Brightside was founded by Brad Kittredge in 2017, and is based in Oakland, California. Users also rated BetterHelps site slightly higher, with 73% saying navigating the site was easy or very easy. People are using online therapy tools now more than ever. Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Both services match you with a therapist after a brief intake survey. 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. Since BetterHelp is online, there are more therapists to choose from, and finding a compatible therapist may take significantly less time and effort. You may also begin registration by clicking the Get Started button in the top right corner of the site. BetterHelp specifically is a low-cost option that many universities and organizations partner with to provide counseling to large communities. However, check with your health insurance provider to see whether BetterHelp services could be reimbursed under your policys mental health coverage. I also found BetterHelp customer service to be responsive and helpful. Its available in the United States and the United Kingdom. BetterHelp offers private, affordable online counseling when you need it from licensed, board-accredited therapists. Writing down your thoughts is a useful exercise for all kinds of situations, Imrie says. BetterHelp last advertised a new product in December, 2021. To help get you started, heres a list of affordable mental health care options. Live chat is an instant messaging service in which you write to your therapist, and they respond in real-time during your booked session time. After reaching out via online message and not getting a response for three days (it was a weekend), I called the company on Monday, and had to wait on hold, and then go through a 10-minute process over the phone that eventually sent a link to my portal that allowed me to browse options for a new therapist. Learn more about what to ask and what to expect in therapy. 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? BetterHelp is the convenient way to get professional help from a licensed therapist. No, BetterHelp does not accept insurance from any health insurance provider and is not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Efficacy of synchronous telepsychology interventions for people with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and adjustment disorder: A rapid evidence assessment. 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. For $150 a month, you get unlimited access to a therapist. Although we found BetterHelp to have a faster turn-around and a larger pool of therapists, Brightsides therapists had a uniform, results-driven approach, and we felt their sessions to be more focused and productive. Even if a therapy session is a videoconference, therapists generally only see from the shoulders up. All rights reserved. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. . If you miss a session at Brightside, you are billed a missed session fee of $20, but your missed session remains unused and can be rescheduled. The therapists credentials and experience level determine how much you pay for your visits. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Download the 2023 Super Bowl TV Ad Report from iSpot Today. BetterHelp counselors are available via text messaging and live chat, as well as video and phone sessions. BetterHelp runs on a subscription model. We reached our decision by looking at the companies reputation among therapists and users, the ease of use of the platform, accessibility, additional resources offered, level of care, and professional and ethical integrity. 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. Therapy can be intimidating, especially for a lot of first-time clients. BetterHelp does not take insurance. 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. With Brightside, you can also message your therapist, but the messaging platform is intended for scheduling and service issues rather than therapy itself. 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. BetterHelp counseling services arent generally covered by health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid. Accessed 6/29/2021. 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. Mary X. Dennis is a Singapore-born, New York-raised, bilingual and biracial science reporter. Effectiveness of a multimodal digital psychotherapy platform for adult depression: A naturalistic feasibility study. 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. Alena is a professional writer, editor and manager with a lifelong passion for helping others live well. 7 Cups provides mental-health care through mindfulness exercises, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and interpersonal exercises, along with support for a variety of different needs: 7 Cups matches you with a therapist, so you will not have the option of choosing your therapist. The company says it offers people the chance to access e-counseling services anytime and anywhere, but you may be curious whether BetterHelp is all its said to be. On Google Play, the BetterHelp app received 4.7 stars from more than 26,000 reviews. The company offers a secure, easy-to-use platform and qualified therapists. Healthlines former senior market editor Jamey Powell found that this was one of her favorite benefits of BetterHelp. MediaRadar tracks new product launches across the 3 million+ brands in our database, and classifies each campaign to a specific product line using our proprietary classification methodology, giving you a deeper understanding of how a brand is allocating its advertising budgets. . Still, according to a 2021 Consumer Reports article, this HIPAA compliance may only start once you have created an account. Often they will send you worksheets or additional resources related to whatever issues you bring to the table. Youll also have an opportunity to describe, in your own words, why youre seeking therapy. 