I read the reviews here and elsewhere, I saw the negativity. I should've taken everyone's advice. I'm posting this here not for sympathy, but just to share a heads up for anyone else weighing it up as an option and searching for opinions/reviews. Don't do it.

I joined today because I wanted a more informal way to help me start working through a recent bout of depression. Reviews here and elsewhere said it could be frustrating to wait for a therapist. However I thought this would be fine, since I liked the idea of their live class sessions and was happy to utilise less personal content.

I started by registering for a session today on understanding depression, several hours in advance, and felt quite motivated to be taking my first step. I showed up ahead of time, but when it hit the hour there was no sign of the host. 5 minutes passed. 10 minutes. 15. I sat there like a fool thinking, any minute now, until quarter past the hour. Nothing. From what I've seen this same host covers a majority of the other live classes, at least as of right now, which doesn't inspire confidence in this membership benefit whatsoever.

Maybe the host had a genuine reason not to make the call, and my timing was just unlucky. But not informing participants that a class isn't going ahead, especially a class aimed at those in a potentially fragile mental state, is simply unacceptable. I'm not in a terrible way mood wise luckily, and of course online therapy is not an ideal option for anyone who may be in crisis, but the fact that this little regard is given to clients who have paid up front for mental health support is so disheartening.

So, as others have said, stay away from Betterhelp. There are many other posts on this sub where users have shared some great alternatives, and I hope you'll take their advice like I didn't. 😔