BetterHelp Canada: How to Access Affordable and Effective Online Therapy in Canada

If you are looking for an online therapy provider in Canada, you might have come across BetterHelp, one of the largest online therapy platforms in the world. But is BetterHelp a good option for your mental health care needs? How much does it cost, and does health insurance cover it in Canada?

What is BetterHelp?

BetterHelp is an online therapy service that connects you with licensed and accredited therapists via chat, phone, and video calls. In addition to therapy sessions and virtual counseling, users can access services like journaling and group therapy sessions. Founded in 2013, BetterHelp has grown to include over 30,000 therapists and 1.6 million subscribers.

BetterHelp aims to provide convenient, discreet, and affordable online mental health services for everyone, including specialty sites for couples, teens, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Users have generally given BetterHelp positive ratings on platforms like Trustpilot, App Store, Google Play, and Better Business Bureau. Common praise includes the platform’s ability to match clients with therapists with the necessary experience and user-friendly interface. Common complaints revolve around the cost of online therapy services or issues related to the online therapist-client relationship.

BetterHelp is a virtual therapy, not only available in the United States but also in Canada. BetterHelp Canada offers a large network of licensed therapists in their respective provinces and territories. Canadians looking for online therapy can benefit from BetterHelp’s flexible and convenient platform.

BetterHelp Canada is also the largest online therapy platform, and it is affordable and practical for Canadians who need online mental health support. According to its website, BetterHelp charges between $65 and $100 per week (In Canadian dollars, this would be approximately CAD 88 to CAD 122 weekly) for unlimited access to its services. This is lower than the average cost of in-person therapy in Canada, which ranges from $100 to $200 per hour. Moreover, BetterHelp claims that its online treatment is as effective as face-to-face therapy, citing several studies that support its efficacy.

How BetterHelp Works in Canada: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you are interested in trying out BetterHelp, here is a step-by-step guide to help you:

1. Sign up: You can sign up for BetterHelp using your email address or Facebook account. Additionally, you will need to create a password and agree to the terms of service and privacy policy.
2. Fill out a questionnaire: You will be asked about yourself and your mental health concerns. This information helps BetterHelp match you with a suitable therapist. The questionnaire takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
3. Choose a payment plan: Select a subscription plan that fits your budget and preferences. Payment options include weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually. Prices range from $88 CAD to $122 CAD per week, depending on your chosen plan. You can cancel your subscription at any time.
4. Get matched with a therapist: Based on your questionnaire responses, BetterHelp will match you with a therapist with the appropriate qualifications and experience to address your needs. You can also specify preferences for your therapist’s gender, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and language. If you are unsatisfied with the match, you can request a different therapist anytime.
5. Start communicating with your therapist: Text your therapist in a private and secure chat room once matched. You can also schedule live sessions with your therapist via phone or video. The frequency of communication depends on your plan and availability.
6. Track your progress and provide feedback: BetterHelp offers a journal feature that allows you to record your thoughts and feelings between sessions. You can also join group sessions to learn from others’ experiences and share your own. Additionally, you can rate your sessions and provide feedback to assist your therapist in improving their service.

What kind of therapists and services are available on BetterHelp?

BetterHelp boasts an extensive network of licensed and accredited therapists in their respective fields. These professionals include psychologists, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, and other mental health professionals and experts. They all possess at least three years and 2,000 hours of hands-on experience. BetterHelp also offers licensed professional counselors with a master’s degree or higher.

Therapists on BetterHelp can help you address various mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, grief, relationship problems, self-esteem issues, anger management, addiction, eating disorders, and more. However, they cannot provide an official diagnosis or prescribe medication. Additionally, they cannot prescribe medications to treat severe mental health conditions that require intensive care or supervision.

BetterHelp provides different types of services to cater to your needs and preferences. These options include:

1. Chat sessions: Using the chat room feature, you can message your therapist anytime. Your therapist will respond within 24 hours or sooner.
2. Phone sessions: You can schedule a phone call with your therapist and talk over the phone. You can also use the chat room to exchange messages during the call.
3. Video sessions: You can schedule a video call with your therapist and communicate face-to-face. For example, during phone sessions, you can utilize the chat room during video calls.
4. Journaling: BetterHelp offers a journal feature that allows you to write your thoughts and feelings between sessions. Your therapist can read your journal entries and provide feedback.
5. Group sessions: You can participate in group sessions, where you can learn from the experiences of others and share your own. Experienced therapists lead these group sessions, covering various topics such as anxiety, depression, relationships, self-care, and more.

How much does BetterHelp cost in Canada?

