BetterHelp enables people across the US to quickly match with a licensed therapist for online therapy and earned 4 out of 5 stars overall in our independent review. On BetterHelp, you meet with your therapist for weekly video sessions, or you can choose to have sessions over the phone or via live chat if you prefer. In between sessions, you can stay in touch with your therapist by sending messages that get replies within 24 hours. BetterHelp costs between $60-$90 per week (billed monthly at $240-$360 per month), making it an affordable therapy option for those paying for therapy out-of-pocket.
Pros & Cons of BetterHelp
BetterHelp is a great way to connect and receive help from a licensed therapist or counselor. Its affordable cash-pay option is great for those seeking therapy who don’t have insurance. BetterHelp does not offer medication management at this time and they don’t accept insurance. It’s not clear if or when these will become available on BetterHelp.
How to Sign Up for BetterHelp
To sign up for BetterHelp, please visit the BetterHelp website. You will be asked a series of questions before being able to sign up. These questions help them match you with the right therapist. Once you complete the questions, you will be able to create an account and select a subscription plan. Use the following link to get 20% off your first month.
What Is BetterHelp?
BetterHelp is an online therapy platform that quickly connects you with a licensed counselor or therapist. BetterHelp has one subscription option, which includes a weekly, 30-minute video, phone, or live chat (text-based) session. BetterHelp subscriptions also include unlimited texting with your therapist between sessions, with therapists typically responding within 24 hours. A BetterHelp subscription also includes access to their journaling tool, and group webinars.
While BetterHelp is geared toward individual therapy for adults, they also have brands that offer to serve couples and adolescents. Additionally, BetterHelp has brands that specifically serve Christians and the LGBTQIA+ community. Due to the fact you must visit a different website to sign-up for these services, BetterHelp earned 3 out of 5 stars in the “Clientele Served” category of our online therapy scoring criteria. These options help BetterHelp connect people with therapists who will be a good fit for them, but only through their “sister sites”.
When you first sign up for BetterHelp, you complete a rather extensive questionnaire and are then matched with a therapist. If you decide you want to work with another therapist later, it’s easy to switch therapists. All therapists are able to generally help you manage anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as stress, self-esteem issues, overall unhappiness, and more.
Unlike Talkspace, BetterHelp’s top competitor in the online therapy space, BetterHelp does not prescribe medication and they do not accept insurance. This is one of the main drawbacks when comparing Talkspace vs BetterHelp.
To learn more about BetterHelp’s site sisters, you can read our in-depth review of ReGain, our Teen Counseling review, or our Faithful Counseling review.
Types of Therapy Offered
BetterHelp offers individual therapy, couples counseling, and family therapy. BetterHelp therapists and counselors utilize a wide range of modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, interpersonal therapy (IPT), and more. BetterHelp earned 4 out of 5 stars in the “Range of Therapist Specialties & Treatment Approaches” category of our scoring criteria due to the wide range of modalities potential clients can take advantage of.
Who Is BetterHelp Right For?
BetterHelp is great for individuals looking to improve their anxiety symptoms or depression symptoms, for teens, couples, faith-based communities and LGBTQIA+ community, and those who want therapy but do not have insurance.
Anxiety and Depression Treatment
Those suffering from anxiety and depression symptoms will find qualified, fully licensed counselors and therapists on BetterHelp. Many therapists use a combination of techniques, like Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, to help you learn to manage symptoms. It is important to note, however, that BetterHelp cannot prescribe medication at this time.
Teens, Relationships, Faith-Based, & LGBTQIA+
BetterHelp offers teen counseling, relationship counseling, faith-based counseling, and counseling to the LGBTQIA+ community through their subsidiary companies. All of these companies are owned and operated by BetterHelp, and to our knowledge, use the same technology and pool of therapists as BetterHelp.
Per BetterHelp, “Therapists opt-in to the relevant specialized sites based on their previous work experience, training, and areas of expertise, knowing that this decision will strongly influence the style of referrals they receive through the platform.” (Aaron, personal communication, March 22, 2022)
Teens seeking therapists are directed to Teen Counseling, couples to ReGain, those in the faith-based community to Faithful Counseling, and those who want LGBTQIA+ specific counseling services to Pride Counseling.
