BetterHelp is one of the leading online counseling platforms in the world. Therapeutic experts at BetterHelp help people of all ages and backgrounds receive the mental health help they need to live the life they desire. With BetterHelp, you are connected with a licensed, experienced therapist to communicate with on the platform via messaging, live chats, phone calls, or video calls.
Many patients love the flexibility and quality of the BetterHelp platform. However, it can be difficult to trust a new type of mental health help and challenging to figure out which platform is right for you. To help, we’ve answered some of our most common questions from potential patients.
Let’s begin.
How Much Is BetterHelp A Month?
While prices vary depending on whether you are a student or otherwise qualify for a discount, the cost of therapy through BetterHelp starts at $65 per week. BetterHelp fees are charged every 4 weeks. The prices will vary depending on your location, preferences, and availability of therapists. If at any time you are unable to continue therapy, BetterHelp is free to cancel.
While we understand the cost of therapy can be a burden, at BetterHelp we work hard to make sure our services are as affordable as possible, and discounts are available for those with financial needs. The cost of BetterHelp is often cheaper than most copays with insurance and many patients at BetterHelp find its services to be extremely high quality for the price.
WhichIs Better 7 Cups Or BetterHelp?
BetterHelp is a leading online counseling service available for patients all over the world. 7 Cups, on the other hand, is another reputable company that has served millions of users since it began in 2013. When deciding whether to choose BetterHelp or 7 Cups for you online therapy needs, there are a few factors to consider.
Let’s get into the differences between each service:
How It Works
Both programs are great but offer distinctly different benefits. BetterHelp is an online counseling service that hires licensed therapists. Patients receive counseling for a variety of mental health concerns and can perform their sessions on any device with connectivity. 7 Cups is slightly different in that it began as a 100% free online counseling platform and operates more similarly to a social network. It has a unique platform design and operates exclusively through text. If you want live calls or video chats, BetterHelp has more options in this area, though 7 Cups offers more additional services for a fee.
Services Offered
BetterHelp and 7 Cups both offer counseling for mental health concerns.
BetterHelp advertising help for conditions such as depression, stress, anxiety, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, trauma, parenting issues, religious issues, intimacy, grief and family issues.
7 Cups promoted services for ADHS, substance abuse, anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, bullying, domestic violence, eating disorders, exercise motivation, financial stress, grief, panic attacks, relationship stress, social anxiety, and work stress.
While these are the services promoted by each organization, they are not an exclusive list. You are best to put your concerns into your bio and discuss them with your matched therapist to ensure you are working with the professional and platform best suited for your needs.
Counselor Training and Qualifications
Counselor training and qualification is one area where BetterHelp has a clear leg up. With BetterHelp, counselors are licensed professionals with years of experience. They have graduate degrees in their field of study and have been accredited by the appropriate organizations.
Therapy Types
These include:
- This feature can be used as the exclusive mode of communication, or it can be used in tandem with other forms.
- Live Chat. You will schedule a time to meet and then proceed with your session through chat.
- Phone Call. If you prefer to have a voice conversation with your therapist, you are able to schedule a call. Therapy blocks are in 30-minute segments and you can schedule as many as you like, depending on the preferences of you and your therapist.
- Video Call. This is the most similar mode of communication to in-person therapy. For this method, you will schedule a time to meet with your therapist and then enter a platform similar to Skype or Zoom. This allows for face-to-face communication with your therapist and may feel the most personal.
When you use this platform, you will chat directly with a “listener” or licensed counselor, depending on the membership you have. You also have the option to participate in community forums and chats. 7 Cups also has a “badge system” and users earn badges for participating in the community forums and answering questions.
Joining Process
When you join BetterHelp, you will fill a questionnaire that helps to match you with a counselor based on your needs and preferences. You are able to specify certain requirements you would like for your counseling, such as being religious-based or non-religious. You can also specify the age, sexual orientation, gender, and qualifications of the counselor you would prefer.
For 7 Cups, you will enter your email and name before being guided through breathing exercises. Once you have been guided through these exercises, you will be matched with a listener or counselor depending on your subscription.
For both services, you can request to be matched with an alternate counselor if desired.
Price
They are not able to offer medical advice or diagnoses. To be connected with a licensed therapist, the cost rises to $150 per month.
Overall
Based on these factors, potential patients can choose the platform that is right for them. For those who would like a quick place to vent about a specific issue without long-term help or medical advice, 7 Cups may offer benefits. For those who are looking to build a long-term relationship with a therapist and work through more complex mental health concerns, BetterHelp may have the leg up.
At the end of the day, the mental health needs of the patient come first, and
How Long Are BetterHelp Sessions?
BetterHelp allows scheduling in 30-minute blocks. You may request one or multiple of these blocks in a row. Some therapists have preferences about the length of the session, while others leave it up to the patient. Patients can schedule one live session at a time.
How Many Sessions Do You Get With BetterHelp?
With BetterHelp, you are not paying per session as you do in traditional counseling. You can decide which resources are best for your needs that specific week and act accordingly. Because of the flexibility of the platform, you do not need to utilize the same schedule or resources every week.
Is BetterHelp Available In The UK?
BetterHelp is a US based company, but it is available for users in the UK. Recent estimates have shown over 150,000 UK residents use the platform.
Is There A Free Psychologist?
National organizations such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) can help you find a free or low-cost mental health service. BetterHelp is dedicated to offering high-quality care to all patients, and we recommend reaching out to discuss financing options.
Can I Get Free Counseling Online?
Organizations such as 7 Cups offer free counseling online. Free hotlines are available for immediate concerns, such as:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Crisis Call Center
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
If you are looking for consistent care with a trained professional, we recommend inquiring to customer service representatives atBetterHelp about potential financial discounts. We are dedicated to working with all of our patients to make high-quality care available to everyone.
Final Thoughts
While taking the first step is the hardest, at BetterHelp we want to make it easy. Every patient has one week free, along with the ability to switch therapists at no extra charge.
