Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. BetterHelp is a subscription plan with services not generally covered by health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. The biggest downside of online therapy is that there can be technical issues that disrupt a virtual therapy session. As a result, youre free to message your counselor at any hour of the day. Both services match you with a therapist after a brief intake survey. Therapy can be intimidating, especially for a lot of first-time clients. Rapid turnaround from sign-up to first session, Surge pricing can result in unexpected fee hikes. The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use. According to the company website, BetterHelp operates a secure system that keeps user information strictly confidential and compliant with patient data protection laws. BetterHelp, on the other hand, takes the opposite approach. For $150 a month, you get unlimited access to a therapist. Both begin with a short questionnaire about your background, your location, and why you are seeking therapy. Talkspace is a text-based therapy platform. Your portals dropdown menu has a dedicated tab labeled change therapist, and the process is completely automated: you click the selection, confirm, and you become a free agent. Headspace and Calm are two popular meditation apps. Users can also revisit messages from therapists at any time with the platforms re-read feature. 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. You can receive therapy from BetterHelp for as long as youd like. Talkspace vs. BetterHelp: Which Online Therapy Is Best? All rights reserved. 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. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy in the treatment of psychiatric illness. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days to be matched to an in-state counselor. According to a 2019 study, online therapy can be effective for depression. Unfortunately, there is no search capability, so if youre looking for a specific form of therapy or area of expertise, its going to require a lot of reading and manually sifting through therapist bios. As a Product Manager at BetterHelp, you'll join a diverse team of licensed clinicians, engineers, product pros, creatives, marketers, and business leaders who share a passion for expanding . Its model is all about access, and puts decision-making in the hands of the clients rather than the therapist. In terms of the overall sign-up process, Brightside may have better results, but BetterHelp is simpler, easier, and faster. The app will notify you of their response. 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. Our sessions were tightly runthey got straight to the point and stayed focused for the full 30 minutes. Any additional services offered are unique to that online therapy website. BetterHelp is one of the largest providers of online counseling services. 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). 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. BetterHelp is an entirely online therapy service, so there are some key differences to keep in mind when comparing online and in-person therapy. BetterHelp and Talkspace are both online therapy providers. Verywell Mind's content is for informational and educational purposes only. A subscription to BetterHelp ranges from $60 to $90 a week. If youre considering self-harm or suicide, help is available. In addition, you can choose to request financial aid from BetterHelp, according to anecdotal sources. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. BetterHelp specifically is a low-cost option that many universities and organizations partner with to provide counseling to large communities. Still, it can be tricky to navigate the vast offerings of telehealth providers to figure out which service is the best for your situation. She has over a decade of experience as a professional journalist covering mental health, chronic conditions, medicine, and science. Whether youre dealing with grief, want to improve your coping strategies, or youre just feeling down - BetterHelp makes starting therapy easy. BetterHelp is a reputable online teletherapy platform thats been vetted against our business and medical standards. 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. Lin T, et al. Commissions we earn from partner links on this page do not affect our opinions or evaluations. Combined with the anytime messaging feature, it does make it much easier to contact your therapist, and gives you more options for scheduling when youre busysuch as if you need to squeeze in a phone session while commuting or a live chat session during your childs soccer practice. During the sign-up process, I noted I was seeking help with some anxiety and family conflict issues. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers offers appear on the site. The therapists credentials and experience level determine how much you pay for your visits. Just log on at your appointment time and your counselor will prompt you to start the video chat. (2019). This option mimics the comfort of texting a good friend. Simone is the health editorial director for performance marketing at Verywell. Instead, you can choose a nickname your therapist can call you. The company does occasionally offer therapy below its $60 to $90 rate. You can choose your own therapist, but this option isnt obvious without extensive exploration of the BetterHelp website. You can also schedule video, phone or live chat sessions and access counseling services using four methods: BetterHelp counselors do not make official diagnoses or prescribe medications. Two things we care about almost as much as the issue we're seeking therapy for: our precious time and money. KFF health tracking poll July 2020. Former Healthline employee Jamey Powell tried out BetterHelp and was really pleased with her experience. 2023 Forbes Media LLC. Here are six types of therapy and the benefits of each. 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 want to learn more about BetterHelp and insurance, consider reading our in-depth article on the topic. According to BetterHelp, users privacy and confidentiality are of utmost priority. 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. The privacy policies at both Brightside and BetterHelp, as well as most online therapy companies, leave something to be desired. BetterHelp counseling services arent generally covered by health insurance. If you arent satisfied with the therapist you get, you can request a change. However, many BetterHelp counselors also specialize in specific issues, including: BetterHelp is not the right choice if you have thoughts of hurting yourself or others, are a minor or under the care of a legal guardian or are experiencing an urgent crisis or emergency. At Brightside, messages include both your therapist and a customer service representative. This process helps narrow down the options to get a therapist who best meets your needs. 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. Adjusted EBITDA is estimated within $42-$50 million. They invest in premium ad units and advertised on over 250 different Media Properties in the last year across multiple Media formats. Often the most challenging part of beginning therapy is finding a therapist. Learn 10 tips to make therapy really. Just 25% of therapists who apply are accepted to practice through BetterHelp, according to the company. 