Discover the top online therapy platforms competing with BetterHelp. Find out which one is best for your mental healthcare needs. Compare and choose today!
The digital age has brought a plethora of online therapy platforms to the forefront of mental health care. With so many options available, determining which platform best suits your specific needs can be challenging. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dive into the details of some of the most popular online therapy platforms, such as BetterHelp, Cerebral, Calmerry, Brightside, and Regain.
By the end of this journey, you’ll have a clearer understanding of each platform’s services, pricing, therapist credentials, communication methods, and user reviews, empowering you to make an informed decision in choosing the right platform for your mental health journey.
Short Summary
Comparing BetterHelp to its competitors, such as Cerebral, Calmerry, Brightside Health, and Regain. Each platform offers different services with varying pricing plans.
Professional therapists are highly qualified and certified for all platforms providing mental health treatments that meet the highest standards of practice.
Honest user reviews highlight the quality of service offered by online therapy providers like BetterHelp, who have earned an A rating from BBB and 4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
Explore emotional well-being with BetterHelp – your partner in affordable online therapy. With 30,000+ licensed therapists and plans starting from only $60 per week, BetterHelp makes self-care accessible to all. Complete the questionnaire to match with the right therapist.
BetterHelp vs. Cerebral
Cerebral and BetterHelp are popular online therapy platforms, providing various services, including counseling, coaching, and talk therapy for various mental health issues.
Regarding pricing, BetterHelp users are billed monthly, with counseling costs ranging from $60 to $90 per week. Cerebral Therapy Plan is priced at $259 per month or $64.75 per week. Both platforms provide live video sessions with licensed therapists, lasting 30 to 45 minutes, and text-based therapy between the sessions.
In terms of privacy and confidentiality, both BetterHelp and Cerebral utilize encrypted technology. BetterHelp’s Platform is HITRUST Risk-based, 2-year (r2) certified too.
Research shows that online therapy platforms can be as effective as in-person treatments for mental health conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and major depression. This is especially true when considering patients’ satisfaction with their treatment.
Services Offered by Cerebral
Cerebral provides a comprehensive array of mental health services, including individual and couples counseling and medication management. For those in need of medication, a medical practitioner at Cerebral can prescribe and deliver medicines to your residence in certain situations.
The platform offers various communication methods, including live video, audio calls, and text messaging.
Therapist Credentials
The credentials of Cerebral therapists are of great importance, ensuring that they are competent and adhere to the highest standards. All therapists at Cerebral possess a graduate degree from an accredited college and are legally required to have the capacity to prescribe medication.
Licensing ensures that therapists have the necessary qualifications to deliver quality treatments. It also guarantees they meet the highest standards of practice.
Pricing and Insurance coverage
While BetterHelp and Cerebral offer monthly payment options, their pricing structures differ slightly. BetterHelp users are billed monthly, with counseling costs ranging from $60 to $90 per week, while Cerebral offers monthly therapy packages and weekly programs.
BetterHelp does not accept insurance, whereas Cerebral provides the option of co-pay and co-visit for therapy sessions and medications.
Calmerry vs BetterHelp
Embark on a journey of mental wellness with Calmerry. With diverse subscription options, starting at just $50, Calmerry makes prioritizing your mental health simple and accessible. You can message your therapist any day or schedule a live therapy session from the comfort of your home from any device.
Calmerry offer online therapy services focusing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, emotionally focused therapy, and more. Calmerry is a modern online therapy platform that provides unlimited messaging and live video sessions through a subscription-based model. BetterHelp, on the other hand, was founded in 2013 by depression survivor Alon Matas and has since become a significant player in online therapy.
Both platforms offer individual counseling services with live video sessions and an option to message the therapist between the sessions.
Calmerry’s pricing plan is straightforward and presented to customers after completing the initial survey. Calmerry also incorporates an activity tracker called Coa, which monitors daily mood and can be utilized without an active therapy subscription.
Services offered by Calmerry
Calmerry’s primary aim is to assist individuals in achieving their objectives and improving their emotional well-being. The platform can support issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress, with the added flexibility of selecting a therapist, counselor, or coach specializing in your needs.
Calmerry also offers the convenience of arranging sessions at times that suit your schedule.
Therapist Credentials
Calmerry therapists hold valid licenses from their respective states and have undergone a thorough vetting process conducted by the Calmerry team. All therapists have completed an introductory course and hold a degree from an accredited academic institution.
