You can choose between video, phone, or live chat options for therapy sessions, all hosted right on the site or app. Our Story As a result, many people experiencing mental health issues turned to online therapy platforms like BetterHelp. BetterHelp hosts sessions inside its portal (app or website), giving users more options as to the format of their session. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. BetterHelp is part of Teladoc Health Inc.. Here are the biggest benefits, as well as who are good candidates for the. The company offers a free 7-day trial, so you could consider signing up for this to sample the service at no cost to see if it may be a good fit for you. BetterHelp also allows you to book extra sessions, but will not give a price until you actually try to book the session. Turgoose D, et al. BetterHelp includes an online journal thats yours and yours alone. Youll be asked to fill out a questionnaire to check your eligibility. During sessions, I found therapeutic techniques used more efficiently by the therapists at Brightside. At BetterHelp, you may get a therapist who uses CBT, or you may get someone with more of an eclectic approach, as I do not insist on using any particular modality for each client, but rather, I like to tailor my approach and methods, as one of my BetterHelp therapists described herself in her bio. According to the company website, BetterHelp operates a secure system that keeps user information strictly confidential and compliant with patient data protection laws. The California-based company launched in 2013. Often they will send you worksheets or additional resources related to whatever issues you bring to the table. Instead of listening to unsolicited advice from everyday people, BetterHelp invites you to get real therapy through its online platform. She brings more than a decade of media experience to Forbes Health, with a keen focus on building content strategy, ensuring top content quality and empowering readers to make the best health and wellness decisions for themselves. Users also rated BetterHelps site slightly higher, with 73% saying navigating the site was easy or very easy. BetterHelp, Medical Insurance, and Paths to Counseling. Both platforms provide you with your own portal and do the therapist matching for you, and both companies have apps available for iOS or Android. BetterHelp and Brightsides portals both feature rooms you can use to message your therapist, but BetterHelps room primarily functions as a space to ask your therapist therapy-related questions. Here's a review of BetterHelp, including its features, pros, and cons. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. Or, therapists may list a less well-known modality, such as client-centered therapy or psychodynamic therapy as their primary clinical approach. She listened to my issues without judgment or criticism. Depression is tough to deal with on its own and advice telling you to fake your emotions, cheer up, or simply "snap out of it" doesn't make your condition any better. By Mary X. Dennis That being said, since online therapists are distant from the client, it may be difficult to respond immediately or effectively when a crisis situation or tragedy happens. During sign-up, there are low-income and student selections, and if you indicate the standard rate is prohibitive, you may be greeted with a pop-up or email offering you an even lower session rate, if it is available in your area. The company describes BetterHelp as the "largest online counseling platform worldwide," geared toward helping people dealing with issues "such as stress, anxiety, relationships, parenting,. However, I stuck with the same therapist, and over the course of four video sessions, she offered suggestions on ways to alleviate or prevent anxiety and resolve recurring communication issues with one of my siblings. I received a notification via email and on the desktop platform, she says. BetterHelp is an affordable, convenient option that offers solutions for people who prefer to talk on the phone or via video call. Brightside, however, does not offer group therapy. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Behavioral Health: Patient Access, Provider Claims Payment, and the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic. All rights reserved. Neither the site nor its therapists will submit claims for you, and although its FAQ page says you are welcome to try to get reimbursed yourself, it notes that services offered using this site are generally not covered by health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid. Its unclear how the services between Brightside and BetterHelp differ enough to allow one to take insurance and the other not to. Brightside sessions are 30 minutes. Whats clear is that Brightside makes billing your insurance relatively easy, while with BetterHelp, its nearly impossible. Two things we care about almost as much as the issue we're seeking therapy for: our precious time and money. The Better Business Bureau, a nonprofit organization that posts a companys consumer ratings online, showed a rating of 4.09 out of 5 stars for BetterHelp, with 387 reviews at the time of this writing. Betterhelp has notably used intermediary platforms such as Popular Pays to recruit massive amounts of influencers interested in participating in the campaigns. If youre in crisis or experiencing an emergency, call 911 for assistance. BetterHelp's live chat sessions are hosted from inside the app or site; Brightside does not offer live chat sessions. Effectiveness of a multimodal digital psychotherapy platform for adult depression: A naturalistic feasibility study. The company operates through thousands of therapists who can. The privacy policies at both Brightside and BetterHelp, as well as most online therapy companies, leave something to be desired. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days to be matched to an in-state counselor. For more in-depth information, continue reading. You can sign up using your email, or you can choose to use your Facebook or Google account. Overall, I would rate my experience with BetterHelp as excellent. Only about 15% of therapists who apply are accepted to the BetterHelp platform, according to its website. The app and website are easy to navigate. My therapist complained to me that connectivity issues at BetterHelp were not that uncommon. Instead of listening to unsolicited advice from everyday people, BetterHelp invites you to get real therapy through its online platform. BetterHelp is known to have unscrupulous advertising techniques, and is also currently in hot water for intentionally duping investors about its financial situation. Marcelle ET, et al. BetterHelp uses a monthly membership payment plan, but you can cancel your membership at any time. With over 20,000 trained, experienced, and accredited therapists covering a wide range of areas - from depression and anxiety to family and couples therapy - it's never been easier to receive personal, professional help when you need it. However, check with your health insurance provider to see whether BetterHelp services could be reimbursed under your policys mental health coverage. Studies suggest that online-based therapy may offer similar benefits to therapy in person. BetterHelp pairs users with licensed therapists for web-based therapy sessions. Accessed 6/29/2021. Last medically reviewed on February 6, 2023. You can remain anonymous with your therapist if you prefer. BetterHelp requires all prospective therapists to submit official documentation of credentials and identity as well as completing a case study and video interview, the company states. We researched news about both companies, including