Deciding that you want to get help can be difficult. But the process of actually attending therapy and getting that help you need should be easy… Right? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Discovering the method of therapy that works best for you is normally filled with lots of trial, error, and frustration. I’ve been in and out of multiple therapist’s offices in the past few years, searching for the right fit. I was in the market for a new therapist in early 2020 when COVID-19 suddenly turned the whole world upside down. With in-person therapy off the table for the foreseeable future, I started looking for a new avenue for counseling. That’s where BetterHelp comes in.
Disclaimer: In exchange for my review, BetterHelp provided me with a free trial and an affiliate link for their services. This means that if you decide to make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I am still dedicated to providing you with an honest review of BetterHelp. Thank you for your continued support!
What is BetterHelp?
BetterHelp is a counseling platform that allows users to access online therapy in the comfort of their own homes. Their pool of counselors is made up of accredited psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and licensed professional counselors.
Once you’re matched with a counselor, you can access therapy in a couple of different ways. The first is through traditional regularly scheduled video, phone, or online chat sessions. You will also have a chat window with your counselor which you can access 24/7. This messaging system was one of my favourite features. Being able to update my counsellor throughout the week and have her send back real-time support was totally different from any other face-to-face therapy experience I’ve had.
Here’s how the initial intake process works:
- Answer some questions about yourself, your life, and the reason you’ve decided to seek therapy. The quiz covers the basics like age, gender and sexual identity, religion, and relationship status, as well as mental and physical health and some things you might be looking for in a counsellor.
- Using the information given to you in the quiz, BetterHelp matches you with a counsellor. It’s also possible to access their database and request a therapist you feel meets your needs, but more on that later. Your assigned counsellor will also have access to your responses to the quiz as a starting point for your communication.
- Once you’ve been matched with a counsellor you can instantly start chatting and book your first live session!
Who can benefit from online therapy?
BetterHelp has 16,000+ counselors and has helped over 1.6 million clients. They have counselors who specialize in a huge range of issues. BetterHelp also has a group of specialized sister sites for more specific problems. You can visit Teen Counseling if you’re between the ages of 13 and 19, Pride Counseling if you’re a part of the LGBTQ+ community, Faithful Counseling if you’re looking for Christian-based therapy, and ReGain for couples counseling services.
Unfortunately, BetterHelp and many other online services don’t accept clients who are thinking of hurting themselves or others, have a severe mental illness, or are in an urgent crisis or emergency situation. I understand why this is the case (think about all the liability issues this could open up for the company), but it’s too bad that a service like this doesn’t exist for those vulnerable individuals. That factor was one of the biggest cons I noticed with BetterHelp. If you’d like to learn more about it, you can check out their FAQ here.
BetterHelp costs $60-90 per week, billed every month. They do offer a sliding scale model, meaning that low-income individuals will be able to take advantage of their services at a lower price point. Right now they are also offering 50% off your first month as part of their COVID-19 support program! I love that they’re making an effort to make therapy more accessible. My first reaction was still OMG, that’s expensive. But compared to traditional face-to-face therapy, BetterHelp is still extremely affordable. The standard rate for a session of conventional therapy can be upwards of $100-200, and that doesn’t include the additional chat availability and resources that come with BetterHelp. Overall, BetterHelp is a great option if you’re looking for a more affordable approach to counselling.
Recommended Post: Do I Need Therapy? 10 Surprising Reasons You Might Benefit From Counselling
Does online therapy work?
Yes, BetterHelp and other online services can be a helpful resource in your mental health journey. But that doesn’t mean that online counselling is going to be the same experience you would get in a traditional therapy setting.
Studies have shown that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions. Online therapy even has some advantages over traditional therapy! It’s a great option for people living in remote areas or those who have mobility or health issues that might make it difficult to get to an in-person appointment. Especially in our pandemic-era world, virtual therapy allows you to safely access the services you need without having to leave your house. Personally, I also found therapy from home much more comfortable than sitting in a stuffy office. Having sessions on my couch with my cat purring away in my lap made me feel so much more safe and ready to open up.
But there are also some disadvantages to the online approach. It’s unlikely that your online counselling will be covered by your insurance provider (although some might! It’s worth a check with your provider). Your online therapist will be unable to prescribe medication if that’s the path you need to take. There’s also the possibility of glitches, lags, or other technical problems if your internet connection isn’t stable enough.
