Effective online therapy tailored to you, trusted by millions

BetterHelp, under parent company Teladoc Health, is one of the world's largest online therapy platforms, committed to making affordable therapy and counseling services available to access for more people worldwide. Offering a convenient alternative to traditional therapy and counseling, BetterHelp enables users to connect with qualified mental health professionals for compassionate online counseling anytime, anywhere.

Yes, therapy online is highly effective for addressing mental health concerns. A large and growing body of evidence has demonstrated the effectiveness of online therapy for a range of conditions and concerns. For instance, a study conducted in 2017 concluded online therapy to be effective in the treatment and management of various mental disorders, further cementing it as a proven form of mental healthcare and mental health support.

In virtual therapy sessions, an online therapist can draw on various forms of therapy approaches to meet an individual's mental health needs—just as they might during in-office therapy. Common treatment approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal therapy, talk therapy, client-centered therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy, to name a few.

Online therapy can help individuals with a wide range of mental health conditions and concerns, including depression, anxiety, stress, burnout, social media addiction, pre marriage counseling, relationship issues, persistent worry, emotional distress, stress from a major life change, panic attacks, anger management, family conflicts, trauma, self-esteem, and much more. In online therapy, individuals can develop healthy coping skills, gain valuable emotional support, and discover practical solutions to improve their personal life.

No, therapists on the BetterHelp platform cannot prescribe medication. For individuals seeking medication management services, medication support, or other psychiatric treatments for a serious mental illness or medical condition (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder, etc.), online therapy may not be an appropriate or sufficient treatment option, and other forms of mental health care—including in-person therapy options—may be necessary.

Typically, only medical professionals, like psychiatrists or psychiatric providers (primary care doctors, nurse practitioners, etc), are able to provide medication-driven treatment approaches for serious medical conditions.

To find your right therapist, we have you answer a few questions about yourself, your experience in therapy, your current mental health, your personal preferences for a therapist,and whether you’re looking for a licensed provider that’s covered by insurance; based on your answers, we can then get a better understanding of who would be a good fit for your treatment plan and match you with a therapist from our diverse network in as little as 24-48 hours.

In your initial consultation or first session with a therapist, you can ask yourself if you feel comfortable opening up, feel heard by your therapist, and if their approach to therapy seems to resonate with you. There are many therapists on the BetterHelp platform—over 30,000 globally to be exact—so if your current provider is not the right fit for your tailored plan, there are many other licensed providers who may be able to help you gain insight into your mental health challenges.

Yes, this is one of the key benefits of an online therapy service like BetterHelp: if you are not happy with your current therapist on the platform, it is easy to switch to a different therapist after your first session for no extra cost. Successful therapy often depends heavily on provider-patient match, so don’t be afraid to switch therapists if your current therapist is not helping you.

Yes, some providers on BetterHelp now accept major insurance carriers. BetterHelp has joined with major insurance carriers in select states to provide in-network therapy coverage. Coverage may vary by plan, provider, and therapist availability. Insured members pay an average co-pay of around $19 per session. Average co-pay is based on current insured BetterHelp members. BetterHelp also currently accepts HSA/FSA cards and is recognized as an eligible expense by most HSA/FSA providers. For users who have insurance, you may consider checking with your therapist to see what insurance plans they accept, and you can also check with your insurance provider to confirm your health insurance coverage or reimbursement for online therapy.

Online therapy through BetterHelp costs around $70-100/week, depending on factors such as your location, source, preferences, and therapist availability. For insured members, cost can depend on your insurance plan and coverage and therapist availability. Some employers may offer BetterHelp through their employee assistance programs, so you can also check with your employer

The information you share is protected by data privacy laws; for more information, please see our Privacy Policy and terms of service. You can also learn more about how therapists handle your information here.

You can cancel your BetterHelp subscription at any time through your account settings, and while refunds are not guaranteed, they may be offered on a case-by-case basis by contacting BetterHelp Customer Service. If you decide you want to cancel your BetterHelp subscription, you may do so at any time.

Follow these steps to cancel your subscription:

• Login to your BetterHelp account.
• If you are currently receiving therapy, head to Menu>My Account >Payment Settings >Quit therapy.
• Once you log on to complete these steps, head back to Menu >My Account>Personal Information, and click on Request Erasure.

Once you have successfully canceled your service, you will receive a confirmation email from BetterHelp. If you have further questions, please reach out to BetterHelp Customer Service.

Are you looking for a refund? BetterHelp offers refunds on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to customer service to discuss the possibility.

Yes, you don’t need a diagnosis from a medical provider to receive mental health services via online therapy. Anyone can benefit from online therapy for any reason, including depression, anxiety, stress, chronic illness, or family conflicts.

Some insurance providers may only cover therapy if a diagnosis is given, so if you plan to use your insurance, it’s best to check directly with your provider to understand their specific coverage requirements. Some providers on BetterHelp now accept major insurance carriers e on its platform, though it is limited to a state-by-state basis.

Generally, it’s recommended to start with weekly online therapy sessions, as this allows your therapist to get to know your background, understand why you’re seeking therapy, and help establish clear goals for your treatment plan.

As you begin to make progress, you may choose to shift to biweekly or monthly therapy visits if that better supports your mental health and schedule.

Ultimately, the right session frequency is a personal decision. While many people find weekly therapy helpful, you may benefit from more or less frequent sessions depending on your needs and goals.

Online counseling and online therapy may be used interchangeably, but they can sometimes differ based on the scope and duration of care. Counseling typically refers to shorter-term support focused on problem solving specific issues, such as family problems, relationship challenges, or a life transition.

Therapy, on the other hand, often involves deeper, longer-term work aimed at supporting more complex or ongoing mental health concerns, such as childhood trauma, persistent anxiety or depression, or developing coping strategies for a chronic illness.

Video, chat, and phone therapy can all be just as effective as traditional therapy, though certain formats or types of therapy may work better depending on your needs and circumstances.

For example, if you experience severe social anxiety, chat-based therapy may feel more comfortable and accessible than video-based virtual care. If seeing your therapist’s facial expressions, body language, and hearing tone of voice is important to you, video or in-person therapy may be a better fit.

Likewise, if you have scheduling challenges or live in a remote area, video or other online therapy options can offer greater flexibility and convenience by eliminating travel time and expanding appointment availability.

Most BetterHelp users choose video therapy because it allows them to receive real-time mental health support, that is just as effective as in-person therapy, from the comfort of their home.