The biggest downside of online therapy is that there can be technical issues that disrupt a virtual therapy session. 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. Some people may prefer the experience of working with a therapist in person. . On Google Play, the BetterHelp app received 4.7 stars from more than 26,000 reviews. We include products we think are useful for our readers. 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 matched me with a therapist with more than 25 years of counseling experience who specialized in depression, anxiety and family conflict, as well as other areas of mental health and wellness. A subscription ranges from $60 to $90 a week, billed monthly. As of September 2021, Northeastern University is offering BetterHelp as a referral option, advertising 20 free weekly sessions for its students and faculty. We include products we think are useful for our readers. This method is like email, so its not a real-time chat. However, while browsing therapist bios, I did find the average years of experience to be higher at Brightside than at BetterHelp. Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. BetterHelp Rakes in $1B in 2022, as Teladoc Plans to Integrate Behavioral Health into Its Chronic Care Strategy - Behavioral Health Business Digital Health BetterHelp Rakes in $1B in 2022, as Teladoc Plans to Integrate Behavioral Health into Its Chronic Care Strategy By Laura Lovett | January 9, 2023 Porapak Apichodilok Receive the help you deserve. Learn about the benefits and costs of Headspace versus Calm, plus how to choose the best app for. A: No, BetterHelp is not covered by insurance. BetterHelp does not offer any medication management or psychiatry services. This includes eating disorders and substance use disorders. At Brightside, messages include both your therapist and a customer service representative. A 2019 study assessed the effectiveness of BetterHelp for treating depression. 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. These are called groupinars. If you want to attend a groupinar but arent able to make it to the meeting time, you can get a link to the recording via email. All have a masters or doctoral degree in the area they specialize in. Online therapy platforms connect you with licensed providers, which can include psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical social workers and licensed professional counselors. Healthline Media's new initiative, TRANSFORM: Future of Health, spotlights cutting-edge innovations that will change the future of health and wellness. Marcelle ET, et al. Lastly, if youre experiencing life threatening thoughts or conditions, online therapy is not the best option for you. According to BetterHelp, counselors are licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, or licensed professional counselors. BetterHelp pairs users with licensed therapists for web-based therapy sessions. Marcelle ET, et al. Its available in the United States and the United Kingdom. For $150 a month, you get unlimited access to a therapist. If youre considering self-harm or suicide, help is available. In the study, more than 300 BetterHelp users had significant reductions in symptoms of depression after 3 months. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. Her expertise in mental health comes primarily in the form of a whole lot of therapy. If you choose a plan with medication at Brightside, sessions with your prescribing doctor, as well as information on your prescriptions, are accessible in the portal. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. BetterHelp is an excellent option for people seeking online counseling for certain mental health issues. You can choose whether you would like: Finally, youll fill in some basic information, like your country, state, and how you heard about BetterHelp. You can receive therapy from BetterHelp for as long as youd like. BetterHelp is one such online therapy service that allows you to text-chat with a licensed, accredited therapist 24/7. 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 company works with: All have at least 3 years of experience in the field with at least 1,000 hours of practice, according to the company website. 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. 'Show more' : 'Show less' }}. 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. I was hooked up with an amazing therapist, and she is so intelligent and kind-hearted. The company does occasionally offer therapy below its $60 to $90 rate. Therapeutic contact is limited to your weekly video sessions. See what our experts have to say about Talkspace and if it's right. I felt my therapist was an excellent counselor and a good match for the issues that brought me to therapy. BetterHelp is a subscription plan with services not generally covered by health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. However, if youre experiencing deep depression, suicidal thoughts or symptoms of a serious mental illness, its important to seek in-person therapy with a qualified mental health professional. Since 2013, over 30,000 licensed, accredited, and board-certified therapists from BetterHelp's network have helped more than 2,000,000 people face life's challenges and improve their mental health. Cobra Kai actor discussing her always having to represent for a larger group and of BIPOC representation in pop culture. