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As a BetterHelp affiliate, I may receive compensation from BetterHelp or other sources if you purchase products or services through the links provided on this page.
Need to talk some things out, get some advice, and be heard in a safe, comfortable place? I did.
Emma’s personal experience with BetterHelp
A Better Business Bureau rating
20% discount for new clients — no coupon or discount code needed
You choose from more than 20,000+ licensed and certified counselors (other sites match you with a therapist)
All BetterHelp therapists have a Master's or Doctorate degree
All BetterHelp plans include a weekly live video or phone session (your choice)
You choose how to communicate: Chat, email, phone, video, text
Used by more than 1 million people
Free and easy to change counselors
Free access to online “groupinars” (similar to group therapy) for 20 topics
Many specialists, including by religion, for teen, LGBTQ, Christian, couples, by race, age and gender
Quick access to a qualified therapist
Lots of specialties to choose from
Live sessions are only 30 minutes
Cheapest prices require bigger commitment (though still affordable when billed monthly)
Not always a good fit for serious mental illness or addiction.
If you’re looking for a detailed run-through, I share my personal experience here about how BetterHelp online therapy works, the types of therapy involved, and how to get started.
Who is BetterHelp right for?
How does therapy with BetterHelp work?
How much does BetterHelp cost?
BetterHelp is the largest provider of online therapy. They offer counseling services for individuals, couples, and teens working through depression, anxiety, grief, narcissistic personality disorder, stress, addiction, and more. With private communications through chat, phone, and video sessions, BetterHelp simplifies mental health treatment.
BetterHelp was founded in 2013 by entrepreneurs Alon Matas and Danny Bragonier, and acquired in 2014 by Teladoc, the publicly held telehealth company. Betterhelp maintains headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.
BetterHelp has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2015, and maintains an A rating.
An independent study in 2017 by the Berkeley Well-Being Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, confirmed several benefits of online counseling services. The report states that people receiving therapy with BetterHelp saw improvement similar to in-person treatment, and that symptoms of depression were reduced overall.
But this study and the positive online therapy reviews show BetterHelp is a legit company that can help clients work through their problems and improve their wellbeing.
Who is BetterHelp right for?
Betterhelp is for anyone who is struggling with a mental health condition or who wants to improve the quality of their life. Betterhelp has therapists who specialize in these, among other issues:
If you are in a crisis or if you or another person is in danger, BetterHelp is not a crisis intervention service.
Additional resources if BetterHelp is not right for you
If you need immediate help outside of what BetterHelp can provide, here is a list of crisis intervention numbers and websites:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1- 800-799-7233
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433)
Crisis Text Line: Text “DESERVE” TO 741-741
Lifeline Crisis Chat (online live messaging)
Self-Harm Hotline: 1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288)
Here are some client reviews posted on BetterHelp's site:
BetterHelp reviews from real users dealing with depression
BetterHelp reviews from real users dealing with anxiety
BetterHelp reviews from real users dealing with stress
BetterHelp reviews by therapists
This is what the therapists on the site Therapy Den say about what it is like for counselors to work with BetterHelp:
BetterHelp reviews on Better Business Bureau
BetterHelp has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2015, and the BBB gives BetterHelp an A rating based on 341 reviews.
BetterHelp reviews on Trustpilot
BetterHelp has a 4.6-star rating based on 4,714 reviews on Trustpilot, where it has had a profile since 2015.
BetterHelp reviews on Reddit
There are several threads and comments about BetterHelp on Reddit — there are mixed reviews, but the takeaway is that the quality of therapy depends on the therapist, and the therapy-client chemistry:
Has anyone actually tried better help? from CallHerDaddy
Here's my personal experience with and review of BetterHelp:
How does BetterHelp work with individual therapy?
BetterHelp works by using technology to facilitate open communication between you and your therapist. To talk with your counselor, you can send text messages throughout the day or schedule a time for a live chat, phone call, or video session.
The signup is painless and begins with a short questionnaire you complete on the BetterHelp website to better understand why you are seeking therapy, and what your preferences are in terms of schedule, gender and race of therapist and other factors.
Getting paired with a therapist takes about 24 hours. However, you can exchange messages right away after that. In my experience, upon sign up I immediately received an email telling me who my therapist was, and a link to his profile. By the next morning he messaged me with what to expect in terms of communication frequency (he responds within 24 hours of all messaging), and a request to share with him my family history, any personal information, and goals for working together.
