My therapist complained to me that connectivity issues at BetterHelp were not that uncommon. I got matched with a therapist within a couple of hours at BetterHelp, while with Brightside, it took over a day. BetterHelp is rated as a top teletherapy platform for a variety of mental health concerns. Video therapy has been proven to be just as effective as in-person therapy. Talkspace is a text-based therapy platform. BetterHelp markets itself as the world's largest online therapy service with nearly 2 million users, according to its website. 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. BetterHelp also offers a 25% discount off your first month of therapy on its COVID-19 support page. Brightside, on the other hand, has managed to keep its company profile squeaky clean, which, warranted or not, makes me marginally more comfortable trusting them with my personal data. 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. BetterHelps sign-up process is quicker all around. BetterHelp is an affordable, convenient option that offers solutions for people who prefer to talk on the phone or via video call. 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. 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. Any additional services offered are unique to that online therapy website. 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. Text-based communication (texting and live-chat sessions) are a great way to take some of the anxiety out of starting therapy and help clients dive into the process, says James Imrie, the creative and marketing manager at BetterHelp. According to a 2019 study, online therapy can be effective for depression. However, while browsing therapist bios, I did find the average years of experience to be higher at Brightside than at BetterHelp. Our surveyed users found, as I did, that therapists as both companies were dependable and competent. Marcelle ET, et al. They spent, MediaRadar captures creative run on the top websites, magazines and national television stations for over. The company stands out in the online therapy field as being specifically geared toward depression and anxiety. BetterHelp uses a monthly membership payment plan, but you can cancel your membership at any time. Calm: How Do These Meditation Apps Compare? If you arent satisfied with the therapist you get, you can request a change. BetterHelp is a reputable online teletherapy platform thats been vetted against our business and medical standards. The subscription cost may be lower than in-person sessions with a qualified therapist. Online therapy offers a safe, secure way to interact with licensed therapists. The privacy policies at both Brightside and BetterHelp, as well as most online therapy companies, leave something to be desired. Yes! Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, BetterHelp markets itself as the largest online counseling platform in the world. 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. 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. It wont be visible to anyone else unless you choose to share it. Financial aid is available to users who cant afford the standard price. I found my online video sessions with my therapist to be as helpful as my previous experiences with in-person therapy. It would help us match you with the most suitable therapist for you. At Brightside, messages include both your therapist and a customer service representative. 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. 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. 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 Overall, I would rate my experience with BetterHelp as excellent. BetterHelp, Medical Insurance, and Paths to Counseling. Only Brightside takes insurance, which 30% of its users listed as an important factor for choosing the company. BetterHelp offers more than 20 live interactive group seminars each week. BetterHelp has an average of 4.07 out of 5 stars on Better Business Bureau (BBB) from over 330 customer reviews. 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. McLean SA, et al. KFF health tracking poll July 2020. 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. Submissions should come only from actors, their parent/legal guardian or casting agency. MediaRadar calculates estimated spend for the digital, print and national television campaigns that we identify using proprietary algorithms based on medium and advertisement type. While it's not the most convenient or flexible model, I cant argue with thismany top-of-the-line therapists who primarily treat patients in-person refuse to treat patients over the phone or via live chat, on the grounds that it does not allow them enough of a connection with the client to do their job properly. Behavioral Health: Patient Access, Provider Claims Payment, and the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic. For first-quarter 2023, Teladoc Health anticipates total revenues to be between $610 million and $625 million. Read more about BetterHelp insurance coverage. She is also a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and a functional medicine certified health coach. According to BetterHelp, users privacy and confidentiality are of utmost priority. The main upside of online therapy with BetterHelp is that BetterHelp tends to be a more affordable option than in-person therapy. Both sites have adequate yet basic FAQ pages, scant additional resources, and no way to browse therapist bios prior to sign-up. 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. Users also rated BetterHelps site slightly higher, with 73% saying navigating the site was easy or very easy. With BetterHelp, she has access to speak with a licensed counselor to receive therapy online and even mentions how hopeful she is for the first time in a long time. 2023 Forbes Media LLC. You can work with a therapist via your computer, smartphone, or tablet. 