Apps and online care
Teen Counseling vs BetterHelp
They differ on 5 of 10 things we check. No winner here: the better one is the one that fits what you need and how you'd pay.
Teen Counseling
A parent signs up and consents, then the teen is matched with a licensed therapist and talks with them by messaging, phone or video in a private room parents can't read.
BetterHelp
You fill in a questionnaire, get matched with a licensed therapist, and meet by video, phone or live chat, with messaging in between.
Where they differ
- Good for
- Teen Counseling: Teens 13–19 with stress, anxiety or low mood who would rather message or talk from home; Families who can pay out of pocket
- BetterHelp: Adults with mild to moderate depression, anxiety or stress who want weekly talk therapy from home; People who want to message a therapist between live sessions
- Probably not for
- Teen Counseling: Teens in crisis: call or text 988
- BetterHelp: Anyone in crisis: call or text 988
- Cost
- Teen Counseling: $60–$90/week, billed every 4 weeks
- BetterHelp: $70–$100/week, billed weekly or every 4 weeks
- Research
- Teen Counseling: Early research
- BetterHelp: Limited research
- HIPAA
- Teen Counseling: Not stated
- BetterHelp: Yes
The same for both: kind of help (a therapist), how you pay (i'll pay myself), where (iphone, android, web), privacy (grade d), sells your data (yes).
In crisis or thinking about suicide? In the US, call or text 988. This page is information from our reviews, not medical advice.