How does BetterHelp work with couples therapy?
You can sign up for couples counseling through BetterHelp, or its sister site Regain. Similar to the process for individual therapy, the couples BetterHelp counseling process is:
Go to BetterHelp.com and create an account
Set your preferences for a counselor's race, gender, age, political leaning and the type of help your relationship needs (better communication, overcoming infidelity, deciding to stay together, etc.)
Add your partner's contact info to invite them into the account.
All messaging with the therapist is accessible and visible to both partners. Live sessions must be done from the same screen (the BetterHelp platform is not enabled for three-way calls).
Does your family need counseling?
How does BetterHelp protect my privacy?
In my personal experience using the platform, BetterHelp takes extensive measures to uphold its policy to protect your personal information and comply with the law.
The experience feels very secure.
While you do need to share your name, address and other normal billing information to set up an account, you may remain anonymous to your counselor by choosing a nickname. This is a big difference when compared with traditional, in-person therapy, in which your counselor knows your real name, and can easily access your personal information.
However, your therapist is never anonymous — you see their real photo, full name, and credentials. Feel free to google your BetterHelp counselor!
When communicating with my therapist online, I was impressed that the emails did not contain any personal information or communication with my therapist — info that, say, one of my kids could happen to see when using my Macbook to watch YouTube videos. Instead, all email correspondence with BetterHelp requires that you, the client, click through to the BetterHelp website or app, sign in, and communicate on the encrypted platform.
BetterHelp gives you the option to permanently “shred” (delete) any messages from your BetterHelp account.
Additionally, just as with any counseling, anything you tell your therapist is protected strictly by state and federal confidentiality laws.
BetterHelp points out that because they don't work with insurance, or through employers, they really will never, ever share your info with third parties.
In short: BetterHelp talks a big game when it comes to privacy, and as a user, I can see that they do in fact take it very seriously. The result was that I felt entirely secure using BetterHelp technology.
5 tips for Self-Care Sunday to refresh and recharge yourself
Does BetterHelp have an app for therapy?
BetterHelp can be used through their secure website, or secure app, available through iTunes or Google Play. Both the mobile app and website allow you to choose a therapist, have a live video session, or use the secure text messaging feature on the platform. You can also sign up for and participate in a live Groupinar through the app.
I used the BetterHelp app on my iPhone X and found it very easy to use, with no glitches. The connection during my weekly live sessions was clear.
See if you qualify for financial assistance from BetterHelp >>
What do you do in therapy with BetterHelp?
In short: Therapy with BetterHelp is the same as regular therapy in-person in an office.
The differences are that BetterHelp sessions are less expensive and less time-consuming, and more convenient than driving to a counselor's office. Many want to know how long are sessions on BetterHelp? Live sessions on BetterHelp are 30 minutes, which is shorter than the typical 50-minute sessions. However, this is augmented by unlimited messaging between weekly calls. This feature was especially helpful on the first meeting, as I was able to write out in advance the lengthy process of sharing my family and relationship history, which typically takes up one or two entire counseling sessions. With BetterHelp, we jumped right in to working out all my problems!
The process of starting therapy with BetterHelp starts with getting matched with a counselor based on the preferences you select. All of BetterHelp's counselors:
Have a Master's or Doctorate degree
Are either accredited psychologists (PhD / PsyD), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), clinical social workers (LCSW / LMSW), or licensed professional counselors (LPC).
Are qualified and certified by their state's professional board
Have at least 3 years and 2,000 hours of hands-on experience
You will be matched with a therapist based on your preference for gender, race and age, specialty and experience, such as LBGTQ issues, depression, mental health issues, aging and menopause, sexuality, grief, addiction, relationship issues, abuse, parenting challenges, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, dating, self-esteem, trauma, eating disorders, health challenges, money and career problems, communication style, and more.
BetterHelp is not a crisis hotline, and it is not self-help, but professional counseling conducted online — through email, chat, video or phone calls (your choice)
Some BetterHelp therapists specialize in different types of therapy:
Person-centered therapy, also called client-centered, or Rogerian therapy (referring to psychologist Carl Rogers), is a therapy where the therapist takes a non-directive, empathic approach that empowers and motivates the client in the therapeutic process.  This therapy is based on Rogers’ notion that human beings naturally strive for and have the capacity to reach their human potential. The client-centered therapist is supportive  and does not provide direction or instructions, but rather, allows the client to guide the sessions.
