BetterHelp Review: Is Betterhelp (legit, scam, real ) find out here
Nowadays, there are lots of different online
therapy providers to choose from. One option that you may be considering is BetterHelp. But it can
be tough to figure out whether this is actually the right online therapy
service for your unique needs.
That’s why we’ve put together the following
BetterHelp review. It contains everything that you need to know about
BetterHelp so that you can decide whether it’s the right company for you. Keep
reading to learn more.
What
Sets BetterHelp Apart from Competitors?
BetterHelp
this stands out from other online therapy services in a few key ways. First,
the company is one of the biggest providers of online mental health services in
existence. There are more than 12,000 therapists that work with BetterHelp.
That makes it pretty easy to find one who aligns with your unique preferences
and needs.
Independent research labs have also
confirmed that BetterHelp can be a very-effective way to work towards improved
mental health. For example, the Berkeley
Well-Being Institute found that the company is as
effective as face-to-face counseling. The study found that 98% of BetterHelp members
made significant progress, 70% showed reduced depression symptoms, and 94%
preferred BetterHelp to face-to-face counseling.
BetterHelp also stands out with the
many different ways that it allows members to communicate with their
therapists. For example, when you register for a plan, you’ll get to choose
between the following communication methods:
- Text
messaging
- Live
chats
- Phone
calls
- Video
conferencing
The unlimited messaging feature of
BetterHelp is especially noteworthy. It gives members the freedom to reach out
to their therapist as often as they need to do so. It’s a feature that many
other online therapy providers don’t offer.
Registering
for BetterHelp
The registring process for BetterHelp
is very straightforward. There are five steps that you’ll need to complete to
get started.
First, you’ll fill out a quick
questionnaire. This will provide BetterHelp with some basic information about
the type of support that you’re after. It will help them find you a more
accurate therapist match.
Next, you’ll create your account.
You can register with an email address or with your Facebook or Google account.
You’ll be connected with a therapist after all of this is done. You’ll be provided with a picture of the counselor and a list of their specialties, licenses, and communication options.
Finally, if you’re happy with the therapist you’ve been matched to, you’ll begin the treatment process by sending them a message. Then you’ll confirm your plan together, submit your first payment, and have your first video call.
Therapist
Certifications and Quality at BetterHelp
Though there are lots of therapists
working for BetterHelp,
that doesn’t mean the company has a lax hiring process. Rather, BetterHelp says
that just 15% of the therapists that apply to its platform are ultimately
approved to see patients. The review process includes:
- A
thorough review of the therapist’s background, experience, and references
- Credential
verification
- A
video interview and a case study
- A
platform skills test
Additionally, all therapists that
work with BetterHelp have either a master’s degree or a doctorate. The vast
majority have one of the following certifications:
- Psychologist
(PhD/PsyD)
- Marriage
and family therapist (LMFT)
- Clinical
social worker (LCSW/LMSW)
- Licensed
professional counselor (LPC)
BetterHelp also makes sure that all
of its therapists have at least 2,000 hours of hands-on experience. So you can
be confident that the counselor you’re connected with is highly qualified to
support your health and well-being.
What
Does BetterHelp Offer and Company Info
BetterHelp
was founded in 2013 by Alon Matas and Danny Bragonier. The company’s
headquarters are in Mountain View, California.
BetterHelp offers direct-to-consumer
mental healthcare access through its online portal. The company allows members
to connect with highly skilled counselors through web-based interactions, phone
calls, video calls, and text messages.
BetterHelp is a bit secretive about
its refund policy. It doesn’t provide hard and fast rules for when you can
expect to receive a full or partial refund. Rather, the company says that it
evaluates each situation on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the issue, they
may offer to help you find a new counselor, extend your subscription for free,
or issue a full or partial refund.
BetterHelp lets you choose how long
you want to commit to the service. For example, you can choose weekly plans,
monthly plans, or even yearly plans. Each of these options includes unlimited
messaging and live chats. Your plan will also include one live session with your
therapist each week.
The amount that you pay for
BetterHelp depends on the plan you choose. If you want a week-to-week plan,
then you will be charged $80. But monthly plans cost as little as $60 per week.
Your weekly charges can go for as low as $35 if you commit to a yearly plan
with BetterHelp.
How
Does BetterHelp Compare to Other Online Counseling Platforms
BETTERHELP |
TALKSPACE |
REGAIN.US |
BRIGHTSIDE |
CEREBRAL |
|
|
Specialty |
General mental health and wellness |
General mental health, psychiatry, couples, teens |
Couples counseling, general mental health support |
Anxiety, depression, medication-based treatment |
Anxiety, insomnia, depression, medication-based treatment |
|
Average Price |
$60-$80/week |
$64-$80/week |
$60-$90/week |
$249/month |
$65/month |
|
Mobile App |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Session Format |
Video conferences, live chats, phone calls, and messages |
Text, video, and voice messaging |
Live meetings via computer, tablet, or smartphone |
Video conferencing |
Video or phone call |
|
Prescriptions |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Therapist Certifications |
PhD, PsyD, MFT, LCSW, LPC |
MS, RMHCI, LICSW, LMHC, LPC |
Licensed psychologists, family therapists, marriage
therapists, |
BetterHelp FAQs
Do we take insurance?
No, BetterHelp is not
covered by any major insurance plans at this time. You should expect to pay the
full cost of the service out of pocket.
Do we work?
Yes, BetterHelp can be a very effective way
to improve your mental health and well-being. It gives you the chance to
communicate regularly with a licensed therapist who specializes in the specific
mental health issue that you’re dealing with. It can be just as effective as
in-person therapy.
Are we free?
No, BetterHelp is not free. The company
sometimes offers free trials for a week. But after that ends, you would need to
sign up for a recurring subscription, which typically costs between $60 and $80
per week.
Do we offer refunds?
BetterHelp sometimes issues full and partial
refunds. But the company is unclear about when it will do this. It says that it
evaluates refund requests on a case-by-case basis but provides limited
information beyond that.
Do we prescribe medication?
No, BetterHelp does not work with
psychiatrists at this time. You would need to work with another mental health
provider to receive any prescriptions.
Are our therapists licensed?
Yes, all therapists who work with BetterHelp
are licensed. The specific licenses that a therapist has will vary and you can
choose ones that are licensed in areas that are relevant to your mental health
needs.
Are our sessions recorded?
The company states in its terms of service
that it doesn’t record live sessions. However, BetterHelp does say that it may
monitor your messages with therapists for quality assurance, training, and
other purposes.
How much do we charge per month?
The average price for BetterHelp is between
$240 and $320 per month. It varies based on the length of your subscription.
Are we worth your money?
Most people would agree that BetterHelp is
worth the money. It can be as effective as in-person therapy and is often
cheaper than it.
Do we have free trials?
BetterHelp sometimes offers a free 7-day
trial that lets prospective users try out the service without any risk.
Can you cancel our contract at any time?
Yes, users are free to cancel their
memberships at any time and for any reason. Doing so is as easy as logging into
your account and managing your subscription.
Can we diagnose you?
Yes, the company’s counselors all have
licenses that allow them to diagnose mental health issues in patients.
How do u contact us?
You can fill out a communication request form
on the company’s website or email them directly at contact@betterhelp.com.
How are our therapists paid?
BetterHelp pays its therapists about $30 per
hour. So the amount that a counselor makes depends on how much time they spend
working with BetterHelp patients.