How Much Does BetterHelp Online Therapy Cost?

Online therapy is a research-backed method of care that may help individuals address varied mental health-related concerns and life challenges. For millions of clients, it provides a convenient way of connecting with a licensed therapist. 

If you’re considering pursuing online therapy through BetterHelp, you may wonder, "How much does therapy cost?" One of the benefits of online therapy platforms like BetterHelp is the affordability of subscriptions. There are a few subscription prices and cost-related factors to be aware of.

Starting your mental health journey: How much does BetterHelp cost?

Although the subscription plan may be shown through the weekly price, BetterHelp does not bill you every week and instead bills for the therapy costs once a month on 4-week cycles. Full mental health services include back-and-forth messaging with your therapist, entry to group-based discussions, an online digital journal, and the option of having a weekly live session. 

When you sign up for a BetterHelp subscription, your account will not be charged for the first 4-week billing cycle until you’re matched with a licensed therapist, but it's important to note that BetterHelp pricing can vary based on your specific needs and subscription plan. BetterHelp offers convenient payment options, allowing you to connect your PayPal account or use a credit card. The platform also offers financial aid and reduced cost to those who qualify. 

Mental health benefits: What does BetterHelp include?

BetterHelp provides an array of benefits for those who utilize the platform. With your BetterHelp subscription, you can participate in therapy with a licensed mental health professional remotely through video, voice, or in-app live chat messaging sessions.  

The mental health professionals who offer services on the platform are independent contractors. Your therapist will be a psychologist (Ph.D., PsyD), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), or licensed professional counselor (LPC). If you find that you and your therapist are not a good fit, you can choose to get matched with another provider at any time. 

With BetterHelp, users are also given entry to therapeutic worksheets and other educational tools that might help reinforce critical concepts between sessions. You can also reach out to BetterHelp’s professional counselors anytime, day or night, through the platform’s in-app messaging service. If you have a question, forgot to mention something during a session, or want to talk, you can send your therapist a message and receive a response. 

The BetterHelp app contains a safe journal feature that allows you to write journal entries with varying prompts. You can choose whether to show these journal entries with your therapist as well as return and view previous entries when needed. 

Although the family therapists, psychologists, clinical social workers, and professional counselors on BetterHelp cannot diagnose mental health conditions, they offer you tools to improve your mental health. If you want to hear from people who have used BetterHelp services personally, you may be interested in looking through the therapist reviews. 

Connecting with a mental health provider: How often can I go to therapy?

Typically, you can participate in talk therapy through BetterHelp up to four times during each four-week cycle if you choose to do so. In some circumstances, you may be able to participate in live sessions with your therapist more than four times. If you don’t require four sessions, you can choose to have fewer than four. Once you’ve matched with a mental health provider, you can talk to them to see your options and how many sessions you may need.

Is working with BetterHelp therapists more affordable than in-person therapy?

The cost of therapy can differ depending on a wide range of factors. Still, online therapy can be more affordable compared to the cost of in-person therapy (particularly when paid for out of pocket). Since it is an online therapy platform, BetterHelp therapists might not have expenses like office space rent, employees, or similar forms of overhead, their services can be offered at a lower price. 

Without health insurance, traditional therapy sessions generally cost around $100 to $200. Given the $65-$100/week subscription cost (based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply), BetterHelp sessions can be a more affordable option. To enquire about virtual therapy fees and services provided, or apply for financial aid, please use the Contact Us page or email contact@BetterHelp.com. 

Is online therapy effective?

Many people considering online counseling are curious about the potential efficacy of working with a therapist remotely compared to traditional, in-person therapy. Many studies show that online therapy, whether in the form of a live chat session, video session, or phone session, can effectively treat symptoms of various mental health conditions. 

One of these studies, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research and led by researchers from Bay Area universities, explicitly focused on BetterHelp users. BetterHelp, as the largest online therapy platform, has many users and can provide expansive studies. The researchers found that “users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform.”

Several other studies have found online therapy to be as effective at treating various mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD as in-person therapy. Researchers at the University of Zurich found that online therapy is as effective as face-to-face treatment when it comes to managing symptoms of anxiety and depression. They specifically noted the relative cost-effectiveness of online therapy compared to in-person therapy. Not everyone has insurance that includes mental health coverage, but BetterHelp allows individuals to connect with licensed therapists for a fee that many find reasonable. For those who need it, financial assistance is also available. Additionally, a  found that online therapy is as effective as face-to-face therapy of over 90 different studies, which included almost 10,000 total participants, found that online therapy is as effective as face-to-face therapy. 

Other benefits of BetterHelp therapy

There are several reasons clients and therapists might enjoy using BetterHelp, including the following.

Ease of sign-up 

Signing up for BetterHelp online therapy sessions may feel straightforward for many. You can start the sign-up process any day of the week or time of day. To get started, you may answer a short, guided series of questions to facilitate an accurate therapeutic match. Then, you may be matched with a mental health professional that fits your preferences and can address your specific areas of concern within 48 hours. 

Simple billing 

BetterHelp takes care of billing; you don’t have to worry about contacting your insurance company. This process can be helpful for you and your therapist. You can be automatically billed every four weeks, and your therapist can have more time to focus on providing you with support and guidance without having to figure out billing. 

Expanded range

BetterHelp expands the range of providers you can search for. Since you aren’t limited to just licensed professional counselors who work in your immediate area, connecting with a specialist may be faster through the BetterHelp platform.

Flexibility 

BetterHelp is often flexible and convenient. You do not have to commute to sessions through online therapy; you can work with your provider to establish a schedule that works for you. With BetterHelp, someone seeking therapy only needs an internet connection. Additionally, BetterHelp has a flexible policy that allows you to switch therapists if you don’t click with your initial match. Lastly, BetterHelp provides various types of therapy, including relationship therapy, individual therapy, and group therapy sessions, allowing individuals to choose the type most appropriate for their situation.

Social support 

The company is also deeply committed to supporting individuals and communities in need. BetterHelp has donated more than 2,500 months’ worth of therapy services to those impacted by crises or natural disasters. In 2021, BetterHelp donated over 3,000 months of therapy to various communities by working with various non-profits with diverse missions. The platform has worked with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Malala Fund and Restore Her Voice to support Afghanistan refugees, Sandy Hook Promise, and the OUT Foundation to support LGBTQIA+ athletes.

Get started with BetterHelp

You can sign up for BetterHelp today if you are ready to get started. If you have additional questions about BetterHelp’s mental health service not answered in this article, please visit BetterHelp’s FAQ page. You can also reach out to support via the Contact Us page or email at contact@BetterHelp.com.