Gestalt therapy is considered a type of client-centered therapy, one that helps clients focus on the present and understand what is really happening in their lives, rather than what they perceive to be happening based on their past experiences.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a short-term, goal-focused approach that takes a hands-on, practical problem-solving method. CBT’s goal is to change patterns of thought and behavior — and therefore change how the client feels.
Psychodynamic therapy focuses on early attachment relationships and  the power of unconscious thought in driving thoughts, behavior and feelings.
Humanistic therapy requires the counselor to provide unrestricted acceptance, freeing the client to openly express their feelings and thoughts. Humanistic therapy often overlaps with client-centered therapy.
Interpersonal therapy focuses on improving interpersonal behavior and communication to help the patient understand how she contributes to her struggles, and by improving her relationships with others and herself, will receive the support and acceptance that will improve mood and wellbeing.
Schema-focused therapy seeks to create a new, healthier framework for your thinking, perception of recent events and view of relationships and the world.
Once you are paired with a therapist, you can start communicating by email or within the app's chat function, and, if you prefer, schedule a phone or video session.
This is what happened when I signed up with BetterHelp:
1. I went to BetterHelp.com. It took me about 10 minutes to fill out the intake form, and fill in my credit card info.
2. Immediately, I received a confirmation email with a match: Jorge (M.S.W., L.C.S.W.) I was happy that it was a man (as I requested), who has a strong background in spirituality as well as some issues that matched the help I need. His profile also included his license numbers, details about his experience, and several dozen client reviews:
3. I then logged on to see his profile, and was prompted by a few questions from Jorge, including some of my family and personal history. I really appreciated that I could type this out ahead of our first session. If you have ever gone to therapy, you know that the first or second session is often a long intake process in which you recount all your family, relationship and health drama, as well as goals for therapy — all of which you then have to repeat in the event you switch therapists. If I ever change counselors, I am totally copy-pasting this part!
4. In his welcome message, Jorge explained that we have unlimited communication via messaging, and he promised to respond within 24 hours. Personally, I prefer to do most of my work during weekly phone or video sessions, but unlimited communication is a great benefit for many people.
4. Right in the app I scheduled a phone session for the next week with Jorge. Note: One-on-one BetterHelp therapy appointments are for 30 minutes.
Can BetterHelp therapists diagnose?
BetterHelp therapists can diagnose many conditions including depression, anxiety, trauma disorders, bipolar disorder, narcissistic and borderline personality disorders.
All 20,000+ therapists who work through BetterHelp are licensed and certified by their state’s board, which means they undergo the same rigorous standards of any other mental health professional.
Can BetterHelp therapists prescribe medication?
Like most online therapy companies, as well as therapists who are not medical doctors, BetterHelp does not prescribe medication, which is typically provided by a medical doctor, or psychiatrist.
Does BetterHelp have same-day psychiatry appointments?
BetterHelp therapists are not medical doctors and otherwise do not offer psychiatric care or prescription writing services. Seek the care of a local psychiatrist, or, if you are in crisis, call 911 or go to your local emergency room.
How much does BetterHelp cost?
Online therapy with BetterHelp starts at $60/week. There is an additional 20% discount for the first month for new members.
All BetterHelp prices include weekly live sessions (other online counseling services charge a premium for live counseling), and unlimited messaging.
How much does BetterHelp cost per month?
With the 20% discount, a one-month commitment starts at $192 per month, which includes weekly live sessions — plus unlimited messaging with your therapist between sessions.
Traditional, in-person, face-to-face therapy costs $60 to $200 or more per hour.
If you can’t afford to pay for BetterHelp, financial aid is available. Answering a few questions about employment status, income, and number of dependents may net you a discount on the regular price — no discount code required.
Does BetterHelp offer a free trial?
BetterHelp does not offer a free trial, though they do offer financial assistance, and a 20% discount for new members.
One of the things I like best about BetterHelp is the ability to quickly and easily change counselors, so if your therapist is not a fit, it is easy and free to switch to a new one.
BetterHelp promo code: Does BetterHelp offer any discount codes?
BetterHelp offers new clients a 20% discount — no discount or coupon code needed! They also offer financial aid for those who qualify — not to mention the unlimited texting that is included.
This really stands out amongst the online therapy and counseling platforms. Go to Betterhelp.com/emmajohnson to get the discount automatically.
You can also apply for Betterhelp's financial aid.
Can't afford a therapist right now? Here are workbooks you could try to DIY:
Is BetterHelp covered by insurance?
