BetterHelp vs. First Session

The answering to that question is “it depends.” Research shows that one of the defining features of productive therapy is consistent work with a single Therapist over the long-term. With that in mind, both in-person and online therapy can be equally as effective. However, it depends entirely on the online therapy platform chosen and the quality of the client-therapist relationship.

For example, BetterHelp does not emphasize the importance of client-therapist fit, and instead focuses on instantly matching therapy seekers with a Therapist. It’s a trial and error process that is time-consuming and less likely to produce impactful results.

Other platforms like First Session place big emphasis on client-therapist fit, with the goal of matching therapy seekers to a single Therapist for the long-term.

In cases like First Session, the quality and impact of online therapy can match that of an in-person client-therapist relationship. And, of course, some individuals prefer in-person therapy — it’s entirely subjective.

To summarize, both can be equally as effective as long as you pay close attention to the quality and approach to therapy of an online platform.

In most cases, yes! However, it’s important to note that every employee insurance policy is different. It’s increasingly common (if not the norm) for employee insurance programs to cover online therapy.

As a Step 1, we highly recommend consulting your specific policy or checking in with an HR representative to confirm coverage before booking for any online therapy platform.

For Step 2, you need to check if the online platform of your choice is eligible for insurance coverage or reimbursement. BetterHelp, for example, is not compatible with any insurance plan, so is not eligible for any form of reimbursement or coverage.

On the other hand, First Session is eligible for coverage with the majority of Canadian insurance policy providers and even provides direct billing in many cases.

Step 3, check your coverage for the required Therapist designation or license to ensue coverage (ex. Registered Social Worker, Registered Clinical Counsellor).

First Session makes this process easy by providing explicit details in each Therapist profile page. Check in Insurance Coverage, to see what designations/coverage they fall under.

If you’re unsure about coverage, you should ask your benefits provider whether they cover that specific designation of therapist or counsellor. You can also read this guide for more info.

At First Session, we believe finding the right fit in a Therapist is the most important factor to feeling better and having a successful outcome from therapy.

Numerous research studies have proven that forming a strong client-Therapist relationship is more important than the type of therapy used.

To help you assess fit, every Therapist listed on First Session has a short introductory video you can watch to get a sense for who they are.

We’ve also put together a thorough guide to help you find the right Therapist, determine what the different designations mean, and what you should be looking for when assessing fit. Find the guide here.

Absolutely. We understand that one’s cultural background, age, sexuality, or gender identity can bring unique elements to the process of therapy.

To support every therapy seeker, we actively work to build a highly diverse and inclusive community of therapists.

For questions or feedback on how we can improve these element of the process, send us a message.

First Session therapists support individuals, couples, and families.

Every First Session therapist is accredited and insured to provide online and/or in-person therapy.

Designations of First Session therapists and counsellors include:

• Psychotherapists
• Psychotherapists (qualifying)
• Social Workers
• Clinical Counsellors
• Psychologists
• Canadian Certified Counsellors
• Provisional Psychologists