Affordable Therapy Without Insurance
BetterHelp subscriptions are a great option for those who want counseling from a licensed therapist but do not have health insurance. Out-of-pocket costs start as low as $240 monthly, depending on your location and therapist availability.
Who May Want an Alternative to BetterHelp?
BetterHelp is a great solution for many but there are some groups of people who may need an alternative. Those with severe mental health symptoms, those in need of medication, those who want to use insurance, or who are under the age of 13, may want to seek out an alternative to BetterHelp.
Those with Severe Mental Health Issues
If you currently have severe mental health symptoms and need immediate help, BetterHelp is not a safe choice. Therapists and counselors cannot respond immediately and should not be used in an emergency situation.
People Looking for Prescription Medication
Those who have a current diagnosis that requires medication management will need to seek out an alternative to BetterHelp. There are other teletherapy platforms, like Talkspace or Youper, that do provide medication management and maybe a better choice for you.
For more information on what subscriptions are currently available, you can read our comprehensive review of Talkspace. Or if you want more information on how CBT + medication could work for you, please read our in-depth review of Youper.
Insurance
Those who have therapy covered through insurance may find their co-pays are more affordable than paying out of pocket. Teletherapy platforms like Talkspace and Cerebral do take insurance and maybe a better option for those seeking to use their benefits. Currently, BetterHelp does not accept insurance and will not create superbills for you to submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement. If you want to learn more about subscription platforms that may take your insurance, please read our in-depth review of Cerebral.
Children Under 13
Children and preteens will not be able to sign up for BetterHelp and those seeking care for the younger teens and kids may want to look at a platform like Brightline Mental Health. Brightline can offer therapy, coaching, and medication management to kids as young as six-years-old. For more information about how subscriptions work, please read our comprehensive review of Brightline Mental Health.
Get a 20% Discount on BetterHelp – BetterHelp is offering Choosing Therapy readers a 20% discount on the first month of their subscription. If you’re ready to sign up with BetterHelp, click here to automatically apply the discount code “choosingtherapy“.
Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp
BetterHelp User Reviews
BetterHelp has a 4.7-star rating based on 24,000+ reviews in the Google Play Store and a 4.8-star rating based on 61,000+ reviews in the Apple App Store. BetterHelp also has a Better Business Bureau page, which currently has them at a 4-star rating based on over 350 reviews and they have been awarded an A rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). During our independent review of BetterHelp, we rated them 3 out of 5 stars in the “Customer Service” category of our scoring criteria.
Easy & Convenient
User reviews on the BBB website talked about how easy it is to connect with a therapist and how convenient it is to schedule appointments with BetterHelp. Many talk about how therapy has really helped their overall mental wellness and that they love being able to attend therapy while being at home.
Refunds Can Be Hard to Get
Despite the high star ratings and glowing reviews, there are over 400 complaints filed with the BBB. After reading through several of them, it seems that people often have a very difficult time receiving refunds from BetterHelp. Getting refunds from BetterHelp for their services is definitely a difficult process, which is why I recommend emailing them at: [email protected] or calling them at: 1 (888) 688-9296.
On-the-Go Therapy
As for the reviews in the app stores, users mentioned it was really awesome to be able to take their therapy on the go with them. Many really liked the in-app journals and text messaging with their therapists, too.
App Issues
Several users noted that the video calls frequently had errors and that the app crashes or lags a lot. I have noticed that the app is pretty laggy, even when connected to wifi.
How Much Does BetterHelp Cost?
BetterHelp costs range between $60-$90 per week, billed monthly at $240-$360, with specific costs depending on which state you live in and therapist availability. Due to this, BetterHelp earned 2 out of 5 stars in the “Online Therapy Cost” category of our scoring criteria. However, the low monthly cost makes BetterHelp an affordable out-of-pocket option when compared to in-person therapy, which can cost $80-$150 per session/week ($320-600 monthly).
Get 20% Off Your First Month Of BetterHelp
If you are redirected to one of BetterHelp’s subsidiary sites, Teen Counseling, Pride Counseling, Faithful Counseling, or ReGain, you will be offered the same subscription option and same pricing structure as BetterHelp.
Is BetterHelp Free?
No, BetterHelp does not offer any services for free. However, you can apply for financial aid during the signup process.
