How Much Does BetterHelp Therapy Cost?

There's no shame in deciding you want to try therapy. Whether you are dealing with small issues or big issues, talking to someone else can be a valuable tool.

There are many considerations—and often barriers—when it comes to starting therapy. You must weigh the pros and cons of in-person therapy versus online therapy, the specialty of the therapist you choose, and how much it will cost you with or without insurance.

Price is often the greatest deciding factor when choosing to seek out therapy or not. It’s tough for many people to afford the necessities of life, let alone tacking another bill onto the list. But we want to change the way you think about therapy. Therapy is not a lavish, extra expense. It’s an investment in your quality of life, relationships, and future.

Think of the high price of not seeking therapy when you need someone to talk to. Your work productivity, relationships, and physical health may suffer in the long run if your mental health is left unchecked. Consider this: if your kidneys are having a hard time functioning, would you not seek help and treatment from a doctor? Similarly, if your mental health is struggling, it’s important to find a quality therapist who can help you.

We think BetterHelp online therapy is one of the best options out there because it’s affordable, convenient, and comfortable for many people. Let’s talk about BetterHelp therapy cost, how our subscription works, and the kind of value you can expect to receive.

What Is BetterHelp?

BetterHelp is the largest online therapy platform worldwide. The platform offers virtual therapy services from over 23,000 certified mental health providers and has served over two million users. 

When you sign up for BetterHelp, you will fill out an initial questionnaire that will match you with a therapist who fits your needs. Live sessions occur via live chat, phone calls, or live video. 

The Benefits Of Online Therapy

You may be familiar with what in-person therapy is like: sitting down with a counselor in their office and speaking face-to-face about the things going on in your life. Online therapy is much the same, just done through an online venue. When considering what type of therapy to choose, it’s of utmost importance that you take the time to reflect on your personal needs, preferred style of communication, and budget. 

Read on to find out why online therapy is becoming a top choice for millions worldwide.

You Can Choose Your Therapist

One of the best features of online therapy is choosing from an extensive roster of qualified therapists. These providers would not all be available to you if you were limited to those within driving distance.

Here at BetterHelp, we firmly believe you can only optimize therapy benefits when your therapist is a good fit for you. Your relationship with a therapist is like any other relationship. If it’s not benefiting you and you feel like you’re a poor match for each other, you should continue searching for the right one for you.

Many people want to know: “Can I choose my therapist on BetterHelp?” The answer is yes! During the initial signup process, you will fill out a questionnaire indicating your general info, mental health needs, and therapist preferences.

Then in as little as 48 hours, BetterHelp can match you to a therapist based on your answers. But after that, you have the choice to request a different therapist at any time, no matter how many sessions you've had.

It Can Be More Affordable Than Traditional Therapy

It isn't always easy to compare the cost of traditional therapy versus online therapy, as there are so many factors that influence the final price. But in general, online therapy sessions tend to be lower cost than traditional therapy sessions.

For example, the BetterHelp cost for a weekly subscription falls within $65 to $90, whereas an in-person therapy session can be anywhere from $100 to $200+ out of pocket. This doesn’t take into consideration how much might be covered by your health insurance.

Convenience And Flexibility

Many people have turned to online therapy because of the convenience factor. Online therapy can happen anywhere you have an internet connection, meaning you can have sessions at home, if you choose to. Scheduling can be easier when you're taking part in online therapy, and there's no commuting to take into consideration. Both of these things can help with the cost, as it means you may not have to take off work, nor use up gas getting to a physical location for therapy.

In addition, therapy sessions can take place in a variety of ways, from text messages to phone calls to video chats—whichever method makes you feel more comfortable.

What Can Affect the Cost of Therapy?

Some of the things that affect the overall cost for both in-person and online therapy include:

• Where You Live. The state or country you live in will affect the cost of therapy. For example, if you live in an expensive, urban area on a U.S. coast, expect to pay more for your therapist than you might in the Midwest.
• The Expertise Of Your Provider. Suppose your mental health provider specializes in a specific disorder or has decades of experience. In that case, you can expect them to command higher prices than a novice counselor with more generalized licensure. All BetterHelp therapists have at least three years of experience.
• The Type Of Therapy. The type of therapy you receive may affect the cost. There is a wide variety of counseling available, such as couples counseling, group therapy, child psychology, psychiatry, etc. Expect to pay more for psychiatry than group therapy, for example.
• Your Health Insurance Coverage. Do you have health insurance with mental health coverage? Is your therapist “in-network” with your insurance company? If you have coverage, expect therapy to be more affordable. While a couple of online therapy platforms accept certain insurances, it’s not very common.
• The Online Therapy Platform You Choose. If you choose to use an online therapy platform, your select service will affect how much you pay. BetterHelp is one of the most affordable and high-value options, but other online options are out there. We recommend finding one that offers experienced, licensed providers.

