BetterHelp Benefits: What Can Online Therapy Do For Your Mental Health?
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If you’re considering therapy, you might be overwhelmed when deciding what type or method you could benefit from most. You may be contemplating your preference for a therapist, how much money you can budget for therapy, and what company or provider to turn to. Finding affordable therapy in your area can be stressful, especially therapy that is appropriate for your situation and that fits your particular needs.
Living in a rural area can also present challenges, as a lack of therapist availability or accessible therapists can lead to a lack of options. You may become confused, overwhelmed, or exhausted trying to find support. However, some options have emerged in response to these needs, as online therapy has become more popular for accessible and affordable therapy.
BetterHelp therapy is one type of online therapy that may fit your needs. The mental health services on this platform have offered millions of people life-changing value and emotional healing worldwide. Its list of expert therapists and satisfied users continues to grow every day. Below, explore the potential benefits of online therapy through BetterHelp or individual practice telehealth.
What Is BetterHelp?
With headquarters in California, BetterHelp is the largest online therapy service platform worldwide. We have a roster of over 30,000 licensed therapists and counselors. With BetterHelp, therapy sessions can occur through several formats. Methods of talking with your therapist can include:
- In-app messaging
- Live chat sessions
- Live phone sessions
- Live video sessions
So, is BetterHelp therapy or counseling? We use the terms “therapy” and “counseling” interchangeably here. Our providers are composed of various therapists, counselors, and social workers. But our services are the same regardless of the exact label used. While each therapist is unique and brings their own experience, personality, and expertise to the table, our portal and tools are the same for all users.
Is BetterHelp therapy or counseling?
The BetterHelp platform uses “therapy” and “counseling” interchangeably. Various licensed therapists, counselors, psychologists, and social workers support clients on this site. However, client services are the same regardless of the exact label used. While each therapist is unique and brings their own experience, personality, and expertise to the table, the online portal and tools are the same for all users.
Is BetterHelp therapy legit?
Since BetterHelp therapy is entirely virtual, some may wonder, “Is BetterHelp.com legit, or is it a scam?” BetterHelp is a legitimate company that has been accredited by The Better Business Bureau since 2015. Moreover, every one of the therapists contracted with BetterHelp is licensed and certified to practice counseling. They must go through a thorough application and review process before being contracted.
Why is online therapy becoming so popular?
The American Psychological Association says it best: online therapy is here to stay. The explosion in telemental health counseling can partially be attributed to the recent Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, the current state of the world has left millions experiencing mental health challenges.
The state of the world has left many people struggling with mental health challenges and difficulty accessing help in person. Besides meeting the need for remote services amidst the pandemic, online therapy has offered convenience and proven efficacy in helping people improve their mental health. Below are some of the benefits of this type of service.
Online therapy is affordable
Many online therapy services are more affordable than traditional in-person therapy sessions. While the average cost for in-person therapy ranges from around $100 to $200 per session without insurance, services like BetterHelp offer sessions for anywhere from $65 to $100 weekly and $260-$400 monthly (based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply) to have sessions with a qualified therapist.
There are also “free” versions of online therapy, but be wary of their quality. Many of these are useful for connecting with supportive people and forums but not necessarily the best for finding a licensed therapist. A licensed therapist isn’t in retirement or a former employee of a counseling service, but an actively practicing professional. BetterHelp occasionally offers specials and discounts, and financial aid may be available for those who qualify.
Online therapy is convenient
The convenience of online therapy can make it popular for those with busy lives. Many people juggle jobs, school, families, friends, and hobbies. Reducing the number of obligations on their plate whenever possible may reduce stress and anxiety.
With online therapy platforms like BetterHelp, you don’t have to spend time commuting to a therapist's office. Instead, you can participate in your therapy session wherever you are most comfortable. For instance, if you live with social anxiety, the physical distance between you and your therapist or a full waiting room might offer a sense of safety for opening up.