BetterHelp Discounts
| Discount Offered | Yes/No |
|---|---|
| Free Trial of Premium App | No |
| Free App | No |
| Student Discount | No |
| Family Plan | No |
| Senior Discount | No |
| Financial Aid | Yes, apply in app or on the website during sign up |
| Choosing Therapy Reader | 20% Off Your First Month |
Does BetterHelp Take Insurance?
No, BetterHelp does not currently accept insurance for therapy and there is no timeline for when this may become available. While you can use select out-of-network benefits, like your FSA or HSA funds, BetterHelp will not create a superbill for you. Due to all of these reasons, BetterHelp earned 2.5 stars out of 5 stars in the “Insurance & Out-of-Network Benefits” category of our scoring criteria.
Can I Use My HSA/FSA for BetterHelp?
Yes, you can use your FSA or HSA for therapy expenses with BetterHelp. You will simply enter your HSA/FSA card information as your payment type.
What If I Want to Cancel BetterHelp?
You can cancel your BetterHelp subscription at any time. All you do is log in to your BetterHelp account, select “My Account” from the menu then “Payment Settings” and then you’ll see “Quit Therapy”. According to BetterHelp, you must go back to the menu, click “My Account”, select “Personal Information” and then click on “Request Erasure”. Once this process is successfully completed, you will receive a cancellation confirmation email from BetterHelp.
If you have further questions about canceling your account, please contact BetterHelp at: [email protected].
Does BetterHelp Give Refunds?
BetterHelp offers refunds on a case-by-case basis and you must meet their criteria to receive a refund, although the criteria is unknown to us at this time. You can choose to email BetterHelp at: [email protected] or call them directly at: 1 (888) 688-9296.
Is BetterHelp Legit & HIPAA Compliant?
Yes, BetterHelp has policies that are consistent with HIPAA standards, however, the company does not state that it is compliant with HIPAA regulations. Prior to any sessions (messaging or live sessions), you will be required to sign a form agreeing to their privacy policies. Due to these reasons, BetterHelp earned 3 out of 5 stars in the “Privacy & HIPAA” category of our scoring criteria.
Please visit BetterHelp’s Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions for more information.
Getting Started
BetterHelp is available through the Apple or Google Play stores, or you can log in on the BetterHelp website. However, if you want to be able to contact your therapist from anywhere, I recommend downloading the BetterHelp app.
Step 1
To get started, complete the BetterHelp questionnaire here for a 20% discount off your first month.
After that, make sure you also download the app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Step 2
First, you will fill out a short survey and then create your account. You will enter basic demographic information, like name, state you are located in, and therapist preferences. You will also share why you are interested in beginning therapy and what your preference is for communicating with your therapist, (i.e. texting or phone/video sessions).
Step 3
Before you can enter the app, you must enter your payment information. You can choose to pay with your credit card, PayPal, or use your HSA/FSA card. After you pay, then you will be automatically matched with a therapist.
BetterHelp Therapy: Detailed Review
BetterHelp is designed to help those seeking therapy when in-person therapy is not available or an option. It is quick and easy to sign up and matching with a therapist or counselor in your state happens within the first 48 hours.
During the signup process, you will take a short assessment and select your preferences for what kind of therapist you would like (i.e. gender, age, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, etc.). You will automatically be placed with a therapist that is licensed in your state, which unfortunately earned BetterHelp 1 star in the “Therapist Matching or Selection” category on our scoring rubric. BetterHelp says that this matching process can take up to 48 hours, but I was matched with my therapist within an hour.
The therapist I was matched with did not offer video or phone sessions, so I ended up switching to a different therapist. This was frustrating because, during the sign-up process, I had selected my preference for video/phone sessions.
There are a couple of important things to note about BetterHelp and its therapy platform. BetterHelp states several times on their website that they will not diagnose you with a mental illness. While their counselors and therapists are qualified to diagnose their patients, the BetterHelp terms of service forbid them to do so. Additionally, during the sign-up process, you must consent that you will not use BetterHelp in the event of a crisis or for urgent needs.
Therapy with BetterHelp is threefold: asynchronous text messaging in-app, video or phone sessions, and journaling. You can text message your therapist at any time, day or night, but they will only respond during business hours and only Monday through Friday.
In order to have a live session, whether it be by phone or video, you must schedule an appointment. It is easy to schedule an appointment in the app, simply click “schedule” and your therapist’s availability will appear. Any journaling you do in the app can remain private or you can share it with your therapist, it is totally up to you.