BetterHelp Cost: Price Of A BetterHelp Subscription

Now that we’ve explained the variables that can affect the cost of therapy in general, let’s discuss the cost of BetterHelp therapy services.

How Much Is A Subscription To BetterHelp?

BetterHelp offers a basic weekly subscription plan billed roughly once a month. For a BetterHelp subscription, you can expect to pay anywhere from $65 to $90 a week.

Every four weeks, this weekly price is billed to your credit card or PayPal account. The exact cost differs for each person and is based on your therapist’s availability, location, and preferences. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.

What’s Included?

Here’s what comes included with a weekly BetterHelp subscription to use our therapy services:

• A Live Therapy Session. This weekly live session is between you and your therapist and happens in the virtual format of your choice: live chat, live phone call, or live video. So, how long are BetterHelp sessions? The standard session is 30 minutes long, but some providers offer 45-minute sessions. The standard subscription offers one session per week, but you may be able to receive more than one from your therapist, depending on their availability and your budget.
• Messaging With Your Therapist Anytime. Messaging is available 24/7, and conversations are saved, so you can always go back and refer to them for guidance. This written communication is a unique feature that traditional therapy can’t offer. 

Canceling Your BetterHelp Subscription

There is no set or required amount of time to use BetterHelp online therapy. We understand that, by nature, therapy is a fluid process. Everyone is at a different place in their mental health journey, and some might require more long-term, integrated support than others.

In addition, sometimes life circumstances dictate when and for how long we need the support of a professional. Some BetterHelp users feel back on their feet after a few weeks of therapy, and others choose to continue for months or even years. The choice is yours!

Canceling BetterHelp is an easy process. If you decide you no longer want or need BetterHelp therapy, you can cancel your subscription at any time. Just follow these simple steps to cancel your account:

1. Login to your BetterHelp Account.
2. If you are currently receiving therapy, head to Menu>My Account>Payment Settings>Quit Therapy.
3. Once you do this, head back to Menu>My Account> Then click on “Request.”

BetterHelp Is Safe 

Please read our policy to learn exactly how your information is handled.

Our counselors are all independent mental health providers, not BetterHelp employees, but they are expected to maintain professional integrity and standards.

Online Therapy Alternatives

If you decide you want to try online therapy, there are a few other options besides BetterHelp on the market. It depends on your budget, therapy needs and preferences, and what platform you’ll get the most value from.

So, what is the most affordable online oounseling? This is a tricky question because each platform offers slightly different services and levels of therapist qualifications. Many consider platforms like BetterHelp and Talkspace the best value for your money because sessions are often lower cost than traditional therapy sessions, and providers are licensed professionals.

Other platforms, like 7 Cups, offer some free tools and forums that might add value and provide community and connection.

Is BetterHelp Religious?

Maybe you’re looking for a religious therapy platform. There are faith-based therapy platforms out there that integrate spirituality into therapy sessions. BetterHelp is not religious, as it aims to be a neutral platform that has welcomed over two million from around the world from a variety of faiths.

That said, BetterHelp counselors bring a variety of faiths to the table, and you can request a counselor who can bring your faith to the conversation. We’ll try our best to match you with one.

Faithful Counseling is one of BetterHelp’s sister therapy sites, and one you might turn to if you're a Christian looking for faith-based counseling; at Faithful Counseling, all licensed therapists are practicing Christians.

Takeaway

BetterHelp offers a comprehensive platform to receive virtual therapy from one of our 30,000 licensed providers.

Live sessions take place once a week and usually last for 30 minutes but can be as long as 45 minutes, depending on your needs and your therapist’s availability. You can partake in them over live chat, live phone call, or live video—the choice is yours. Our weekly subscription plan ranges from $65 to $90 and is billed to your credit card or PayPal account every four weeks.

While BetterHelp does not accept insurance, we offer financial aid to certain individuals who meet our income criteria. If you've decided that BetterHelp sounds like the right option for you, click here to get started.