BetterHelp is the world’s leading online mental health platform with over 20,000 licensed therapists. The company has developed a client base of over 2.5 million users that have received help via the platform.
Being the most popular therapy platform they have developed great relationships with customers and have fantastic testimonials from both members and therapists alike.
BetterHelp has expanded it’s services in recent years and has several sister websites that provide therapy for couples, teens and members of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as those seeking a faith-based approach to counseling. They have therapists who specialise in dealing with specific issues including: anxiety, relationships, trauma, anger, grief, depression and many more, so you can be safe in the knowledge you will find a therapist who can help you.
Here are a few things we really like about BetterHelp:
- The platform is customized to ensure you’re matched with a counselor who suits your needs and does all of the vetting for you.
- It is easy to communicate with your therapist via live-chat, phone or video call, you have the opportunity to communicate using whichever method you prefer.
- The option to switch therapists is simple and convenient if needed, this can be done directly on the platform. No calling up an office and cancelling appointments, no searching for a new therapist locally.
- If you were seeking an in-person therapist, You may have to wait days or weeks to actually meet with one. That’s because you’d need to pick from the limited availability in your area and go by their schedule.
- They have both an iOS and Android app available.
How do you get started with BetterHelp?
When you visit the BetterHelp website you will be asked “What type of therapy are you looking for?”. After selecting from individual, couples or teen, you will be taken to a short questionnaire which will ask you about your background and what issues you want to work on.
You are also asked about what you would prefer in terms of your therapist and if you would feel more comfortable with one of a certain race/ethnicity/gender/religion. You may feel more comfortable talking with someone of a similar background as they may better understand what you’re going through.
After filling out the questionnaire, you can get matched with a licensed therapist within 48 hours. BetterHelp does state that it may take a little longer on some occasions depending on the qualifications or expertise you prefer in your therapist. Their diverse network features therapists with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, leading to better matches.
Therapists on BetterHelp are licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists (PhD / PsyD), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT), licensed clinical social workers (LCSW / LMSW), or licensed professional therapists (LPC). All of them have a Masters Degree or a Doctorate Degree in their field.
How much does BetterHelp cost?
Subscriptions start at $65 a week, billed every 4 weeks. Subscription includes:
- 1 live weekly session (phone, video or scheduled live-chat) of 30 or 45 minutes
- In-app messaging to your therapist
- Group webinars
- Worksheets
- Ability to change/switch therapists at any time
You can cancel your subscription at any time.
A few tips to help you get the most out of online therapy:
- Before your sessions it is a good idea to note down a list of the issues you want to work on. This helps you to focus before and during each session this may also give you some insight into recurring themes or patterns that keep coming up.
- To avoid getting distracted and just “venting” about things, it is a good idea to consult your list before each therapy session, and try to choose a few issues you’d like to talk about so you can get the most out of your session.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions, ask your therapist if you don’t understand something, so you can get clarity. Remember: your therapist is never there to judge you or make you feel uncomfortable, they are just there to listen and help you get through your problems.
- If it’s your first time trying therapy, try and be open minded. It usually takes a few sessions with your therapist for them to understand you, your background, and what exactly you want to work on. Don’t expect things to immediately resolve right away – therapy is more of a process.
- Consider having a notebook and a pen beside you during your sessions (or you can use your phone to write things down). You may hear your therapist say something that really helps and in order to get the most out of therapy, it’s a good idea to jot things down that really resonate with you so you can consolidate this into your life after the session has finished. You may also find yourself explaining or describing things in ways you haven’t before. By writing down these new perspectives it can go a long way in helping you resolve your issues and finding a new way of looking at things.