In this blogpost, we will be looking at the cancellation policy of BetterHelp. We will additionally be discussing some of the limitations of online therapy that users often experience. Furthermore, we will be mentioning various ways through which you can make the best use out of BetterHelp as an online therapy platform.

What is the cancellation policy of BetterHelp?

If you want to cancel your account in BetterHelp all that you need to do is to send an email to the customer support of this platform. The team will review the request and ascertain the refund that needs to be made. In the event of an impossible refund, the platform may assign you to a new therapist or may even extend your subscription.

Limitations of online therapy

While online therapy certainly has its advantages, many of which are lacking in traditional therapy settings, it still has some limitations. These have been described in this section:

It requires a stable internet connection

Online therapy requires a stable internet connection to work. The clients must also be equipped with a device that can support such services and also a working video camera and microphone if they are looking for video therapy sessions. Furthermore, the speed of the internet connection also has to be quite fast which not everyone might have access to at all times.

It can still be expensive

Since in-person therapy or traditional therapy is definitely a plum to afford for many, those who want cost-effective therapy often switch to online therapy platforms to bring more affordability. However, the truth is online therapy can still be expensive and without insurance coverage or financial aid, it can prove to be very costly over a long period of time.

There may be a personal disconnect

In traditional therapy settings, the client and the therapist are required to meet each other in person. Since online therapy does not require the client and the therapist to meet face to face, there might be a personal disconnect between the two. This can negatively impact the client-therapist relationship which is necessary for the effectiveness of the therapy sessions.

Not everyone might have a space

In-person therapy or traditional therapy often takes place within a therapist’s office. These offices are meant to be calm and comforting for any person. However, the power of the therapist’s office cannot be used in online therapy sessions. And if the client does not have a solitary space in their homes it can become very inconvenient for them.

Regulations may not be met

In most developed nations, there are a set of guidelines and regulations that need to be followed for the purpose of mental health care. And thus, while a therapist may be licensed to practice in one region, they may not be licensed in others. In online therapy, these regulations may find themselves in murky waters often causing inconveniences and problems for the client.

It cannot be used for crises

Mental illnesses can often lead to crises or urgent situations where psychological first aid and even therapy may be needed immediately. However, this is not possible in online therapy settings since the therapist is not required to respond instantly. Thus, in times of crises when clients may need it the most online therapy can prove to be useless.

Non-verbal cues might be missed

Our communication consists of verbal parts and also non-verbal cues. While verbal components like speech or writing are easy to pick up, non-verbal cues like tone of voice, eye-contact and body-language can be difficult to understand. These are necessary in therapy and online therapy can downplay these cues and thus the therapist may not be able to fully understand clients.

Psychiatry might not be available

Mental health problems often need a combination of medications or drugs and psychotherapy. Thus, many people consult both a psychiatrist as well as a therapist for their mental health needs. While online platforms do provide therapy, not all provide psychiatry services which can make it difficult for users to access the medications that they require.

How to make the best out of BetterHelp?

While BetterHelp is certainly one of the easier platforms to avail online therapy services, it still can be quite tricky especially for a new user. In this section, we have mentioned a few tips and strategies that you can use to improve your experience in BetterHelp and get the best out of it.

Use the various formats that the platform provides according to your needs and convenience. BetteHelp offers therapy through texting, audio messaging and video messaging. It further allows live sessions in the form of live chats, live audio and live video. Find the format that you are most comfortable with and utilize it.
If you are finding therapy quite expensive, you can opt for financial aid from BetterHelp in the sign-up stage.
Since your therapist cannot see you face to face, they might miss out on your non-verbal cues. And thus, it is important that you be as explicit and open as possible about your thoughts and feelings.

Conclusion

In this blogpost, we have looked at the cancellation policy of BetterHelp. We have additionally looked at some of the limitations of online therapy that users often experience. Furthermore, we have mentioned various ways through which you can make the best use out of BetterHelp as an online therapy platform.

If you like this blogpost, please leave your comments and questions below.

Citations

https://www.verywellmind.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-online-therapy-2795225

https://www.choosehelp.com/topics/online-counseling/the-disadvantages-of-online-counseling

https://www.therapy-on-line.com/therapy-online-advantages-limitations

https://www.mindworkscounselling.com/online-counselling-advantages-disadvantages

4 Tips to Make the Most Out of Online Counseling

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782920300154

Pros and Cons of Online Counselling