When setting yourself a goal of a lifestyle change, you may find that you could benefit from outside help. Free resources from Alcohol Change UK, like the free TryDry® app are designed to help you through your Dry January® challenge (and beyond if that feels right for you) but if you find yourself struggling more than you thought you would whilst being off the booze, you may consider seeking additional support. You might be overwhelmed when deciding what type or method you could benefit from most and may be contemplating your preference for a therapist, how much money you can budget for therapy, and what company or provider to turn to. Finding affordable therapy in your area can be stressful, especially therapy that is appropriate for your situation and that fits your particular needs.
The relationship between alcohol and mental health is complex. As the official online therapy partner for the Dry January® challenge 2025, BetterHelp offers a convenient way to connect with counsellors and explore more accessible and affordable therapy.
Therapy may be more convenient in an online setting
Living in a rural area can also present challenges, as a lack of therapist availability or accessible therapists can lead to a lack of options. You may become confused, overwhelmed, or exhausted trying to find support. However, some options have emerged in response to these needs, as online therapy has become more popular for accessible and affordable therapy.
BetterHelp therapy is one type of online therapy that may fit your needs. The mental health services on this platform have offered millions of people life-changing value and emotional healing worldwide. Its list of expert therapists and satisfied users continues to grow every day. Below, explore the potential benefits of online therapy through BetterHelp or individual practice telehealth.
While many people have long believed in the benefits of in-person therapy, virtual therapy has now earned its place in the field. Online therapy has proven to be productive and offers many clear benefits, including affordable sessions, do-it-from-anywhere convenience, and flexibility.
There are many reasons you may consider online therapy as a good option for you and your goals. Here are just some of the benefits BetterHelp users may enjoy:
- Learning to communicate more openly
- Practicing vulnerability with those you love.
- Learning how to create boundaries with others.
- Making healthier lifestyle choices.
- Improving sleep patterns.
- Overcoming unhealthy substance use
- Managing stress effectively and feeling calmer
- Improving your self-esteem.
- Gaining insights into your personality patterns and subconscious thoughts • Setting goals and learning techniques to achieve them
- Addressing past trauma and learning coping mechanisms
- Picking up new emotional self-control tools
- Healing from abuse.
- Having conversations with someone who actively listen.
- Improving symptoms of depression so you can live a healthier, happier life
Choose the right therapist for you
One of the unique benefits of BetterHelp is the flexibility to choose your therapist. When you fill out the initial questionnaire, you can be matched with a therapist based on a sophisticated algorithm in as little as 48 hours. That way, your therapist will fit the criteria for what you’re looking for.
If you feel like this initial therapist is not a good match for you, you can look through the roster of therapists and select your own. One of the great perks of BetterHelp is that there are no penalties for changing therapists; you can do so anytime.
After being matched with your ideal therapist, you will coordinate your weekly therapy session.
Choose the right therapist for you
One of the unique benefits of BetterHelp is the flexibility to choose your therapist. When you fill out the initial questionnaire, you can be matched with a therapist based on a sophisticated algorithm in as little as 48 hours. That way, your therapist will fit the criteria for what you’re looking for.
If you feel like this initial therapist is not a good match for you, you can look through the roster of therapists and select your own. One of the great perks of BetterHelp is that there are no penalties for changing therapists; you can do so anytime.
After being matched with your ideal therapist, you will coordinate your weekly therapy session.
Here’s what is included in your appointment:
- One 30-minute or 45-minute session a week, conducted over live chat, live phone, or live video. These sessions can take place on a computer, tablet, or mobile device. The length of the session is up to your needs and your therapist’s availability.
- Messaging between you and your therapist. You can go back and look at your conversations at any time.
- A journalling feature including journal prompts and mood tracking.
- The option to schedule one support group session a week from various themes, as well as to schedule extra sessions for an extra cost.
- Webinars with educational material.
- Worksheets and goal-tracking that can be assigned by your therapist and completed in the BetterHelp app or online on the website.
Takeaway
BetterHelp’s online therapy sessions can be conducted conveniently for you, including by video, phone, or chat. Their expert therapists are qualified and experienced in providing the necessary resources and support. When you're ready, get started with BetterHelp therapy!
FAQs
With headquarters in California, BetterHelp is the largest online therapy service platform worldwide, with a roster of over 30,000 licensed therapists and counselors. With BetterHelp, therapy sessions can occur through several formats. Methods of talking with your therapist can include:
- In-app messaging.
- Live chat sessions.
- Live phone sessions.
- Live video sessions.
The BetterHelp platform uses “therapy” and “counselling” interchangeably. Various licensed therapists, counsellors, psychologists, and social workers support clients on this site. However, client services are the same regardless of the exact label used. While each therapist is unique and brings their own experience, personality, and expertise to the table, the online portal and tools are the same for all users.
The explosion in telemental health counselling can partially be attributed to the recent Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, the current state of the world has left many people struggling with mental health challenges and difficulty accessing help in person. Besides meeting the need for remote services amidst the pandemic, online therapy has offered convenience and proven efficacy in helping people improve their mental health. Below are some of the benefits of this type of service.
Many online therapy services are more affordable than traditional in-person therapy sessions. While the cost for in-person therapy can go up to £150 per session, services like BetterHelp offer sessions for anywhere from £45 to £75 per week (billed every 4 weeks) to have sessions with a qualified therapist, with pricing based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply.
The convenience of online therapy can make it popular for those with busy lives. Many people juggle jobs, school, families, friends, and hobbies. Reducing the number of obligations on their plate whenever possible may reduce stress and anxiety.
With online therapy platforms like BetterHelp, you don’t have to spend time commuting to a therapist’s office. Instead, you can participate in your therapy session wherever you are most comfortable. For instance, if you live with social anxiety, the physical distance between you and your therapist or a full waiting room might offer a sense of safety for opening up.
However, the convenience of online therapy does not come at the cost of its effectiveness. A comprehensive meta-analysis reviewed the available research and concluded that online therapy can reduce symptoms in individuals with a variety of mental health challenges and conditions. Online cognitive-behavioral therapy appears particularly effective and may be as beneficial as in-person therapy.
Online therapy can be flexible. With platforms like BetterHelp, clients have autonomy in selecting a therapist that fits their preferences and needs. They can also choose their weekly session schedule and the communication format. For example, clients can sign up for phone, video, or live chat sessions with their therapist. Throughout the week, they can also send messages to the therapist and receive responses as soon as the provider is available.
In addition to convenience and affordability, BetterHelp’s therapists are all licensed professionals. BetterHelp offers the tools to provide you with resources that can help transform your mental health.
