You’ve taken the first step to improve your mental health by signing up with BetterHelp. Based on the information you provided, you’ve been paired with a counselor, but what comes next? What can you expect from your first BetterHelp therapy session?
If you’re feeling intimidated or nervous, that’s completely understandable. One common reason people seek out counseling is that they don’t feel comfortable discussing certain situations or concerns with loved ones, so how will you possibly be able to talk about these things with a therapist you don’t know?
Take a deep breath.
Most counselors won’t ask you to share anything you’re not comfortable with in your first BetterHelp phone or video session or messaging exchange. As with almost any therapy, difficult questions will likely not be addressed until after you and the counselor have developed a rapport and have established a trust-based relationship.
Is BetterHelp Legit?
Yes, BetterHelp therapy is a legitimate platform. Setting up an initial session in your BetterHelp therapy room may seem unusual if you’ve gone through traditional in-person therapy, or even if you’ve just seen a patient lying on a therapist’s couch in one too many movies or TV shows. But BetterHelp is legit.
BetterHelp counselors include psychologists, marriage and family counselors, and clinical social workers, all accredited and licensed in their respective fields. Each holds a master’s degree or doctorate in their speciality and has a minimum of three years and 1,000 hours of experience, and all therapists undergo a background check.
Several independent studies have confirmed the effectiveness of online therapy platforms. In one such study, researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, University of California, San Francisco, and San Francisco General Hospital found that “users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform.” And it’s easy to find glowing testimonials from BetterHelp users on the company website as well as countless articles and BetterHelp reviews.
So you can feel good when you set up your initial virtual, phone, or messaging meeting.
Prepping for the Session
If you’ve opted for a phone or live virtual session, the counselor may have you complete intake forms prior to the first session. This varies from practitioner to practitioner, but if your counselor would like to have some background information ahead of the session, make sure to complete it. They’ll likely review your answers ahead of time and may use the information to help guide the session. For people who may be more comfortable writing things down then than verbalizing them, messaging your therapist ahead of time can also be an opportunity to articulate your concerns.
One of the benefits of BetterHelp therapy over in-person counseling is that it allows you to meet with a therapist who might be a long distance from your home and to hold meetings at times that are convenient to both of you.
While you may not have to worry about getting lost in an unfamiliar area or finding parking, it’s still a good idea to allow some time ahead of the initial meeting to prepare.
Review your BetterHelp provider login and make sure you have any relevant information. Find your ideal location to hold your session. You certainly don’t need a therapist’s couch, but choose a place you can relax. Perhaps there’s a favorite chair where you feel comfortable and would like to sit and hold your cellphone or tablet. Or maybe you’d prefer to set up your device or computer on a desk so you can be hands-free. If you want privacy away from family or roommates, choose a spot that allows for that. Deciding these things ahead of time may help to alleviate some of your initial anxiety.
You’ll also want to make sure your device is charged and ready to go.
Meet and Greet
Much like meeting a new acquaintance or co-worker, the first BetterHelp session is often an introduction where you and the counselor get to know each other and make sure you’re a good fit.
Your therapist will likely begin by introducing themself and possibly offer a bit about their background. They’ll likely ask you some basic biographical questions about your life, work, family, and health or if you’ve had any major changes recently. If you exchanged information or messaged ahead of time, they may have follow-up questions.
Your therapist may ask questions about why you’re seeking therapy at this time and what you hope to accomplish in your sessions. You may talk about goals — depending on your reasons for seeking therapy, this might include behavioral patterns you’d like to change, or learning new coping mechanisms to deal with certain situations.
Answering the questions as truthfully and thoroughly as you can may expedite the introductory process and give the therapist an idea of where to begin and how to structure your sessions. As you become more comfortable together, your counselor may begin to ask about more difficult topics, although that might not come until a later session.
You’ll likely be given a chance to ask your therapist questions about their background as well. Don’t be afraid to be honest about any concerns. You may also ask about BetterHelp pricing or BetterHelp discount codes.
During the discussion, it’s not uncommon for the therapist to suggest some additional resources that might be helpful to you. These might include relevant books, articles, or tools — such as an emotion wheel — that may help you better communicate during future sessions. The therapist might even give you homework — maybe keeping a journal of times you experience a particular emotion — for your next session.
Those unfamiliar with therapy may have somewhat unrealistic expectations, but it’s highly unlikely you’ll be “healed” in your first session.
A first session is primarily an opportunity for you and a BetterHelp therapist to get to know each other and come up with a plan for treatment. In your subsequent sessions or messages, you and your counselor can build on that initial meeting and continue on your therapy journey.
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