[Petra5ed]

I wanted to post something for anyone who is in need of therapy but low on funds, or someone who is in need of additional therapy to support them on an ongoing basis. I tried this site on a free 7 day trial, which was indeed free and I cancelled at the end of 7 days with no issues. I've now resumed and am finding this to be very helpful.

The pro's (as I see it): Cost, it is around $114 a month I think for unlimited therapy. It is also unlimited, for example I currently exchange about an email a day. It's confidential and the site is secure. You can do it any time at your leisure. Because it's not face to face I've found it easier to disclose any and everything, however that might not be the same for everyone. It's not face to face so I feel less vulnerable/attached so far.

The con's (as I see it): It's not face to face, takes longer, only so much can be conveyed in writing. No hugs of course. Not for people who don't like to read and write much.

Anyone else try online therapy? What's your experience?

I hate to be that guy, but they hacked NASA, Sony, the NYT, HB Gary, Citibank, the United States military and Department of State (including, as revealed recently, former US Secretary of State General Colin Powell), the DNC, and Ashley Madison. No site is secure. It's a scary truth, and I know that people are going to think I'm a jerk for bringing it up, but it's unfortunately pertinent, and we're on a psychiatric forum, so what the hey.

[Petra5ed]

Originally Posted by Lefty the Salesman

I hate to be that guy, but they hacked NASA, Sony, the NYT, HB Gary, Citibank, the United States military and Department of State (including, as revealed recently, former US Secretary of State General Colin Powell), the DNC, and Ashley Madison. No site is secure. It's a scary truth, and I know that people are going to think I'm a jerk for bringing it up, but it's unfortunately pertinent, and we're on a psychiatric forum, so what the hey.

LOL! No, I completely agree. I think some people might have more sensitive stuff than me and in that case in person is probably best.

The thing is, someone might feel freerer to reveal more like this. But is the person on the receiving end of any theraputic help?
Yes there's the feeling of elation one feels at 'telling'. But therapy is more than just that.

Thankfully there is no one right way to do therapy. I think this could be helpful for a lot of people. I personally would prefer something like this if I were to ever try therapy again. Glad there are options like this.

[Petra5ed]

Originally Posted by _Mouse

The thing is, someone might feel freerer to reveal more like this. But is the person on the receiving end of any theraputic help?
Yes there's the feeling of elation one feels at 'telling'. But therapy is more than just that.

So I might have gotten lucky but I was paired with a woman that has 30 years experience, a Ph.D. and all these other credentials. I've found her very very helpful. When I quit the site and started again I got someone else who was so-so, I asked for the one I liked and they moved me back to her. It seems like all of their therapists are credentialed at least though.

[runlola72]

Everyone keeps telling me that the "attachment" part is important for the work I am doing in therapy, despite how painful it feels at times (like now). But if my T were to terminate me I would never let myself get attached again and would seek out this type of therapy. Thanks for sharing...

[SoConfused623]

I used Better Help at the beginning of the year when I needed some advice on my Google Stalking of my current T and whether I should confide it to my current T or not. I thought that my online T was spot on with her advice:

" If you were to disclose to me, as your therapist, all that you've been thinking, I promise you that I would be grateful for your honesty and willingness to confront your discomfort, and always without judgment. It is where trust and honesty meet that the most effective therapy happens. And it is then that the client begins to grow, to experience relief. I wish you courage and confidence in the belief that only good can come from honest self-disclosure."

I took her advice and disclosed to my T, but my T was mad...we worked through it and all is well now, but in retrospect I wish that I hadn't made the confession. However, I think in general, it was great advice and I think that a lot of T's may have reacted differently.

I too just did the 1 week trial, but if I did go back, I"d ask for the same woman again. In general, I would want a real life T, but having the online T served a purpose in having another T to talk about my current T with.

[therapyishelping777]

I have also used betterhelp and have gotten some GREAT therapists.. who I connected with pretty quickly.. some write more than others.. But.. they also have great customer service where if you are feeling its not a fit, they will switch you no questions asked pretty much. They also have financial assistance to those with low income . I highly recommend them for anyone with online.. I do really like my in person therapist and its just different.. but BH also offers video sessions at no additional cost.. and one free phone session a month.. If you get a good match its great..