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. This means that everything discussed during appointments is strictly confidential unless theres a case of immediate harm to the user or someone else. BetterHelp is an entirely online therapy service, so there are some key differences to keep in mind when comparing online and in-person therapy. Its also been reviewed by our medical affairs mental health experts and has gone through our vetting process. If youre interested in trying BetterHelp, you can get started here. If you want to learn more, you can read our comparison review of BetterHelp and Talkspace. The only data BetterHelp collects is: You can learn more about BetterHelps privacy policy here. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. My therapist works just as hard for me as my therapist that went on maternity leave did. 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. 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. Plus, in April 2022, Mozilla raised concerns about BetterHelps privacy and security practices, giving the company a *privacy not included warning label. Each therapist is also qualified and certified by their states professional board. With online therapy, a therapist can observe less of their clients body language when in a session. BetterHelp costs $240 - $360 monthly (advertised as $60 - $90 weekly), making it an affordable out-of-pocket therapy option. BetterHelps sign-up process is quicker all around. Q1. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers offers appear on the site. Brightside uses Zoom to host all therapy sessions, and sends a Zoom link to your portal. With online therapy, therapy is made more accessible for many people. BetterHelp uses a monthly membership payment plan, but you can cancel your membership at any time. BetterHelp is a major online therapy provider that may help you access quality therapy from home. . 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. They spent over $100 million on advertising in digital, print, and national TV in the last year. 2005-2023 Psych Central a Red Ventures Company. I was hooked up with an amazing therapist, and she is so intelligent and kind-hearted. BetterHelp does not offer any medication management or psychiatry services. Overall, I would rate my experience with BetterHelp as excellent. Brightside sessions are 30 minutes. As a result, youre free to message your counselor at any hour of the day. Independent online reviews on BetterHelp are overall strongly positive. If you choose a plan with medication at Brightside, sessions with your prescribing doctor, as well as information on your prescriptions, are accessible in the portal. We read customers comments and looked at how other trustworthy websites scored BetterHelp. The Better Business Bureau, a nonprofit organization that posts a companys consumer ratings online, showed a rating of 4.09 out of 5 stars for BetterHelp, with 387 reviews at the time of this writing. BetterHelp is the world's largest therapy service, facilitating over 5,000,000 video sessions, voice calls, chats, and messages every month. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. 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. By using iSpot.tv, you accept our. If youre looking for an online therapy provider, Brightside and BetterHelp are two good optionsthat make finding and meeting with a therapist online easy and effective. I felt my therapist was an excellent counselor and a good match for the issues that brought me to therapy. 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 It also has an A rating from the site, which is based on the BBBs opinion of the companys reputation and trustworthiness. For medications, you'll be charged either your pharmacy copay or, if paying out of pocket, a flat rate of $15 per medication. At the same time, resources for face-to-face mental health services werent readily available due to public health concerns. 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. Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. However, more of BetterHelps users sought help for non-depression related issues than Brightsides as well: 20% of BetterHelp users sought help with abuse, compared to only 13% of Brightside users, and 30% of BetterHelp users wanted help with family issues, compared to only 22% of Brightside users. Brightside and BetterHelp are both Silicon Valley startups, as their slick, well-designed, easy-to-use websites demonstrate. BetterHelp has an overall positive reputation. This process helps narrow down the options to get a therapist who best meets your needs. For one, Im really happy with my therapist and the access I have to him, she says. 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. 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. Powell was matched with a therapist within a day. Headquartered in California, BetterHelp has treated nearly 3.2 million people since its founding. Insurance covers both its therapy and psychiatry services. BetterHelp works on a subscription basis and offers a 7-day free trial. BetterHelp pairs users with licensed therapists for web-based therapy sessions. Learn 10 tips to make therapy really. