Best Value-Per-Dollar

BetterHelp | Online Therapy for Stressed Professionals

4.5

$60-$90 / Week

Overall, BetterHelp conveniently provides busy professionals with various live therapy options to make it the best online therapy in terms of value per dollar.

Pros:

• Best out-of-pocket online therapy prices
• Unlimited messaging
• Includes 45 min weekly phone or video therapy session
• Additional 1 group therapy per week included
• Additional 1 live mental health workshop per week included
• Specialized counselors available
• Choose from largest pool of licensed therapists
• Financial assistance frequently given
• No long-term contracts required
• Global accessibility

Cons:

• Does not accept insurance
• Does not dispense medications
• Messaging is around 1~ response per weekday
• Has faced privacy policy issues

Features:

• Most affordable self-paying online therapy
• Simple pricing with financial aid
• All therapists are at least state licensed
• Up to 3 live therapy sessions per week included in base rate
• #1 app for online therapy on both Google Play and Apple Store

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In the quiet corners of our minds, where worries and stresses often reside, many individuals find themselves battling a silent yet pervasive struggle—maintaining mental health.

Mental health support, a fundamental necessity so often overlooked, becomes a sought-after asset for those grappling with life’s challenges.

The quest for affordable, accessible, and effective mental health support has led many to explore various online therapy platforms. Navigating this space, however, can feel like traversing a maze. There are countless options, each promising relief, understanding, and growth.

Our team signed up, tested, and used BetterHelp to help you navigate the world of online therapy.

In essence, BetterHelp is an online therapy platform offering mental health services of value.

• Employs over 30,000 licensed therapists across the United States who use proven methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
• BetterHelp’s pricing, which ranges from $60 to $90 per week, is more affordable than most traditional therapy sessions and other online platforms. Despite not accepting insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare, it provides financial assistance for qualified individuals and is recognized as an eligible expense by most HSA/FSA providers.
• Overall, BetterHelp is best suited for busy professionals who prefer choosing their therapist. Even though BetterHelp does provide sessions for families and teenagers, the basic structure and atmosphere work best for businesspeople who value flexible schedule, many channels for communication, and excellent value for money.
• However, be aware that the platform has faced privacy-related controversies, which they have become more transparent about.

In this review article, we delve deep into the world of BetterHelp, examining its claims, dissecting its features, and ultimately determining whether it lives up to its promise.

Whether you’re a long-time therapy-goer or just beginning your mental health journey, this review guides you toward understanding this innovative, mobile, evidence-based solution.

So, let’s embark on this journey together to pursue mental wellness. After all, peace of mind isn’t just a dream—it can be your reality.

About BetterHelp – What Makes BetterHelp Unique

The BetterHelp platform stands out for its unique approach to insomnia treatment.

What makes BetterHelp unique is that it offers up to three live therapy sessions online per week with licensed therapists for $60-90. While other online therapy providers exist (Talkspace, Thriveworks, etc.), offering the most value per self-paid dollar is what separates BetterHelp

• A 2019 study found that “Users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform.” While scientists provided a conflict of interest statement, it should be noted that most online therapy platforms have not been researched scientifically at all.
• BetterHelp features the single, most extensive network of over 30,000 licensed therapists across the United States.
• With 4.5/5 from 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews, 4.8/5 from ‎115,560 App Store reviews, and 4/5 from 550 Better Business Bureau comments – BetterHelp is the most popular and highest-reviewed online therapy app and platform.

Our Experience with BetterHelp: Quality Conversations With Therapists We Chose

Navigating the world of online therapy can be daunting, but our team found a excellent value through BetterHelp. Here’s our honest review.

Picking Your Therapist: A Sea of Choices

Ever felt like you needed a therapist who just gets you? With BetterHelp, you’re covered. Over a month, I tried out four different therapists—each specializing in general therapy, Christian counseling, burnout, and anxiety.

The beauty of it all? While BetterHelp automatically matches you with your first therapist, you don’t need to use one of your sessions with your therapist. Overall, BetterHelp gives you unprecedented choice selection based who you want, based on your needs.

BetterHelp has the largest pool of therapists and easily allows you to pick and choose. Since finding ‘the right therapist’ often involves multiple sessions with a few different people, this is a great value add.

Price Tag & Group Sessions: Is It Worth It?

Now, let’s talk money. For $234 a month (what we paid), what do you get?

Personal therapy sessions, sure. But there’s more!

You also gain access to live group therapy sessions and mental health classes. Even though the faces in the group change each time, the quality remains top-notch. Could it be better with a consistent group? Maybe. But hey, new perspectives at no extra cost isn’t too shabby!

Timing & Location: Little Hiccups

Let’s get real—no one likes to be kept waiting, right? Well, during my trial, three of my four therapists were a bit tardy. A little frustrating? Absolutely. Other online therapy platforms seem to have a better handle on this timing thing.

And remember to check where your therapist is licensed. I learned the hard way when a session ended abruptly because my therapist and I were in different states. So, a quick tip: make sure you and your therapist are in the same state.

Privacy: What Are They Doing with Your Data?

BetterHelp is pretty upfront about their privacy policy.

Previously BetterHelp faced issues regarding their privacy policies, and now they transparently tell you they collect some of your data, but you can opt out of some data collection if you want. Some might not be keen on any data collection, but hey, that’s pretty standard for most online platforms these days.

Obviously no data collection is preferred, but I don’t feel too strongly either way. For me personally, I appreciate the straightforwardness.

Wrapping It Up: BetterHelp, Yay or Nay?

After a month with BetterHelp, here’s the deal.

