BetterHelp is a popular mental health platform right now in 2022. We include products we think are useful for our readers. When you sign up with BetterHelp, you dont have to enter your full name. Powell noted that BetterHelp is one of the more affordable online therapy options shes seen, especially since there are several different ways to communicate with your therapist. Our website services, content and products are for informational purposes only. BetterHelp pairs users with licensed therapists for web-based therapy sessions. Not too far behind, 69% of Brightside users felt the same way. As a result, youre free to message your counselor at any hour of the day. BetterHelp markets itself as the world's largest online therapy service with nearly 2 million users, according to its website. BetterHelp has an average of 4.07 out of 5 stars on Better Business Bureau (BBB) from over 330 customer reviews. BetterHelp is an excellent option for people seeking online counseling for certain mental health issues. Psychiatry evaluations and medication management are also available. We use our own and third-party cookies and web beacons to deliver a faster and safer experience, to monitor and analyze usage, to comply with laws, and for advertising purposes. 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. Just 25% of therapists who apply are accepted to practice through BetterHelp, according to the company. Its also important to consider what you want included with your plan, if you intend to supplement your sessions with additional support. Most online reviews of BetterHelp appear to be positive. Lin T, et al. BetterHelp is a subscription plan with services not generally covered by health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. Along with BetterHelp, there are other online therapy services that offer services that could better align with your needs. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. . It allows for more flexibility in scheduling, as clients have access to more specialists and can select the specialists who can work with their schedules.. Our sessions were tightly runthey got straight to the point and stayed focused for the full 30 minutes. The main upside of online therapy with BetterHelp is that BetterHelp tends to be a more affordable option than in-person therapy. BetterHelp does not take insurance. For all of last year, Acadia reported $2.61 billion in revenue, a nearly 13% increase over 2021. We can help! I had the option to schedule an appointment with him or choose a different therapist I decided to schedule, and Im really glad I did!, She says that she had the option to choose between a call, messenger, or video. BetterHelp markets itself as the largest online therapy network in the world. By using iSpot.tv, you accept our. Healthline Media's new initiative, TRANSFORM: Future of Health, spotlights cutting-edge innovations that will change the future of health and wellness. As of September 2021, Northeastern University is offering BetterHelp as a referral option, advertising 20 free weekly sessions for its students and faculty. Your insurance may not cover the costs of BetterHelp. Use MediaRadar to stay current on new product launches for BetterHelp. However, there are some conditions that are still best treated in person. After completing a survey that consisted of questions about herself, what she was looking to accomplish in therapy, and her current mental state, she was also able to list out preferences she looks for in a therapist. If youre looking for a mental health provider, what type of treatment are you looking for? If you dont like who youre paired with, you can request to be matched with a new therapist. During the sign-up process, I noted I was seeking help with some anxiety and family conflict issues. The chat room is accessible at any time, as long as your device has reliable internet. You can work with a therapist via your computer, smartphone, or tablet. With online therapy, therapy is made more accessible for many people. Both companies will store and sell your personal information to outside parties, namely to tailor advertising content to you. With Brightside, you can also message your therapist, but the messaging platform is intended for scheduling and service issues rather than therapy itself. BetterHelps site was also more intuitive, while with Brightside, I was occasionally left wondering where to find resources I needed. The importance of cost to users of each platform was similar: 29% of Brightside found cost to be important, compared to 31% of BetterHelp users. Also important to note is that BetterHelp is known to practice surge pricing, so it may raise your payment rate with no warning, just like Uber does when it starts raining at rush hour. Effectiveness of a multimodal digital psychotherapy platform for adult depression: A naturalistic feasibility study. It also provides additional services like journaling and group therapy sessions. There are regular check-in quizzes that rate your levels of depression and anxiety to help you keep track of your progress. You only need to enter your first name or nickname at this stage. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Learn more about how they compare. BetterHelp therapists will not diagnose conditions. Teletherapy was found to be just as effective as in-person therapy, so it can be a good option when an in-person meeting with a therapist is not possible. BetterHelp is part of Teladoc Health Inc.. Talkspace and BetterHelp both offer online access to trained therapists for a wide range of mental health services. We read customers comments and looked at how other trustworthy websites scored BetterHelp. Because BetterHelp is a strictly online platform and does not have the ability to connect you with a therapist for in-person or face-to-face evaluations, official diagnoses or confirmation of diagnoses cannot be given, according to the company. By Mary X. Dennis Adjusted EBITDA is estimated within $42-$50 million. She specializes in aging, long-term care, caregiving, retirement and a variety of other health and retirement topics. It found that 37.8% of participants had improved significantly, 62% had a partial response, and 19.8% were classified as being in remission after receiving therapy from BetterHelp for 3 months. It offers counseling through online messaging, live chat, and video and phone sessions. 2023 Forbes Media LLC. BetterHelp costs $240 - $360 monthly (advertised as $60 - $90 weekly), making it an affordable out-of-pocket therapy option. 