6 Questions to Ask Before Signing Up for BetterHelp

BetterHelp is the best-known name in online therapy, and its pitch is simple: answer a questionnaire, get matched with a licensed therapist, and talk by message, chat, phone or video. It works well for some people and poorly for others. Rather than rank it, this article gives you six questions to ask yourself before you sign up, with the facts from our BetterHelp review to answer them. It is general information, not a recommendation for your situation.

If you are in crisis or worried about your immediate safety, see Get Help Now. In the US you can call or text 988, or call 911 in an emergency.

1. Do I want to be matched, or choose?

BetterHelp matches you with a therapist after an intake questionnaire. You can’t pick a specific therapist before you sign up, though you can request a new match from your account at no extra cost. That suits people who find choosing from many profiles overwhelming. If you want to read profiles and pick, consider Rula or Sesame, where you choose your own clinician.

2. Does the way I’d talk fit me?

BetterHelp offers four ways to connect: messaging, live chat, phone and video, and you can mix them week to week. It also includes unlimited messaging with your therapist between live sessions, though replies are not instant. If you want a predictable weekly video hour, check how sessions are scheduled before you commit. If you prefer writing, the flexibility is a strength. Research on video therapy for common concerns such as anxiety and depression is encouraging, while evidence for messaging-only formats is thinner. See online therapy.

3. Can I afford it, with or without insurance?

BetterHelp charges $70 to $100 a week, billed weekly or every four weeks, and you can cancel anytime. The price depends on your location, preferences and therapist availability, and it isn’t shown until you finish the intake questionnaire. It also says it is in network with 125+ plans, with an average $23 copay for eligible members, though not Medicare, Medicaid or TRICARE. Coverage depends on your state, plan and the availability of in-network therapists, so many members still pay the subscription. HSA and FSA funds are accepted. If cost is your main concern, compare affordable therapy options.

4. Do I need a diagnosis or medication?

BetterHelp therapists cannot make an official diagnosis or prescribe medication. If you think you need an evaluation or a prescriber, you will need another service, such as an online psychiatry practice like Talkiatry or a medical service like PlushCare. Many people use BetterHelp for talk therapy and see a separate prescriber. Our guide to online psychiatry explains the difference.

5. How comfortable am I with its privacy record?

In 2023 the Federal Trade Commission ordered BetterHelp to stop sharing consumers’ health data for advertising, and BetterHelp paid $7.8 million to settle the complaint. That does not mean your data is unsafe today, but it is a reason to read the current privacy policy, check what you are consenting to, and decide whether you are comfortable. Compare with how other providers describe their privacy, and remember that billing insurance creates claims records.

6. Is this the right level of care?

BetterHelp is not suitable for crisis situations, court-ordered therapy, minors or anyone under a guardian’s care, and its therapists work only with clients in the states where they are licensed. If you have severe symptoms, thoughts of self-harm, or need a higher level of care, seek in-person or urgent help. Teens are served through its separate TeenCounseling service.

Who BetterHelp may suit

• Adults who want flexible, text-friendly therapy between live sessions
• People who prefer to be matched quickly rather than browse
• People comfortable with a weekly subscription and with switching therapists if needed

Who may want something else

• People who want to choose their clinician, or want in-network copays under Medicare or Medicaid
• People who need a diagnosis, medication or couples therapy through the same service
• People who want the lowest possible cash price

How to get the most from your first weeks

Whatever service you choose, a few habits help. Be specific in the intake questionnaire about what you want help with and any preferences, since the match depends on your answers. Give a therapist several sessions before judging fit, but trust your judgment if you feel dismissed or pressured, and use the switching option if so. Use messaging for short updates and live sessions for deeper work. Review progress with your therapist after a month or so: what is changing, and what is not? If you aren’t seeing any benefit after a reasonable trial, it is fine to pause, try another service or ask your doctor about a different level of care.

Compare before you decide

See our BetterHelp review, the best online therapy services page, and our Talkspace vs. BetterHelp comparison. Talkspace is the closest alternative if you want insurance coverage with messaging and video.

The bottom line

BetterHelp is a flexible, large-network option for adults who want to be matched and mix messaging with live sessions. Weigh the weekly price, the limits on diagnosis and medication, and its privacy history, and try a few sessions before concluding whether it fits. Some links on this page are affiliate links and may earn us a commission, which never affects our conclusions. See our affiliate disclosure.