# BetterHelp > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/BetterHelp > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/BetterHelp.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BetterHelp > Source revision: 1356327068 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Virtual mental health service}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2026}} {{Better sources needed|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox company | name = BetterHelp | logo = Betterhelp-logo-2024.svg | logo_size = 200px | type = [Subsidiary](/source/Subsidiary) | parent = [Teladoc Health](/source/Teladoc_Health) (2015–present) | founded = {{Start date and age|2013}} | founders = {{ubl|Alon Matas | Danny Bragonier}} | hq_location = [Mountain View, California](/source/Mountain_View%2C_California), U.S. | area_served = Worldwide | services = Online therapy
Unlimited messaging therapy | industry = [Psychotherapy](/source/Psychotherapy) | website = {{URL|https://www.betterhelp.com}} }} '''BetterHelp''' is a [mental health](/source/mental_health) platform that provides direct [online counseling](/source/online_counseling) and therapy services via web or phone text communication.{{cite news |last=Furhlinger |first=Josh |title=All-You-Can-Text Therapy Services |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/all-you-can-text-therapy-services-1413398763?KEYWORDS=JOSHUA+FRUHLINGER |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404090242/https://www.wsj.com/articles/all-you-can-text-therapy-services-1413398763?KEYWORDS=JOSHUA+FRUHLINGER |archive-date=April 4, 2018 |access-date=March 30, 2016 |work=[The Wall Street Journal](/source/The_Wall_Street_Journal)}} BetterHelp was founded in 2013 by Alon Matas and Danny Bragonier, and acquired by [Teladoc](/source/Teladoc) in 2015, maintaining its service and brand name post-acquisition. In 2023, BetterHelp agreed to pay $7.8 million to settle [Federal Trade Commission](/source/Federal_Trade_Commission) charges that it shared customers' sensitive mental health data with Facebook, Snapchat, and other companies for advertising purposes despite promising to keep such information private.{{cite news |last=Bajak |first=Frank |date=March 2, 2023 |title=BetterHelp shared users' sensitive health data, FTC says |url=https://apnews.com/article/betterhelp-ftc-health-data-privacy-befca40bb873661d1f8986bb75d8df07 |work=[Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press) |language=en |archive-date=June 2, 2025 |access-date=June 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250602143909/https://apnews.com/article/betterhelp-ftc-health-data-privacy-befca40bb873661d1f8986bb75d8df07 |url-status=live }} ==Background== BetterHelp was founded by Israeli-born Alon Matas in 2013.{{cite web |last=Cohen |first=Sagi |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Locked Down and Uptight? Israeli-founded Online Service Might Be the Solution |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/business/2020-07-24/ty-article/.premium/locked-down-and-uptight-israeli-founded-betterhelp-might-be-the-solution/0000017f-db90-d856-a37f-ffd034810000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722202846/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/business/2020-07-24/ty-article/.premium/locked-down-and-uptight-israeli-founded-betterhelp-might-be-the-solution/0000017f-db90-d856-a37f-ffd034810000 |archive-date=July 22, 2022 |access-date=July 22, 2022 |work=[Haaretz](/source/Haaretz)}}{{Cite web |date=2020-04-02 |title=Hillel's Tech Corner: BetterHelp, needed now more than ever {{!}} The Jerusalem Post |url=https://www.jpost.com/opinion/hillels-tech-corner-betterhelp-needed-now-more-than-ever-623400 |access-date=2026-05-22 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}} Matas partnered with co-founder Danny Bragonier to develop BetterHelp's web-based counseling portal and therapist directory.{{Citation needed|date=January 2018}} In 2015, BetterHelp was acquired by [Teladoc](/source/Teladoc), a [telehealth](/source/telehealth) company of [telemedicine service providers](/source/telemedicine_service_providers) since 2002. Teladoc acquired BetterHelp for $3.5 million in cash and a $1 million [promissory note](/source/promissory_note), with an agreement to make annual payments to the sellers equal to 15% of the total net revenue generated by the BetterHelp business for each of the next three years.{{cite web |last=Dolan |first=Brian |title=Teladoc IPO filing reveals 299,000 visits last year, details of past acquisitions |url=http://mobihealthnews.com/43977/teladoc-ipo-filing-reveals-299000-visits-last-year-details-of-past-aquisitions |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823004915/http://mobihealthnews.com/43977/teladoc-ipo-filing-reveals-299000-visits-last-year-details-of-past-aquisitions |archive-date=August 23, 2016 |access-date=June 1, 2015 |work=Mobile Health News}} ===Services=== According to the company, BetterHelp's counseling staff consists of accredited psychologists; social workers; marriage and family therapists; and board-licensed counselors, each having a master's degree or doctorate with at least three years and 1,000 hours of experience. BetterHelp evaluates providers in a process that includes verifying licensure and requiring a case study exam, which is reviewed by a licensed clinician.