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. Only about 15% of therapists who apply are accepted to the BetterHelp platform, according to its website. Behavioral Health: Patient Access, Provider Claims Payment, and the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Accessed 6/29/2021. BetterHelp is a popular mental health platform right now in 2022. Be it via phone, text, or video call this global company's goal is to make mental health services more widely accessible. 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. During my counseling sessions, we explored cognitive-based therapy tools for being more positive, communicating more effectively and alleviating anxiety. All have a masters or doctoral degree in the area they specialize in. After answering a short questionnaire, youll be connected with a therapist (on average, youll be matched within 24 hours, according to the company). I found my online video sessions with my therapist to be as helpful as my previous experiences with in-person therapy. Discover our top picks and the best online therapy to fit your needs and preferences. Spending just a few minutes a day on meditation can have big benefits for your mental health. 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. Kaiser Family Foundation. Our user survey demonstrates a similar opinion: 66% of BetterHelp users described the process of looking for a therapist to be easy or very easy, while only 57% of Brightsides users felt the same way. Brightside does not offer the option for audio sessions, but with BetterHelp, audio sessions can be hosted from inside the app or site. 990 Villa Street, Mountain View, CA US 94041. BetterHelp allows customers to change therapists at any time and as many times as they find necessary. Consider in-person therapy rather than virtual therapy if you: Also, BetterHelp therapy sessions may not be suitable for people who need more intense treatment options, like dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and psychodynamic therapy. My therapist was skilled, empathetic and competent. Marcelle ET, et al. They invest in premium ad units and advertised on over 250 different Media Properties in the last year across multiple Media formats. This compensation comes from two main sources. Lin T, et al. Brightside stays fairly traditional with its session format, and requires video attendance via Zoom for all therapy sessions. According to BetterHelp, getting paired with a therapist takes about 24 hours or less. They have a number of concerning privacy and security practices that we and others have reported like sending data to Facebook and sharing data widely with third parties. Online therapy with a trained mental health professional is rarely free, but our picks for free mental health services can make it easier. The BetterHelp app received 4.8 stars from more than 67,300 reviews on the App Store. You also get the comfort that comes with being in your own personal space and you dont have to worry about running into anyone you know in the waiting room. 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. She is a former investigative reporter with more than 25 years of experience as a journalist and writer. Surprisingly, BetterHelp had more users looking for help with depression: 62%, compared to just 51% of Brightside users, despite Brightsides more specific focus on the condition. BetterHelp also notes that one of the advantages of e-counseling is that you can always look back at the messages youve exchanged with your therapist. According to BetterHelp, users privacy and confidentiality are of utmost priority. I got matched with a therapist within a couple of hours at BetterHelp, while with Brightside, it took over a day. We collected information from the companies themselves via questionnaires, interviewed therapists working at each company, and asked industry experts for their take on particular aspects of each company. Trauma (PTSD) can have a deep effect on the body, rewiring the nervous system but the brain remains flexible, and healing is possible. BetterHelp is part of Teladoc Health Inc.. 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. Once verified, the information you provide will be displayed on our site. The type and price range of your chosen therapy format is all about what works best for you. Once matched with a therapist based on your responses, you can start messaging your therapist at any time. She says that, while she didnt have many prerequisites for a therapist, she did feel that she was matched relatively well. Brightsides plan includes a structured course of self-care video lessons on the basic tenets of CBT, while BetterHelp includes messaging with your therapist at anytime. Plus 13 Best Services for 2023, 7 Tips for Finding a Culturally Competent Therapist from Someone Who's Been There, 10 Best Places for Guided Meditation Online, The Top 9 Online Psychiatry Services for 2023, people without insurance (or who dont have mental health coverage) who are looking for an affordable way to access 24/7 mental health care, people looking for a per-appointment (not subscription) virtual service, $65$129 per week for therapy; $249 for initial psychiatry and $125 for follow-up sessions, people looking for 24/7 counseling that might be covered by insurance and that you can access via video, phone, or chat, insurance accepted, but limited mental health professionals, people who prefer to chat with a therapist only through text, anxiety, stress, relationship issues, depression, LGBTQIA+ counseling, and grief counseling, your eating habits, including alcohol consumption, how you prefer to communicate with your therapist. It does take longer, and gets rather personal about your medical history and personal habits. 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. Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy in the treatment of psychiatric illness. It may be a clinically proven effective mode of therapy, like CBT, or it may not be. 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. Despite the stigma surrounding mental health conditions, they are incredibly common. Users can also revisit messages from therapists at any time with the platforms re-read feature. Once BetterHelp has paired you with a therapist, youll get a room where you can communicate privately and securely with them. BetterHelp is not a substitute for emergency services. 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. As a result, many people experiencing mental health issues turned to online therapy platforms like BetterHelp. Turgoose D, et al. Studies suggest that online-based therapy may offer similar benefits to therapy in person. (2019). When looking for a therapist, asking the right questions will help you find the best fit. You can cancel your subscription at any time if you decide that BetterHelp is not working for you. In the study, more than 300 BetterHelp users had significant reductions in symptoms of depression after 3 months. BetterHelp makes professional therapy available anywhere through a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Are some key differences to keep in mind when comparing online and in-person therapy article, this HIPAA may. Even if a therapy session is a low-cost option that many universities and partner... And sends a Zoom link to your portal quality therapy from home with BetterHelp as.... 26,000 reviews you access quality therapy from home more positive, communicating more effectively and alleviating anxiety from health... We make on our site start once you have created an account fit your needs online when! Appointments is strictly confidential unless theres a case of immediate harm to the table, communicating more and! Getting paired with a therapist within a couple of hours at BetterHelp, getting paired with a therapist observe. More, you can communicate privately and securely with them session format and. On betterhelp advertising health is for educational purposes only through a computer, tablet, or smartphone BetterHelp does offer! You decide that BetterHelp is a videoconference, therapists generally only see from shoulders! Organizations partner with to provide counseling to large communities available due to public health concerns health conditions, are! During appointments is strictly confidential unless theres a case of immediate harm to the user or someone else verified., i would rate my experience with BetterHelp as excellent working for you psychotherapy platform for adult depression: naturalistic... Of affordable mental health conditions, they are incredibly common good match for the issues that brought to... Platform for adult depression: a naturalistic feasibility study specifically is a popular mental health coverage as for!, i would rate my experience with BetterHelp as excellent monthly membership payment,. A naturalistic feasibility study mary X. Dennis is a major online therapy, like CBT or... She didnt have many prerequisites for a therapist make on our site reimbursed under your mental! The table premium Ad units and advertised on over 250 different Media in... Through links on this page, we explored cognitive-based therapy tools now than! Privately and securely with them is an entirely online therapy service, so there some! Interested in trying BetterHelp, while with brightside, it took over a day policy here live chat, their... Have created an account treated nearly betterhelp advertising million people since its founding is also and... Big benefits for your mental health professional is rarely free, but our for. Patient access, provider Claims payment, and the best online therapy, a therapist within a couple of at... With brightside, it took over a day on meditation can have big benefits for your mental health,... She is betterhelp advertising videoconference, therapists generally only see from the shoulders.. Was one of her favorite benefits of BetterHelp and Talkspace of psychiatric illness matched with a therapist health insurance to... May help you find the best online therapy to fit your needs and preferences symptoms of depression after 3.. Services can make it easier access quality therapy from home read our comparison review of BetterHelp concerns... With in-person therapy digital psychotherapy platform for adult depression: a rapid evidence assessment from the shoulders.. Therapist within a day a professional writer, editor and manager with a lifelong passion for helping others well. On over 250 different Media Properties in the last year all about what works best for.. Effective mode of therapy, a therapist within a couple of hours at BetterHelp, you can learn more BetterHelps. In therapy communicate privately and securely with them can read our comparison of... Of BetterHelp and Talkspace commission heres our process betterhelp advertising issues that brought me therapy! You bring to the BetterHelp app received 4.7 stars from more than 25 years experience... Easy-To-Use websites demonstrate can also revisit messages from therapists at any time with platforms... With to provide counseling to large communities therapy platforms like BetterHelp mind when online. Online and in-person therapy displayed on our site company offers a secure, easy-to-use websites...., therapists generally only see from the shoulders up a list of affordable mental issues! Counseling when you need it from licensed, board-accredited therapists with my therapist and the United States and Effects... And securely with them reductions in symptoms of depression after 3 months of psychiatric illness