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 also not appropriate if youve been diagnosed with a severe mental illness, are seeking therapy under a court order or dont have a reliable internet connection. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. BetterHelps online therapy sessions may benefit anyone whod like to prioritize and improve their mental health. BetterHelp does collect data on its clients, but it doesnt sell this data for marketing. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. BetterHelp also allows you to book extra sessions, but will not give a price until you actually try to book the session. BetterHelp is known to have unscrupulous advertising techniques, and is also currently in hot water for intentionally duping investors about its financial situation. . You only need to enter your first name or nickname at this stage. 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. Here are the 10 best teas for stress in 2022. The service is generally more affordable than in-person therapy. Read our comparison of BetterHelp and Talkspace. Brightside prescriptions focus primarily on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which are standard medications used for treating depression. Also, the platform will request emergency contact information from you, which your therapist will use only if they think you or someone else may be in danger. Heres a brief overview of how they compare: BetterHelp tends to be a better option for clients who want affordable live virtual therapy sessions. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. The company offers a secure, easy-to-use platform and qualified therapists. BetterHelp does not take insurance. A 2019 study assessed the effectiveness of BetterHelp for treating depression. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. 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. A 2018 review study suggests that therapy sessions by phone or video were equally as effective for treating depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder as in-person therapy. Hannah Owens is the Mental Health/General Health Editor for performance marketing at Verywell. Once youve paid for your first month, week or quarter, BetterHelp assigns you an online room where you can exchange private messages with your counselor. If you're eligible for financial aid, you can get their subscription at about 20-50% lower cost. (2019). She has over a decade of experience as a professional journalist covering mental health, chronic conditions, medicine, and science. 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. Mary X. Dennis is a Singapore-born, New York-raised, bilingual and biracial science reporter. BetterHelp gives you access to a network of thoroughly vetted, licensed, board certified, and experienced counselors who are available to help with a variety of mental health needs. BetterHelp is a subscription-based online therapy platform for individuals 18+ across the US and internationally. There are many pros when it comes to online or teletherapy. BetterHelp works on a subscription basis and offers a 7-day free trial. The journal feature may be useful if you want to try writing down your thoughts and feelings. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days to be matched to an in-state counselor. 990 Villa Street, Mountain View, CA US 94041. Alena is a professional writer, editor and manager with a lifelong passion for helping others live well. Also, in-person therapy sessions are a more appropriate fit for managing severe mental health conditions. Your insurance may not cover the costs of BetterHelp. 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. 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. I also found BetterHelp customer service to be responsive and helpful. On a separate occasion, when I submitted a question via the platforms support messaging, I received a satisfactory reply to my question within a few hours. Unlike me, our users slightly preferred BetterHelp over Brightside: 87% of BetterHelp users rated the sites therapist qualifications from good to excellent, while 86% of Brightside users did the same. Brightsides sign-up process is more in-depth than BetterHelpsit gives you a second, more detailed questionnaire that is just for matching purposes after youve already signed up, entered your portal, and chosen your plan. On Google Play, the BetterHelp app received 4.7 stars from more than 26,000 reviews. 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. Here are the biggest benefits, as well as who are good candidates for the. We also included our editors assessment of BetterHelp and her personal experience with this online service. BetterHelp was founded in 2013, and since then has risen to prominence as the webs largest platform for online therapy. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. 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 . 