That being said, since online therapists are distant from the client, it may be difficult to respond immediately or effectively when a crisis situation or tragedy happens. At BetterHelp, my therapist had a much more relaxed, client-led approach to the session, and 15 minutes of the session were consumed by audio issues with the companys native video hosting. Its also hard for an online therapist to pick up on certain facial expressions, body language, or vocal signals that may occur in real-world interactions. 990 Villa Street, Mountain View, CA US 94041. Headquartered in California, BetterHelp has treated nearly 3.2 million people since its founding. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. 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. 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. This way, you can refresh your memory about any advice or insights youve discussed. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Health. Telehealth is web-based healthcare in which a healthcare professional and a person seeking treatment interact remotely via voice or video chat, or text. You can choose your own therapist, but this option isnt obvious without extensive exploration of the BetterHelp website. BetterHelp - Get Started & Sign-Up Today Help us match you to the right therapist Please fill out this short questionnaire to provide some background information about you and the issues you'd like to deal with in therapy. She listened to my issues without judgment or criticism. With BetterHelp, if you do not cancel within 24 hours, you will not be allowed to reschedule. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Also, Brightside has a medication plan that is affordable and reputable, and specializes in depression meds. Submit ONCE per commercial, and allow 48 to 72 hours for your request to be processed. 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. Two things we care about almost as much as the issue we're seeking therapy for: our precious time and money. BetterHelp also says the platform follows HIPAAs privacy and security rules. In general, BetterHelp says its services can work well for people looking to improve their quality of life. The platform makes it simple to find a new match. The company stands out in the online therapy field as being specifically geared toward depression and anxiety. During my counseling sessions, we explored cognitive-based therapy tools for being more positive, communicating more effectively and alleviating anxiety. Brightside is covered by insurance, and is in-network with several large insurance companies. All the companys counselors have a masters or doctorate degree and possess at least 3 years and 1,000 hours of experience as mental health professionals. Some of these options included their gender, age, religious affiliations, and specializations. It does not prescribe any controlled substances such as Adderall or Xanax. BetterHelp does collect data on its clients, but it doesnt sell this data for marketing. Brightside sessions are 30 minutes. Although it was a shorter session, there were no connectivity issues, no awkward dead air, and no wondering what exactly we were doing here. This is similar to office sessions with a qualified therapist. Headspace and Calm are two popular meditation apps. While in-person therapy provides only live sessions, generally once a week, BetterHelp provides more frequent communication options. BetterHelp markets itself as the largest online therapy network in the world. The actual click-through process takes less time, and the matching turnaround is also much faster. 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. Get help, you deserve to be happy! I received a notification via email and on the desktop platform, she says. 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. 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. After answering a short questionnaire, youll be connected with a therapist (on average, youll be matched within 24 hours, according to the company). 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. With Brightside, there are no surprises: you can rely on the advertised rate to remain consistent. If youre considering self-harm or suicide, help is available. (2019). Net loss per share is . The platform does not accept insurance. BetterHelp makes professional therapy available anywhere through a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Talkspace vs. BetterHelp: Which Online Therapy Is Best? One is not better than the other, but the experience can be quite different. The researchers suggested that web-based psychotherapy like from BetterHelp showed promise for helping people overcome barriers to getting therapy. Because BetterHelp is a strictly online platform and does not have the ability to connect you with a therapist for in-person or face-to-face evaluations, official diagnoses or confirmation of diagnoses cannot be given, according to the company. All rights reserved. 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. BetterHelp is the world's largest therapy service, facilitating over 5,000,000 video sessions, voice calls, chats, and messages every month. Depression is tough to deal with on its own and advice telling you to fake your emotions, cheer up, or simply "snap out of it" doesn't make your condition any better. However, check with your health insurance provider to see whether BetterHelp services could be reimbursed under your policys mental health coverage. Once verified, the information you provide will be displayed on our site. We include products we think are useful for our readers. However, BetterHelp does not accept insurance, so you may find there are other more cost-effective options. BetterHelp is an entirely online therapy service, so there are some key differences to keep in mind when comparing online and in-person therapy. Topics of the groupinars vary from sleep to self-care to anxiety and depression. Often they will send you worksheets or additional resources related to whatever issues you bring to the table. Prices range from $60 to $90 a week, depending on how many live sessions you want to schedule. These cookies . Read our comparison of BetterHelp and Talkspace. Yes, BetterHelps privacy policy and security measures indicate that the company is HIPAA compliant. (2016). You can anonymously sign up on the platforms. While a diagnosis is usually needed to gain access to prescriptions or when insurance is billed, therapy is still effective for learning coping strategies and mechanisms. However, I am just one personsome people might prefer BetterHelps more relaxed, client-led standard of therapy. 2023 Forbes Media LLC. It found that 37.8% of participants had improved significantly, 62% had a partial response, and 19.8% were classified as being in remission after receiving therapy from BetterHelp for 3 months. Plus, in April 2022, Mozilla raised concerns about BetterHelps privacy and security practices, giving the company a *privacy not included warning label. Our editorial content is based on thorough research and guidance from the, Partner Offers feature brands who paid Forbes Health to appear at the top of our list. You can work with a therapist via your computer, smartphone, or tablet. Not too far behind, 69% of Brightside users felt the same way. 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. However, in case an emergency arises during sessions, you will be required to give your contact details when you start therapy. However, for those who want to give web-based therapy a try, BetterHelp is a good option. Have questions about this ad or our catalog? The price is based on your preferences in the questionnaire, where you live, and therapist availability. 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. The company does occasionally offer therapy below its $60 to $90 rate. We researched news about both companies, including any controversy around prescriptions or advertising, investor and performance news, and company history. . Similarly, a 2017 review of studies by the Department of Veterans Affairs found that therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was just as effective via videoconference as in person. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 20% of people in the United States will experience a mental health condition in any given year. Affordable, Private Therapy Anytime, Anywhere. Effectiveness of a multimodal digital psychotherapy platform for adult depression: A naturalistic feasibility study. Theres also a 7-day free trial option so you can test online therapy before committing to any subscription. 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. Talkspace accepts insurance from a couple of insurance providers. BetterHelp is rated as a top teletherapy platform for a variety of mental health concerns. Founded in 2013, BetterHelp is the largest online therapy platform in the world, offering virtual therapy with licensed and accredited therapists via chat, phone calls, and video calls. Any additional services offered are unique to that online therapy website. The type and price range of your chosen therapy format is all about what works best for you. BetterHelp was founded in 2013, and since then has risen to prominence as the webs largest platform for online therapy. Even once you subscribe to a plan, you can cancel your membership at any time if youre unsatisfied. Here are some cons to consider before trying BetterHelp: You can connect to BetterHelp on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. 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