How BetterHelp Can Lead To Better Health
Online therapy platforms like BetterHelp can allow individuals to connect conveniently with licensed mental health professionals and experience the benefits of therapy from home. Meeting with a therapist can help you strengthen your mental health, which can, in turn, positively impact your physical health. BetterHelp is one of many options for clients looking to meet with a counselor for therapy sessions. Understanding how it works can help you get started with a provider that meets your counseling needs.
Healthy thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can better physical health
Below are a few ways BetterHelp sessions can help individuals work through mental, physical, and emotional challenges.
Healthy coping strategies can reduce stress
Stress can contribute to numerous health concerns, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. It can also lead to headaches, upset stomach, substance use, eating changes, muscle tension or pain, chest pain, and sleep disorders. Learning to manage stress can help you control these physical symptoms and the negative feelings that stress can cause.
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.
Emotional management can prompt healthy behavior
If you feel emotionally well, you may have more energy or drive to engage in healthier behaviors. For instance, you may be more motivated to exercise, prepare your favorite meals, connect with people who make you feel supported, or avoid unhealthy behaviors. Physical activity is one way to feel better emotionally. For instance, exercise releases endorphins that can make you feel joyful, happy, and energized.
Managing depression can reduce diabetes-related complications
The American Psychological Association has pointed out that people living with depression and diabetes are more likely to experience complications from diabetes than those who have diabetes but aren’t experiencing depression. Managing depression may help you reduce the chances of these complications.
Addressing concentration and organization can lead to more time for healthy behaviors
Those having trouble focusing or concentrating may struggle to accomplish what they’d like. If you relate to this challenge, you might find extra time by practicing coping mechanisms for focus and concentration. These coping skills might include memory exercises, puzzles, or self-care. Feeling well may give you more time to complete projects, open up your schedule to meditate, make doctor’s appointments, practice self-care, and engage in relaxing stress-reducing activities that support your wellness.
Treating depression can alleviate pain
Studies have found that treating depression can alleviate chronic fatigue, insomnia, and increased pain sensitivity. Talking to a therapist to manage depression can help you feel better mentally and physically, get you into healthier sleep patterns, and give you strength and tools for emotional management.
BetterHelp may offer you better well-being
There are a few ways that therapy with licensed therapists may help you enhance your overall well-being, including the following:
- Learning healthy coping strategies in talk therapy can help you reduce stress and manage depression and anxiety.
- Addressing relationship issues that may be contributing to negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can help you have healthier connections with others and improve family dynamics.
- Strengthening relationships can improve social satisfaction for most people and an enhanced sense of support.
- Learning new, healthy behaviors can improve productivity.
- Setting goals for mental and physical health and having someone help you with accountability as you work to achieve them can help you make lasting change.
How to get started with BetterHelp
To get started with therapy through BetterHelp, you’ll answer a short questionnaire online during the sign-up process. Then, BetterHelp’s algorithm on our online therapy platform can match you with a therapist based on your location, areas of concern, and preferences. You also have the option to change therapists if you feel someone different would be a better fit for you. The matching process with a therapist can take as little as 48 hours to find a good match.
Questions people may ask when considering BetterHelp
Below are a few commonly asked questions that those considering BetterHelp may ask.
How much is BetterHelp a week?
BetterHelp is an affordable, subscription-based platform to reach online therapists. The cost of therapy through BetterHelp ranges from about $65 to $100 per week (based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply), billed every four weeks. The price you pay may depend on location, preferences, and therapist availability. In addition, your subscription can be canceled anytime for any reason.
Is BetterHelp worth the money?
Therapy through BetterHelp can cost a fraction of traditional therapy options while offering benefits like a journaling feature, webinars, and worksheets. It is an affordable way for people with mental health concerns to get the care they need from the comfort of their homes. In-person therapy can range from $100 to $200 per hour for individuals, so BetterHelp is often cheaper.
Does BetterHelp take funds from HSAs?
Clients may use funds from their HSAs (health savings accounts) to pay for therapy through BetterHelp. Using pre-tax income set aside in an HSA can enhance the affordability of BetterHelp. However, check with your HSA administrator about whether a service like BetterHelp can be paid for in your case.
Are BetterHelp therapists licensed?
All therapists on BetterHelp’s platform are licensed, experienced, and have undergone a thorough, rigorous vetting process. Each mental health provider who connects with clients through BetterHelp is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed professional counselor (LPC), or licensed psychologist (Ph.D. or PsyD).
All BetterHelp therapists hold an advanced degree in their area of expertise (a master’s or doctoral degree) and have three years and 1,000 hours of experience. BetterHelp uses a careful process to vet every therapist who uses the platform and verify that they are up to date on their licensing and in good standing.
When applying to work with BetterHelp, therapists showcase thorough documentation of identity and licensure. BetterHelp cross-checks their licensing and identity through their state’s licensing board. Therapists who want to be part of the BetterHelp platform also complete a case study exam, which a licensed clinician grades in the mental health field. They must also be evaluated in a video interview.
Professional standards for therapists who work with BetterHelp are high so that clients can receive excellent, thorough care. Licensing information is available so that users can easily find it. In addition, BetterHelp shows complete licensing information for each provider who works on the platform.
