New data highlighting the scale of mental health challenges across England has cast a spotlight on the growing role of accessible digital services. According to the charity Mind, as of September 2025, one in five people in any given week in England experiences a common mental health problem like anxiety or depression. The same report notes that annually, one in four people in England will face a mental health issue.
A Digital Lifeline for Mental Wellbeing
With the NHS reporting 2.15 million people in contact with mental health services at the end of September 2025, platforms that remove barriers of cost and stigma are increasingly vital. Online counselling service BetterHelp is one such platform, allowing individuals to access support from the privacy of their own homes. The service connects users with a network of over 30,000 trained counsellors and therapists through an online platform for talking therapies.
BetterHelp facilitates connection in four primary ways: scheduled video call sessions, audio-only phone sessions, live chat sessions, and asynchronous in-app messaging. The video format is likened to a FaceTime or Zoom call, providing the closest experience to in-person therapy. Audio sessions connect users via phone without revealing their number to the therapist, while live chat offers real-time, text-based conversation during a session.
How the Service Works and What It Costs
The platform states that matching with a mental health professional can take as little as 48 hours. Once matched, users can engage in weekly live sessions via their preferred medium and enjoy unlimited messaging between scheduled appointments. All counsellors on BetterHelp are required to have a minimum of three years' experience and hold verified UK credentials, such as being a Registered Member of the BACP or accredited with the NCPS or HCPC.
Subscription pricing is variable, typically ranging from £40 to £70 per week, billed every four weeks. This fee includes access to over 100 live group sessions, plus digital resources and worksheets. The service emphasises flexibility, allowing users to switch therapists at any time or cancel their membership if needed.
User Reviews Highlight Strengths and Minor Hiccups
On Trustpilot, BetterHelp holds a rating of 4.1 out of 5 from more than 9,000 reviewers. Many users commend the platform for being 'easy to access and navigate' and for successfully matching them with suitable therapists. One satisfied client shared, "I found the perfect therapist for me... I was clear about what I was looking for, and I got matched to the perfect therapist. He gets all my references and offers spot-on insights."
Another reviewer noted the cost-effectiveness, stating, "I have found it to be super affordable (much cheaper than any in-person therapists I have seen). I love all of the ways I can communicate with my therapist." Some feedback pointed to occasional technical issues, with one user mentioning rare glitches that could affect a session, but added that customer service would typically compensate by providing a free session or extending membership.
For those seeking alternatives, mental health charity Mind also recommends apps like Gro Health, which offers meditations and mindfulness tools from £59 per month, and the Holly Health Habit Coach app, which helps build healthier habits and offers a two-week free trial.
