Calmerry vs. BetterHelp: Finding the Right Online Therapy Fit

The rise of online therapy has made getting mental health support more accessible than ever before. In 2020, about 66% of people aged 18-29 and 36% of adults aged 65 and older have used telehealth services for mental health care needs.

Two of the popular virtual counseling platforms are Calmerry and BetterHelp, but they differ in several key ways.

With over 4.7 million users having tried BetterHelp since its launch in 2013, and Calmerry rapidly gaining popularity after entering the market in 2020 among individuals and businesses, let's take a deeper look at how these online therapy services compare.

What is Calmerry?

Launched in 2020, Calmerry is a relative newcomer to the online therapy space, yet quite well-known. It specializes in providing personalized counseling and therapy services through live video sessions and asynchronous unlimited messaging.

A major draw is Calmerry's rapid therapist matching process, which typically takes just 1-2 hours to carefully pair you with a counselor suited to your needs and preferences.

The platform also includes a variety of free self-help tools like mood trackers, journaling activities, and library with expert resources to supplement the therapy experience. This allows a more comprehensive approach to improving your mental health.

Also, the company has a strong focus on providing online therapy, counseling, and coaching services for companies and their employees.

What is BetterHelp?

One of the largest and most well-established online therapy names, BetterHelp has been offering virtual therapy and counseling services since 2013.

In addition to individual therapy for adults, they provide specialized counseling options for couples, teens, and online group sessions.

With its size, BetterHelp can offer therapists with highly specialized expertise in focused areas.

Pricing

Calmerry offers subscription plans ranging from $198 to $360 per month, with pricing determined by how many live video therapy sessions are included (from unlimited messaging only up to 4 video sessions + messaging).

In contrast, BetterHelp charges a flat $65-$100 per week, billed monthly, for unlimited messaging therapy and 1 live video with a counselor. Prices depend on your location.

Insurance Coverage & Pricing Assistance

Currently, Calmerry does not accept any forms of insurance to cover the costs. However, they are working on partnerships to potentially add this option in the future.

BetterHelp has established relationships with some major insurance providers and offers financial aid.

Calmerry also offers financial aid pricing with discounts up to 30% off for the first 3 months for those who qualify based on income level.

Communication Options

Both Calmerry and BetterHelp provide live video sessions and unlimited asynchronous messaging with your therapist, ensuring ongoing check-ins and support between live sessions.

Where they differ is that Calmerry is more focused on these two communication methods plus free self-guided activities, while BetterHelp has more varied options like phone calls and online counseling "groupinars" in addition to standard messaging and video.

Therapist Qualifications

Regarding the quality of online therapists, both platforms employ skilled, licensed, and accredited mental health professionals such as psychologists, marriage/family therapists, clinical social workers, and professional counselors.

Therapists are trained in evidence-based methods like CBT, DBT, and others.

Calmerry claims 75% of clients report being satisfied with the therapist they were matched with based on the platform's personalized onboarding questions.

BetterHelp has an extremely large network of over 35,000 therapists across a wide range of specialties. You can find the directory of their therapists on their website.

Mental Health Problems Treated

Both Calmerry and BetterHelp offer therapy services for a variety of mental health issues. Here are the specific conditions they address.

Calmerry:

●     Anxiety

●     Depression

●     Relationship problems

●     Self-esteem issues

●     Anger management

●     Sexuality issues

●     Emotional abuse

●     Grief and loss

●     Career issues

●     Sleeping problems

●     PTSD

●     ADHD

●     Stress management

●     Eating disorders

●     Substance use disorders

●     Bipolar disorder

●     Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

●     Panic disorders

●     Phobias

●     LGBTQIA2S+ counseling

BetterHelp:

●     Teen counseling

●     Couples therapy

●     Depression

●     Anxiety

●     Stress

●     Relationship issues

●     Grief and loss

●     Self-esteem problems

●     Anger management

●     Family conflicts

●     Eating disorders

●     Addiction and substance abuse

●     Trauma and PTSD

●     Career difficulties

●     Bipolar disorder

●     Sleep issues

●     LGBTQIA2S+ counseling

And these lists are not comprehensive.

Privacy & Security

Both Calmerry and BetterHelp are HIPAA-compliant and use encryption protocols to protect client data.

However, the Federal Trade Commission accused BetterHelp of mishandling consumers' private health information. This could be a consideration for those prioritizing discretion.

Additional Services

While both provide standard individual online therapy through messaging and video sessions, Calmerry includes a variety of free supplemental tools and activities like self-help webinars, guided journaling, mood trackers, assessments, and more.

BetterHelp focuses more solely on core online therapy services, though they offer online "groupinar" sessions in addition to individual, teen, and couples counseling.

User Experience

In terms of the actual user experience, Calmerry has built its platform interface around creating a simple, calm, and supportive environment that is focused on therapeutic engagement. The clean design and free self-help tools create an immersive experience.

BetterHelp is also praised for its modern, intuitive interface that makes navigation easy and allows for multiple communication methods.

Customer Support

Calmerry has superfast customer support available through email, phone, and a live chat feature during business hours if you need any assistance.

BetterHelp provides phone support along with the ability to communicate via messaging/email with their support staff.

The Bottom Line

When choosing an online therapy platform, considerations like pricing, communication preferences, therapist specialties, and overall user experience will likely guide your decision.

For those prioritizing more affordable costs, quick therapist matching, and free supplemental self-help tools, Calmerry may be an ideal fit.

If you value varied communication options like phone calls or need couples or teen counseling, BetterHelp's versatility could be the way to go.

Ultimately, it's about finding the platform best suited to your individual needs and preferences.

If you’re looking to start online therapy, we have a promo code for you to start with 25% off your first month on Calmerry. Apply CHOSEN25 at checkout and click this link.