Feature 1: “Session” Room
The “Session” room is where you can asynchronously text your therapist or counselor. You will receive an automated message from your therapist when you first get matched. This will include their background and education and how often they check messages.
Prior to being able to message your therapist, you must fill out another consent form and you must share your real name, address, and phone number. Once this is done, you can begin texting with your new therapist.
Feature 2: Journaling
The “Journal” hub has a weekly calendar at the top, with today’s date highlighted. You will be given a journal prompt suggestion, with options to shuffle or see all. There are quite a few journal prompts to choose from in categories like depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and general suggestions.
Once you select a prompt you like, you will title your journal and then begin your entry. An interesting thing about these journals is you can choose to share with your therapist or keep them private.
Feature 3: Schedule
In the “Schedule” hub, you will be able to see a calendar view of your therapist’s availability. When you tap/select/choose a day, times available will appear. You simply select which one works best for your schedule and also choose if you want a phone or video session.
Feature 4: “Groupinars”
The “Groupinars” hub offers various group webinar sessions by topic. These topics include:
- Relationships
- Trauma
- Wellness
- Skill building series
- Anxiety & depression
- Anxiety
- Anger management
- BetterHelp
Each topic will provide you with a group session name, date, time, and a description of what each group session will cover. If you click on “more information” then you can register for your first group session. Under the Anxiety & Depression topic, I was able to sign up for a group session called “Coping Skills for Stress and Depression”.
The “Groupinars” are led by a licensed therapist or counselor and it was an hour-long PowerPoint presentation. None of the participants could see each other but there was a chat box where you could interact with one another and the therapist. Since BetterHelp offers such great extra features like these webinars and the journal, plus all of the excellent articles on their website, they earned 5 out of 5 stars in the “Extra Features & Resources” category of our scoring criteria.
How Are BetterHelp Therapists Vetted and Credentialed?
All therapists and counselors on BetterHelp are licensed and accredited psychologists, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers, or licensed professional therapists. All professionals on BetterHelp must have at least three years and 1,000 hours of hands-on experience.
According to BetterHelp, counselors must provide proper licensure documentation and proof of identity when they apply. BetterHelp then cross-checks their licensure information with their respective state licensing boards. Additionally, BetterHelp requires each therapist or counselor to complete a case study exam to be graded by a licensed clinician and evaluated in a video interview. Because of all the rigorous attention to licensing and credentials BetterHelp does, they earned 5 out of 5 stars in the “Therapist Credentials & Expertise” category of our scoring criteria.
BetterHelp Therapist Matching
Matching on BetterHelp happens automatically based on your answers from the assessment and preferences you selected during the sign-up process. Due to this, BetterHelp earned 1 star in the “Therapist Matching” category of our scoring criteria.
Can You Choose a New Therapist?
Yes, you can choose a new therapist at any time. In the app, tap “More” and you will see “Change Therapist”. Select this and the process will begin for you to choose a new therapist.
I decided to change therapists and the process was very easy to complete. Once you select “Change Therapist” in the app, it will ask you why, and then a directory will appear where you can select someone new.
Can BetterHelp Counselors Prescribe Medication?
BetterHelp does not prescribe medication to patients and it is unclear if or when this will be available.
Is BetterHelp Only In the US?
BetterHelp is available across the US, as well as internationally. Due to how widely available BetterHelp is, they earned 5 out of 5 stars in the “Geographic Location” category of our scoring criteria.
Online vs In-Person Therapy
There are several benefits to online therapy vs. in-person therapy, like ease of use and the convenience of speaking with a therapist on the go. People often choose to sign up for teletherapy due to personal schedules, lack of therapists available in their area, or lack of therapists with certain specialties available. It is important to note that much like in-person therapy, you may have to shop around to find an online therapist that works best for you.
According to Melanie Person, PhD, LMHC, LCPC, “Online therapy has been shown to be as effective as in-person therapy for the treatment of depression.1 When speaking specifically of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), research has found online therapy to be as effective as traditional face-to-face therapy for the treatment of depression, panic, and anxiety disorders.2 Online CBT treatment is showing no significant difference in effectiveness compared to in-person treatment.3 Further, online Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is indicating effectiveness in helping clients with anxiety.4”
TalkSpace vs BetterHelp
Talkspace offers very similar options as BetterHelp, with the ability to message or have a live phone or video sessions with a counselor or therapist. While you are automatically matched with a therapist on BetterHelp, on TalkSpace, you can select from three different therapists.