Moreover, Calmerry performs background checks, verifies licenses, contacts referees, and reviews past employment to ensure that all therapists possess the necessary credentials.
Brightside vs. BetterHelp
Brightside and BetterHelp both provide online therapy services, with Brightside offering both online talk therapy and medication services, while BetterHelp delivers a broad range of talk therapy services. Brightside is an online therapy and medication management platform, whereas BetterHelp with its sister platforms is a more extensive online therapy resource, offering services related to teens, couples, faith-based counseling, and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Both platforms offer therapeutic services from qualified mental health professionals, such as psychologists and masters-level therapists.
BetterHelp’s pricing model is based on the duration of the subscription. At the same time, Brightside provides a monthly subscription that grants users four 30-minute sessions per month with a licensed therapist, a personalized self-care plan, and access to medication if necessary.
Services offered by Brightside
Brightside Health provides online talk therapy and medication services for individuals with mental health issues. The platform offers a range of pricing plans and accepts most major insurance providers.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a primary focus of the platform, which has been shown to assist individuals in modifying their thought patterns. Brightside accepts insurance coverage for its services.
Therapist Credentials
Brightside Health’s therapists are licensed and credentialed, following their respective state regulations. They have completed a comprehensive course of study, culminating in a degree granted by an accredited institution.
To ensure the credentials of their therapists, Brightside performs background checks, checks licenses, contacts referees, and reviews past employment.
Regain vs. BetterHelp
Tailored for individuals and couples navigating relationship or marital issues – ReGain is your online relationship therapy solution. Starting at $60/week, you can schedule one weekly live session and message your therapist anytime. Start your path to healthier connections with ReGain – fill out their online assessment form.
Regain and BetterHelp are affordable online therapy platforms, with Regain specializing in couples counseling and BetterHelp offering therapy for individuals.
Both platforms offer relatively affordable pricing compared to in-person sessions, with Regain’s counseling services priced between $60 and $90 per week and customers billed monthly, the same as BetterHelp.
Services offered by Regain
Regain offers a range of online therapy and counseling services licensed therapists provide, focusing on relationship counseling for couples and individuals.
The platform specializes in marriage and relationship counseling, emphasizing helping couples improve communication and rebuild trust.
Therapist Credentials
Regain therapists possess several qualifications. They are licensed, experienced, and accredited practitioners. That includes psychologists (Ph.D. / PsyD), marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), clinical social workers (LCSWs), and licensed professional counselors (LPCs).
They have completed the necessary education, training, testing, and licensure to provide professional counseling services.
| Features | BetterHelp | Calmerry | Cerebral | Regain | Brightside |
| Types of Therapy | Individual | Individual and couples counseling | Mental health medication management, counseling | Couples counseling | Mental health medication management, counseling |
| Therapists’ Credentials | Licensed professional counselors (LPC), Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), Licensed marriage family therapists (LMFT), Psychologists | Licensed professional counselors, Licensed clinical social workers, Licensed marriage family therapists | Care Counselors, Nurse Practitioners, Psychiatrists | Licensed professional counselors, Licensed clinical social workers, Licensed marriage family therapists | Board-certified physicians, Psychiatrists, Licensed therapists |
| Platform | App, Website | App, Website | App, Website | App, Website | App, Website |
| Specialization | General mental health | General mental health | Mental health and neurodiversity | Relationship counseling | Anxiety and depression |
| Accessibility | Worldwide | Worldwide | United States only (as of 2022) | Worldwide | United States only (as of 2022) |
| Cost | $60 to 90 per week (billed monthly) | Starts at $50 per week (billed monthly) | Starts at $85 per month | $60 to 90 per week (billed monthly) | Starts at $95 per month |
| Insurance accepted | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Services Offered by BetterHelp
Explore emotional well-being with BetterHelp – your partner in affordable online therapy. With 30,000+ licensed therapists and plans starting from only $60 per week, BetterHelp makes self-care accessible to all. Complete the questionnaire to match with the right therapist.
BetterHelp offers convenient and cost-effective online counseling. The platform provides an assessment test, various articles and resources, one weekly live session via video, audio or chat and an option to message your therapist anytime between the sessions.
Therapist Credentials
BetterHelp’s therapists are thoroughly screened and qualified to deliver excellent counseling services. They must hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree in psychology, marriage, family therapy, clinical social work, or licensed professional counseling and have at least three years and 1,000 hours of hands-on experience.
BetterHelp only accepts 25% of therapist applicants, ensuring only the most qualified professionals can provide counseling services.