{{Cite web |title=Your Questions Answered |url=https://www.betterhelp.com/your-questions-answered/#FAQ1 |access-date=August 25, 2025 |website=BetterHelp |archive-date=August 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250820184545/https://www.betterhelp.com/your-questions-answered/#FAQ1 |url-status=live }} BetterHelp offers individual therapy only, but its subsidiaries, Regain and Teen Counseling, provide couples counseling and teen therapy, respectively.{{cite web |last1=Church |first1=Matthew |last2=Fuller |first2=Kristen |date=March 12, 2025 |title=BetterHelp Review 2025: Cost, Pros & Cons, & My Experience |url=https://www.choosingtherapy.com/betterhelp-review/ |access-date=April 3, 2025 |website=ChoosingTherapy.com |archive-date=March 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326143302/https://www.choosingtherapy.com/betterhelp-review/ |url-status=live }} After subscribing, BetterHelp assigns users a "room" in which to send private messages, live chat, and schedule video or phone sessions with a counselor.{{cite news |last1=Hipp |first1=Deb |last2=Hall |first2=Alena |date=July 22, 2024 |title=I Tried BetterHelp—Here's My Honest Review |url=https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/betterhelp-review/ |work=[Forbes](/source/Forbes) |archive-date=December 25, 2024 |access-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225075555/https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/betterhelp-review/ |url-status=live }} The "room" is open 24/7 and can be accessed from any Internet-connected device.{{cite web |last=Martinez |first=Nikki |title=Coping With a Cancer Diagnosis. Tips for the Patient, and Those Who Love Them |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-nikki-martinez-psyd-lcpc/coping-with-a-cancer-diag_b_8271272.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914185957/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-nikki-martinez-psyd-lcpc/coping-with-a-cancer-diag_b_8271272.html |archive-date=September 14, 2016 |access-date=October 12, 2015 |work=[The Huffington Post](/source/The_Huffington_Post)}} BetterHelp offers four live therapy sessions monthly.{{Cite web |title=Best Online Therapy Services Reviewed |url=https://www.helpguide.org/handbook/online-therapy/best-online-therapy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104023152/https://www.helpguide.org/handbook/online-therapy/best-online-therapy |archive-date=January 4, 2024 |access-date=February 5, 2024 |website=HelpGuide}} ==History== {{As of|2018}}, BetterHelp reported 33 million therapy sessions with more than 2,000 counselors on its site. In the same year, the company's revenue had reached a projected $60 million.{{cite news |date=November 1, 2018 |title=Vulnerable Patients Exposed To 'Growth At Any Cost' Culture |url=https://seekingalpha.com/article/4216391-vulnerable-patients-exposed-growth-cost-culture |accessdate=November 8, 2018 |work=[Seeking Alpha](/source/Seeking_Alpha)}} In 2021, BetterHelp partnered with [Ariana Grande](/source/Ariana_Grande), offering $1 million worth of free therapy.{{cite news |last=McNamara |first=Brittney |date=June 30, 2021 |title=Ariana Grande Is Giving Away $2 Million in Free Therapy With BetterHelp |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/ariana-grande-is-giving-away-dollar1-million-in-free-therapy-with-betterhelp |work=Teen Vogue}} According to ''Behavioral Health Business'', the company worked with 2.5 million patients and brought in $700 million in revenue that year.{{cite news |last=Coward |first=Kyle |date=February 24, 2022 |title=Teladoc’s Mental Health Brand BetterHelp Hits $700M in Revenue, Expects More Growth in 2022 |url=https://bhbusiness.com/2022/02/24/teladocs-mental-health-brand-betterhelp-hits-700m-in-revenue-expects-more-growth-in-2022/ |work=Behavioral Health Business |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |access-date=April 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228065400/https://bhbusiness.com/2022/02/24/teladocs-mental-health-brand-betterhelp-hits-700m-in-revenue-expects-more-growth-in-2022/ |url-status=live }} From 2020 through 2023, BetterHelp was the top purchaser of [podcast](/source/podcast) ads, spending nearly $8 million on podcast ads in December 2023.{{cite web |date=January 25, 2024 |title=Amazon Rides Year-End Retail Wave To Overtake BetterHelp As Top Podcast Ad Spender |url=https://www.insideradio.com/free/amazon-rides-year-end-retail-wave-to-overtake-betterhelp-as-top-podcast-ad-spender/article_186632c2-bb4f-11ee-a592-577aa4bef033.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002021605/https://www.insideradio.com/free/amazon-rides-year-end-retail-wave-to-overtake-betterhelp-as-top-podcast-ad-spender/article_186632c2-bb4f-11ee-a592-577aa4bef033.html |archive-date=October 2, 2024 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=InsideRadio}} BetterHelp has sponsored many [YouTubers](/source/YouTubers), leading the website ''[Polygon](/source/Polygon_(website))'' to label it "one of YouTube’s most prominent sponsors".