However, the convenience of online therapy does not come at the cost of its effectiveness. A comprehensive meta-analysis reviewed the available research and concluded that online therapy can reduce symptoms in individuals with a variety of mental health challenges and conditions. Online cognitive-behavioral therapy appears particularly effective and may be as beneficial as in-person therapy.
It’s flexible
Online therapy can be flexible. With platforms like BetterHelp, clients have autonomy in selecting a therapist that fits their preferences and needs. They can also choose their weekly session schedule and the communication format. For example, clients can sign up for phone, video, or live chat sessions with their therapist. Throughout the week, they can also send messages to the therapist and receive responses as soon as the provider is available.
BetterHelp benefits
Let’s talk more specifically about the BetterHelp benefits that millions have enjoyed worldwide. In addition to convenience and affordability, our therapists are all licensed professionals. We have the tools to provide you with resources that can help transform your mental health.
Here are just some of the benefits BetterHelp users may enjoy:
- Learning to communicate more openly
- Practicing vulnerability with those you love
- Learning how to create boundaries with others
- Making healthier lifestyle choices
- Improving sleep patterns
- Overcoming unhealthy substance use
- Managing stress effectively and feeling calmer
- Improving your self-esteem
- Gaining insights into your personality patterns and subconscious thoughts
- Setting goals and learning techniques to achieve them
- Addressing past trauma and learning coping mechanisms
- Picking up new emotional self-control tools
- Healing from abuse
- Having conversations with someone who actively listens
- Improving symptoms of depression so you can live a healthier, happier life
Choose the right therapist for you
One of the unique benefits of BetterHelp is the flexibility to choose your therapist. When you fill out the initial questionnaire, you can be matched with a therapist based on a sophisticated algorithm in as little as 48 hours. That way, your therapist will fit the criteria for what you’re looking for. Through BetterHelp, there are a wide variety of licensed therapists, psychologists, and clinical social workers including family therapists and marriage and family therapists.
If you feel like this initial therapist is not a good match for you, you can look through the roster of therapists and select your own. One of the great perks of BetterHelp is that there are no penalties for changing therapists; you can do so anytime.
The cost of a BetterHelp membership and what's included
BetterHelp is offered as a weekly subscription with a cost of $65 - $100 per week billed every four weeks. Prices range from $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) to have sessions with a qualified therapist. When you sign up for BetterHelp therapy, you will first fill out a simple questionnaire and be matched with one of our licensed therapists according to your needs. Then you will coordinate your weekly therapy session with your therapist.
Here’s what is included in your appointment:
- One 30-minute or 45-minute session a week, conducted over live chat, live phone, or live video. These sessions can take place on a computer, tablet, or mobile device. The length of the session is up to your needs and your therapist’s availability.
- Messaging between you and your therapist. You can go back and look at your conversations at any time.
- A journaling feature including journal prompts and mood tracking
- The option to schedule one support group session a week from various themes, as well as to schedule extra sessions for an extra cost
- Webinars with educational material
- Worksheets and goal-tracking that can be assigned by your therapist and completed in the BetterHelp app or online on the website
Insurance and financial aid
BetterHelp does not accept health insurance, and BetterHelp therapists do not submit insurance claims. There is a small chance that if you reach out to your insurance provider, they will be willing to cover some of your therapy sessions. But this depends on the company, and you will have to ask explicitly. Call the 1-800 number on your insurance card to contact them.
You may also be able to pay using your employee flexible spending account (FSA) if it’s something your job offers. In addition, if your employer is joining hundreds of others who are prioritizing the mental health of their employees, they may offer a certain number of paid therapy sessions to you and your family per month as part of your employee wellness package. If you’re unsure about what’s available, talk to an HR representative.
While we don’t offer free therapy through insurance, BetterHelp also offers some financial aid and discounted rates to individuals who fit our low-income criteria. So far, we have granted over $65 million in financial aid to BetterHelp users. If you think you might qualify, you can always contact our Customer Service team at contact@betterhelp.com to inquire.
Our expert therapists are just one of the BetterHelp benefits
Our therapists at BetterHelp want what’s best for their clients. Our worldwide reach draws many therapists to our service including therapists who specialize in individual therapy, couples therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). We help them expand their services to people from around the world who might benefit.
