How My BetterHelp Therapist Helped Me Feel Alive Again After Hitting Rock Bottom- Amanda

Medically reviewed by Julie Dodson, MA, LCSW and Andrea Brant, LMHC
Updated October 7, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team
Content warning: Please be advised, the below article might mention trauma-related topics that include suicide which could be triggering to the reader. If you or someone you love is having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Support is available 24/7. Please also see our Get Help Now page for more immediate resources.

For the over 41.7 million US adults in therapy, finding a counselor that makes a difference can be one of the most essential aspects of mental healthcare. With a broad client base turning to online therapists, clients like Amanda tell their stories of meeting with a therapist that made a difference. Reading these accounts can help you decide whether therapy is the right choice for you.

Therapy can make a difference

Amanda's therapy experience

The following is an honest review written by an actual BetterHelp patient named Amanda: 

"I went without treatment for multiple mental health-related issues for a long time. 

There aren't many resources available where I live that I have been happy with. My previous counselor forgot who I was from appointment to appointment, and she would take personal calls during our appointments to discuss furniture and groceries with her family. Meanwhile, my transit commute was approximately an hour to see her. 

However, because that's all my insurance could provide me with in my financial situation, I continued going despite feeling extremely dissatisfied. Eventually, I stopped seeing that counselor and worked through some volatile withdrawal symptoms without professional therapeutic help. 

My doctor prescribed me multiple medications, which only worsened my condition. I went on with my life, still very depressed, insecure, and hating myself and everything and everyone in my proximity. I wouldn't eat because I was too sad, and I lost a lot of weight over the course of a year. My relationship fell apart, and the heartbreak of losing the person I loved the most was overwhelming. My job was depressing and slow, with lots of idle time to wallow in misery.

I hit rock bottom and started writing goodbye letters to my friends and family. I thought about it so much I had become resigned to it. Every day, I wanted it to be over; the pain never stopped. I would have crying breakdowns at work and then come home and collapse on the floor in front of the fridge, too exhausted and sad to eat food. This process was regular for me for over a year.

Then one day, I woke up to find out my cousin had committed suicide. It broke my heart, and I felt such an impact even though we weren't close. Yet, it felt like it was too close to me. It shook me; it was such a sad ending. So, the following day, I decided to seek proper help.  

An hour-long appointment with a counselor or therapist where I live can cost anywhere from $70 to over $200, and I couldn't afford that, nor did I wish to return to my previous doctor.

Then I remembered seeing ads on Instagram and Facebook for online counseling through BetterHelp. They had been popping up in my feed for the last year or two. It intrigued me, so I investigated it, and the rates were refreshing! For the cost of one appointment, I got a whole month. Another feature I loved was that I could choose my counselor and switch them anytime if I wasn't satisfied. This option is excellent for people with my kind of disposition. 

If I don't get on well with my provider or feel comfortable, I will not open up, so selecting my therapist gave me control over the situation. The final thing that won me over was that all sessions were via live chat or video calls. I didn't have to commute an hour to get to my appointment. Instead, I could write what I was feeling or experiencing anytime.

I chose Beth Ellen Hancock, who had a lot of experience with the specific issues I was facing: low self-worth, anorexia, depression, high anxiety, obsessive thoughts, poor impulse control, and so on. She responded very quickly, and we began our work together. I appreciated her investment in my situation; it was exactly what I needed. She provided me with multiple tools and distraction techniques that allowed me to overcome my obsessive thoughts. My favorite thing is counting by sevens to distract myself from obsessing. It works for me because it's complicated enough to require all my attention. It honestly didn't take long to see improvement in my moods. I have been with Beth for almost a month, and now I'm eating correctly and putting more effort into caring for myself.

I am totally in love with BetterHelp! I needed therapy, not medication, and so many other people in the same situation. Medication sometimes covers up an issue without resolving it. Sometimes, we need someone outside our minds and patterns to help us form better reactions. This interactive therapy has allowed me to control my situations instead of letting them control me. Seeing a therapist is probably my most significant accomplishment because I feel in control. Before I started this therapy, I felt grey, colorless, and dying inside. Now I feel hopeful, happy, content, and calm. I highly recommend this service to anyone who needs thorough help figuring out themselves and their challenges.  

It made me want to be alive again."

Counseling options 

Thousands of clients like Amanda have started seeking online therapy due to its convenience, cost-effectiveness, and availability. In addition, scientific studies and surveys have found that online therapy is effective in treating the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Other studies have found that internet-based therapy is more cost-effective than in-person treatments. 

If you're in a low place or are seeking someone to talk to about any topic, consider signing up with an online platform like BetterHelp, which offers availability to a database of over 30,000 therapists. You don't need a diagnosis to get started, and you can choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions with your licensed therapist. 

Takeaway

It can be challenging to find a therapist you connect with and come up empty-handed or with someone who isn't effective for you. If you've been considering therapy but can't find an option in your area, an online therapist may offer a better fit for you. You can reach out at any time to get started.
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