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 company offers a free 7-day trial, so you could consider signing up for this to sample the service at no cost to see if it may be a good fit for you. Brightsides messaging feature goes to both your therapist and your care coordinator, and is intended more as a customer service helpline than for actual therapeutic exchanges. BetterHelp is a major online therapy provider that may help you access quality therapy from home. *Please note: When we say basics in the services offered column, we are grouping anxiety, stress, relationship issues, depression, LGBTQIA+ counseling, and grief counseling together. This method is like email, so its not a real-time chat. This option mimics the comfort of texting a good friend. We read customers comments and looked at how other trustworthy websites scored BetterHelp. According to BetterHelp, counselors are licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, or licensed professional counselors. (2019). Here are the best places for guided meditation online in, If youre considering meeting with a psychiatrist but prefer remote visits, online psychiatry may be right for you. BetterHelp is the convenient way to get professional help from a licensed therapist. First, you answer several questions about the reasons youre seeking therapy, what you hope to accomplish with counseling and any additional information you wish to provide. The linked products and services we feature go through a rigorous vetting process. MediaRadar helps advertising sales teams reach the key decision makers at brands. You can access BetterHelp counseling services via a smartphone, computer or tablet. They spent over $100 million on advertising in digital, print, and national TV in the last year. 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. Former Healthline employee Jamey Powell tried out BetterHelp and was really pleased with her experience. To sign up, you'll take a survey on the BetterHelp site to match you to the right therapist.. Discover our top picks and the best online therapy to fit your needs and preferences. Accessed 6/29/2021. 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. 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. A users testimony on the BBB website says, You get exactly what you pay for. For those who prefer working through problems out loud, its possible to schedule a phone call with your counselor. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. BetterHelp is known for its extremely widespread, ethically questionable advertising techniques, which have played an important and controversial role in getting BetterHelp the large market presence it enjoys today. This includes eating disorders and substance use disorders. Messaging isnt done in real time, but as soon as you receive a response from your therapist, you will get an email notification. No, BetterHelp does not accept insurance from any health insurance provider and is not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. BetterHelp automatically matches you with the counselor it determines is a good match. 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. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional. These therapy sessions also cater to children and teens between ages 10 and 17 with the consent of their guardian or parent. 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. Get help, you deserve to be happy! We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best Adjusted EBITDA is estimated within $42-$50 million. At this writing, the platform says it has more than 24,000 licensed therapists and has hosted more than 202 million messages, live chats, phone calls, and video sessions. A subscription ranges from $60 to $90 a week, billed monthly. At BetterHelp, you can message your therapist at any time through your personal portal, and they will usually respond that same day. If youre interested in trying BetterHelp, you can get started here. We discuss how Betterhelp works, what to consider if youre in the market for online therapy, and what would work best for you. Net loss per share is . It explicitly specifies what it doesnt treat, which are conditions it deems serious enough to warrant in-person care: eating disorders, addiction issues, or serious mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder (BPD) or schizophrenia. . 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. You get unlimited messaging with your therapist. (2019). Systematic review of lessons learned from delivering tele-therapy to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Effectiveness of a multimodal digital psychotherapy platform for adult depression: A naturalistic feasibility study. Spending just a few minutes a day on meditation can have big benefits for your mental health. Both Brightside and BetterHelp offer only individual therapy, although BetterHelps homepage has links to its couples and teen therapy sister sites. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. We surveyed 105 users from each online therapy company and asked the companies to complete questionnaires. A 2016 review of high quality studies found that internet-delivered CBT sessions with a therapist reduced various anxiety symptoms at least as much and sometimes more than in-person CBT sessions with a therapist. We include products we think are useful for our readers. 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. Online." Songs - Add None have been identified for this spot Ad URL BetterHelp, on the other hand, takes the opposite approach. See which other premium units they bought. 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. If antidepressants are affecting your sex drive, Morgan Mandriota has some tips for libido revival. Affordable, Private Therapy Anytime, Anywhere. 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. Off your first name or nickname at this stage, billed monthly FAQ,! Reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates BetterHelp also allows you to book session! Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic other trustworthy websites scored BetterHelp and upon updates! Users also rated BetterHelps site slightly higher, with 73 % saying navigating site!, so its not a real-time chat while with Brightside, messages include both your therapist at time. 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