If the pause option does not appear in your account, contact BetterHelp customer service by phone or email using the details above.
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
- Go to the “More” tab in the app
- Select “My account”
- Select “Change membership/Cancel membership”
- 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.
Here’s how you can reach BetterHelp’s customer service:
- Phone: 888-688-9296
- Email: contact@betterhelp.com
- Visit the BetterHelp help center and submit a ticket
How Can I Choose My Therapist With BetterHelp?
When you sign up for BetterHelp, you can fill out a questionnaire and be matched with a therapist, but you also have the option to choose your own therapist rather than have the algorithm choose for you based on your questionnaire responses.
To choose a specific BetterHelp therapist, follow these steps:
- Visit the BetterHelp homepage.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and look for the grey 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, and 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 closely at any profiles or bios that are available and consider how a given therapist’s techniques might work for you. However, we’ve found that BetterHelp’s therapist bios can sometimes be relatively inaccurate or misrepresent what a therapist is best at.
The most important piece of advice is to keep trying if your first therapist (or second, or third) doesn’t work out. It doesn’t cost anything to change therapists on BetterHelp, so don’t be afraid to cycle through them until you land someone who works well for you. One thing that can help is to send an introductory message when you start seeing a new therapist. You can use this as an opportunity to explain your goals and expectations for therapy. Leading with an intro message can help you avoid using up your live sessions if a therapist is clearly not a good fit.
BetterHelp – Affordable, convenient, online therapy – Get 20% off your first month!
More BetterHelp Tips & Tricks
Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your BetterHelp subscription:
- Send an introductory message. It can be helpful to send an introductory message any time you start working with a new therapist. You should include some of your goals and expectations for therapy and some of the issues you want to work on during sessions. This can help your therapist prepare for your first session and help both of you decide whether it’s a good fit.
- 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 working out, 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 important to give your mind the time and space 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: We recommend Grow Therapy or Brightside Health.
- Kids & Teens: Bend Health and Teen Counseling are 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.
ChoosingTherapy.com strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
-
BetterHelp Editorial Team. (August 2025). Online therapy: Tips for getting the most from your sessions. Retrieved from: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/general/betterhelp-therapy-tips-for-getting-the-most-from-your-sessions/
-
Marcelle, E. T., Nolting, L., Hinshaw, S. P., & Aguilera, A. (2019). Effectiveness of a multimodal digital psychotherapy platform for adult depression: A naturalistic feasibility study. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 7(1), e10948. https://doi.org/10.2196/10948. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6364202/
-
Thompson, R. B. (2016). Psychology at a Distance: Examining the Efficacy of Online Therapy. University Honors Theses. Paper 285.
-
Novotney, A. (2017, February). A growing wave of online therapy. Monitor on Psychology, 48(2). http://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/02/online-therapy
-
Barak, A., Hen, L., Boniel-Nissim, M., & Shapira, N. A. (2008). A comprehensive review and a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of internet-based psychotherapeutic interventions. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 26(2-4), 109-160.
-
BetterHelp Editorial Team. (August 2026). How to contact BetterHelp customer service for support. Retrieved from: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/psychology/betterhelp-customer-service-quick-answers-to-your-questions/
-
Benson, N. M., & Song, Z. (2020). Prices and cost sharing for psychotherapy in network versus out of network in the United States. Health Affairs (Project Hope), 39(7), 1210–1218. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.01468. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8128060/
-
BetterHelp Editorial Team. (August 2026). Terms and Conditions. Retrieved from: https://www.betterhelp.com/terms/
We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.
Author: Matthew Church, MS (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Added a verdict at the top and 12 new answers on getting started, sessions, scheduling, paperwork, AI, emergencies, and LGBTQ+ care; updated prices to $280 to $400 a month and insurance to all 50 states and DC. Reconciled the two pause answers and fact-checked the page against BetterHelp’s site.
Author: ChoosingTherapy.com Editorial Team
Primary Changes: Added an internal link to our guide on code words for help.
Author: Matthew Church, MS (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Updated insurance information; removed information about the “maintenance plan” (no longer available); added information about weekly billing.
Author: Matthew Church, MS (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Rewrote several sections to improve readability. Fact-checked entire article.
Author: Matthew Church, MS (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Fact-checked and edited for readability and clarity.
Author: Matthew Church, MS (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Fact-checked all information and changed pricing structure throughout; edited for readability and clarity.
Author: Matthew Church, MS (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Fully reviewed article and revised where necessary to improve factual accuracy, clarity, and enhanced readability. Added images to enhance guides. Improved guidance for switching BetterHelp therapists. Added tips about introductory messages.
Author: Matthew Church, MS
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD
Your Voice Matters
Leave your own reviews!
Have you used an online therapy company? Have you tried an online psychiatry service? Do you use a meditation or mindfulness app? We’d love to hear about your experience!
We want to hear about the companies you love and the companies you wish you never used.
Leave your feedback for our editors.
Share your feedback on this article with ChoosingTherapy.com’s editors. If there’s something we missed or something we could improve on, we’d love to hear it.
Our writers and editors love compliments, too. :)
For teens who need more support than weekly therapy, read our Charlie Health review of its virtual intensive outpatient program.
