BetterHelp is the world's largest counseling service and is 100% online.Get professional, convenient and affordable counseling provided by licensed, accredited and vetted counselors that you can trust. Get help with a range of issues including depression, anxiety, relationships, trauma, grief, and more. With our counselors, you get the same professionalism and quality you would expect from an in-office counselor, but with the ability to communicate when and how you want.Learn more at www.betterhelp.com.
Is BetterHelp legit?
BetterHelp (www.betterhelp.com) has a 3.5 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 201 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Health & Medical and its reputation is mixed. Opinions are polarized: 63% rate it 4 stars or higher while 34% give 1 star; The business has replied to 94% of negative reviews; Reviews mostly discuss User experience, Customer service, Price. Last updated 2026-08-12.
What reviewers say
AI generated
Reviewers had a great experience with this company. Customers frequently praise the digital platform for its incredible flexibility, straightforward onboarding process, and extremely convenient virtual communication options that make starting therapy accessible. Many people appreciate the professional and deeply caring approach of their assigned therapists, noting how supportive and helpful the weekly sessions truly are.
However, some people mentioned significant issues regarding high pricing structures and being continuously charged full fees even for unused therapy sessions. A few other consumers also felt that customer support was completely unhelpful and unresponsive when urgent billing concerns or scheduling problems arose.
Auto-generated from all reviews of this business. For reference only.
Wouldn't recommend! Its ironic that a company that is dedicated to providing mental health support actually adds to it, with the financial stress it put me into a really bad headspace and the only thing I got back from them was "Sorry", here is why...October 2025 I had gone through BetterHelp to speak with a therapist and after one session I realized that this wasnt the direction I wanted to go, I wasnt happy with the overall experience. I thought I had spoken with someone at BetterHelp over the phone and shared this information with them, and then not being a patient/member/client. Fast forward to May 2026 I get a charge from them, out of nowhere, and to speak with someone in the billing dept. isnt an option.
Update: I got a response back and it stated that it was my responsibility because of insurance. When you call the phone number for Betterhelp, you will be sent to an "Answering Service" that will just send messages to them, they do not actually work for Betterhelp.
Reply from BetterHelp2026-05-26
Hi JS,
It sounds like there may have been a misunderstanding about the subscription billing process and agreement--we're sorry if this has caused any stress for you. We can certainly look further into this and see what can be done!
I've requested the email address linked to your BetterHelp account so that we can follow up with you to hopefully get this sorted out.
I gave them my information to be connected to a therapist but decided I didn't want to use them and they kept charging my card for weeks until I realized. They just charge you and don't make it clear when you sign up you're subscribing so they're going to start charging you right away every week for appointments you didn't even know about unless you logged in to their website. Why would I log in if I never intended to use you? You have to cancel something you didn't sign up for or use. It's very misleading. I never had one session. They didn't email me any confirmation or anything but charged me $90 each week!
Reply from BetterHelp2026-05-22
Hi Jodie,
It looks based on your more recent messages to us that our emails and reminders were ending up in your SPAM--we're sorry for any trouble with this! It appears your membership has been canceled and you've been refunded.
If there's anything else we can do for you, please don't hesitate to reply to our last email!
All the best,
BetterHelp Team
BetterHelp makes finding a therapist easy to do from home. Clients help determine what type of therapist they are offered. Video sessions are easy to use.
My therapist Elizabeth is phenomenal. She is a great listener, she’s really good at helping find different solution to any problem, or giving advice as to how you can go about things, she replied rather quickly. Setting up sessions or having to reschedule with her is really easy. Shes very understanding and kind.
This Platform Helped Me Through One of the Hardest Times in My Life
My experience with BetterHelp has been genuinely positive. As a busy working mom and caregiver navigating a very emotionally overwhelming period in life, having access to virtual therapy has made a huge difference for me.
The platform was easy to use, flexible with scheduling, and allowed me to connect with therapists who have been incredibly compassionate, supportive, and understanding. Being able to message, schedule sessions online, and receive support without needing to travel has helped reduce a lot of stress during an already difficult time.
Therapy has helped me become more self-aware, emotionally grounded, and better equipped to cope with anxiety and life challenges. I’m grateful for the support I’ve received and appreciate having a mental health resource that feels accessible and convenient.
Everyone’s experience may be different depending on the therapist match, but mine has been very meaningful and helpful overall.
How am I supposed to trust a therapy organisation that demands I agree with data collection invasion of privacy or I can't access their website isn't that just hypocritical ? were hear to help and care about your dignity but first let me just hold you to ransom over us sticking out nose threw your phone first isn't privacy akin to dignity ? Isn't independence dignity not dependence
Reply it won't let me access the website it won't let me interact with the website untill I consent but it's not my consent it's forced consent I think it's a seemingly small problem I think it's a bad way to start trust mental health websites shouldn't be justifying it it's intrusive and leaves a bad taste in the mouth
To start the quiz you need to consent if you don't consent you can go no further just tried again that's not how consent works once again that's forced consent
Reply from BetterHelp2026-05-22
Hi Simon,
We apologize for any frustration or confusion -- you can opt out of all non-necessary cookies by clicking "Sharing Settings" on the window that appears at the bottom of the screen when you visit the website.
My experience with BetterHelp has been very positive. The platform made it easy to connect with a therapist. I appreciate the flexibility, convenience, and ability to access support when needed. Therapy has helped me feel heard, understood, and more confident in working through life's challenges. I'm grateful for the care and guidance I've received through BetterHelp.