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. Marcelle ET, et al. 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. The researchers suggested that web-based psychotherapy like from BetterHelp showed promise for helping people overcome barriers to getting therapy. Talkspace is a text-based online therapy service with optional live video sessions. BetterHelp is an excellent option for people seeking online counseling for certain mental health issues. Still, whether it was a result of the matching algorithm, or just the overall quality of the therapists at Brightside, I did find my initial assigned therapist at Brightside to be a much better fit for me that the one given to me by BetterHelp: more professional, easier to talk to, and more understanding of what I hoped to accomplish. For more in-depth information, continue reading. At the same time, resources for face-to-face mental health services werent readily available due to public health concerns. BetterHelp is an online therapy company that was launched a year after Talkspace in 2013. I had a hard time finding a therapist in my city, and I decided to give BetterHelp a try after seeing advertisements. You also cannot get insurance reimbursement for the therapy costs from using the platform. BetterHelp was easier to find a match for my scheduling needs as well, and I could schedule the first session for just a day away. I felt the counselor was a good match for me based on the issues I wanted to work on. BetterHelp does collect data on its clients, but it doesnt sell this data for marketing. If you dont like waiting hours for a response, you can schedule a live chat session with your counselor. Your counselor will reply with questions, guidance, homework, or feedback. I also found BetterHelp customer service to be responsive and helpful. It also provides additional services like journaling and group therapy sessions. As an online portal, BetterHelp connects individual consumers with online counseling and therapy services. Read more about BetterHelp insurance coverage. Here's a review of BetterHelp, including its features, pros, and cons. Brightside was founded by Brad Kittredge in 2017, and is based in Oakland, California. Download the 2023 Super Bowl TV Ad Report from iSpot Today. Many Americans Continue to Experience Mental Health Difficulties as Pandemic Enters Second Year, The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use. 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. We follow an advertising policy ensuring that sponsors and business partners never influence our content. Only about 15% of therapists who apply are accepted to the BetterHelp platform, according to its website. When you sign up with BetterHelp, you dont have to enter your full name. The BetterHelp platform was easy to navigate, and I enjoyed my therapy experience. 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. They are pouring millions of dollars into advertising to grow their user base. The platform does not accept insurance. She specializes in aging, long-term care, caregiving, retirement and a variety of other health and retirement topics. Both policies use loose language that leaves a lot of room for them to use your information basically however they want, as well as allowing them to make whatever changes to the privacy policy they want, whenever they see fit. The exact price depends on a person's location and preferences . 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. Q1. Its also important to consider what you want included with your plan, if you intend to supplement your sessions with additional support. On the other hand, you may not find BetterHelp useful if you: If youre having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, you can access free support right away with these resources: Yes, BetterHelp connects users with licensed mental health professionals who can provide psychotherapy through online channels. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Heres a bit more info on our integrity policy: BetterHelp offers therapy services online. While in-person therapy provides only live sessions, generally once a week, BetterHelp provides more frequent communication options. 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. With Brightside, you can also message your therapist, but the messaging platform is intended for scheduling and service issues rather than therapy itself. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Frequently asked questions about BetterHelp, kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/report/kff-health-tracking-poll-july-2020/, Is BetterHelp Covered By Insurance? BetterHelps site was also more intuitive, while with Brightside, I was occasionally left wondering where to find resources I needed. 7 Cups is a mental health platform that provides users with emotional support from an online community and therapy sessions as needed. On Google Play, the BetterHelp app received 4.7 stars from more than 26,000 reviews. Brightside vs. BetterHelp: Types of Therapy, Brightside vs. BetterHelp: How Therapy Sessions Work, Brightside vs. BetterHelp: Therapist Qualifications, Brightside vs. BetterHelp: Switching Therapists, Brightside vs. BetterHelp: Privacy Policies, Brightside vs. BetterHelp: User Satisfaction, Daily Tips for a Healthy Mind to Your Inbox, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry. The sites and apps for both companies are relatively minimalist and feature similar setups: a scrollable homepage that offers easy-to-digest information about how the service works, with highly prominent links prompting you to sign up scattered throughout the page. My therapist complained to me that connectivity issues at BetterHelp were not that uncommon. Switching therapists is much easier at BetterHelp. BetterHelp is known to have unscrupulous advertising techniques, and is also currently in hot water for intentionally duping investors about its financial situation. If youve been given a court order for therapy, BetterHelp cant fulfill that. 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. Published May 25, 2021 Advertiser BetterHelp Advertiser Profiles Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest Tagline "Get Real Therapy. 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. Plus, in April 2022, Mozilla raised concerns about BetterHelps privacy and security practices, giving the company a *privacy not included warning label. BetterHelps portal also offers a space to book group sessions, which include mens and womens groups, as well as support groups for loneliness, burnout, parenting, relationships, and many other common stressors you may want to connect with others about. Here Are 9 Questions To Ask. The platform offers therapy and counseling to individuals, couples, teens between ages 13 and 17, and veterans. Opposite approach puts decision-making in the treatment of psychiatric illness things we care about almost much... I felt the counselor was a good friend level determine how much you pay for your visits provides services. 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