Some people might also struggle with privacy if you’re living in a shared space. It wasn’t an issue for me, but my therapist suggested sitting in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant (or anywhere with reliable free wifi) for some extra privacy… And then treating yourself to a snack when you’re done!
My BetterHelp experience
I really did have a great experience with BetterHelp. But I also had a few setbacks and learned some tips that helped me make the most of my subscription. Here’s what I’ve learned so far.
Finding the right counsellor for me
After signing up for BetterHelp, the intake quiz immediately paired me with a counsellor who seemed lovely. She checked all my boxes with a huge wealth of experience and wonderful reviews. But she was also in a far-away time zone and had limited availability that suited my schedule. I booked an appointment in the future and we had some lovely chats through their messaging feature in the meantime. But eventually I realized that the time difference just wouldn’t be convenient. I made the choice to switch to a different provider.
As a serial people-pleaser, it was tough for me to admit that it wouldn’t work with my first therapist and switch to someone new. It was important for me to remind myself that my therapist wouldn’t take my decision personally. In therapy, you’re allowed to put yourself first to make the most of your experience. It is all about you and what you need. If your needs are not being met by your provider, it is up to you to make sure you make the change and take your experience into your own hands.
Instead of taking the quiz again, I decided to peruse their massive database of therapists and pick someone who I thought would be the best fit for me. I was able to sort the therapists by specialization and really hone in on exactly what I wanted. I actually preferred this process to the quiz. It gave me so much control over the type of therapist I wanted to work with.
Working with my therapist
Once I matched with my therapist, we dove right in. Although our time zones were a better match than my first match, she was still very busy. I didn’t have many options to choose from that fit both our schedules. Luckily, she was super accommodating and actually opened up a new slot in her calendar for me. I was impressed from the beginning by how dedicated she was to making my experience a good one.
Before our first session, she sent me a worksheet to help determine my goals for our sessions. We decided on three main goals that we could work towards throughout the therapy process. Setting these goals not only helped my counsellor know what kind of help I needed – it also helped me become more aware of them myself. Having these goals in the back of my mind helped me work towards them not just in our sessions, but also in every facet of my day-to-day life.
Besides our weekly video chats, my therapist also sent me messages throughout the week with articles, videos, and journal prompts. BetterHelp has a journal portal within their site and the option to either keep your entries private or share them with your counsellor. This regular communication between us kept me focused on my mental health journey throughout the week.
Even though my therapist was lovely, I didn’t connect with her as much as I have with other counsellors in the past. I still found the experience extremely helpful when I was going through a really stressful time. I think if I continue my journey with BetterHelp I might look into switching again. In a way, being online makes it easier to shop around for the right counsellor for you.
Recommended Post: Here’s What A Day With Anxiety is Really Like: Expectations vs. Reality
How can you get the most out of online therapy?
1. Give yourself a safe time and space to have your sessions.
You won’t be able to open up fully if you’re in a time crunch or are paranoid that your roommates are listening. Schedule your sessions for a time and place where you can feel safe and comfortable.
2. Take advantage of all the features available to you.
BetterHelp‘s journal, goal-setting, and chat features set it apart from traditional therapy. They provide them to their clients – but it’s up to you to use them and fully embrace all the perks that come with the online format.
3. Do what you need to do to make it work for you.
Maybe you haven’t clicked with your counsellor and want to switch? Maybe you feel uncomfortable on video calls and would prefer audio only sessions? Let your therapist know what you need to get the most out of your sessions. It is their job to make you comfortable and not the other way around!
Recommended Post: 5 Ways That Vulnerability Actually Makes You Strong
The final verdict: do I recommend BetterHelp?
Yes, I do! But it might not be for everybody.
BetterHelp has revolutionized the mental health industry and made high quality therapy more accessible to everyone. Some pros include the 24/7 chat availability, huge database of trained mental health professionals, and ease of shopping around to find your perfect counsellor match.
At the same time, I don’t know if BetterHelp is a good fit for every person and situation. If you’re going through a severe mental health crisis or really need that in-person intimacy from your therapist, it might not be for you. Everyone needs something different from therapy and it’s up to you to decide which avenue of help is the best for you.
Are you interested in trying BetterHelp for yourself? They’re currently offering 50% off your first month as a part of their COVID-19 support program. Click here to learn more.
Pin me for later!
Have you ever tried online therapy? Would you like to? Let me know in the comments below!
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