They’ve got a great selection of therapists and their group sessions add real value for your buck. But those timing issues and the whole state licensing thing can be a bit of a downer. Other online therapy platforms seem to do a better job there. And while their privacy policy is transparent, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Oh, and we said this earlier but bears repeating – no insurance accepted, nor prescription medications.

So, what do you think? Is BetterHelp the right fit for you? Weigh the pros and cons and decide for yourself. After all, your mental health deserves the best!

Additional Unique Features and Benefits

1. Unlimited Messaging: BetterHelp offers a unique feature that allows users to stay in touch with their therapists between live sessions.
2. Weekly therapy sessions in various formats: With BetterHelp, you can choose your preferred medium for therapy – online video, phone, or live chat. It’s like having a therapist in your pocket, ready to help.
3. Optional group support sessions: Feel less alone in your mental health journey by joining weekly group support sessions led by a therapist. Share your experiences and learn from others in a safe, supportive environment.
4. Switch therapists anytime: Not clicking with your current therapist? No problem! BetterHelp allows you to switch therapists anytime, ensuring you get the best-qualified match for your needs.
5. Cancel any month’s policy: With BetterHelp, you’re in control. You can cancel your subscription anytime, providing the flexibility you need in your mental health journey. Pay month to month.
6. Financial assistance: BetterHelp believes that everyone deserves access to therapy. That’s why they frequently offer financial aid, making therapy more affordable.

Overall, we give BetterHelp a Design Score of (4/5)

BetterHelp Third Party Reviews

• 4.5/5 from 6,351 reviews on Trustpilot
• 4.6/5 from ‎43,084 votes on Google Play Store
• 4.8/5 from ‎115,560 reviews on the App Store
• 4.05/5 from 550 comments from the Better Business Bureau

Overall, we give BetterHelp a Third-Party Review Score of (4.65/5)

Who is BetterHelp Best For

Busy Professionals: Juggling work and personal life can be stressful. If you’re a busy professional coping with stress and burnout, BetterHelp offers convenient therapy sessions that fit your schedule.

While BetterHelp does offer session for couples and teens, the general format and vibe is best for professionals who are looking for flexibility, multiple forms of communication, and high value per dollar spent.

Who Should Not Use BetterHelp 

It’s important to remember that while BetterHelp has many benefits, it might not be the perfect fit for everyone. Here are some types of people who may want to explore other options:

1. Insurance Dependents: If you plan to use insurance to cover your therapy costs, note that BetterHelp does not accept insurance. You might want to consider other therapy platforms that do.
2. Privacy-Conscious Individuals: Some users have raised concerns about client privacy on BetterHelp. If data safety is your top priority, it’s worth doing extra research before signing up. See the news articles below for more info regarding privacy.
3. Don’t Want to Choose Your Therapist: One of BetterHelp’s best features is being able to select your own therapist. However, if you know that choice selection can overwhelm you, then best to look elsewhere.
4. Those Expecting Strict Professionalism: Some users have reported instances of therapists on BetterHelp being tardy or unprofessional. This could be a factor to consider if you have high expectations for professionals.

How Much Does BetterHelp Cost

BetterHelp treatment costs between $60 and $90 per week (billed every 4 weeks), depending on where you live, what you want, and which therapist is available. Your membership can be canceled at any time and for any reason.

As you can see, we were charged ~$234 (or $58.50 per week), which makes BetterHelp one of the most affordable online therapy providers.

BetterHelp takes HSA and FSA cards and is covered by most HSA and FSA plans. However, BetterHelp does not accept insurance.

Overall, we give BetterHelp a Cost Score of (4.6/5)

Any Discount or Free Trial?

Our team secured a $26 discount based on the financial eligibility criteria we gave during the sign-up process. We highly suggest checking for financial assistance eligibility during your intake process. It’s primarily based on income, and most people will qualify.

Refunds, Pausing, and Cancellations

BetterHelp does not offer long-term contracts and instead goes month-to-month. You may cancel at any time.

For pausing, customer service at BetterHelp says that you can put your contract on hold for up to three weeks. If you want to stop services for longer than that, they suggest you cancel your contract and start again later.

Conclusion: BetterHelp – A Valuable Investment in Mental Health for Busy Professionals

In conclusion, BetterHelp offers a winning combination of affordability, convenience, and quality, making it a top choice for busy professionals seeking accessible mental health support. After thoroughly testing the platform and considering the reviews, features, and pricing information, it’s clear that BetterHelp excels in several key areas.

• Firstly, their diverse selection of therapists and flexible scheduling options make it an ideal choice for professionals juggling tight schedules. You can pick a therapist who fits your specific needs and arrange sessions at times that suit you. Isn’t that just what a busy professional needs?
• Secondly, with unlimited messaging and optional group sessions included in the price, BetterHelp offers superb value for money. At $234 a month, you’re not just paying for therapy sessions but also gaining access to a supportive community and a wealth of mental health resources.
• However, it’s important to note that BetterHelp may not be the perfect fit for everyone. If you rely heavily on insurance coverage for therapy or prefer face-to-face interactions, you might find other platforms more suitable. And while their transparency regarding data collection is commendable, it could be a deterrent for those who prefer complete data privacy.

Based on the research and personal experience, BetterHelp stands as the best value option for professionals seeking flexible and affordable therapy. However, for those prioritizing insurance coverage and personal interaction, it may not be the best fit.

So, to sum up, if you’re a busy professional looking for a convenient, budget-friendly way to invest in your mental health, BetterHelp could be just the ticket. But as always, consider your personal needs and circumstances before deciding. After all, when it comes to mental health, one size certainly doesn’t fit all!