Starting a practice

Therapist reviews: Headway vs. BetterHelp

Whether you’re a seasoned provider or just starting your practice, our analysis provides transparency so you can make the decision that works best for you.

March 21, 2025

5 min read

These days, therapists practice in a digital world. Especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth appointments are standard for therapists and their clients. These online sessions are often easier for patients to schedule and attend, making high-quality mental health care more convenient and accessible.

Teletherapy offers real benefits for therapists, too. Working with an online therapy platform is a great way for clinicians to expand their reach, ultimately growing their practice and boosting their earnings potential. There are numerous online therapy platforms out there, but this article will review two — Headway and BetterHelp — from the provider perspective to help you decide which is right for your practice.

Can platforms like this actually benefit your therapy practice?

In a word: yes. Whether you’re newly licensed or a seasoned professional, online therapy platforms can transform your practice and help it grow. Among others, benefits include:

Transparent pay

Online therapy platforms can help you secure transparent, consistent, and competitive pay, growing your earnings without stress.

In-network growth

Many clinicians choose to use a private pay model rather than deal with the hassles of insurance — but doing so limits their pool of patients to those who can afford to pay out-of-pocket. By working with an online therapy platform that has existing relationships with insurance providers, you can join more insurance panels, thereby reaching more potential clients, without the headache.

Client acquisition

Meet patients where they are: online. Working with an online therapy platform gets your profile in front of more prospective clients from all over the country. Increased online visibility means more inquiries, leads, and referrals.

Headache-free billing

You probably didn’t become a therapist because you love accounting. Take billing off your plate by working with a platform that has built-in payment and record-keeping features.

Practice in-network with confidence

Simplify insurance and save time on your entire workflow — from compliance and billing to credentialing and admin.

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Quick overview: BetterHelp and Headway comparison

Pricing

BetterHelp: Free to join

Headway: Free to join

Insurance

BetterHelp: Insurance is not accepted

Headway: Works with 45+ top insurance plans

Credentials

BetterHelp: Does not assist with credentialing

Headway: Fully handles insurance credentialing for therapists, allowing credentials in multiple states in as little as 30 days

EHRs

BetterHelp: Offers an EHR

Headway: Built-in EHR features with templates for note-taking and compliance

Pay schedule

BetterHelp: Pays therapists every week

Headway: Pays therapists every two weeks

Resources

BetterHelp: Free access to continuing education

Headway: Up to 150 hours of free continuing education courses through Headway Academy

So, which one’s better?

Ultimately, deciding whether BetterHelp, Headway, or another online therapy platform is right for you depends on the unique needs of your practice and your personal preferences. But here are some major factors to consider.

Best for private practice

Headway is a great option for clinicians in private practice, allowing them to expand their patient pool while helping existing clients transition smoothly with personal outreach and clear communication every step of the way. Providers choose Headway for transparent pay, in-network growth, and long-term support to help their practice thrive.

Best for therapists who take insurance

Unlike other online therapy platforms, Headway allows providers to accept a wide range of insurance panels, increasing patient access. Headway currently partners with major providers, including Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare.

Best for private pay therapists

Headway makes it easy to offer private pay services and to work with insurance panels — with no headache or added work for clinicians. Providers love that Headway takes on billing and insurance hassles, giving them more time to grow their practice and focus on care.

In the end, it’s all personal preference.

No single platform is right for every therapist. Which one you choose will depend on your practice area, expertise, goals, and personal preferences. But no matter which one you ultimately choose, an online therapy platform can open up new possibilities for your clinical work.

How does Headway compare to other options?

Want to learn more about other therapy platform options so you can find the one that’s right for you? Explore our other comparison articles below.

Choose Headway as your next therapy platform

Joining the Headway network is an easy, flexible, and cost-effective way to offer teletherapy services. Thanks to a streamlined credentialing process and access to numerous insurance panels, you’ll be set up to see patients in multiple states in a matter of weeks, growing your client base and helping more people access affordable, high-quality care.

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This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute clinical, legal, financial, or professional advice. All decisions should be made at the discretion of the individual or organization, in consultation with qualified clinical, legal, or other appropriate professionals.

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Starting a practice

Therapist reviews: Headway vs. BetterHelp