So, what do our BetterHelp therapists have to do to join the team? What do they all have in common?
- They are fully licensed to practice as mental health providers.
- Their licenses are all in good standing.
- They are all vetted by providing licensure documentation and are verified with their state licensing board by BetterHelp.
- They complete a case study exam that a licensed clinician grades.
- They pass a video interview.
You no longer need to wonder, “Does BetterHelp have real therapists?” Our therapists are qualified, licensed, and experienced experts in the field. In addition, only about 20% of applicants are accepted to the BetterHelp platform, making them highly qualified providers. Our therapists set their own hours and work a variety of schedules, so whether you need late-night availability, weekend sessions, or therapy during the holidays, you’ll be able to find a therapist to meet with. As with an in-office therapist, BetterHelp therapists may not prescribe medication for anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns; for medication, you will need to see a psychiatrist.
Takeaway
What are the benefits of online therapy through BetterHelp?
Online therapy with BetterHelp can offer a range of benefits, including the convenience of being able to have therapy sessions from your own home, being able to switch therapists to find the right match for you, and being able to message your own therapist at any time using in-app messaging. In addition, every therapist on the platform is trained and licensed—these include licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, and other similar recognized licenses. A BetterHelp subscription can also be an affordable option for many people, and some find BetterHelp cheaper than attending traditional face-to-face therapy.
What are the benefits of therapy for anxiety?
Therapy can help you learn more about what contributes to your anxiety, develop coping skills, challenge anxious thoughts, and reduce stress and anxiety in daily life.
What types of mental health concerns does interpersonal therapy tend to be used for?
Interpersonal therapy is most commonly used for major depressive disorder, but it can also be used for a range of other mental health conditions, such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What are the disadvantages of different therapy options? Is there financial aid available for therapy?
Different types of therapy may have different advantages and disadvantages for various people, conditions, and situations. For instance, for people who have limited transportation and tight schedules, attending in-person therapy may be difficult, and online therapy features like unlimited messaging may be very useful. In contrast, for people who do not have a reliable internet connection or suitable device, seeking online counseling may not be feasible. In addition, for those with a severe mental illness, seeking in-person care may be needed. However, with all kinds of therapy, finding a qualified mental health professional, typically with a master’s degree or higher in a relevant field, can be important for receiving quality care.
There are a variety of options to consider that may make therapy more affordable. If you have health insurance, you can contact your health insurance provider to see what insurance coverage they offer for mental health services. Some therapy providers and online platforms may also offer sliding scale options, discounts, or financial aid.
How long does it take for therapy to work?
The length of treatment can vary widely and may depend on your situation, your therapist, and what you’re seeking therapy for. If you’re experiencing significant psychological distress from mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or substance use disorder (formerly “substance abuse”), treatment will likely take longer than it would for someone seeking relief from temporary work stress.
Can anxiety go away with therapy?
Professional therapy can be an effective treatment option for anxiety. Different people may have different experiences, but for many people, talk therapy can help individuals with anxiety cope with symptoms and find relief.
What is the best therapy for anxiety?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is largely considered the most effective form of therapy for anxiety. In CBT, individuals can learn to identify negative thoughts, develop coping strategies, and adopt healthier behaviors.
How long do you need to see a therapist for anxiety?
The length of treatment needed for anxiety can vary widely based on the individual and the severity of their concerns. According to the American Psychological Association, about 50% of patients need 15 to 20 sessions to recover.
Can therapy change who you are?
Therapy can help you change a variety of things in your life, including your thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. It can help you improve your communication skills, build self-esteem, cope with mental health concerns, and improve overall well-being—but experiencing change through therapy requires an individual to put in the work.
Does therapy affect the brain?
Effective therapy can help bring about positive effects for your brain and mental health, such as by changing your thought patterns, emotional regulation skills, problem solving, and behaviors. Researchers continue to explore the many ways therapy can change the brain.
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