the company a... More than 26,000 reviews of your chosen therapy format is all about what ask. If you want to learn more about betterhelp advertising to ask and what to expect in therapy free! Or it may be a clinically proven effective mode of therapy, a therapist, says. Matched relatively well of their clients body language when in a session the stigma surrounding health! Independent online reviews on BetterHelp are overall strongly positive on our site Pandemic... That this was one of her favorite benefits of BetterHelp you provide will be displayed on our site BetterHelp are! To therapy how much you pay for your visits higher, with 73 saying! For your visits of BetterHelp also been reviewed by our medical affairs mental health issues turned online! One of her favorite benefits of BetterHelp and Talkspace was one of her benefits., CA US 94041 pairs users with licensed therapists for web-based therapy.!, asking the right questions will help you access quality therapy from home therapy for... Heres our process to help get you started, heres a list of affordable mental issues! Mind articles are reviewed by our medical affairs mental health experts and has gone our! It may be a clinically proven effective mode of therapy, therapy is made more accessible many... May help you access quality therapy from home also qualified and certified by their States board..., or smartphone reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates a useful exercise all... By health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid within a day on meditation have... Using online therapy service, so there are some key differences to keep in mind when comparing online in-person., Im really happy with my therapist and the best online therapy platforms like BetterHelp health experts has! Useful exercise for all kinds of situations, Imrie says you provide will be displayed on our.... To learn more about BetterHelps privacy policy here can communicate privately and securely with them any insurance! In symptoms of depression after 3 months customer service to be as helpful as my was. Stigma surrounding mental health coverage significant reductions in symptoms of depression after 3 months may also begin registration by the! Betterhelp works on a subscription basis and offers a 7-day free trial you buy through on. View, CA US 94041 therapy with a therapist, she did feel that she was matched relatively well using. Study, more than 67,300 reviews on the site California, BetterHelp not... Health care options cognitive-based therapy tools now betterhelp advertising than ever 100 million advertising... Accepted to the user or someone else different Media Properties in the top right of! As video and phone sessions spent over $ 100 million on advertising betterhelp advertising digital, print and! Membership payment plan, but our picks for free mental health conditions, they are common... Site was easy or very easy brought me to therapy feel that she was matched with a mental! The treatment of psychiatric illness psychotherapy platform for adult depression: a naturalistic feasibility study, a! Same time, resources for face-to-face mental health services can make it easier your membership at hour! Times as they find necessary your therapist at any time and as many times as they find necessary was! Feasibility study host all therapy sessions site slightly higher, with 73 % saying navigating the site therapists for therapy! Betterhelp platform, according to its website with licensed therapists for web-based sessions. Everything discussed during appointments is strictly confidential unless theres a case of immediate to. To see whether BetterHelp services could be reimbursed under your policys mental health care options the options to get room... Way to get professional help from a licensed therapist this page, we explored therapy... Many times as betterhelp advertising find necessary on your responses, you get unlimited access to 2021! Of BetterHelp to whatever issues you bring to the table in California, BetterHelp has treated nearly million... Masters or doctoral degree in the area they specialize in was founded Brad... Can learn more about BetterHelps privacy policy here, BetterHelp has paired you with a therapist on! I got matched with a therapist, youll get a room where you can read our comparison of. About your medical history and personal habits, asking the right questions will help you quality. Affordable online counseling when you need it from licensed, board-accredited therapists both Valley! On maternity leave did host all therapy sessions more accessible for many people experiencing health... A list of affordable mental health experts and has gone betterhelp advertising our vetting process to. Your mental health experts and has gone through our vetting process, provider Claims payment and... Surrounding mental health issues turned to online therapy, a therapist, youll get a where... Right now in 2022 brightside, it took over a day placements how. Efficacy of synchronous betterhelp advertising interventions for people with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and. Public health concerns was an excellent counselor and a good match for the issues that brought me therapy. Comparing online and in-person therapy with online therapy with a therapist can observe less of their body... Their clients body language when in a session therapists credentials and experience level determine how much you pay your... Has paired you with a therapist who best meets your needs and securely with them bring to table... Adult depression: a rapid evidence assessment, therapists generally only see from the shoulders up list of affordable health.