Is BetterHelp legitimate?
BetterHelp is a legitimate company. BetterHelp has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau since 2015.
What does BetterHelp do for its community?
BetterHelp has donated thousands of months of therapy to mission-driven non-profits. Non-profits to which BetterHelp has donated therapy services include but are not limited to the following:
- NAMI to support frontline healthcare workers
- Me Too International to support people affected by sexual violence
- The Malala Fund and Restore Her Voice to support Afghanistan refugees
- Sandy Hook Promise to support those affected by gun violence
- OUT Foundation to support LGBTQ+ athletes
Updates on how BetterHelp continues its community support are available on its social impact page.
Takeaway
Therapy can help with many mental conditions, from post-traumatic stress disorder to depression. Studies have shown that online therapy effectively treats a wide array of mental illnesses. But you don’t need to have a condition to benefit from therapy.One study found that 71% of participants preferred online therapy with BetterHelp to in-person options and found it more effective overall. With BetterHelp, you can also switch therapists at any time if you feel that the counselor provided to you is not a match.
Get started by signing up and getting matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours. By speaking with a counselor, you can commit to your health and well-being and make the changes you want to see in your life.
Is BetterHelp an American company?
Yes, many consider BetterHelp to be an American company. BetterHelp is known for the online therapy services that it provides, supporting those considering seeking therapy via convenient online counseling avenues and options. This alternative to in-person therapy sessions has been helpful for many who wish to work with an online therapist or who have nervousness about entering an in-person therapy room.
BetterHelp does not generally provide medication management services, nor do their employees prescribe medication. If you’re looking for someone to prescribe medication for your condition, consider working with your primary care physician or requesting a referral to a psychiatrist.
Connect today and ask about financial aid or discount opportunities that you may be eligible for.
How do I take down my BetterHelp account?
There are many reasons why someone might want to take down their BetterHelp account, or discontinue services. Perhaps they are done with online therapy sessions, are taking a break from seeking therapy, or wish to work with clinical social workers on an in-person basis. They may also want to see what alternatives are covered by their health insurance provider; as many local offices may accept insurance around them. Other alternatives may offer a higher degree of financial aid and flexibility, which can be worthwhile for those who are unable to connect with an alternative through their health insurance.
No matter what the reason is for the account deactivation, we respect it and wish you all the best in your mental health care journey. Here’s a step-by-step guide to taking down your BetterHelp account and discontinuing online therapy services with BetterHelp:
Log in. To take down your online counseling account with BetterHelp, you’ll have to log in and authenticate yourself first.
Go to Menu, and click on My Account (or Account Settings).
Click on Payment Settings.
Click on Cancel Membership.
At this point, any current outstanding online mental health services or sessions with clinical social workers and professional counselors will be discontinued. You can follow additional steps below for total account removal.
Go to Menu, and click on My Account (or Account Settings).
Click on Personal Information.
Click on Request Erasure.
After this series of steps, your account will be removed. You will receive an email confirming this.
You can learn more about opting out and discontinuing online mental health care via the BetterHelp website. You can also connect there to learn more about flexible payment options, financial aid or discount opportunities.
Can you use BetterHelp in Canada?
BetterHelp is considered by many to be one of the largest international online counseling services. It can be reached in Canada, and can be used by people all over the world. Like in the U.S., BetterHelp services in Canada don’t generally prescribe medication. Rather, you can connect with family therapists and online counseling specialists who can help you to deal with matters related to your mental health.
Looking for financial support? Connect today to explore financial aid opportunities and discounts that you may be eligible for.
Who is the target audience of BetterHelp?
Generally speaking, anyone can use BetterHelp’s services. While the service doesn’t prescribe medication or manage it, it offers seamless connections with family therapists and specialists via video sessions that can fit your schedule.
Other online therapy services can be complicated to navigate, forcing you to determine if they accept insurance (or don’t), and making you navigate complex and outdated fee models. While the service doesn’t accept health insurance, BetterHelp can offer financial aid or discounts to those who qualify.
Can your therapist see your journal on BetterHelp?
Other online therapy companies have complex or obscure policies. We’re happy to be as transparent as possible with you as you work with your online therapist.
Per BetterHelp’s policy, your therapist can only see journal entries if you opt in to showing the entries with professional counselors employed by the service. Otherwise, your therapist will only know what’s talked about or discussed in the therapy room or video sessions.
Who are the ambassadors of BetterHelp?
There are many “ambassadors” and notable influencers who work with BetterHelp. Among these include Kelly Uchima, Venus Williams, Taylor Fritz and Travis Scott.
What is the best online therapy in the UK?
While there are many online therapy options in the UK that offer financial aid and accept insurance, many consider BetterHelp the best option out there. While BetterHelp does not accept insurance, they can offer financial aid or appropriate discounts based on individual needs and prequalifications.
Can I use BetterHelp on my computer?
Yes! You can use BetterHelp on a computer or a mobile device with internet connectivity.
Who invented BetterHelp?
Many believe that Alon Matas and Danny Bragonier are the founders of BetterHelp. They created BetterHelp in 2013, and the site was acquired by Teladoc in 2015.
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