{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=October 4, 2018 |title=YouTube's BetterHelp mental health controversy, explained |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/10/4/17932862/betterhelp-app-youtube-sponsorship-controversy-explained |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207132015/https://www.polygon.com/2018/10/4/17932862/betterhelp-app-youtube-sponsorship-controversy-explained |archive-date=February 7, 2020 |access-date=July 26, 2024 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} In November 2023, Alon Matas announced that he was leaving the company after 10 years.{{Cite web |last=Matas |first=Alon |title=Decided to leave BetterHelp after 10 years |url=https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alonmatas_personal-update-after-10-years-of-a-once-in-a-lifetime-activity-7132740179475238912-qkvI/ |access-date=October 8, 2024 |website=[LinkedIn](/source/LinkedIn) |language=en |archive-date=October 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008101849/https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alonmatas_personal-update-after-10-years-of-a-once-in-a-lifetime-activity-7132740179475238912-qkvI/ |url-status=live }} During the [Gaza war](/source/Gaza_war), BetterHelp offered six months of therapy "at no cost for those affected by the war in Israel". This was first made known via an announcement on the [Israeli government](/source/Israeli_government)'s official [Twitter](/source/Twitter) account. A spokesperson for BetterHelp's parent company told [Snopes](/source/Snopes) that this was "an independent initiative" and that [Israel's government](/source/Cabinet_of_Israel) was not involved.{{Cite web |last=Ibrahim |first=Nur |date=October 16, 2023 |title=Israel Offered 'Free Therapy' with BetterHelp Co. for Those 'Affected by the War'? |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/israel-free-therapy-betterhelp-war/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207021854/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/israel-free-therapy-betterhelp-war/ |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |access-date=December 7, 2023 |website=[Snopes](/source/Snopes)}} In May 2024, BetterHelp partnered with [Tom Brady](/source/Tom_Brady), giving away a month of free services.{{cite news |last=Hauari |first=Gabe |date=May 3, 2024 |title=Tom Brady, BetterHelp team up to give customers one month of free therapy sessions |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2024/05/03/tom-brady-betterhelp-free-therapy-sessions/73542893007/ |work=USA Today |archive-date=October 1, 2024 |access-date=April 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001093704/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2024/05/03/tom-brady-betterhelp-free-therapy-sessions/73542893007/ |url-status=live }} ===FTC settlement regarding customer data=== In 2023, BetterHelp was accused{{By whom|date=April 2026}} of sharing its customers' personal data with third parties, including [Facebook](/source/Facebook) and [Snapchat](/source/Snapchat).{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2023 |title=FTC says online counseling service BetterHelp pushed people into handing over health information – and broke its privacy promises |url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2023/03/ftc-says-online-counseling-service-betterhelp-pushed-people-handing-over-health-information-broke |access-date=May 25, 2024 |website=Federal Trade Commission |language=en}} In its 2022 [privacy policy](/source/privacy_policy) update, BetterHelp stated: "We may share your information in connection with an asset sale, merger, bankruptcy, or other business transaction."{{cite web |author=Nicole Wetsman |date=May 4, 2022 |title=Mental health app privacy language opens up holes for user data |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/4/22985296/mental-health-app-privacy-policies-happify-cerebral-betterhealth-7cups |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020005342/https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/4/22985296/mental-health-app-privacy-policies-happify-cerebral-betterhealth-7cups |archive-date=October 20, 2023 |access-date=May 12, 2022 |website=[The Verge](/source/The_Verge)}} BetterHelp responded to complaints by saying it was legally required to retain health data.{{cite web |author=Thomas Germain |date=March 2, 2021 |title=Mental Health Apps Aren't All As Private As You May Think |url=https://www.consumerreports.org/health-privacy/mental-health-apps-and-user-privacy-a7415198244/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315023818/https://www.consumerreports.org/health-privacy/mental-health-apps-and-user-privacy-a7415198244/ |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |access-date=May 12, 2022 |website=Consumer Report}} A 2020 analysis by ''[Jezebel](/source/Jezebel_(website))'' previously found that Facebook linked the time and duration of a user's therapy sessions and user's approximate location to Facebook profiles. Another firm, Mixtral, received data like the user's gender, age, and sexual orientation, location, device, financial status, and religion, albeit in an anonymized form.