A big difference between BetterHelp and TalkSpace is that TalkSpace offers psychiatric services. You can book appointments with doctors, psychiatrists, or other prescribing professionals who can provide you with medication. Appointments can be made online, but are billed separately from the subscription.
TalkSpace psychiatry costs $249.00 for an initial visit and then $125.00 for follow-up appointments. You can choose to pick up medication at your local pharmacy, or if covered through insurance, you may be able to have it mailed to you.
BetterHelp’s cost depends on which state you live in, the service starts at $60 per week and goes up to $90 per week. TalkSpace costs start at $69 per week and go up to $129 per week. However, TalkSpace accepts some insurance plans, which may make the cost lower for some. Determining the best online therapy option for you is an important decision and one you should take the time to make.
For more specifics about subscriptions, please read our detailed Talkspace review.
7 Cups vs BetterHelp
BetterHelp and 7 Cups are worlds away in regard to their approaches to therapy. While both BetterHelp and 7 Cups can match you with a therapist, you will only be able to text your therapist on 7 Cups. It is also still unclear what the vetting and licensing process is for therapists on 7 Cups. 7 Cups is cheaper than BetterHelp and boasts a very large community space, but you will likely receive much more support from a therapist on BetterHelp.
On BetterHelp you’re able to book phone or video sessions with your therapist and you have the opportunity to make a really strong connection with them. This is harder to do on 7 Cups since there are no live sessions with your therapist (ever). As our review of the 7 Cups app notes, they might be a good option if all you really need is community support during challenging moments of your life.
You can learn all about this app when you read our comprehensive 7 Cups review.
How Has BetterHelp Changed?
Founded in 2013, BetterHelp is one of the most recognized names in the online therapy industry. According to their website, they have 8,000 licensed clinicians in all 50 states and claim to be the largest online counseling platform in the world. BetterHelp earned a 4 out of 5 in the “Reliability & Longevity” category on our scoring rubric due to how long they have been offering therapy services. The company’s stated mission is to make counseling “accessible, affordable and convenient.”5 In 2015, the company was acquired by Teladoc, a dominant corporation that has a stronghold on the industry and continues to acquire smaller businesses in the telehealth sector.
In 2018, BetterHelp found itself in the middle of a scandal with its paid partnerships with certain big-name YouTubers. Many of the creators on YouTube were touting services that, at that time, BetterHelp was not actually offering and making a lot of money off of affiliate links. This brought up the question of whether or not it was right for big online teletherapy companies to use influencers to gain customers.
Furthermore, it was reported that during this time, BetterHelp had a much different vetting process for its counselors. Their terms of service stated, “We do not control the quality of the Counselor Services and we do not determine whether any Counselor is qualified to provide any specific service as well as whether a Counselor is categorized correctly or matched correctly to you”. 6 People were upset that they were paying so much per month for a service that was not what it claimed to be.
BetterHelp has since updated its ToS, and its vetting process for therapists and counselors is much more rigorous these days.
BetterHelp has four subsidiaries that offer counseling services for the LGBTQIA+ community, for those seeking faith-based counseling, for teens, and for relationships and couples. All of these subsidiaries are owned and operated by BetterHelp, and to our knowledge, have the same pricing structure, use the same pool of therapists and use the same technology.
Final Verdict
Overall, BetterHelp does a really great job of connecting people with licensed therapists or counselors and definitely earned its 5-star rating during our independent review. The app makes attending therapy sessions very convenient and allows people to really focus on their mental health. The cost of BetterHelp could be a deterrent for some and while they offer financial aid, some may find that therapy through their insurance may be more affordable.
BetterHelp will not be a good fit for those who have severe mental health diagnoses or those in crisis. Currently, BetterHelp does not provide psychiatric care nor does it provide medication management. Keep in mind that counseling is a service that you are paying for, and like all paid services, you should shop around until you find one that is effective, affordable, and proves to be a valuable investment.
For Further Reading
- Review all the top online therapy providers
- Dig into the differences between Talkspace and BetterHelp
- Need something for your teen then check out Teen Counseling
- Looking for a therapy alternative? Take a closer look at the best mental health apps available
