With the Betterhelp online therapy app, members can text, live chat, and schedule video calls with trained and certified therapists around the world. Although I am not against paid advertisements, I tend to err on the side of skepticism when it seems like every podcast host and influencer I follow is singing praises for the same thing—which, admittedly, is how I first came across Betterhelp. Skeptic that I am, I decided to take matters into my own hands and see how Betterhelp really compared to traditional therapy. Whichever division you choose, through the sign-up survey, the platform does its best to match you with a therapist who can help you work through these circumstances and concerns through text, live chat, or video sessions (or all three, depending on your needs and preferences). But let’s face it, finding the right therapist for your individual needs can be tricky—and the connection you have with your therapist matters. That’s why, if you do not feel the chosen professional is a good match for you, the app makes it easy to request a new option. Simply contact the support team and they’ll help you find someone new. Depending on the professional you are matched with and what you are dealing with, your therapist may use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused therapy, solution-focused therapy, emotionally focused therapy (EFT), mindfulness therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), or other therapy methods. You can ask your designated therapist or counselor about their methods via the live chat option before you plan to meet, or during your first session. When it comes to Betterhelp pricing, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that the company offers financial assistance to those who qualify. If you qualify for assistance, Betterhelp will work with you to provide more affordable therapy costs specific to your circumstances. While Betterhelp technically doesn’t accept or partner with health insurance, there is a little bit of a workaround for this. The Mental Health Parity Act states that employers must offer medical and mental health coverage in an equal manner. Because of that, some insurance companies cover what is considered “online behavioral health” services, which Betterhelp could be classified as. The best way to find out if your insurance will reimburse you for a Betterhelp subscription is to contact your provider and share more information about your Betterhelp membership, to see if they will cover some of the costs. With that said, from a financial standpoint, Betterhelp might not be the best choice for everyone. For example, I currently have health insurance that covers my traditional therapy sessions and am only required to pay a copay of $35 per session. If I attend therapy four times a month, that amounts to much less than the Betterhelp membership plan. So, if you are considering Betterhelp but do have mental health coverage through insurance, it might be worth looking at your plan and comparing the cost of Betterhelp versus traditional therapy. If, on the other hand, you don’t have mental health coverage, Betterhelp is more affordable than traditional therapy. (mindbodygreen readers also save 20% on their first month with the promo code MBG, which automatically applies. Another factor to consider is accountability. With Betterhelp, you have extensive access to your therapist and can text or live chat with them outside of your appointment hours. However, one thing that stood out at the end of each visit is that my therapist didn’t prompt me to schedule another session. In my traditional therapy sessions, my therapist always follows up about when we are meeting next, which holds me accountable and brings a level of structure to the practice. While this might not be an issue for some, I tend to forget about making appointments and prefer to have a provider set up my next appointment while we are in each other’s presence. In terms of who can view your interactions with your therapist, if you consent, a licensed therapist from the BetterHelp Clinical Operations Team may review your interactions, only if concerns are raised about the clinical care or if there is reason to believe that there has been a breach of security, fraud, or another legal issue. That said, this would only be with your consent, and messages between you and your therapist are never shared with any third party. Sessions will never be recorded, nor does Betterhelp share when you send a message or have a session. For additional privacy, you may choose to use a nickname within the app and will not be asked for your last name.
