Review: BetterHelp E-Counseling (Patreon)

IMPORTANT: I have a sponsored partnership with BetterHelp! Every time someone signs up for BetterHelp through my unique link, I am compensated. I'm always straightforward about which of my videos are sponsored, and I would never recommend a product or service that I didn't sincerely like. However, since BetterHelp is a service that can very directly impact your health and wellbeing, I took the acceptance of this sponsorship VERY seriously and I want to make sure I'm being EXTRA transparent with you here. Please note that I was not asked to create any in-depth written or video reviews, these are extra steps I took to provide you with as much information as possible.

I feel it's also relevant to inform you that I initially signed up for BetterHelp on my own, with my own money, with the intention of seeing if it was a good therapy option for me and possibly doing a regular, non-sponsored review. Then, about three weeks in, someone from BetterHelp contacted me about this partnership opportunity. Since I really liked the service and was already planning on recommending them to my viewers, I was happy to agree to the partnership.

MY BACKGROUND: From what kind of perspective is this review coming from? I am someone who has a long, varied history of mental health issues, and I have been through a LOT of traditional in-person therapy. 

 WHAT BETTERHELP IS NOT: BetterHelp is not for people in crisis. If you are in danger, in danger of harming others, or if your mental health needs are otherwise urgent, please consult these resources for immediate help: https://www.betterhelp.com/gethelpnow/

Additionally, BetterHelp cannot provide you with prescriptions for medication. If you need a prescription, please consult your primary care physician.

WHAT BETTERHELP IS: Simply put, BetterHelp is talk therapy. In most ways, BetterHelp is comparable to the psychotherapy you would receive in a traditional office setting. As they state on their website, "BetterHelp offers access to licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists (PhD / PsyD), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), clinical social workers (LCSW / LMSW), and board licensed professional counselors (LPC).” The big difference, obviously, is that BetterHelp therapy is conducted online rather than in person. 

I think of BetterHelp therapy as "correspondence therapy", since most of the counseling is done email-style. After answering some basic questions about yourself, you will be matched with a therapist who will send you an introductory message. You will write to them, they'll write back to you, etc. Response times may vary, but my particular therapist almost always wrote back to me within 24 hours of hearing from me. Depending on your plan, you may also have the option to schedule voice calls or video chats with your therapist.

In my opinion, the BetterHelp platform has a number of advantages over traditional in-person therapy, as well as a couple of small things you might miss out on, comparatively speaking. 

WHAT YOU MIGHT MISS: During in-person therapy, your therapist may be able to make helpful observations based on visual cues (like body language) and auditory cues (tone of voice). This is something that may be missed during written correspondence with your BetterHelp therapist, but would be less of a concern if you opt for voice calls or video chats.

Additionally, some people may prefer in-person therapy if they see appointments as an "excuse" to get out of the house or if they find it helpful to compartmentalize their mental health treatment by doing it in a setting away from home. On the flip side, of course, BetterHelp's online platform is exactly what makes it such an appealing and accessible option for many people (including myself).

BETTERHELP ADVANTAGES: BetterHelp's accessibility is something that many people (including myself) may see as a huge advantage over in-person therapy. This is super flexible therapy that you can do at whatever time is most convenient for you, in whatever space is most comfortable. There have been times in my life when scheduling appointments has been challenging because of my work schedule, or because I have children, or because I didn't have access to a car. Additionally, if you've struggled with mental health issues, you'll know that things like anxiety or depression can make leaving the house seem like an insurmountable task. Have I postponed getting help that I needed because calling, making an appointment, leaving the house, and facing a new person seemed overwhelming? Yes. More than once. With BetterHelp, I literally signed up and did most of my therapy while in bed.

While the cost of in-person therapy can vary dramatically, most people will find that BetterHelp is a significantly more affordable option. For me, one month of unlimited messaging with my therapist was comparable to a single session with an in-person therapist. BetterHelp quotes their fee as "$35–$65 a week", and when I messaged their help team to explain their fee structure in more detail, one of their team members wrote me back promptly, saying, "The prices range on a few factors including location, income, and length of subscription." Additionally, she wrote that, "If you are facing financial challenges, you may be eligible for reduced subscription fees through our financial aid program." I explored the financial aid option myself: I found the process to be very easy, and I really appreciated that I received a decision immediately after submitting the form. (NOTE: Their fee is charged monthly, not weekly.)

For me, one of the best things about BetterHelp has been the advantages of being able to do therapy in written form. I've always been more comfortable writing out my thoughts than speaking them; I like being able to think carefully, write slowly, review, revise, etc. On countless occasions, during in-person therapy, I've left the session frustrated with myself because I got distracted or anxious, I went off-topic, or I forgot to bring up something important. In those cases, the best thing I could do was write myself a note and wait until my next appointment to bring it up. Similarly, it's never been unusual for me to find myself struggling to remember everything that my therapist has said to me. With BetterHelp, not only can I really take my time carefully writing my messages to my therapist, but I can also log back in to re-read the messages that she's written me. This has been a real game-changer for me, and I honestly love it.

QUESTIONS? Please note that I'm not a mental health professional, and I don't work for BetterHelp, so I can't answer all the questions you may have. However, if you'd like to ask me about my personal experience as a consumer using BetterHelp, I'd be happy to respond.

WANT TO GIVE IT A TRY? To sign up with BetterHelp, or to just explore their site, follow this link:  

https://www.tryonlinetherapy.com/Jellybeangreen