Some insurance plans will cover online therapy, although BetterHelp’s website states their services aren’t covered by insurance.
Even if you have health care coverage, paying out-of-pocket for online therapy is likely less expensive than paying co-pays for traditional therapy via an insurer.
Is BetterHelp worth the money?
In my experience, after a few live sessions with my therapist, I have been very satisfied with BetterHelp. The quality of the therapist is remarkable and he has given me both the insights to understand my feelings and behavior, as well as some concrete steps to take to make my relationships better.
I really appreciate the quality of technology for both BetterHelp's website and app — they are easy-to-use, look great, and make finding information, payments, and changes to my account straightforward.
As for the effectiveness of BetterHelp, it is fair to apply all the research that concludes that counseling helps people, as my experience with online counseling is so similar to face-to-face sessions.
There is a study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that online therapy is just as effective as in-person traditional counseling:
The question is not whether BetterHelp or other online therapy sites are “worth it” — but rather whether counseling and mental health services overall are worth it.
As troves of research has found, the answer is: yes.
A recent study published in Translational Psychiatry found that not only does cognitive behavioral therapy change a client's life, it changes their brain. A Forbes journalist summarized it like this:
The study in Translational Psychiatry, suggests that people who have cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have measurable changes in the way certain regions of the brain are connected. Given what we already know, this isn’t so surprising in and of itself, but the results are noteworthy because the participants had more serious mental health issues than are usually the subject of CBT studies. This is the latest in a growing body of evidence suggesting that talk therapy not only has significant and lasting effects on mental health, but that these changes can actually be measured in the brain.
With the help of cognitive behavioral therapy, your counselor can help you retrain your emotional responses to people, situations, and events. This method can deliver the quickest results, and you may even notice a difference right away.
The value of online therapy sites like BetterHelp is that it is very convenient, affordable, anonymous, secure and takes away all the challenges that can stand between a person and the counseling they need.
BetterHelp cancellation and refund policy
You can cancel your BetterHelp subscription at any time.
Reputable therapists never guarantee any results, and BetterHelp is no exception. However, if there are customer service issues: this is BetterHelp's policy, per the website:
We will evaluate your issue on a case-by-case basis and, at our discretion, take steps to resolve any issue, including but not limited to helping you find a new Counselor, extending your subscription at no cost to you, and issuing partial or full refunds when applicable.
Again, even the very first email from BetterHelp highlighted a link to cancel my subscription. The site makes it easy and straightforward to get what you need — including cancelations.
BetterHelp's top competitor is Talkspace. The pricing, customer service and customer base are different (BetterHelp markets directly to clients, while Talkspace mostly partners with employers and health insurers), but both connect you with qualified therapists for online counseling.
Not all online therapy platforms are equal. While most use cognitive behavior therapy online as the primary method of treatment, the intake process, services, and pricing options can vary.
Starting at $240/month, for unlimited texts and weekly live sessions
Starting at $276/month, for unlimited texts. Weekly live sessions are $396/month. A plan with both is $516/month.
Wealthy Single Mommy discount?
For an extra fee of $65/30 min.
Mobile video sessions included?
For an extra fee of $65/30 min.
BetterHelp vs. Talkspace: What has better pricing?
When considering BetterHelp vs. Talkspace, the cost for both is well below traditional, in-person counseling, but BetterHelp pricing is lower, with prices starting at $60 per week with one-on-one sessions included, while TalkSpace pricing starts at $69 per week, but you have to upgrade to benefit from phone or video sessions.
Side by side price comparisons of these two competitors:
Online therapy app / site
Basic plan costs $276/month for texting only. Plan with weekly live sessions is $396.
Starting at $60 per week for unlimited messaging and weekly live sessions, or $240 per four weeks. Financial aid available.
Traditional face-to-face couples counseling
Plus, BetterHelp offers new clients 20% off, as well as financial assistance if you cannot afford to pay BetterHelp's prices.
Talkspace offers unlimited text messaging as well, although the number of responses from your therapist depends on which plan you purchase. If you want to add video or phone sessions, you may pay more for those features.
The option to choose among different pricing structures can make online therapy more affordable for some, but you should make sure you’re making an apples-to-apples comparison between the two programs.
Betterhelp vs. Talkspace: Which accepts insurance?
Talkspace works with a number of health insurers and employers — call your carrier to see if they work with Talkspace.
