Is BetterHelp Evil?

Are the allegations against BetterHelp valid? Is it unethical? Dr. Kirk analyzes each allegation.

The Psychology In Seattle Podcast ®

[DreamingInTechnicolor]

IMO... Evil seems like a strong word, incompetent feels like a better fit.

[kimifaysuri]

I started betterhelp a couple of months ago but definitely I had a therapist who didn't show on time several times but I just switched and matched to another therapist. This new therapist has been very helpful with my traumas. I feel like it could be better in many ways. Im just happy to be getting help

[JacquelynDoggette]

I initially had a bad match on BH and requested a new therapist. My therapist is a LMFT and a great match. We're doing some really positive work.

[Kiokiou]

Very interesting because I was wondering if you were aware of the controversies surrounding them. ~watching~

[JS-rxsi]

Yeah, no, sorry cannot get on board with Betterhelp. I joined and was matched with a therapist who asked me what I was struggling with. I wrote a very detailed painful description of my past issues and what I was currently experiencing and what I wanted to work on. To a total stranger that I cannot see. The next message she sent told me she’s sorry that I was having a hard time and could I please go into more detail. It was then I realized that she was sending me scripted messages. I canceled right away. It IS evil to exploit people who are struggling with their mental health.

[permanenttrack]

Thanks for discussing the disclaimer and the conversation with the lawyers. I found that fascinating.

[nikkimoon]

I don't know, but I'm pretty sure I've never seen Doctor Honda directing his Better Help ads to potential patients... I don't know if anyone else heard it when he plays the sponsorship bit, but I'm pretty sure he says "THIS ONE IS FOR ALL OF YOU CLINICIANS OUT THERE" or something along those lines. Maybe, just maybe he is promoting Better Help to qualified clinicians so that there can be good, qualified clinicians on the site to help people. Anyone else hear him say that bit?

[fallyneprinciotta]

Good morning Dr. Honda. Good morning deserving listeners. Stay safe have a great day all!!!

[Apichino]

*Mentions Legal Eagle*
What is this, a crossover episode?

[GabriellaLascano]

People, just realize no one is going to have the same experience as you. Just like your enemies have friends, somethings work for others and not you. Period

[dawnshadow]

I tried out betterhelp when you sponsored it. Did not find they were helpful in the slightest. The responses they gave me were felt copy pasted and there was no available times for a phone call/text meeting in the entire month I had signed up. I know many have had similar experiences that I did. In all honesty after that experience, I was disappointed when you decided to endorse it by taking their sponsorships.

This is my first ever comment on one of your vids. Saying hi and I love your stuff dr Honda sir <3 Just was a little irked after that experience.

[janniceb]

I tried BetterHelp for trauma therapy and it wasn’t a good match for me. They kept matching me to counselors that didn’t have experience in what I was looking for help with. And one of the ladies just sent me a form to fill out and describe all of my traumas which felt very impersonal and very triggering. But maybe the options are just limited in my area.

[filmcipher]

I used BetterHelp for two months for grief counseling after my husband died, and it was extremely helpful for me. I loved my therapist, and I wouldn't have gotten along as well as I have without it.

[LizWilliamsWildflowerLiz]

I for one am so thankful that you recommended better help. I looked into it and ended up going with Talkspace, because it is significantly cheaper and I prefer the text only option. I was on the fence about it but knowing how much I trust you, I knew this was worth a try. I have been using it for 3 weeks and it has helped me so much. I have had a huge breakthrough recently relating to my trauma and past, so I just wanted to say thank you, and to others out there, it’s worth a try!

[jameslabrado]

Betterhelp is not evil, it just seems like it's prone to falling under the "mental health consumer" model more than the "doctor-patient" model that is more common with in-person therapy and medicine.

[iElo]

Dr Honda watches Legal Eagle omg! Also thank you for addressing the allegations! It really shows that you do read our comments! :)

[zeldas_lullaby]

I got matched with a great counselor who helped me understand something I'd been struggling with for years. Changed my life. I felt she truly cared about me. Yes, in the beginning there was that, "Can you explain this more?" exchange, but after a couple of voice sessions, it felt way more personalized. Whether it's in-person or not, therapy typically starts out with that kind of informal interview-style communication. I think a lot of people probably needed to give it more time, or switch counselors. How disappointing, because it really really helped me.

[maeriaemarie]

Glad you did a video on this! When i was in a really dark place i got rejected by them, but have heard bad reviews.

[nytheprincess]

Hey Dr. Honda, I wanted to thank you for this video. When you mentioned that you will make sure to reinforce with your trainees that they should never be late or miss appointments it pushed me to speak out about a nurse practitioner that rescheduled two appointments for me when I had already been in the virtual waiting room for 15 minutes. I went to his google page and left a review and then saw that 5 other people in the last month or two left similar reviews, so I decided to report him to the nursing board.

[NatalieMarie]

I remember people bashing Better Help for including disclaimers like “we can’t guarantee any specific results, ” etc. I had to tell people that these things apply to all counselors, and that I include those same types of disclaimers in my own professional disclosure statement for in-person counseling.