After giving the service a test drive, a health reporter shares some unexpected benefits, plus a few factors to keep in mind.
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Online therapy promises to make mental healthcare more accessible—with no commute, flexible scheduling, and support from the comfort of your own home. But even with those benefits, can a virtual platform truly recreate the personal connection that makes therapy effective?
BetterHelp, one of the largest online therapy services, claims it can. The advantage lies in a matching algorithm that pairs you with a therapist based on your background, preferences, and needs. As someone who knows how overwhelming it can be to find the right therapist, I was curious whether it could actually take the guesswork out of getting meaningful support.
After trying it myself, here’s what I found: BetterHelp largely delivers on its promise, but not exactly in the way I expected. Beyond one-on-one sessions, it functions as a broader ecosystem of mental health support. And its real value seems to be connected to one important factor.
Editor’s Note: Ready to get started? The Healthy readers can take 20% off their first month of BetterHelp when they sign up here.
BetterHelp
Answer a few questions to get matched with a licensed professional, then connect via in-app messaging, chat, phone or video.
What is BetterHelp? (And how does online therapy actually work?)
BetterHelp connects users with licensed therapists through video, phone, or messaging, all under a monthly or weekly subscription—and this accessibility is one of its biggest advantages.
“Online therapy transcends physical boundaries,” says Haim Weinberg, PhD, a clinical psychologist whose research focuses on virtual care. He highlights how platforms like BetterHelp offer people a more diverse pool of therapists than they might find in their local area, and often at a lower price point with faster access.
“Clients can often start therapy sooner than with traditional in-person services, which may have long waiting lists,” says Dr. Weinberg, who is not affiliated with BetterHelp. “Traditional therapy can also be prohibitively expensive, with session fees, transportation costs, and time commitments adding up over time.”
Online platforms can also make therapy feel more approachable, adds Melissa Hummelt, LMHC, LPCC, principal manager of clinical operations at BetterHelp and a licensed therapist. Being able to log on from home eases scheduling challenges, childcare responsibilities, mobility issues, or even the stigma that can sometimes come with walking into a therapist’s office. “It can also be a helpful entry point for people who may have been hesitant to try therapy in the past,” she says.
Importantly, the core of the therapeutic process stays the same whether it happens online or in person. “Therapists still rely on the same evidence-based approaches, clinical training, and ethical standards,” Hummelt says.
How BetterHelp matches you with a therapist
The sign-up process for BetterHelp is more thorough than I expected. It begins with questions about your background—such as location, relationship status, religious beliefs, and prior therapy experience. It follows with more specific preferences, such as whether you want a therapist who is direct or gentle, if you’re open to homework, and even how comfortable you are with being challenged.
There are also screening questions about factors such as sleep, mood, and interest in daily activities. At one point, I was even prompted with follow-up questions labeled as algorithm-generated to “better inform my therapist.”
According to Hummelt, this process is intentional. “Our matching system uses a data-driven algorithm to help connect people with therapists who are likely to be a good fit,” she says, noting that the therapist-client relationship is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes.
Still, as Dr. Weinberg points out, with a platform model, “you have to trust them to validate the therapist’s credentials and suitability.”
What it’s like to use BetterHelp
I was matched with a therapist in less than 24 hours and could view her availability to schedule a video, phone, or messaging session. I opted for video for the face-to-face connection, but the flexibility is a clear benefit. For instance, I initially questioned the value of a messaging-based session, but Dr. Weisberg explains that it can allow people to express themselves at a pace that feels safe and comfortable.
It’s also worth noting that when you’re first matched, you do have the option to switch immediately if you’d like.
In my first session with my matched therapist, we touched on my background, goals, and reasons for seeking therapy. It was somewhat surface-level and ended a bit abruptly, with a reminder that building rapport takes time. But that’s pretty typical, according to the experts. “The first session is often just the beginning of the conversation,” says Hummelt. “It’s OK if it takes a session or two to settle into the process.”
Still, one feature stood out. Right after the session, I was prompted again with the option to switch therapists—no awkward conversation required, which is especially good to know for anyone who may be seeking therapy for anxiety- or confrontation-related reasons.
Switching therapists: Surprisingly easy, but not without downsides
I didn’t feel an immediate rapport with my assigned therapist, but I decided to stick with my initial match to see where it went. However, scheduling quickly became an issue—she seemed overbooked, with almost no availability—and I reached out to ask if there was any “homework” I could do in the meantime. After several days without a reply and feeling a bit adrift without a clear scheduling plan, I decided to switch. Dr. Weinberg says this kind of adjustment is important: If you don’t feel understood or supported “most of the time,” it may be a sign to switch therapists.
