Brightside vs. BetterHelp: How Do They Compare?

Therapy Types

• Brightside: Individual therapy sessions, 30 minutes in length, specialized in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication management.

• BetterHelp: Individual therapy sessions, 45 minutes to an hour in length, with therapists using various techniques, excluding psychiatry and medication management.

Costs

• Brightside: $300 monthly.

• BetterHelp: $65 to $90 weekly.

Insurance Coverage

• Brightside: Accepts a wide range of insurance plans.

• BetterHelp: Does not accept insurance.

Accessibility

• Brightside: Streamlined platform with a user-friendly interface.

• BetterHelp: More extensive features, including group therapy and anytime messaging with therapists.

Account Setup

• Brightside: Comprehensive questionnaire, longer to complete, with the option to choose your therapist.

• BetterHelp: Simple questionnaire, quicker to complete, with a therapist assigned to you.

Session Format

• Brightside: Therapy sessions are conducted via video chat.

• BetterHelp: Therapy sessions can be conducted through video, phone, or live chat.

Therapist Qualifications

• Brightside: Licensed therapists specializing in CBT.

• BetterHelp: Licensed therapists with expertise in various therapeutic techniques.

Switching Therapists

• Brightside: Requires contacting customer support.

• BetterHelp: Can be done through account settings.

User Satisfaction

• Brightside: High satisfaction ratings among users.

• BetterHelp: High satisfaction ratings among users.

Verdict

• Brightside: Suitable for structured, CBT-based therapy.

• BetterHelp: Suitable for flexible, affordable therapy.

FAQs

Medication Prescription on Brightside and BetterHelp

• Brightside: Available.
• BetterHelp: Not available.

Session Frequency

• Brightside: Weekly video sessions.
• BetterHelp: Anytime messaging with therapists.

Session Duration

• Brightside: 30 minutes.
• BetterHelp: 45 minutes to an hour.

Insurance Coverage

• Brightside: Yes.
• BetterHelp: No.

Methodology

• Month-long trials of both Brightside and BetterHelp.

• Survey with 105 users across 55 online therapy companies.

• Reviews from news outlets, interviews with therapists, and expert opinions.