On March 2, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) took action against BetterHelp for sharing sensitive mental health data with advertisers like Facebook and Snapchat, despite their promises to keep it private. This breach of trust has led to BetterHelp being ordered to pay $7.8 million to affected consumers and to stop these privacy violations.
Given these concerns, you might want to cancel your BetterHelp subscription and get a refund. This guide will walk you through the steps on how to cancel BetterHelp, helping you protect your personal information and peace of mind. Let’s make sure your mental health journey stays private and secure.
How to Cancel Betterhelp Subscription
Here are the steps to cancel BetterHelp subscription online:
- Log in to https://www.betterhelp.com/login/
- Click on the dropdown arrow next to your name
- Click Account SettingsÂ
- Go to Payment Settings
- Click Change Plan/Quit CounselingÂ
- Choose Quit Counseling from the choices provided
- Fill out the questionnaire
- Click Quit Counseling
Alternatively, you can contact them via email at [email protected] or fill up their contact form on their website.
💡 Note: Your cancellation isn’t immediate; it aligns with BetterHelp’s billing cycle. So, if you cancel two days before your renewal, you’ll still have access for those two days. If you cancel three weeks before, you’ll have access for those three weeks. Plan your cancellation to avoid paying for extra time you don’t need.
How do I delete a BetterHelp account?
- Log in to https://www.betterhelp.com/login/
- Click on the dropdown arrow next to your name
- Click Account SettingsÂ
- Scroll down
- Click Delete Account
- Follow the prompts
- Provide any required information
- Click Confirm
BetterHelp Terms & Conditions
Here are the Important Highlights from the Terms and Conditions:
1. Binding Arbitration and Class Action Waiver: You’ll be agreeing to binding arbitration and giving up your right to participate in a class action lawsuit.
2. Therapist Requirements:
- For US-based Therapists: Therapists are accredited, trained, and experienced licensed professionals like psychologists, LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCs, or similar.
- For non-US-based Therapists: They need to be registered, trained, and experienced in their field, with relevant academic degrees and at least three years of experience.
3. Therapist Independence: Therapists on BetterHelp are independent providers, not employees or agents of BetterHelp. They’re responsible for their own services.
4. Privacy and Security: BetterHelp takes your privacy seriously. By using the platform, you agree to their Privacy Policy, which outlines how your data is protected.
5. Intellectual Property: BetterHelp owns all rights to the platform and its related intellectual property. You’re given a limited license to use the platform for personal, non-commercial use.
6. Subscription and Billing:
- Automatic Renewal: Your subscription will automatically renew until you cancel it.
- Cancellation: You can cancel your subscription anytime, but make sure to do it before the renewal date to avoid being charged for the next billing cycle. Unused sessions do not roll over to the next billing cycle.
- Free Trials: Sometimes free trials are offered. After the trial period ends, the paid membership will start following a notice to you.
7. Account Responsibility:
- Confidentiality: Keep your account and password information confidential.
- Liability: You’re responsible for all activities that occur under your account.
8. Modifications and Interruptions: BetterHelp may change, suspend, or discontinue the platform at any time. They aim for reliability but can’t guarantee 100% uptime.
9. Notices: BetterHelp will communicate any important information via email, regular mail, or by posting it online.
10. California Residents Notice: If you’re in California, you can contact the Board of Behavioral Sciences for complaints regarding licensed therapists.
11. Governing Law: The agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, and any legal actions will take place in California courts.
12. Changes to the Agreement: BetterHelp may update the terms, and it’s a good idea to check for updates regularly.
Can I Get a Refund from BetterHelp?
BetterHelp offers refunds in some cases, especially if something beyond your control happens. If technical issues or other problems prevent you from starting therapy right away, they are usually good about giving refunds or extending your subscription.
For example, if your therapist can’t start sessions for a few weeks, reach out to customer service, and they might help.
You might also get a refund if your first therapist isn’t a good fit and it takes time to find another. However, they’re less likely to refund if you simply don’t want to use the rest of your subscription period. But if you have a valid reason for canceling early, it’s worth asking.
Is It Easy to Cancel BetterHelp Subscription?
Yes, canceling BetterHelp is simple. Just a few quick clicks and answering a few questions, and you’re done. The exit questionnaire helps BetterHelp understand why you’re leaving.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’ve had a good experience, consider letting your therapist know you’re planning to quit. If not, or if you only saw them a couple of times, it’s okay to just cancel.
Talking it over with your therapist can bring closure instead of leaving things hanging. And don’t feel bad about quitting therapy. Reflecting on your progress can actually feel really good.
BetterHelp Customer Experiences and Feedback
We’ve gathered some feedback from BetterHelp customers:
Complicated Cancellation Process:
- Users need to press “Quit Therapy” four times to actually stop the subscription.
- The “Continue” button during unsubscription is misleadingly labeled as “Cancel/Don’t Quit.”
User Frustration:
- Many users are frustrated with the tricky cancellation process.
Negative Experiences:
- Some users faced technical issues and logistical challenges, making it hard to start therapy right away.
- Several users found the therapy to be unprofessional and underwhelming.
- Complaints about BetterHelp being labeled as a scam and unethical practices.
- Problems with automatic renewals and difficulties in getting refunds.
Customer Feedback:
- One user reported being charged nearly $1,000 due to difficulty canceling the subscription.
- Another user mentioned that receiving messages from a therapist led to the automatic renewal of their subscription.
- Comments highlight that BetterHelp exploits vulnerable people seeking mental health support.
Best Alternatives to BetterHelp
If you’re looking for different online therapy options, there are several great alternatives to BetterHelp. Here are some popular choices that might better suit your needs:
- Connect with licensed therapists through text, audio, and video messaging.
- Great for various mental health issues.
- Offers online therapy and medication management.
- Focuses on conditions like anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
- Free emotional support from trained listeners.
- Paid sessions are available with licensed therapists.
- Tailored for the LGBTQ+ community.
- Support through text, video, and phone sessions.
- Specializes in relationship and couples counseling.
- Therapy is available via text, audio, and video messaging.
- Offers a broad range of telehealth services, including mental health.
- Therapy and psychiatry sessions via video call.
Related article: How to Cancel The Joint Chiropractic Membership
Summary
Due to the privacy concerns raised by the FTC, you might want to cancel your BetterHelp subscription and get a refund.
It’s simple to cancel: log in to your account, go to Account Settings, navigate to Payment Settings, click Change Plan/Quit Counseling, select Quit Counseling, and complete the questionnaire. You can also contact BetterHelp via email or their contact form.
Keep in mind that cancellations align with BetterHelp’s billing cycle, so plan accordingly.