The process of switching was seamless, thankfully. Instead of automatically assigning someone new, BetterHelp provided a curated list of therapists for me to choose from, along with the option to refine my preferences. This time, I was more intentional, looking for specific expertise, availability, and clear communication preferences. I also reached out to my new therapist in advance, which made a noticeable difference—our first session felt more focused and productive.
It also reinforced my decision to switch. There was nothing wrong with my original therapist—she was kind, professional, and I had confidence that she knew her stuff. Plus, based on her full calendar, she seemed pretty popular. But we didn’t click right away, and I felt a much stronger, immediate rapport with my second pick.
One downside to the whole process: each session counts toward your subscription, even when you’re still figuring out fit.
Beyond one-on-one therapy: The features that stood out most
What surprised me most about BetterHelp was how much it offers beyond individual sessions.
Its therapist-led group sessions were an unexpected standout. These run daily, including on weekends, and cover a wide range of topics. I joined one on “challenging self-criticism,” fully expecting it not to be my thing—but it ended up being genuinely impactful. The facilitator guided the discussion while encouraging participation, and I logged off feeling noticeably lighter.
BetterHelp also offers “classes,” which are more structured and educational. I attended one on “self-sabotage” that felt like an interactive lecture, with practical exercises and a live chat for questions. In both formats, I was impressed with the practitioners’ expertise.
The platform also includes built-in wellness tools, including a mood tracker, guided journal, and goal-setting dashboard, with the option to share entries with your therapist. I enjoyed how immediately after a session, I could jot down some thoughts in the journal right there in the same browser tab.
For me, this is where BetterHelp’s value really clicked. It’s not just therapy—it can act as a full mental health toolkit.
How much does BetterHelp cost—and is it worth it?
BetterHelp uses a subscription model, typically priced between $280 and $400 per month. While some therapists on the platform now accept insurance, coverage varies widely, and most users should expect to pay out of pocket.
For me, the cost is where things get nuanced. If you’re only using weekly one-on-one sessions, it may feel expensive—especially while you’re still finding the right therapist. But if you take advantage of group sessions, classes, and tools, the value becomes much more apparent.
Pros and cons of BetterHelp, according to the experts and my experience
Pros
- Accessibility and flexibility: Attend therapy from anywhere—the platform serves all 50 states and 200 countries—on your schedule.
- Multiple communication options: Video, phone, or messaging.
- Easy therapist switching: No awkward conversations.
- Extra support features: Group sessions, classes, and wellness tools.
- Comfort of home: Often more convenient, and many people feel more at ease opening up.
Cons
- Cost: $280–$400/month—usually without insurance coverage—and with only one subscription model available.
- No free consultations: Switching therapists still uses a paid session.
- Variable availability: Some providers may be overbooked.
- Sessions on the shorter side: Some may average around 30 minutes (though mine were 45 minutes).
- Potential for tech issues: I experienced minimal glitches, but many online reviews mention technical issues that disrupted sessions.
- Digital disconnect: Dr. Weinberg notes that online therapy—especially via messaging or audio—can lack human connection and limit nonverbal cues.
Who BetterHelp is best for (and who it’s not)
It’s worth noting that online therapy isn’t for everyone. People experiencing severe or complex mental health conditions may require more intensive or specialized in-person treatment, Dr. Weinberg explains.
But for the most part, online therapy can work well for a wide range of people. “Particularly those seeking support for concerns like stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or life transitions,” Hummelt says. “It’s less about one format being ‘better’ than the other and more about finding the format that best fits someone’s needs and circumstances.”
In fact, while the online and in-person therapy experience may not feel exactly the same, “research shows the results are the same,” Dr. Weinberg says.
How to sign up for BetterHelp
Getting started is straightforward:
- Complete the intake questionnaire.
- Set your preferences for a therapist.
- Get matched through BetterHelp’s algorithm.
- Schedule your first session via video, phone, or messaging.
- Explore additional features, such as group sessions and wellness tools.
Final verdict: A strong platform—if you use it fully
BetterHelp isn’t a perfect substitute for in-person therapy, but it doesn’t try to be. Instead, it offers a flexible, accessible alternative that can be effective when used intentionally.
For me, the turning point came when I found a therapist I clicked with and leaned into the tools that the dashboard offers. If you’re willing to engage with the full platform—group therapy, classes, and wellness tools—it can be a meaningful and effective way to support your mental health.
BetterHelp
After trying it myself, I can confirm BetterHelp is a helpful tool for managing mental health.
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