BetterHelp has been a life line on a number of difficult transitions in my life - it has been a resource that I keep coming back to, but I have recently decided that it is a support that is worth maintaining on a long-term basis for impartial support and continued growth.
Better help has a broad range of therapists to support all concerns with a variety of different tools. If you don't find the right therapist at first, do reach out to their customer support team who can help you better determine your needs and select an appropriate therapist.
What I find invaluable is the ability to journal and have quick objective feedback in text form on challenges you face in between sessions or unhelpful thought patterns and distortions I have. Whereby, working purely a session basis with therapists previously had never worked for me because by the time I met them, the moment or challenge had passed - especially with relationship and communication challenges.
Another this is the matching service tool, it's rubbish. You should be able to peruse therapist according to area of the challenge of skills needed. It may also be useful to have a phone consultation to help with the matching and to explain the different types of therapy.
Also, being able to schedule the same therapist at the same time each week would be amazing, and would help me to not miss sessions. I'm better with a regular routine. At the moment, I can't re-book until I've had the session. So it's impossible to keep the same time each week.
Regarding the subscription, it jumps from quarterly, to bi-annually, to annually. It would be great if there was an option in between bi-annually and annually i.e. to pay for 9 months upfront. Also to have the option of being able to have more regular sessions.
Lastly, I don't like the fact that the therapist doesn't get paid for no-shows when BetterHelp takes a monthly subscription. Therapists should not lose out on this revenue because I don't show up, whilst BetterHelp's revenue isn't affected. This doesn't sit right with me. I would seriously consider switching or stopping with BetterHelp because of this. For me, it's ethically wrong. When I become aware of an alternative I will switch.
Length of Use: 1–2 years
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Pros and Cons
Online therapy
In-between session contact with therapist via messaging and journalling
Range of therapists - experience, specialities, and tools so I can change as my needs change
Lower cost than a regular in-person therapist
The matching service tool is rubbish
Being able to schedule the same therapist at the same time each weak would be amazing
It would be great if there was an option in between bi-annually and annually subscriptions, i.e. to pay for 9 months upfront
The connection is often poor via BetterHelp, whilst other internet activities I carry out are fine
I don't like the fact that the therapist doesn't get paid for no-shows when BetterHelp take a monthly subscription