{{Cite web |last=Osberg |first=Molly |date=February 19, 2020 |title=The Spooky, Loosely Regulated World of Online Therapy |url=https://www.jezebel.com/the-spooky-loosely-regulated-world-of-online-therapy-1841791137 |access-date=August 25, 2025 |website=Jezebel |language=en-US |archive-date=August 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250807125538/https://www.jezebel.com/the-spooky-loosely-regulated-world-of-online-therapy-1841791137 |url-status=live }} On March 2, 2023, the [FTC](/source/Federal_Trade_Commission) issued a proposed order banning BetterHelp from sharing consumers' health data with third parties. The order also requires BetterHelp to pay $7.8 million to consumers to settle allegations of revealing consumers' sensitive data.{{cite web |date=March 2, 2023 |title=FTC to Ban BetterHelp from Revealing Consumers' Data, Including Sensitive Mental Health Information, to Facebook and Others for Targeted Advertising |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/03/ftc-ban-betterhelp-revealing-consumers-data-including-sensitive-mental-health-information-facebook |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025073635/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/03/ftc-ban-betterhelp-revealing-consumers-data-including-sensitive-mental-health-information-facebook |archive-date=October 25, 2023 |access-date=March 4, 2023 |website=Federal Trade Commission}} The FTC complaint tied to the proposed order alleges that BetterHelp collected health status and histories, IP addresses, and email addresses from consumers while making repeated promises to keep this information private.{{cite web |date=March 2, 2023 |title=FTC In the Matter of BETTERHELP, INC. 2023169 |url=https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/2023169-betterhelp-complaint_.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923134304/https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/2023169-betterhelp-complaint_.pdf |archive-date=September 23, 2023 |access-date=March 4, 2023}} BetterHelp agreed to settle the FTC's allegations, and as of May 2024, have begun issuing refunds to affected customers. The company maintains that this settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing.{{Cite web |date=May 8, 2024 |title=BetterHelp customers begin receiving refund notices from $7.8M data privacy settlement, FTC says |url=https://apnews.com/article/betterhelp-ftc-data-privacy-settlement-payments-779419226dcbcd18d63be9381e1f2369 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522121148/https://apnews.com/article/betterhelp-ftc-data-privacy-settlement-payments-779419226dcbcd18d63be9381e1f2369 |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |access-date=May 22, 2024 |website=AP News |language=en}} ==Reception== In October 2018, concerns were raised by YouTubers (such as [PewDiePie](/source/PewDiePie) and [Boogie2988](/source/Boogie2988)) about the alleged use of unfair pricing, poor experiences, paid reviews from actors, and [terms of service](/source/terms_of_service) that allegedly did not correspond with ads promoted by professional YouTubers. Co-founder and then-CEO Alon Matas issued a statement responding to the allegations.{{cite web |last=Matas |first=Alon |date=October 9, 2018 |title=When BetterHelp found itself in a Youtube Controversy |url=https://medium.com/@alonmatas/when-betterhelp-found-itself-in-a-youtube-controversy-3fd472229a4e |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017163054/https://medium.com/@alonmatas/when-betterhelp-found-itself-in-a-youtube-controversy-3fd472229a4e |archive-date=October 17, 2018}} In 2024, BetterHelp was cited by the Federal Trade Commission for inappropriate use and selling of client data, breaching privacy regulations. BetterHelp has since been under scrutiny for misleading privacy policies.{{cite news |last=Foisy |first=Nicholas |date=April 3, 2024 |title=Is BetterHelp a Scam? Unpacking The Truth |url=https://www.compassitc.com/blog/is-betterhelp-a-scam-unpacking-the-truth |work=Compass IT |archive-date=July 15, 2025 |access-date=May 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250715065107/https://www.compassitc.com/blog/is-betterhelp-a-scam-unpacking-the-truth |url-status=live }} ==See also== * {{annotated link|Talkspace}} * {{annotated link|Telepsychiatry}} == References == {{reflist}} Category:Internet properties established in 2013 Category:2013 establishments in California Category:2015 mergers and acquisitions Category:Behavior therapy Category:Telehealth Category:Internet culture Category:Internet-related controversies Category:Health care companies established in 2013 Category:American companies established in 2013 Category:American behavioral healthcare providers Category:Companies based in Mountain View, California --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [BetterHelp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BetterHelp) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BetterHelp?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.