BetterHelp employs a flat fee structure that provides unlimited access to its services. You can choose from four subscription plans:

• Weekly: Approximately CAD 88 to CAD 122 per week, billed every four weeks.
• Monthly: The cost is USD 260 to USD 360 monthly, approximately CAD 352 to CAD 488 monthly.
• Quarterly: The cost is USD 780 to USD 1,080 per quarter, approximately CAD 1,056 to CAD 1,464 quarterly.
• Annually: The cost is USD 3,120 to USD 4,320 per year, approximately CAD 4,224 to CAD 5,856 annually.

Cost comparison between BetterHelp and in-person therapy in Canada

BetterHelp	In-person therapy
$122 CAD per week, billed weekly	$100 CAD to $240 CAD per session
Get 15% off for Healthy Minded visitors

Considering most therapies involve weekly sessions, the monthly cost is around $400 CAD to $960 CAD. With in-person therapy, you typically have one counseling or therapy session per week. However, with BetterHelp, you gain much more extensive access to your therapist as you can message them as often as you wish between sessions.

You can cancel your subscription at any time without penalty. Additionally, you can switch between plans whenever necessary.

Does health insurance cover BetterHelp in Canada?

BetterHelp offers financial assistance to individuals who cannot afford the full price of its services. You can apply for financial aid by completing a form on the website. The form requires information about your income, expenses, and reasons for seeking therapy. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will receive a discount on your subscription fee. The discount amount varies depending on your circumstances and the availability of funds.

Health insurance in Canada does not cover BetterHelp, nor does Medicare. However, it is worth noting that private health insurance plans often do not cover in-person therapy either. In some cases, if you require medical treatment for a mental health issue, the Canadian provincial healthcare system might accept private insurance for hospital visits and treatment coverage. Nonetheless, psychotherapy is typically not covered by insurance unless specifically opted for.

This means you must pay for BetterHelp services out of pocket unless you qualify for financial aid from BetterHelp or can claim your expenses as medical expenses on your tax return. Despite the absence of insurance coverage, BetterHelp’s therapists may still be a more affordable option than traditional therapy in Canada. BetterHelp says their services cost between $80 and $115 CAD per week, depending on the chosen plan. This price includes unlimited access to your therapist via chat, phone, or video calls and additional features such as journaling and group sessions with online therapists.

Pros and Cons of online therapy with BetterHelp

BetterHelp has many advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs and expectations. Here are some of the pros and cons of BetterHelp based on user reviews:

Pros:

• Convenience: You can access therapy anywhere and at any time that suits you. You don’t have to travel, wait in line, or deal with awkwardness or stigma.
• Affordability: You can get unlimited access to therapy for a flat fee lower than the average cost of in-person therapy in Canada. You can also apply for financial aid if you need it.
• Choice: You can choose from a large network of therapists with different backgrounds, specialties, and approaches. You can also specify your preferences for your therapist’s gender, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and language. You can easily switch therapists if you are not satisfied with your match.
• Privacy: You can communicate with your therapist using a secure, encrypted platform protecting your personal information. You don’t have to use your real name or reveal any identifying details if you don’t want to.
• Support: Depending on your plan and availability, you can get support from your therapist as often as possible. You can also get support from other people going through similar issues by joining group sessions.

Cons:

• Lack of physical presence: Some people may prefer to see their therapist in person and feel their warmth and empathy. Online therapy may not be able to replicate the same level of connection and rapport as in-person therapy.
• Technical issues: Sometimes, problems with the internet connection, audio quality, or video quality may affect the quality of the session. Glitches or bugs with the app or website may cause frustration or inconvenience.
• Therapist availability: Sometimes, finding a therapist who is available when you want it may be hard. Some therapists may have limited hours or slots for live sessions, and others may take longer than others to respond to messages.
• Therapist quality: Sometimes, you may not get along with your therapist or feel they are not helping you enough. Some therapists may lack experience or expertise in certain areas or issues. Some therapists may have different styles or methods that may not suit your preferences or needs.

Conclusion

BetterHelp is a reliable and convenient online therapy platform offering various services and features for Canadians seeking online counseling and mental health services. BetterHelp has a large network of licensed and accredited therapists who can help you with various issues and concerns. BetterHelp also has a flexible and affordable pricing model that allows you to access therapy from anywhere and at any time.

However, BetterHelp is not covered by health insurance in Canada or Medicare. You must pay for it out of your pocket or claim it as a medical expense on your tax return. BetterHelp therapists also cannot provide an official diagnosis or prescribe medication. BetterHelp counselors also cannot treat severe mental health conditions that require intensive care or supervision.

We hope this review has helped you learn more about BetterHelp and how it works in Canada. If you have any questions or feedback, please comment below.