any controversy around prescriptions or advertising, investor and performance news, and company history. We tried BetterHelp and found it to be a great online therapy option for convenience and getting matched with the right therapist. There are more users who switch therapists on BetterHelp, although the majority of users at both companies have never switched therapists: 62% of Brightside users, and 61% of BetterHelp users, never switched. One is not better than the other, but the experience can be quite different. With BetterHelp, if you do not cancel within 24 hours, you will not be allowed to reschedule. Similarly, a 2017 review of studies by the Department of Veterans Affairs found that therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was just as effective via videoconference as in person. Individual For myself Couples For me and my partner Teen For my child Professional, licensed, and vetted therapists who you can trust Once youve been matched with a counselor, you can immediately start messaging them in a private and secure chat room. Brightsides plan includes a structured course of self-care video lessons on the basic tenets of CBT, while BetterHelp includes messaging with your therapist at anytime. For those who prefer working through problems out loud, its possible to schedule a phone call with your counselor. It also offers couples and teen therapy, with free live weekly group seminars available. While traditional therapy offers the quiet comfort of facial expressions and affirmations, in todays tech-centric world, even that can be closely mimicked through BetterHelps live video sessions. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. BetterHelp is also not appropriate if youve been diagnosed with a severe mental illness, are seeking therapy under a court order or dont have a reliable internet connection. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional. However, some note that their insurance didnt cover their BetterHelp subscription cost. Systematic review of lessons learned from delivering tele-therapy to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. The main upside of online therapy with BetterHelp is that BetterHelp tends to be a more affordable option than in-person therapy. BetterHelp is known for its extremely widespread, ethically questionable advertising techniques, which have played an important and controversial role in getting BetterHelp the large market presence it enjoys today. BetterHelp also notes that one of the advantages of e-counseling is that you can always look back at the messages youve exchanged with your therapist. In the study, more than 300 BetterHelp users had significant reductions in symptoms of depression after 3 months. Effectiveness of a multimodal digital psychotherapy platform for adult depression: A naturalistic feasibility study. You may connect with them through text-only messaging in your private chat room. BetterHelps sessions are 45 minutes to an hour, and generally take a little more time settling in at the beginning and signing offat the end of the session. Since theres no commuting for online therapy, it tends to be easier to fit into clients schedules than in-person therapy. Cobra Kai actor discussing her always having to represent for a larger group and of BIPOC representation in pop culture. Our website services, content and products are for informational purposes only. Only Brightside takes insurance, which 30% of its users listed as an important factor for choosing the company. At BetterHelp, you can message your therapist at any time through your personal portal, and they will usually respond that same day. Users generally report positive experiences with BetterHelps network of therapists, services, and the effectiveness of the therapy sessions. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. Even once you subscribe to a plan, you can cancel your membership at any time if youre unsatisfied. Here Are 9 Questions To Ask. I got matched with a therapist within a couple of hours at BetterHelp, while with Brightside, it took over a day. Keep in mind, Brightsides choice to mandate video connection for all sessions might be a quality issue rather than a lack of resourcesmany reputable therapists consider live chat or phone sessions to lack the level of connection necessary for a productive therapy session. This process helps narrow down the options to get a therapist who best meets your needs. BetterHelp gives you access to a network of thoroughly vetted, licensed, board certified, and experienced counselors who are available to help with a variety of mental health needs. Therapy sessions at BetterHelp are typically 30 minutes, though some therapists may allow for longer sessions upon request. To get you started, BetterHelp asks you to complete a questionnaire about why youre seeking therapy, as well as information about the conditions or issues youre living with, plus your preferences regarding a therapist (i.e., age, gender, religion, language). BetterHelp is an entirely online therapy service, so there are some key differences to keep in mind when comparing online and in-person therapy. BetterHelps sign-up process is clear, fast and straightforward. Still, according to a 2021 Consumer Reports article, this HIPAA compliance may only start once you have created an account. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. It also provides additional services like journaling and group therapy sessions. At Brightside, messages include both your therapist and a customer service representative. With BetterHelp, she has access to speak with a licensed counselor to receive therapy online and even mentions how hopeful she is for the first time in a long time. (2019). BetterHelp does not take insurance. Therapy offers a broad array of benefits for all of us. Q1. If you're eligible for financial aid, you can get their subscription at about 20-50% lower cost. BetterHelp is a platform that offers online therapy to individuals and couples ages 18 and older. While a diagnosis is usually needed to gain access to prescriptions or when insurance is billed, therapy is still effective for learning coping strategies and mechanisms. Theres often a reduced fee for qualifying clients, which might include: Health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid dont generally cover the cost of therapy from BetterHelp. In general, BetterHelp says its services can work well for people looking to improve their quality of life. It also has an A rating from the site, which is based on the BBBs opinion of the companys reputation and trustworthiness. Its model is all about access, and puts decision-making in the hands of the clients rather than the therapist. Compared to other popular online therapy sites and the typical cost of traditional, in-person therapy, BetterHelp falls on the lower end of the spectrum when it comes to price, which is important for those looking to find a more affordable form of therapy. Commissions we earn from partner links on this page do not affect our opinions or evaluations. They are pouring millions of dollars into advertising to grow their user base. Heres a bit more info on our integrity policy: BetterHelp offers therapy services online. When I forgot to cancel my subscription after four weeks and was billed for the next month, the agent answered promptly and immediately processed a refund for the full amount. While our team of, Best Hearing Aids for Severe Hearing Loss. If you're feeling stressed, drinking a hot (or cold) cup of tea may help. However, in case an emergency arises during sessions, you will be required to give your contact details when you start therapy. 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