BetterHelp review

BetterHelp is the simplest subscription to start. You answer a questionnaire, and the matching process takes a few hours to a few days depending on therapist availability. Every therapist must be a qualified counselor, psychologist, social worker or therapist with a relevant degree and at least three years of experience, and providers go through documentation checks and background checks. You can message your therapist at any time, or schedule live chat, phone or video sessions, and switch between formats as you like. Teladoc Health, the parent company, describes the network as 30,000 therapists. If the match is not right you can ask for a different therapist. The limits are clear in BetterHelp's own FAQ: therapists cannot make an official diagnosis, fulfill a court order or prescribe medication, and the service is for adults only. Pricing is based on location, preferences and therapist availability and is billed every four weeks. Our fetch showed euro prices, so the US price is pending.

Who it is for

Self-pay adults who want fast matching, many session formats and a large network.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Messaging, live chat, phone and video sessions
• Matching in a few hours to a few days
• Network of 30,000 therapists, according to parent company Teladoc Health
• Therapists need a relevant degree and at least 3 years of experience
• Billed every 4 weeks, cancel any time

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Four ways to talk to your therapist
• Strength: You can ask for a different therapist at any time
• Strength: Financial aid discounts may be available
• Weakness: Therapists cannot diagnose or prescribe medication
• Weakness: Price depends on location and preferences rather than a fixed list
• Weakness: Not designed for insurance billing

Key facts

• Session formats: Messaging, live chat, phone, video
• Network: 30,000 therapists
• Billing: Every 4 weeks
• Medication: No prescriptions
• Age: Adults only

Where it ranks

BetterHelp is No. 3 in our Best Online Therapy Services verdict.