[Cinnamon_Stick]

Originally Posted by runlola72

Everyone keeps telling me that the "attachment" part is important for the work I am doing in therapy, despite how painful it feels at times (like now). But if my T were to terminate me I would never let myself get attached again and would seek out this type of therapy. Thanks for sharing...

This is exactly why I am doing online therapy. I have been using online therapy for almost 4 months and there is a little bit of attachment but NOTHING like my last in person therapist. It has its pros and cons but one of the best things is you can write 24/7 and as much as you want and your therapist checks in and leaves messages to you twice a day. I prefer that instead of one hour long session a week (or three weeks in my case).

[Pastel Kitten]

I tried online therapy through BetterHelp.com last year. I always looked forward to receiving her responses but normally it took a long time to hear back from her so I'd feel impatient. I prefer face to face therapy for sure, but I can see how some would benefit from online therapy more.

I was curious about this and tried the free trial. The first therapist they assigned to me was terrible, everything was generic and regurgitated. She never directly addressed any of the issues I brought so after two emails I changed. The second one was better. She would even check in even if I didn't email. Honestly though it didn't work for me. It's a great idea but it's just not for me. I had a t before who did online therapy. She was really far away, so I would see her every other week and write to her the week I dint see her. I honestly got a lot from her emails. I cherished them, she was very attuned and I was attAched to her but not as much as current t.

[alonmatas]

Hello everybody,

My name is Alon and I'm the founder of BetterHelp.com. I just noticed this thread - thanks so much for sharing your experiences!

I'm eager to get any feedback and thoughts you may have about what (and how) we can do better. I'd love to take these inputs to our team so we can improve the service for your benefit.

Thanks,
Alon
BetterHelp

[MariaLucy]

I tried it too. I tried five different counsellors. some were just out and out bad and patronising, two were quite good. Of the good ones, one kept promising to send stuff and didn't remember, one kept promising to be there for a call or live chat and it never happened. It turned out that she had changed jobs and was trying to fit me in around jobs to earn extra and so I was constantly being fobbed off. I quit as I didn't feel good being fobbed off with excuses.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I've seen these posts about online therapy and have skipped them thinking that I have no need for an online T.

After doing some thinking, I realized this might actually be the perfect solution for me when my T and I terminate. I won't need a long-term T. My T will be there for me as a short-term T when something major arises. And I don't want to develop an attachment. I'll just need someone's support to deal with the loss of T no longer being long-term. The crisis line in my area has an online chat I used to use. And I like emailing. So maybe this would work for me?

Thanks for this post!

[therapyishelping777]

Scarlet,
Its definately been super helpful for me between T's , I've used on a number of occassions with different therapist.. I got 3 SUPER ones!! one is now my lifecoach ,as he's not with BH anymore and he's too awesome.. I did get a few I did not continue with beyond the free week. But they give you a free week to try them out, if it doesnt work or you don't click.. you can always ask to switch... they have no problem , no questions asked.. You can read the reviews first and see if any peak your interest there is a button that says work with me... you can just click on that. It is so nice to be able to write as much as you want whenever you want, and never feel like a bother or you are outside business lines because thats just how it is.... and they get back to you on their time... its such a win sin.. If you get the right one... It could be great for you!

[Tyrant616]

Are you sure it's 114 a month? I was heavily considering trying Betterhelp. I figured that online therapy might be a lot easier and affordable to do than standard therapy (my insurance just went through the roof by the way). It went from 100 a month to 300 a month with no doctors appointments for the last 12 months! What the heck!

Did you say in this post it's 114 a month? I saw that it was $35 a week on a blog review I read the other day. Which would be $140 roughly a month which is still a better deal than regular therapy. I imagine regular for many offices is $140 a SESSION, not $140 for unlimited access. Here is where I read it's $35 a week right now. BetterHelp Review: We Tried Online Therapy But Does It Help? Results Inside. | The Ordinary Life Does anyone know for sure? Thanks!