This guide outlines the new pricing structure, explores the reasons behind the changes, and provides tips for saving money on your BetterHelp subscription.
BetterHelp, one of the leading online therapy platforms, recently announced a price increase taking effect in November 2023.
Understanding the New Pricing Structure
BetterHelp has adjusted its lowest pricing tier, initially being $60 per week, with the rest of the tiers unchanged.
The new specific costs are:
- $65-$100 per week: 30-minute to 45-minute live session, messaging, chat, phone, you can message your therapist anytime
- Monthly min. – $260 per month: 30-minute live sessions, messaging, chat, phone, video sessions 4 times per month, 4 group sessions, support in between
- Monthly max – $400 per month: 45-minute live sessions, messaging, chat, phone, video sessions 4 times per month, 4 group sessions, support in between
BetterHelp Subscription Pricing
| Plan | Session Length | Frequency | Monthly Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | 30 minutes | 4 sessions + 4 group sessions | $260 |
| Maximum | 45 minutes | 4 sessions + 4 group sessions | $400 |
The key factors determining subscription pricing include:
- The credentials and experience level of your matched therapist
- Your location
- Your preferred session length and frequency
It’s important to note that BetterHelp.com will bill subscribers every four weeks, not monthly. So adjust your budget accordingly.
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Exploring the Reasons Behind the Price Increase
Like many other businesses, BetterHelp faces rising costs across operational expenses – therapist pay, training, supervision, support services, and compliance processes.
Combined with inflationary pressures impacting all healthcare costs, pricing adjustments allow BetterHelp to maintain exceptional service quality.
Inflationary Pressures and the Impact on Healthcare Costs
With inflation hitting as much as 8.4% in early 2023, the highest in 40 years, businesses across all industries face squeezed profit margins.
Healthcare costs are often disproportionately impacted during periods of high inflation due to their reliance on labor.
As BetterHelp therapists are paid per session, their wages must keep pace with the overall economy.
So, increasing prices allows BetterHelp to retain top professional talent.
The platform is dedicated to maintaining affordability compared to traditional in-office therapy options.
Maintaining Quality and Support Amidst Growth
As BetterHelp.com continues expanding therapy access to more people, providing additional training, supervision resources and hiring specialized support staff is imperative.
BetterHelp heavily invests in nurturing an ethical, diverse therapeutic community focused on positive health outcomes.
While growth is positive, scaling responsibly prevents degradation in the quality of care or understaffing of support channels.
The price increase will help BetterHelp continue perfecting the member experience.
Tips for Saving Money on Your BetterHelp Subscription
If the new pricing tiers stretch your budget for therapy services, here are some suggestions:
Exploring Financial Aid Options
For those facing financial limitations, BetterHelp offers both financial aid and scholarship opportunities based on need.
Be sure to thoroughly read the application instructions and provide all required documentation to determine your eligibility. Feel free to ask questions if you need help navigating the process.
Securing supplemental funding can significantly offset any subscription costs.
Optimizing Your Subscription Plan
While BetterHelp does not offer bulk subscription plan options or bulk discounts, there are still ways to maximize the value you get from your therapy plan.
Take time to realistically forecast your therapy timeline and commit to the best value plan.
Remember, you can adjust your subscription anytime if your situation changes.
Carefully evaluate how many monthly sessions you require to achieve your mental health goals.
If you require only two sessions per month, then the cost of your monthly plan decreases. For some, three sessions per month may be ideal.
Embracing Group Therapy Sessions
For some people, sharing perspectives and experiences in a moderated group class setting is more comfortable than one-on-one therapy.
Utilizing the included membership perk of group sessions also maximizes the plan’s value.
Be patient in finding the right group dynamic, and give yourself several sessions to open up to the process before deciding if it’s right for you.
The recent BetterHelp price increase accounts for growing operational expenses and an unwavering commitment to therapy excellence.
With a few budget-conscious adjustments, continuing your mental health journey is still very possible.
Reach out for assistance if you need help navigating the new pricing landscape.
References
- PEW Research Center, In the U.S. and around the world, inflation is high and getting higher. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/06/15/in-the-u-s-and-around-the-world-inflation-is-high-and-getting-higher/
