Seeking Online Therapy Services: What Does BetterHelp Cost In Canada?
Canadians who are seeking mental health support have options. One of these is online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp, which can be used to address a variety of mental health concerns. Here, we’ll discuss the cost of BetterHelp for Canadian users, what a BetterHelp subscription includes, and how to get started with this form of mental health care.
What does BetterHelp cost in Canada?
The subscription model
Unlike traditional mental health services, BetterHelp runs on a subscription model. This means that you’ll be billed for your use of the platform weekly or every four weeks unless you cancel. It also means you get to take advantage of more tools and resources than individual therapy sessions alone. We’ll talk more about what else is included in a BetterHelp subscription below.
About billing and seeking customer support
BetterHelp subscription costs are billed weekly or every four weeks. You can pay via credit card, debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. It’s possible to cancel your subscription at any time. If you have questions about your specific billing situation, you can contact the BetterHelp Customer Success Team.
What is included in a BetterHelp subscription, aside from online therapy sessions?
With your BetterHelp subscription, you can get matched and then meet with a credentialed therapist for a live session via phone, video, or live chat each week. In addition, you can make use of asynchronous messaging with your therapist at any time outside of sessions, and they’ll respond as soon as they’re able. This could be a helpful way to share strong emotions or symptoms you may be experiencing at the moment so you can discuss them in your next session, for example.
Outside of sessions, there are many additional, optional mental health support tools included in your subscription that you might make use of:
- A journaling feature with prompts to help you express yourself and track your progress
- Worksheets and other educational tools
- Goal and habit-tracking tools
- The option to join any of 300+ support groups and 35+ educational classes
Making use of the other available mental health tools
BetterHelp’s additional tools can be helpful resources on your mental health journey. If you’re not sure where to start, you can talk to your therapist about them. They may have suggestions for which tools might be the most useful to you, given your key symptoms or needs.
Additional BetterHelp features, aside from meeting with therapists
There are a few other features this online therapy platform offers that clients may find useful. For example, BetterHelp offers a matching process to make it easier to find the right therapist for you—which, research suggests, can promote positive therapy outcomes. The process involves completing a brief questionnaire about your reasons for seeking therapy and your preferences for a provider.
Many people can be matched with one of the 30,000 providers BetterHelp partners with in as little as 48 hours, although it can take longer, depending on therapist availability. In 2024, BetterHelp was able to fulfill 93% of client preferences for matched therapists. In addition, you can request to switch therapists at any time, for any reason, at no additional cost.
Another advantage of BetterHelp is the flexibility of your appointments. Many BetterHelp therapists offer appointment times outside of standard business hours, which can make receiving care easier for people with busy or atypical schedules. You can choose to attend appointments via phone, video call, or live chat, depending on your preferences. Plus, you can log on to your sessions from anywhere you have a stable internet connection, whether that’s home, work, or another quiet location.
Advantages of online therapy services compared to in-person therapy
Online and in-person therapy have many similarities in that they’re both ways to receive individual therapy or couples therapy from a qualified therapist, counselor, or social worker. However, online therapy specifically can be a way for people to receive support, even if they can’t physically travel to in-person therapy appointments. This can be convenient for people who live in rural areas or can’t travel due to a disability or illness, for example.
Virtual therapy also can to be more affordable than traditional in-person treatment without health insurance coverage. This is another factor that may allow more people to receive care, whether they’re looking for mental health assessments, talk therapy to address certain symptoms, or just someone to speak to about life’s challenges.
The cost of online therapy services vs. in-person therapy
Online therapy can be more affordable than traditional in-office sessions without insurance because virtual providers typically have less overhead. In Canada, in-person therapy sessions can cost $100 to over $200 each, plus the time and financial cost of commuting. In many cases, online counseling represents a more convenient and affordable option for care.
What to do if you can’t afford the BetterHelp cost in Canada
While receiving mental health resources and care through BetterHelp can be more cost-effective, it still may not be affordable for many Canadians. In such cases, financial assistance may be available. To find out about your options and whether you may qualify for financial aid, you can reach out to the BetterHelp Customer Success Team.