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers offers appear on the site. However, if your insurance provider offers mental health benefits, you may want to look into whether they will cover BetterHelp and their terms. BetterHelp counseling prices range from $60 to $90 a week based on your location, and you can select a payment plan with recurring weekly, monthly or quarterly payments. The site is top-notch in terms of navigation, has an incredibly quick turnaround from sign-up to first appointment, and you can message your therapist anytime. Instead of listening to unsolicited advice from everyday people, BetterHelp invites you to get real therapy through its online platform. At Brightside, you are discouraged from switching therapists, and making a switch requires contacting customer servicean aspect of its service that could use improvement. Also, Brightside has a medication plan that is affordable and reputable, and specializes in depression meds. If you want to communicate with your therapist outside your scheduled therapy sessions, you can message them, and they will message you back. After reaching out via online message and not getting a response for three days (it was a weekend), I called the company on Monday, and had to wait on hold, and then go through a 10-minute process over the phone that eventually sent a link to my portal that allowed me to browse options for a new therapist. You can choose to do your therapy sessions via video chat, phone call, live chat, or messaging similar to email. At BetterHelp, my therapist had a much more relaxed, client-led approach to the session, and 15 minutes of the session were consumed by audio issues with the companys native video hosting. BetterHelp uses a monthly membership payment plan, but you can cancel your membership at any time. Founded in California in 2013 by two ad-tech professionals, BetterHelp's goal is to remove some of the challenges related to traditional in-person therapy, including convenience, cost and stigma, and make remote counseling available to anyone, anywhere, anytime. We researched news about both companies, including any controversy around prescriptions or advertising, investor and performance news, and company history. However, in case an emergency arises during sessions, you will be required to give your contact details when you start therapy. The company stands out in the online therapy field as being specifically geared toward depression and anxiety. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Therapy offers a broad array of benefits for all of us. 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. 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.. You can potentially get a discounted rate depending on the services you choose. 2023 Forbes Media LLC. In one-on-one counseling, therapists offer common mental health therapies, including: The therapeutic approach is up to you and your therapist. Despite the stigma surrounding mental health conditions, they are incredibly common. It claims to specialize in prescribing SSRIs and SNRIs for depression, although it is not limited to those. The system does not share your personal phone number with the counselor everything is done through the BetterHelp app. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, BetterHelp markets itself as the largest online counseling platform in the world. Mary X. Dennis is a Singapore-born, New York-raised, bilingual and biracial science reporter. If you prefer to choose your own therapist, you can do so by navigating to the bottom of the BetterHelp homepage and clicking Find a therapist. However, this choice isnt explained in BetterHelps FAQs page. Even if a therapy session is a videoconference, therapists generally only see from the shoulders up. Heres everything you need to know. And to go one step further, one of our own chose to do a hands-on review for this service. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Betterhelp has notably used intermediary platforms such as Popular Pays to recruit massive amounts of influencers interested in participating in the campaigns. Last medically reviewed on February 6, 2023. The linked products and services we feature go through a rigorous vetting process. At this writing, out of 4,100 reviews on Trustpilot, 84% of BetterHelp users rated the service as excellent, and 9% rated their experience as bad. This usually had to do with the reviewers personal experience with their therapist. Brightside accepts a wide range of insurance: Cigna, Aetna, Optum/UnitedHealthcare, Anthem CA, and Allegiance are all considered in-network, and it also accepts health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) card payments. She says that, while she didnt have many prerequisites for a therapist, she did feel that she was matched relatively well. In addition to screening BetterHelp using our intensive vetting process, we also looked at their medical credibility, business practices, and social impact. The company describes BetterHelp as the "largest online counseling platform worldwide," geared toward helping people dealing with issues "such as stress, anxiety, relationships, parenting,. People are using online therapy tools now more than ever. The company will bill you every 4 weeks. Or, therapists may list a less well-known modality, such as client-centered therapy or psychodynamic therapy as their primary clinical approach. Insurance companies need these details before they can cover the cost and for record-keeping. Headspace and Calm are two popular meditation apps. The main upside of online therapy