Improve Your Mental Health With BetterHelp Therapy

Daily responsibilities, work, relationships, and family life can be overwhelming and affect your mental health. Mental health concerns are common in the United States, with nearly 1 in 5 American adults living with mental illness, yet less than half receive treatment. However, modern technology has made treatment possible for people who previously found traditional therapy inaccessible due to cost, transportation, or long wait lists. With online therapy platforms like BetterHelp, you can receive convenient and affordable support.

What Is BetterHelp Therapy?

BetterHelp is one of the largest online therapy platforms. It provides affordable, discreet, and convenient mental health support and individual counseling for those experiencing mental health concerns, difficulties in their lives, or simply needing someone to talk to. Based on your objectives, unique needs, and preferences, BetterHelp will match you with a licensed therapist, and you can receive support through in-app messaging, video chat, live chat, or phone calls. With BetterHelp, there are no long waitlists; they can match you with a licensed, experienced therapist who fits your needs within a few hours to 48 hours of completing the questionnaire.

Benefits Of Online Counseling

With technological advances, online therapy has been gaining popularity and poses numerous benefits for the individual receiving care and the licensed therapist. For many people, reaching out for help from a professional may seem overwhelming, or they may feel they need more time or a bigger budget. Some may not have the means or ability to travel to a therapist's office.

Some people can run into issues with a therapist’s availability, and others may experience severe depression or social anxiety, making it difficult to get out of bed or leave their homes. Messaging and scheduled video sessions with a licensed therapist allow people to get the same experience as an in-person session. The sign-up process is made easy through the BetterHelp website, making getting the online counseling they need effortless.

Below are some of the top benefits of online counseling.

Comfort - Some people may have difficulty opening up to others, especially in an unknown environment like a therapist's office. With online therapy, many may feel more comfortable sharing their personal experiences in the comfort of their own homes with their belongings. This may help the individual receiving care relax, start a conversation, and move the treatment along faster than traditional therapy.

Time - Today's world is often fast-paced. Many people may barely find the time to juggle their family, daily responsibilities, and work, much less book an appointment and commute to a therapist's office. People can receive support 24 hours a day, seven days a week with online therapy. It fits your schedule, making it possible to talk to your therapist whenever and wherever you need it. You should note that video, phone, or live chat sessions are scheduled weekly, but you can reach out to your therapist anytime via in-app messaging.

Cost - Budget may prevent many people from seeking the mental health care and support they need. Some people may not have insurance, or their current insurance plan may not cover therapy. 

Deeper Insights - Online therapy may give your therapist deeper insights into your personal experience and environment. With live video chatting, your therapist can have the opportunity to see your home and your interactions in your environment outside the confines of a therapist's office. A live video session may allow your therapist to make more personal suggestions or guidance, adding to their therapeutic approach. However, if you aren't comfortable with having a video session, live sessions can also be conducted via phone.

Effectiveness - Some people may be concerned about the effectiveness of online therapy compared to traditional therapy. However, recent studies show that online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for various mental health issues and concerns, reporting improved symptoms after a month and comparable satisfaction to traditional therapy.

How Therapy Sessions With BetterHelp Work

When signing up for BetterHelp therapy, you'll be asked to fill out a questionnaire and preferences for your therapist. Depending on your objectives, specific needs, preferences, and therapists' availability, you can be matched with a licensed therapist in as little as 48 hours. If you haven’t been formally diagnosed by a professional yet, that’s okay! BetterHelp’s experienced therapists are trained to treat the concerns you are dealing with.

Once matched, you can schedule live video, chat, or phone sessions with your therapist in 30-minute or 45-minute blocks. You can also use in-app messaging, which doesn't require any scheduling. You will receive a notification once your therapist responds.

BetterHelp is a subscription-based service billed monthly, and the number of sessions needed varies from one person to another. Therefore, BetterHelp cost of therapy can different from one person to another. The number of sessions necessary can be discussed between you and your therapist. Some people may feel their mental health improves within a few weeks, while others may prefer sessions over a longer period, which can be typical of things like couples therapy or addressing complex mental health issues.

The Cost Of Online Therapy

The cost of online therapy is often flexible and more affordable than in-person therapy, with BetterHelp subscriptions ranging from $65 to $90 per week, billed monthly every four weeks. The subscription cost may be based on your location, preferences, and therapist availability.

Medicare or Medicaid does not cover BetterHelp therapy, but some insurance plans may cover a portion of the cost. Insurance plans vary, and you may need to check with your provider. However, BetterHelp's affordable subscription-based online therapy service is often comparable or may even be less than the copay of most insurance plans that provide therapy coverage. If for any reason, you feel you no longer need online therapy, it is very easy to cancel your subscription at any time. Additionally, financial aid options are offered by BetterHelp to those who qualify for financial assistance.

Get Online Therapy With A Real Therapist

The therapists at BetterHelp are licensed psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, accredited, hold a master's degree or doctorate, and have at least three years and 1,000 hours of experience as a mental health professional. All therapists may have various backgrounds, use different therapy approaches or have specific areas of expertise; therefore, you will be matched with a therapist who best suits your specific objectives that are unique to your individual needs.

When signing up with BetterHelp, you will fill out a detailed questionnaire about yourself and your needs and information about your preferred therapist. This will help the platform match you with a licensed therapist who is right for you and from here you can schedule your first live session. 

While BetterHelp is an American-based platform, people can receive therapy and support from anywhere, which is helpful if you can’t find a therapist in your country. If at any time you feel your therapist is not right for you, you may request to be matched with a new one. There are many BetterHelp counselors you can switch to by contacting customer service, if needed.

Online Therapy Versus In-Person Therapy

Recent studies also show that online therapy may be just as effective as in-person therapy, with people reporting improved symptoms of mental health concerns after a short period (as little as one month).

However, online therapy typically can't officially diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication, or fulfill any required court order. Online therapy may not be suitable for people with more severe symptoms or mental health concerns. It may be essential to seek support from a licensed medical professional face-to-face.

Takeaway

If you're experiencing a difficult time or have any mental health concerns, seeking support from a professional therapist may be helpful. With BetterHelp therapy, you can receive affordable, convenient, and discreet support from the comfort of your own home or wherever you have a reliable internet connection. A licensed therapist can provide tools and guidance to help you overcome any difficulties in your life. Sign up to get matched with a licensed therapist who best suits your needs and begin your journey to improved mental health.