Confused about picking a therapist?
We’ve all heard of these big names of companies that have been created when it comes to therapy whether it be on your favorite podcast, youtube video, content creator or social media such as BetterHelp and Talkspace. It’s amazing that therapy has become so accessible but have you been confused by which to choose for your own therapy? What about when it comes to seeing a therapist who is not associated with any of these companies? I’m here to give you the lowdown about what these can offer and how choosing an individual therapist should not be dismissed. *Disclaimer - this is not to bad mouth any options, I am simply giving out information based on what I have heard and learned as a therapist.
The similarities
All of these options above (mostly) offer online therapy meaning you can do therapy from the comfort of your own space. In this day and age, location and ability should not limit you from seeking out care for your mental health. While both BetterHelp and Talkspace offer only online therapy options, a therapist who does not work with either of these has the option to see people in person if they have an office. Here at planted to bloom we only see people virtually (at the moment) so each of these options are highly accessible to everyone.
Just because a therapist is listed it doesn’t mean they are a good therapist. Everyone who is on these platforms, and individual therapists as well, are licensed in accordance with their state. Now, there are things therapists have to do to stay in good standing so it is always important to check their qualifications before scheduling with someone. But the reality is there are some bad therapists out there. I’ve heard plenty of horror stories about therapists who were subpar and at times did more harm than good. This is scary for someone looking for help. You should always see what a therapists specialties are to ensure they are the right fit for you and just as any relationship, it may take some time to feel connected but you’ll know early enough if you just don’t jive with a therapist and can make a switch easily.
The differences
Some offer use of insurance and some do not. BetterHelp is totally out of pocket and is a subscription-based payment where you are billed monthly and can access weekly sessions and some extras. Talkspace offers three tiers for out-of-pocket pricing for online therapy that can include messaging-only therapy, live sessions and access to extras. Talkspace does have options to use your insurance for therapy as well. Therapists can be listed with insurance panels and some choose not to. If you are looking for a therapist to use insurance with, go through your insurance to see what therapists or companies are available.
In order to get connected with the best therapist for you, there are different ways each approaches this. With BetterHelp and Talkspace, they each have you fill out a questionnaire about what you’re going to therapy for and if you have preferences such as gender, specialty, training, etc. then the algorithm gives you options based on your answers. When you search for a therapist on your own, you may be using Psychology Today or “therapist near me” in Google and each can come up with different answers. It’s best to look up your own specifics on why you’re seeking out therapy in order to find an out of pocket therapist that matches your concerns. In any case, therapist exhaustion is real. Unfortunately, many online platform therapists “suffer from exploitative payment policies and high administrative burdens, which can sometimes impact the continuity and consistency of care” according to a therapist reddit page. That means some therapists on these platforms can be overworked and underpaid. I’m sure if that were you you’d have plenty to say and be less likely to show up refreshed every day. Luckily, therapists who do not work on these platforms tend to create their own schedules and will choose the clients based on their expertise so you can count on them being less stressed about making hours or trying to fit the mold of what people are looking for.
Timing of course can be different for each of these. Seeing an individual therapist will typically be a 50 minute session. There are times where it is necessary for more but usually they will discuss that with you first. BetterHelp and Talkspace’s sessions are anywhere from 30-45 minutes. In our world that is a short amount of time. It says online you can book for more sometimes with an additional fee.
Privacy concerns. All therapists abide by HIPAA laws meaning they cannot disclose your personal information. Seeing a solo therapist you can ensure they are following these laws as you, them, and the HIPAA compliant system they use are the only one’s who are seeing your info. Unfortunately, both Talkspace and BetterHelp have had their issues with sharing information with others. BetterHelp had a lawsuit that found they were sharing sensitive data with sites like Facebook and Snapchat. There are privacy concerns for Talkspace using information for AI training and marketing use at their discretion.
So how can I choose?
Good question! As you can see all of these options have their own positives and draw backs. I think the best question you can ask for yourself is - How personable do I want my therapist to be and do I want to do my own research or put my trust in an algorithm to pick my therapist for me. Neither is bad, it just comes down to personal preference.