BetterHelp offers refunds under specific conditions, but the process and what you get back depends on when you request it and what you've already used

BetterHelp is a subscription service for therapy and counseling, not a one-time purchase. You pay a weekly fee (typically $60 to $90 per week, though this varies) for access to a licensed therapist. Because it's subscription-based, refunds work differently than they would for a product you buy once. The company does issue refunds, but only within a narrow window and only if you haven't started using the service yet.

If you've already had sessions with a therapist, you cannot get a refund for those sessions. BetterHelp treats completed therapy as a delivered service, the same way a doctor's office would not refund a completed appointment. What you can do is cancel your subscription to stop future charges.

Key Takeaways

  • BetterHelp refunds are only available within three days of purchase if you haven't had any sessions yet.
  • Once you've had a therapy session, that week's charge is non-refundable, even if you cancel when ready after.
  • You can cancel your subscription at any time to stop future weekly charges, but this does not refund past sessions.
  • If you were charged after canceling, contact BetterHelp support directly with your cancellation confirmation to dispute the charge.

The three-day window for unused subscriptions

BetterHelp's refund policy gives you three days from the date you first pay to request your money back, but only if you have not yet had a session. This means if you sign up on Monday and pay, you have until Thursday to cancel and receive a refund. After three days, or after you've had your first session with a therapist, the refund window closes.

To request this refund, you need to contact BetterHelp's support team through your account. Go to your account settings, find the help or support section, and submit a request. You'll need to explain that you want to cancel and receive a refund. BetterHelp typically processes these refunds within 5 to 10 business days, though the time it takes your bank to credit the money back to your account can add another few days.

Why sessions cannot be refunded

Once you've had a therapy session—even a brief one—BetterHelp considers that service delivered and non-refundable. This is standard across the therapy industry. A therapist has spent time with you, reviewed your information, and provided professional care. From BetterHelp's perspective, you've received the service you paid for, just as you would with an in-person therapist's appointment.

This applies even if you had only a five-minute session or felt the therapist was not a good fit. The charge for that week stands. If you want to switch therapists, BetterHelp allows you to request a different one at no extra cost, but you cannot get money back for the session you already had.

Canceling your subscription to stop future charges

Canceling your BetterHelp subscription is different from getting a refund. When you cancel, you stop paying for future weeks, but you do not get back what you've already paid. You can cancel at any time through your account settings. Look for a "Subscription" or "Billing" section, then select the option to cancel or pause your membership.

BetterHelp will ask you why you're canceling and may offer you options like pausing instead of canceling, or switching therapists. You can decline these and proceed with cancellation. Once canceled, you will not be charged again, and your access to your therapist will end (though you may still be able to view past messages, depending on your account status).

What to do if you were charged after canceling

Sometimes a charge goes through after you've canceled, usually because the cancellation didn't process in time or there was a system delay. If this happens, contact BetterHelp support when ready with the date you canceled and any confirmation email or screenshot you have. Explain that you were charged after cancellation and request a refund for that charge.

BetterHelp's support team can see your cancellation date in their system and will typically issue a refund if the charge came after you canceled. This refund usually takes 5 to 10 business days to appear in your account. If support denies the refund and you believe the charge was an error, you can also dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank.

Disputing charges with your bank or credit card

If BetterHelp support does not refund a charge you believe was unauthorized or incorrect, you have the right to dispute it with your bank or credit card company. This is called a chargeback. Contact your bank's fraud or dispute department and explain the situation—for example, that you canceled your subscription but were still charged, or that you requested a refund within three days but did not receive it.

Your bank will investigate and may reverse the charge while they look into it. BetterHelp will be notified of the dispute. Keep any emails, screenshots, or confirmation numbers from your cancellation request or refund request, as your bank may ask for evidence. The dispute process typically takes 30 to 60 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I didn't like my therapist?

No, not for the session you already had. However, you can request a different therapist at no cost. If you want to stop using BetterHelp entirely, you can cancel your subscription to prevent future charges, but the session you already completed is non-refundable.

What if I cancel but get charged one more time?

Contact BetterHelp support with your cancellation date and ask for a refund of that charge. If the charge came after your cancellation, support should refund it. If they don't, dispute the charge with your bank as unauthorized.

Do I get a refund if I pause my subscription instead of canceling?

Pausing is different from canceling. When you pause, you stop paying temporarily but keep your account active. You don't get a refund for past sessions, but you also don't lose your therapist or message history. You can resume whenever you want.

How long does a BetterHelp refund take?

Refunds issued by BetterHelp typically take 5 to 10 business days to process. After that, your bank may take another 1 to 3 business days to credit the money to your account, depending on your financial institution.