Why Patients Are Suing BetterHelp (3 Class Actions)

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BetterHelp is by far the most well-known online mental therapy platform in the world and a lot of that is thanks to their stellar marketing campaign on YouTube. But, when it comes to BetterHelp, there’s a lot more than mental therapy that’s going on behind the scenes. Just earlier this year, BetterHelp was confronted by the FTC for selling user data to Facebook, Snapchat, and Pinterest. This is not unusual for consumer platforms but the sensitive nature of BetterHelp’s services makes this rather concerning. In fact, the FTC complaint even alleges that BetterHelp has shared data from health questionnaires with Meta. The worst part though is that BetterHelp didn’t even deny the allegations. Rather, they simply maintained their innocence while dismissing the allegations as just standard industry practice. The unfortunate part is that they were lying about this because almost every online therapy platform does the exact same thing. This video explains the dark side of BetterHelp and why in-person therapy may be a better option than online therapy.

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Timestamps:
0:00 - BetterHelp
2:10 - Selling Out
5:35 - Mental Health Reform
9:17 - The Problem With Online Therapy

Resources:

Disclaimer:
This video is not a solicitation or personal financial advice. All investing involves risk. Please do your own research.

[NithinJune]

The second part of the video “the problem with online therapy” misses some key context relating to mental health care in America.
It’s rediculously difficult (in many areas impossible) to find an in-person therapist much less one covered by insurance. When I finally was assigned a provider through my insurance my _only_ option was online.

Further, The point that betterhelp doesn’t have psychiatry is kind of irrelevant Better help is an online _therapy_ platform, not a telehealth medical service. If you try to work through issues with a psychiatrist they will tell you to talk to your therapist. Psychiatrists prescribe medicine they are completely different from therapists. They aren’t a therapist who can prescribe they are something all together different that you would want alongside a certified therapist.

Third, the point on insurance—not taking insurance likely isn’t better help’s fault. This is something that even independent providers also refuse. When I was looking for a therapist there were countless who told me that they just don’t take insurance. It’s because insurance companies routinely deny claims, nickel and dime providers and clients, and are generally hard to deal with. Think about it better help would love to take insurance, they would make so much money. But the cost and complexity of the insurance companies BS isn’t worth it for them.

I’m not here to defend betterhelp, they seem like a company that has extremely unethical data practices and other issues as well. But there is definitely an unaddressed need for mental health care that might only be able to be addressed in a virtual environment.

[dadasdadas-kk]

The fact that you PAY for a service and they still sell your data, especially when its related to medical service is beyond insane. And the fact that they didn't got destroyed for that, means humans have now officially became cattle.

[kingslead]

That's depressing. I can't imagine someone's suicide being sold for money, but they find a way. They always do.

[llydrsn]

Skillshare, Audible, Betterhelp, among others. Man, I admire your courage in going after these companies and holding them accountable. This despite those companies being among the most prolific ad buyers for Youtube channels. That is integrity: calling a spade a spade, regardless of any possible consequences.

[thefitbros]

This is why I make it a point to never use anything advertised by youtubers, there is always some shady shit happening.

[bennyboy]

I was never gonna use it anyway, glad there’s a valid reason now lol

[arthrfleck]

I’ve had a few different therapists in BetterHelp in the past, and they were all extremely unhelpful, and even dangerous.
There was one that, hen I told them I had psychosis and needed help, went on a whole one hour rant on how I was a “starchild”?? And I had a “soul family” that wasn’t on earth??

Another one made me go through exposure therapy when I didn’t ask for it. It was like talking to a brick wall. None of them seemed qualified at all.

[mind-of-neo]

I swear to God my spidey senses for sketchy companies in marketing are insane. I can usually tell pretty quickly something is off about a company just from their marketing. Better help always seemed untrustworthy to me...

[JJ-]

The fact that some of my favorite creators keep accepting sponsorships from them is so disappointing honestly :(

[horizon]

Getting in to see a psychiatrist rather than a psychologist, or LMHC type counselor, is extremely difficult. There is a shortage of psychiatrists and they often don't provide actual talk therapy, they only prescribe and adjust medication for the average person with depression or similar level mental health issues. They often don't have the time to spend with patients that are not in a hospital or severe state of crisis.

[vivh]

My first session with a Better Help therapist was so humiliating. It was so bad that I missed my second scheduled session due to anxiety. Wasted $100 doing that. And it has turned me off from therapy since then, I don’t trust I can find the right therapist for me anymore.

[brendanwiley]

Never trust an industry that advertises "Thinking you don't need our help is proof you need our help"

[chronicallyme]

Thank you for this video…I’m a therapist and what Better Help is doing is inexcusable, unethical, and just plain immoral.

[MrSomethingred]

Good work on all but the last segment. Psychiatrists arnt therapists, and psychologists arnt a sub-par replacement for a psychiatrist, they are different jobs.

Seeing a psychiatrist is more like seeing any other doctor who prescribes medication.

[katangel]

Ive had 3 therapists. One was in person, in a hospital, and he was so incredibly unhelpful the entire time. Didnt help me at ALL, just sat there and listened and just confirmed whatever I said before the end of the session. No tools, no coping mechanisms, nothing to work on, nothing to challenege my already negative thinking.

But the two therapists Ive had on BetterHelp have helped me make leaps and bounds in my mental health comparitively. I was actually given work sheets. Coping strategies that I could try when upset or anxious or severely depressed.

They tried to figure out the reason why I was thinking like this and work on the cause, not only the effect. While it cucks that many people in the comment section have had shitty therapists on the site, they also could have changed therapists and tried another immediately

[MrBendybruce]

I really hate it when some of my favorite content providers start shilling companies like this. I don't know, it kind of damages the authenticity and makes it feel like they are really just in it for the money, Especially when they do the slick segues into the advertisements, which only serves to highlight how they have manicured the content to fit the advertising.

[NatalieMarie]

BetterHelp has a VERY poor reputation among licensed therapists, I can tell you that.

And of the therapists who are on there, I’ve heard way too many stories and complaints of therapists not behaving ethically or performing up to the basic standards of practice (e.g., not keeping notes, abandoning clients, not showing up for appointments, multitasking, etc).

[KevinsGuides]

Good points but I think you could have used different terminology in your psychologist vs psychiatrist segment. Most therapists that you talk to say they’re therapists, not psychologists. The term “Psychologist” in USA usually indicates they hold a doctor of psychology, (PsyD) which is a clinical degree. While they can’t prescribe meds like psychiatrists, they are often even more qualified than psychiatrists to diagnose clinical mental health conditions and work closely with psychiatrists. Additionally, plenty of insurance companies do offer online therapy and psychiatrist access - just not through BetterHelp.

[SilverSkitty]

Therapist here, BetterHelp offered to pay me $25 a session while they pocketed the remaining $55. They’re ripping off clients AND therapists. So glad the lawsuit happened!

[mattdixon]

Most psychiatrists don’t actually practice psychology, they only handle the medication for mental disorders, which isn’t always a solution. Psychologist are the professionals that are licensed to provide therapy, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders. You wouldn’t just go to a psychiatrist most would have you see a therapist first