with BetterHelp is that BetterHelp tends to be a more affordable option than in-person therapy. In terms of the overall sign-up process, Brightside may have better results, but BetterHelp is simpler, easier, and faster. BetterHelp offers private, affordable online counseling when you need it from licensed, board-accredited therapists. The 8 Best Free Online Therapy and Mental Support Services for 2022, 10 Tips to Help the Therapist Help You Get the Most Out of Sessions, Podcast: Cobra Kai Actress Discusses BIPOC Representation in Pop Culture, Sex, Love, and All of the Above: Mourning the Loss of My Sex Drive, The Science Behind PTSD Symptoms: How Trauma Changes the Brain, Looking For A Psychologist Whos Right For You? In contrast, Talkspace may be a better option for those interested in messaging their therapist daily and want the ability to have medication prescribed to them. See which other premium units they bought. Take a look at the following services, and the comparison chart at the end to see which online therapy service could work best for you. 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. I had a hard time finding a therapist in my city, and I decided to give BetterHelp a try after seeing advertisements. Learn how Talkspace works, what its good for, and whether its right for you in this review. BetterHelp counseling. However, check with your health insurance provider to see whether BetterHelp services could be reimbursed under your policys mental health coverage. You have online access to experienced therapists. We surveyed 105 users from each online therapy company and asked the companies to complete questionnaires. Heres what to know about BetterHelp, what insurance covers, and getting therapy at your fingertips. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 20% of people in the United States will experience a mental health condition in any given year. 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. Lin T, et al. 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. Brightside sessions are 30 minutes. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. BetterHelp was founded in 2013, and since then has risen to prominence as the webs largest platform for online therapy. 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. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. You get unlimited messaging with your therapist. No more waiting days, weeks or even months to find a therapist. The company operates through thousands of therapists who can. BetterHelp, Medical Insurance, and Paths to Counseling. The platform may be difficult to use if you dont have consistent access to the internet or phone services or a private space for therapy sessions. If you are looking for a more convenient form of therapy that you can access from the comfort of your own home, BetterHelp may be a better option for you. Youll be asked to fill out a questionnaire to check your eligibility. An algorithm will pair you with a licensed therapist based on your answers. Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. Overall, I would rate my experience with BetterHelp as excellent. BetterHelp | Professional Therapy With A Licensed Therapist You deserve to be happy. 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. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. Overall, Acadia reported a total of $675.3 million in revenue in the fourth quarter, a 13.8% increase year over year. Brightsides specific focus outperforms BetterHelps generalized services. Founded in 2013, BetterHelp is the largest online therapy platform in the world, offering virtual therapy with licensed and accredited therapists via chat, phone calls, and video calls. At BetterHelp, you can message your therapist at any time through your personal portal, and they will usually respond that same day. Messaging isnt done in real time, but as soon as you receive a response from your therapist, you will get an email notification. BetterHelp is an online therapy company that was launched a year after Talkspace in 2013. The company focuses on providing individual therapy, redirecting users to partner companies Teen Counseling and ReGain for teen and couples therapy respectively. Here are the biggest benefits, as well as who are good candidates for the. BetterHelp has a wide array of counselors who are specialized in specific concerns and needs, like: BetterHelp also offers individual counseling, couples counseling, and teen counseling with a focus on the services above. MediaRadar calculates estimated spend for the digital, print and national television campaigns that we identify using proprietary algorithms based on medium and advertisement type. {{ tocState.toggleTocShowMore ? Only Brightside takes insurance, which 30% of its users listed as an important factor for choosing the company. Headquartered in California, BetterHelp has treated nearly 3.2 million people since its founding. Our contacts database includes full names, email addresses, specialties, agency relationships and phone numbers, and we verify each contact every 90 days to ensure you have the most current information. BetterHelp offers private, affordable online counseling when you need it from licensed, board-accredited therapists. Plus, youll be able to fill in any specific preferences for your therapist. Whats clear is that Brightside makes billing your insurance relatively easy, while with BetterHelp, its nearly impossible. 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