Why connect with therapists through BetterHelp?
If you’re experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition, like depression or an anxiety disorder, seeking therapy as soon as possible is recommended. While a BetterHelp therapist can’t diagnose or provide medication management services for a mental illness, they can provide care to address symptoms. Without professional treatment, mental health symptoms may worsen.
That said, you don’t need to show signs of a mental illness to benefit from therapy. A therapist can also act as a listening ear and provide support as you navigate life’s challenges. For example, a person may seek therapy for help coping with difficulties like:
- Grief
- High stress levels
- Relationship challenges
- Major life decisions or transitions
- Low self-esteem
If you need emotional support, a BetterHelp therapist can provide quality care.
Situations in which using BetterHelp may not be appropriate
BetterHelp therapists can’t provide official diagnoses, but they can provide quality treatment for many different symptoms. While they can’t prescribe medication, they can offer talk therapy as part of treatment for someone who is receiving medication management services from a psychiatrist.
Finally, note that BetterHelp is not intended for immediate crisis support. If you’re experiencing a mental health emergency, you can reach out to resources like Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline by calling or texting 9-8-8.
What the research says about online therapy for mental health
People who are considering online therapy may wonder about its efficacy. In recent decades, researchers have conducted many studies to determine whether online therapy can be an effective form of care. In general, this growing body of research suggests that virtual therapy tends to be similarly effective to in-person therapy. For example, a 2021 meta-analysis of studies on the topic indicates that online therapy appears to be “no less efficacious” than in-person care.
Getting started with BetterHelp
If you're interested in receiving online mental health care through BetterHelp, getting started is easy. You’ll simply need to fill out a brief onboarding questionnaire about your needs and preferences for a therapist. Once matched, you can schedule your first appointment. Everyone deserves to have the emotional support they need, and quality care is available online.
Takeaway
Is BetterHelp covered by insurance in Canada?
At this time, BetterHelp does not accept insurance in Canada.
How much does a therapy session cost in Canada?
The cost of a therapy session in Canada can vary greatly. Estimates range from $90 to over $250 for one session. If working with in-person therapists isn’t financially feasible, consider connecting with an online therapist through BetterHelp Canada. The sign-up process is simple and can match you with a professional who can provide effective therapy for your unique mental health needs.
Is BetterHelp actually worth it?
While the question of whether BetterHelp is “worth it” is subjective, research suggests that most people who participate in therapy benefit from it, and studies show that online therapy tends to be just as effective as traditional therapy. Therefore, it’s likely that most people who seek mental health treatment through BetterHelp find it beneficial for their mental well-being.
How much is BetterHelp a month in Canada?
BetterHelp typically costs between $90 and $110 CAD per week, billed weekly or every four weeks. Subscription pricing is based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply. This can be more affordable compared to attending therapy in person for those without insurance.
Why is BetterHelp so expensive?
Although BetterHelp tends to have lower subscription costs than other online therapy platforms, it can still be prohibitively expensive for some. Financial aid may be available to those who qualify on a sliding scale basis.
Can you do BetterHelp twice a month?
While you can schedule two sessions with an online therapist per month, it won’t change the cost per month. To get the most out of your BetterHelp therapy subscription, it’s recommended to schedule one session per week.
Do Canadians have to pay for therapy?
As Canada’s provinces do not have a publicly funded psychotherapy program, many Canadians must pay for therapy or use an insurance plan from an insurance provider to get coverage for mental healthcare. Some nonprofits and other organizations may offer free counseling services, however.
How to get BetterHelp cheaper?
BetterHelp offers financial aid to those who qualify.
Does BetterHelp actually have credentialed therapists?
BetterHelp hires mental health professionals who are credentialed in their respective states, including professional counselors, clinical social workers, and marriage and family therapists. BetterHelp has a rigorous vetting process that results in less than one-third of applicants being accepted to work on the platform.
What percentage of Canadians struggle with mental health?
In any given year, approximately one in five Canadians lives with a mental illness. By the age of 40, around half of Canadians either have or previously had a mental illness.
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