Terrible experience. Over 4 years ago I tried to sign up for a free trial and had to get it refunded because they charged me $200. Well, they came out with another free promotion, and I was foolish enough to try to sign up again, somehow still not eligible. They know this and still make you pay with no intention of ever giving you anything free. Scam company, do not use under any circumstances.
Reply from BetterHelp2026-05-22
Hi James,
Free trials can only be applied to new accounts/sign-ups so we apologize for any confusion with this! If you signup through any sort of promotion or partnership, we do require payment information, but won't bill until the trial expires (and you can cancel at any time prior to that trial expiring to avoid the payment).
If you'd like a member of our team to follow up and look into what happened further for you, we'd be happy to help! I've sent you a Trustpilot form where you just need to provide us the email address linked to the account.
Great platform. My therapist is wonderful, so the options are great to connect with just the right therapist. I love the option to track moods and journal. What’s even better is that you can send your journal entry to your therapist and they can reply to it. It makes for a connected experience. Payment is easy as well.
Honestly shocking service, chose therapist, booked 2 days later. 100% confirmed therapist was fluent English, to which she confirmed. Then 10 mins before the video call today the therapist cancelled the call, saying BetterHelp had banned her as a therapist but yet no one from BetterHelp advised myself. Then the therapist advised not native English, so sent message to BetterHelp to cancel and get a refund, nothing back at all so far. I would say better help are just an app and not sure they care who or what therapists are on their site and for sure the fact that customers are using the service are sensitive emotional customers do not act with empathy or thought for that customer.
Reply from BetterHelp2026-05-22
Hi Darren,
We're very sorry for your experience -- what you've described is not common and we're actively looking into it. A member of our management team has followed up with you and processed your refund as well as provided some additional information. We hope this resolves your concern, but please don't hesitate to reply to that email if you need further assistance.
Took all my info including credit card info. 7-10 emails confirming all was good to go with a new therapist. 2 hours before the session, I find out that this therapist DOES NOT take my insurance. Better Help knew this, signed me up anyway and for all I know, I've been chatting with bots that are possibly, stealing my information. Scam company on every single level.
Reply from BetterHelp2026-05-22
Hi Alex,
We're really sorry to hear about this frustrating experience! If you're using your insurance to cover your sessions, our system would only be able to match you with a therapist that has been confirmed to be in your network. There may be some confusion on the therapist's side but our Member success team should be able to help get this sorted out for you quickly.
We do not use AI or chat bots within our Member Success department -- you'd only be working with real humans -- and we'd appreciate the chance to try and make this right for you! I've requested the email address linked to your BetterHelp account so a member of our management team can reach out to you directly.
It was easy to sign up and find a therapist. I also appreciate that they find ways to help you afford it if you aren't in the best position at the moment financially. I am really glad I am investing in therapy.
BetterHelp PUSHES For Permission To Sell Your Data
BetterHelp presents as Christian and client oriented, but once you join they relentlessly push you to give permission for them to release your data to ADVERTISERS, etc.
That is a violation and disgusting. I quit the platform because of it. BEWARE!
Reply from BetterHelp2026-05-19
Hi KIF,
We do not claim to be a religious service; our apologies if there was any misunderstanding. Any use of cookies, web beacons or other third-party technology for data-processing is presented upon visiting our website, and we provide a clear option to opt out of sharing anything beyond what is strictly necessary.
I look forward weekly to my therapy sessions with my therapist. He listens really well and responds to what I am saying with compassion and insight. He makes suggestions for me as needed and also validates me in some of the things I talk about. I feel really comfortable talking to him and I always feel so much better after our sessions.
I’ve been with better help for a year-ish and I had different therapist. I love that if you can ask for a different therapist even to change languages. They really help you to find the correct one for you and are interested on helping everyone with any struggles.
Therapist was always late and considering I was having my session at 11pm my time and 12pm her time, she was always nodding off in my sessions. I felt like I had to just keep talking because when I stopped she didn’t respond because she was falling asleep. I tried to get a refund and they wouldn’t give it to me because I’d had the service. Even though the service was awful!
I also requested someone who had a specialism in adhd and she was clueless.
Reply from BetterHelp2026-05-19
We're very sorry to about this disappointing experience with your therapist! What you've described is not what we'd expect from a therapist providing services on our platform, and we'd like to be sure our Clinical Operations team was alerted of this. Although we typically cannot provide refunds for used service, some exceptions can be made. Otherwise, we can often provide an extension to your billing cycle to help allow for a rematch + additional time to have a make-up session with the new therapist.
I've requested the email address linked to your BetterHelp account so that we can follow-up with you directly, as needed.
They share user data with third parties for profit. No client privacy!
The first therapist's intense accent increased my anxiety, and it seemed like she was not in a first-world country. The risk of doing business with BetterHelp is data exposure, and they share their clients' data with Facebook! I do not consent, and unsubscribe from BetterHelp's abuse by exposure. I will consult the FTC and my attorney about these issues.
The FTC fined BetterHelp $7.8 million in 2023 for sharing user data with third parties, a major point of concern for user privacy.
Reply from BetterHelp2026-05-18
We are sorry to hear your therapist's accent was an issue for you. We give all member's the option to change their therapist, at any time, for any reason without any questions.
Regarding your comments about the FTC settlement: we do not share and have never shared with advertisers, publishers, social media platforms, or any other similar third parties, private information such as members' names or clinical data from therapy sessions. There is plenty more information we are happy to provide you; please reach out to our Success Team at any time at [email protected]
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