Pricing and Financial Aid
BetterHelp’s subscription is $60 – 90 a week. Although the platform does not currently accept insurance, it offers an affordable subscription plan to make therapy accessible even without it being covered by insurance.
BetterHelp and Regain may provide financial assistance options to those who meet the criteria – you can apply for financial aid during the signup process.
Comparing Communication Methods
Online therapy platforms like BetterHelp and its competitors offer various communication methods, including messaging, live chat, phone, and video sessions. BetterHelp and Cerebral provide live video sessions with licensed therapists, while BetterHelp and Regain also offers audio calls and text messaging.
Brightside and BetterHelp have different approaches when it comes to video sessions. BetterHelp facilitates video sessions from within their platform or application, while Brightside utilizes Zoom for video sessions.
Overall, the communication methods available on these platforms cater to different preferences and needs, allowing users to choose the method that best suits their comfort and convenience.
User Interface and Experience
The user interface and experience of BetterHelp and its competitors play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth and efficient therapy process. BetterHelp and Cerebral are both user-friendly. Navigating and using these platforms is a breeze. Brightside and BetterHelp have similar sign-up processes; however, Brightside’s account setup process is more comprehensive.
BetterHelp and Brightside Health offer therapy materials accessible via mobile devices, allowing users to engage in therapy sessions on the go. Calmerry’s user interface is highly intuitive and seamlessly transitions between desktop and mobile platforms. The convenience and ease of use provided by these platforms make it easier for users to access mental health services and maintain their therapy journey.
Effectiveness of Online Therapy
Online therapy has gained popularity in recent years, with studies showing that it is effective and valid as a mental health treatment. Research has confirmed that online therapy services provide comparable outcomes to face-to-face psychotherapy treatments. These have been studied specifically in generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and major depression.
However, it’s essential to note that online therapy may not be suitable for all individuals. Those with significant mental health issues, addiction, bipolar disorder, or suicidal ideation may benefit more from traditional forms of treatment.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of online therapy depends on the individual’s specific needs, preferences, and comfort level with the online therapy environment.
Choosing the Right Platform for Your Needs
To choose the right online therapy platform, it’s essential to weigh factors such as cost, therapist credentials, communication methods, and user reviews. Comparing the platforms discussed in this article, BetterHelp offers a comprehensive range of services, while Cerebral, Calmerry, Brightside, and Regain have unique offerings and specialties.
Considering which mental health platform aligns best with your needs and preferences is crucial. For example, if you’re looking for a platform with a wide range of services and a therapist pool, BetterHelp would be an ideal choice. If you require relationship counseling, Regain may be the best fit.
Assessing the platforms based on the factors outlined in this article will help you make an informed decision and ultimately choose the online therapy platform that best supports your mental health journey.
Real User Reviews and Testimonials
Real user reviews and testimonials can offer valuable insights into the quality of a business or service. BetterHelp has an A rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). According to customers, it received an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars with 550+ reviews. BetterHelp is rated as excellent on Trustpilot, a third-party review website. Over 4,000 reviews have given it a 4.6-star rating.
These reviews and the information provided in this article can help you make an informed decision when choosing the online therapy platform that best suits your needs.
Summary
In summary, BetterHelp, Cerebral, Calmerry, Brightside, and Regain each offer unique online therapy services to cater to various mental health needs; by comparing factors such as cost, therapist credentials, communication methods, and user reviews, you can make an informed decision in choosing the right online counseling platform for your mental health journey.
Remember, finding a platform that aligns with your specific needs and preferences is crucial in ensuring a positive and effective therapy experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better Brightside or Crebral?
Cerebral is the better option for anyone looking to treat a wide range of mental health symptoms as it provides access to therapy and medication.
Brightside Health is better suited for those specifically looking to treat anxiety and depression.
Read our full Brightside and Cerebral comparison.
Which one is better, Talkspace or BetterHelp?
Talkspace is a great choice due to its comprehensive service offerings, including individual and group therapy sessions, teen therapy, couples therapy, and psychiatric services. Its services are also covered by most insurance providers, making it an accessible and more affordable option.
BetterHelp is slightly cheaper but does not work with any insurance providers.
Is BetterHelp more affordable?
Overall, BetterHelp is more affordable than traditional in-person therapy. On average, its subscription plan range from $60 to $90 a week, while conventional in-person treatment can cost up to $200 per session.
Furthermore, you can also apply for financial aid to reduce the cost of BetterHelp sessions.
