BetterHelp Review: Is BetterHelp Worth It For Therapists and Counselors? [Updated 2022]
COVID-19 has changed the face of counseling - virtual and online therapy sessions have become much more normal and accepted since it became the only way that therapists and counselors could see their patients starting in March 2020. The added bonus to this form of treatment is the convenience for both patients and providers - busy professionals, parents and caretakers, and people with chronic illness or disabilities no longer need to get to an in-person appointment to meet their provider. They can login for a video chat, phone call, or even connect via a live chat between sessions.
There are a number of services to help connect providers and patients in this new online therapy world, and BetterHelp is one of the larger ones.
Here’s my honest review of BetterHelp as a therapist and provider on this platform.
[Note: this post contains referral links to BetterHelp for therapists and counselors. Morgan Hill Institute may receive a referral bonus if a licensed therapist signs up for BetterHelp through this link; the therapist/counselor may also receive a sign-on bonus. Morgan Hill Institute was not compensated for this post and it contains our honest review of the BetterHelp platform].
First, my credentials:
You can find my full CV and credentials here, but briefly: I’m a graduate of Michigan State University’s Counseling and Rehabilitation program and I’ve worked in the field of individual counseling and vocational rehabilitation for over twenty years. I’ve mentored graduate students pursuing careers in vocational rehabilitation and general counseling/psychology. My credentials include:
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified Vocational Evaluator
Certified Veterans Rehabilitation Counselor
TeleMental Health Training Certificate
Certified Team Supervisor
Corporate Trainer Certified
Certified Ethics Associate
SHRM Foundation: Veterans at Work Certificate
Career Coach Certificate
So, when I’m giving my honest review of BetterHelp, you’ll know my background and where I’m coming from, professionally.
How To Become a Therapist On BetterHelp - What Are Their Licensing Requirements?
BetterHelp requires that therapists be licensed. They accept therapists/counselors with the following licenses:
Clinical Social Worker (LICSW, LCSW, etc)
Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT, LCMFT, etc)
Mental Health Counselor (LMHC, LMHP, etc)
Professional Counselor (LPC, LPCC, etc)
Psychologist
Other criteria BetterHelp requires are:
Licensed by a State Board to provide therapy (e.g., LCSW, LMFT, LPC, PsyD, or similar credentials).
NOTE: If you are an intern or require supervision to provide therapy services, you cannot be a provider at BetterHelp at this time. They do not accept substance abuse therapists, school therapists, registered nurses, career therapists, Christian therapists and business/life coaches (unless they have an additional license as a mental health therapist).Experience in therapy for adults, couples, and/or teens
Excellent writing skills
Reliable Internet connection
Currently residing in the US
To learn more about BetterHelp’s criteria or to sign up, click here. (Referral Link)
A Professional’s Review Of BetterHelp - What I LIke About It:
I’ve been on BetterHelp for some time now, and feel like I have enough experience with the platform to share the following things that I really enjoy about it.
I can set my own hours - If I only want to accept appointments in the mornings, or if I want to take Fridays off, I’m able to do so.
I can accept or reject clients so they're appropriate for my training and background - I won’t get assigned clients that aren’t a good fit for my experience.
I get paid weekly - Because therapists are independent contractors with BetterHelp, this is important! It’s good to know that I’ll be paid on a regular basis.
They offer a healthcare stipend - for self-employed people or those in private practice, this can make a big difference.
Weekly live session with each client plus unlimited messaging during the week - This helps make a stronger connection with clients we see virtually.
I can take time off without getting it approved by a supervisor - Another benefit to being an independent contractor.
No work quotas or reports to write (other than case notes) - Those of us who have worked in settings where we’ve had a lot of paperwork or reports to write after sessions will sigh a breath of fresh air when we just have to type up our case notes after a session.
Important Things to Know About Being a Therapist With BetterHelp:
There are some important things to remember if you choose to work with BetterHelp as a provider.
You’ll be an independent contractor, NOT an employee. This means you’ll have to save up your own money for tax time - make sure you hire a good tax attorney to advise you, and put the appropriate amount away for taxes.
There is no minimum or maximum number of clients to have. But keep in mind, that will be correlated to your pay and/or burnout level. The fewer the clients, the less you’ll make, but if you have a higher caseload, you’ll be very busy.
There’s a BetterHelp Mobile App you can download. This will make managing your clients a lot easier.
How to Take Advantage of BetterHelp’s Referral Program and earn up To $2000 for your first client
BetterHelp does have a referral program for therapists and counselors.
If you’re a licensed therapist/counselor and sign up for the platform using our link, Morgan Hill Institute may receive a referral bonus if you’re accepted.
You can also potentially earn a $2000 first client bonus. You must be licensed in one of BetterHelp’s high demand states in the United States (AK, AZ, CO, DC, IL, MA, ME, MN, NH, NJ, NV, OH, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI) or any region within the United Kingdom. Referrals in all other US states will earn $500.
To take advantage of BetterHelp’s Referral Program and earn up to $2000 for your first BetterHelp client, click here.