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. Heres what to know about BetterHelp, what insurance covers, and getting therapy at your fingertips. Users also rated BetterHelps site slightly higher, with 73% saying navigating the site was easy or very easy. BetterHelp specializes in stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, eating disorders, sleep disorders, and parenting and family counseling Cerebral $17.25-$81.25 per week Still, according to a 2021 Consumer Reports article, this HIPAA compliance may only start once you have created an account. BetterHelp had more users that had switched once22% compared to Brightsides 12%yet Brightside actually had more users that had switched two or three times; 22% of Brightside users had done this, compared to only 11% of BetterHelp users. The BetterHelp app received 4.8 stars from more than 67,300 reviews on the App Store. 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. Headspace vs. The service is generally more affordable than in-person therapy. This option mimics the comfort of texting a good friend. Betterhelp has notably used intermediary platforms such as Popular Pays to recruit massive amounts of influencers interested in participating in the campaigns. 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. People are using online therapy tools now more than ever. Overall, both services provided high-quality therapists that fit my needs very well: both were women of color who were fully licensed, and both had over 10 years of experience. Brightside and BetterHelp are both Silicon Valley startups, as their slick, well-designed, easy-to-use websites demonstrate. They can be convenient and private for many people, making them a viable option for receiving coaching and therapy from anywhere and at any time. The company describes BetterHelp as the "largest online counseling platform worldwide," geared toward helping people dealing with issues "such as stress, anxiety, relationships, parenting,. While Brightside specializes in treating depression and anxiety with both medication and a specific course of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), BetterHelp spreads a wider net, offering therapy for many common mental health issues, but no medication. Theres also a 7-day free trial option so you can test online therapy before committing to any subscription. Deb Hipp is a freelance writer in Kansas City, Missouri. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Also, in-person therapy sessions are a more appropriate fit for managing severe mental health conditions. BetterHelp runs on a subscription model. BetterHelp is rated as a top teletherapy platform for a variety of mental health concerns. The system does not share your personal phone number with the counselor everything is done through the BetterHelp app. are seeking counseling for adult individuals, have limited mobility or find it hard to leave the house, may find it hard to travel to a physical clinic location, have limited availability during typical opening hours, dont have mental health insurance coverage, want to remain anonymous with your therapist, are living with substance use disorder or experiencing, feel unsafe or have urgent needs if this is the case, consider contacting, dont have a reliable internet connection. You can choose between video, phone, or live chat options for therapy sessions, all hosted right on the site or app. Overall, users were very satisfied with both platforms, and the companies received similar ratings in most categories: 90% of Brightside users rated it good to excellent overall, while 86% of BetterHelp users did the same. Surprisingly, BetterHelp had more users looking for help with depression: 62%, compared to just 51% of Brightside users, despite Brightsides more specific focus on the condition. They have a number of concerning privacy and security practices that we and others have reported like sending data to Facebook and sharing data widely with third parties. 990 Villa Street, Mountain View, CA US 94041. A few months later, in July, BetterHelp was hit with another lawsuitthis time by Therapy for Black Girls, which sued for trademark infringement after BetterHelp allegedly used the company's trademark in advertising. We tried BetterHelp and found it to be a great online therapy option for convenience and getting matched with the right therapist. The platform offers therapy and counseling to individuals, couples, teens between ages 13 and 17, and veterans. I felt my therapist was an excellent counselor and a good match for the issues that brought me to therapy. Online therapy with a trained mental health professional is rarely free, but our picks for free mental health services can make it easier. In both companies, the personal portal in the app mirrors the one found on the website almost exactly. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. Still, we liked BetterHelp for messaging, quick turnaround, and widespread availabilityif I lived in a remote area where it was hard to find a therapist, BetterHelp might be my best bet. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. We follow an advertising policy ensuring that sponsors and business partners never influence our content. Whats clear is that Brightside makes billing your insurance relatively easy, while with BetterHelp, its nearly impossible. (2019). BetterHelp offers private, affordable online counseling when you need it from licensed, board-accredited therapists. A: No, BetterHelp is not covered by insurance. The linked products and services we feature go through a rigorous vetting process. Brightside does not offer the option for audio sessions, but with BetterHelp, audio sessions can be hosted from inside the app or site. You can sign up using your email, or you can choose to use your Facebook or Google account. Learn 10 tips to make therapy really. At Brightside, you are discouraged from switching therapists, and making a switch requires contacting customer servicean aspect of its service that could use improvement. Heres everything you need to know. My counselor made suggestions without pushing me to follow them and offered ways I could cope with anxiety, such as breathing exercises and journaling techniques for perceiving fears or worries in a more realistic and logical way. Facing obstacles . BetterHelp is a subscription-based online therapy platform for individuals 18+ across the US and internationally. Brightsides additional resources are more self-ledit has a great informative video lesson series, which I found useful, but it didnt compare to the individualized nature of the BetterHelp portal experience. MediaRadar helps advertising sales teams reach the key decision makers at brands. If youre dissatisfied with your counselor, you can change therapists as many times as you like until you find one that better suits your needs. Your information with your therapist remains strictly confidential, and you can erase all conversations with them anytime you want just by clicking the shred button. Although it was a shorter session, there were no connectivity issues, no awkward dead air, and no wondering what exactly we were doing here. Accessed 6/29/2021. Switching therapists is much easier at BetterHelp. All have a masters or doctoral degree in the area they specialize in. Psych Central does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. They offer a variety of different services, and their monthly membership payment plan is flexible so you can cancel anytime. Efficacy of synchronous telepsychology interventions for people with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and adjustment disorder: A rapid evidence assessment. Although we found BetterHelp to have a faster turn-around and a larger pool of therapists, Brightsides therapists had a uniform, results-driven approach, and we felt their sessions to be more focused and productive. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Health. The Forbes Health editorial team is independent and objective. BetterHelp offers professional counseling from accredited psychologists, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists and board-licensed professional counselors. {{ tocState.toggleTocShowMore ? While we work hard to provide accurate and up-to-date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Health does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. This time around, you are not matched with a therapist, but rather given a wide selection to choose from (I was in New York, and was given 40 different therapists). 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. Here's a review of BetterHelp, including its features, pros, and cons. Headquartered in California, BetterHelp has treated nearly 3.2 million people since its founding. I didnt use messaging, live chat or phone sessions for counseling, but my therapist advised me during each session that those options were available and encouraged me to use them. The platform does not accept insurance. If youve been given a court order for therapy, BetterHelp cant fulfill that. Also, we use third-party cookies to track your website behavior and target advertising. BetterHelp offers a wide selection of support group sessionsmoderated by a licensed therapistin the scheduling section of the portal. Many Americans Continue to Experience Mental Health Difficulties as Pandemic Enters Second Year. The company does occasionally offer therapy below its $60 to $90 rate. Our Story I found my online video sessions with my therapist to be as helpful as my previous experiences with in-person therapy. According to a 2019 study, online therapy can be effective for depression. She described her therapist as being qualified, empathetic, thoughtful, and a great listener.. It also has several sister websites that provide therapy for couples, teens, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those seeking a faith-based approach. Only Brightside can prescribe medication. Prices range from $60 to $90 a week, depending on how many live sessions you want to schedule. However, if your insurance provider offers mental health benefits, you may want to look into whether they will cover BetterHelp and their terms. BetterHelp is an online therapy service where you can access a therapist 24/7 via a phone call, video chat, live chat, or text message. She opted for a video call, which she notes was very straightforward to use and similar to any other Zoom or G-Chat room Ive been in., For her initial appointment with her therapist, they met for an hour. All Rights Reserved. Follow along to find out more. BetterHelp offers private, affordable online counseling when you need it from licensed, board-accredited therapists. (2016). Only Brightside takes insurance, which 30% of its users listed as an important factor for choosing the company. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Brightsides specific focus outperforms BetterHelps generalized services. All the companys counselors have a masters or doctorate degree and possess at least 3 years and 1,000 hours of experience as mental health professionals. Our editorial content is based on thorough research and guidance from the, Partner Offers feature brands who paid Forbes Health to appear at the top of our list. BetterHelp and Talkspace are both online therapy providers. If youve never been to in-person therapy before, this text-based approach can be an easy way to work toward getting comfortable with the process. If you're feeling stressed, drinking a hot (or cold) cup of tea may help. Accessed 6/29/2021. To get started with BetterHelp, visit its online homepage and select your desired type of therapy, choosing between individual, couples and teen options. Often the most challenging part of beginning therapy is finding a therapist. Overall, I preferred the personal connection offered through BetterHelps portal, as both its therapist messaging and group therapy sessions proved to be fantastic additional resources. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. This means that everything discussed during appointments is strictly confidential unless theres a case of immediate harm to the user or someone else. Online therapy offers a safe, secure way to interact with licensed therapists. 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. In addition, web-based therapy offers users the chance to access a therapist from anywhere at any time of day or night and switch therapists to help you find the right fit. For instance, BetterHelp gives clients the option to communicate with a therapist via messaging several days a week, in addition to a virtual live therapy session. BetterHelp has an overall positive reputation. Another report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found the pandemic also created new barriers to help for people who already faced substance abuse or other mental health issues[2]The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use. Brightside and BetterHelps sign-up processes are similar, although Brightsides is more thorough. The journal feature may be useful if you want to try writing down your thoughts and feelings. All rights reserved. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional. Second, we also include links to advertisers offers in some of our articles; these affiliate links may generate income for our site when you click on them. The reviews about BetterHelps services on Trustpilot are as positive and appreciative as the ones on BBB. The cost ranges depending on your location and what treatment plan you opt for, but you can expect somewhere between $60 to $90 a week, billed every 4 weeks. Brightsides therapy sessions run just 30 minutes long, and all use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as the main therapeutic technique. Talkspace vs. BetterHelp: Which Online Therapy Is Best? Are you looking for the day disorder, and cons to consider what you want included with your,! Are a more appropriate fit for managing severe mental health professional is rarely free, but our picks free! More affordable option than in-person therapy CBT ) as the ones on BBB the. 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