BetterHelp only works directly with users — you. BetterHelp does not work with insurers.
BetterHelp vs. Talkspace: Which has the best reviews?
4.07 (out of 5) for 453 reviews
1.09 for 82 reviews
4.6 + for 4,713 reviews
1.2 for 107 reviews
BetterHelp vs. Talkspace: Which offers a sliding fee scale?
BetterHelp offers financial assistance to those who cannot afford online therapy. Talkspace does not mention any financial assistance on its site.
Talkspace and BetterHelp are among top online therapy sites.
Bottom line: Is BetterHelp good? How do I schedule a session?
Getting started is easy, and the price seems reasonable considering you can message your therapist 24/7. Plus, you can schedule video sessions, phone calls, and live chats around your own schedule.
Sign up with BetterHelp online therapy in a few minutes, start chatting with your therapist within 24 hours, and get your 20% discount now >>
BetterHelp is the largest provider of online therapy. They offer counseling services for individuals, couples, and teens working through depression, anxiety, grief, narcissistic personality disorder, stress, addiction, and more. With private communications through chat, phone, and video sessions, BetterHelp simplifies mental health treatment.
BetterHelp was founded in 2013 by entrepreneurs Alon Matas and Danny Bragonier, and acquired in 2014 by Teladoc, the publicly held telehealth company. BetterHelp has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2015, and maintains an A+ rating.
Who is BetterHelp right for?
Betterhelp is for anyone who is struggling with a mental health condition or who wants to improve the quality of their life.
How does BetterHelp work with individual therapy?
BetterHelp works by using technology to facilitate open communication between you and your therapist. To talk with your counselor, you can send text messages throughout the day or schedule a time for a live chat, phone call, or video session.
Does BetterHelp have an app for therapy?
BetterHelp can be used through their secure website, or secure app, available through iTunes or Google Play.
Can BetterHelp therapists diagnose?
BetterHelp therapists can diagnose many conditions including depression, anxiety, trauma disorders, bipolar disorder, narcissistic and borderline personality disorders.
Can BetterHelp therapists prescribe medication?
Like most online therapy companies, as well as therapists who are not medical doctors, BetterHelp does not prescribe medication, which is typically provided by a medical doctor, or psychiatrist.
How much does BetterHelp cost?
Online therapy with BetterHelp starts at $60/week.
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Wealthysinglemommy.com founder Emma Johnson is an award-winning business journalist, activist, author and expert. A former Associated Press reporter and MSN Money columnist, Emma has appeared on CNBC, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, TIME, The Doctors, Elle, O, The Oprah Magazine. Winner of Parents magazine’s “Best of the Web” and a New York Observer “Most Eligible New Yorker," her #1 bestseller, The Kickass Single Mom (Penguin), was a New York Post Must Read. As an expert on divorce and gender, Emma presented at the United Nations Summit for Gender Equality and multiple state legislature hearings. More about Emma's credentials.
July 22, 2020 at 9:04 pm
It sounds real good until it comes time to pay…you have to pay for a month upfront. For hard working single moms like myself that aren’t wealthy, that live paycheck to paycheck, cannot afford 4 WEEKS cost up front! I emailed to cancel them and they were very nice and said to apply for the fincial aid, which I jumped on, and they took $50 off. Again, it’s a GREAT price but it will take time to save up a months cost. Not great for people like me. Who do we talk to??
February 19, 2021 at 12:31 am
Hi! I currently work as a therapist with Better Help and love it! I agree with most of the article above, however, clients are able to schedule longer than 30 minute sessions. We currently are compensated for sessions up to 50 minutes. This will be changing to 45 minutes starting in July. I wish it was a little longer, but the messaging aspect does make up for some of that. It’s a great platform!
February 19, 2021 at 3:04 pm
BETTERHELP is not that great . It’s just a way to add more temporary feelings that somebody might help you but if you don’t put it out there that you’re going to end your life then your last priority .
When I was talking to the person on text message I felt like all she wanted to do was just give me a website that could help me or ” resources” and I would be like oh yeah that could really help me and thanks a lot bye and end the conversation but there’s a lot more to helping people than just sending them or overloading their text messages with other “resources” . If I’m depressed I might want to talk to somebody the whole way not just go look through other websites while already feeling helpless or hopeless. With her constantly getting off subject asking if I have thoughts of harming myself made me feel like she had no intentions to truly help me or like I wasn’t talking to a read person . Just to give me info and leave the conversation asap.