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Terms of service

BetterHelp

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Score57.0
Reviewed
Policy typeTerms of service
Concern findings5
Protections0
Source supportStrong

Source provenance

Verified official source
Retrieved
Published

Snapshot hash b68fa64f5f145efbde2b73503eed27ce9aaa9501f8fe56405347ec1871748f8e

Snapshot of the source text at fetch time, not a live mirror of the policy page.

Plain-English summary

The service is not equipped for emergencies such as suicidal thoughts or self-harm (risk_flags-1), nor for formal diagnoses or specific documentation like court-ordered therapy (risk_flags-2). Users are explicitly advised not to delay in-person professional care based on information received through the platform (risk_flags-3). Additionally, all disputes are subject to binding arbitration and include a class action waiver (gotchas-1).

95% confidence

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Risks of Service Use

Critical issues or limitations that could pose significant risks to users. These often relate to service reliability, emergency care, or critical medical disclaimers.

high95% confidence

Platform is not for emergencies

The platform is not designed for use in emergencies such as suicidal thoughts, self-harm, harm to others, or any medical emergency, and therapists cannot provide assistance in these cases.

Why it matters: Users in crisis or experiencing medical emergencies cannot rely on the platform for immediate help, and attempting to use it in these situations is at the user's own risk.

IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT SUICIDE OR IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING HARMING YOURSELF OR OTHERS OR IF YOU FEEL THAT ANY OTHER PERSON MAY BE IN ANY DANGER OR IF YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL EMERGENCY, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY CALL YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES NUMBER AND NOTIFY THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES ([click here for a link to emergency and crisis resources in your area](https://www.betterhelp.com/gethelpnow)). THE PLATFORM IS NOT DESIGNED FOR USE IN ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED CASES AND THE THERAPISTS CANNOT PROVIDE THE ASSISTANCE REQUIRED IN ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED CASES. IF YOU PROCEED TO USE THE PLATFORM NOTWITHSTANDING THIS NOTICE, YOU DO SO ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

The Terms and Conditions, paragraph 11 · Citation strength: strong

high95% confidence

Platform unsuitable for formal diagnoses or specific documentation

The platform is not intended for clinical diagnosis requiring an in-person evaluation, nor should it be used for official documentation or approvals for purposes like court-ordered therapy or emotional service dog certification.

Why it matters: Users needing a formal clinical diagnosis, court-ordered therapy documentation, or certifications for emotional service animals will not have their needs met by this platform.

THE PLATFORM IS NOT INTENDED FOR THE PROVISION OF CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS REQUIRING AN IN-PERSON EVALUATION AND YOU SHOULD NOT USE IT IF YOU NEED ANY OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION OR APPROVALS FOR PURPOSES SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COURT-ORDERED THERAPY OR EMOTIONAL SERVICE DOG CERTIFICATION.

The Terms and Conditions, paragraph 11 · Citation strength: strong

high95% confidence

Discourages delaying in-person care

Users should not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining in-person care from a doctor or other qualified professional based on information or advice received through the platform.

Why it matters: Users who rely solely on the platform's advice and delay professional in-person medical care may experience adverse health outcomes.

DO NOT DISREGARD, AVOID, OR DELAY IN OBTAINING IN-PERSON CARE FROM YOUR DOCTOR OR OTHER QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL BECAUSE OF INFORMATION OR ADVICE YOU RECEIVED THROUGH THE PLATFORM.

The Terms and Conditions, paragraph 12 · Citation strength: strong

Data Use & Privacy

How the reviewed entity collects, uses, shares, and protects user data. This includes details on privacy policies, data security measures, and data retention practices.

low95% confidence

Agreement to Privacy Policy

By agreeing to the main Agreement or using the Platform, users also agree to the terms of the Privacy Policy.

Why it matters: Users are bound by the Privacy Policy as a condition of using the service, even if they have not explicitly reviewed it separately.

BY AGREEING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND/OR BY USING THE PLATFORM, YOU ARE ALSO AGREEING TO THE TERMS OF THE PRIVACY POLICY. THE PRIVACY POLICY IS INCORPORATED INTO AND DEEMED A PART OF THIS AGREEMENT. THE SAME RULES THAT APPLY REGARDING CHANGES AND REVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT ALSO APPLY TO CHANGES AND REVISIONS OF THE PRIVACY POLICY.

Privacy and Security, paragraph 2 · Citation strength: strong

Cancellation, Suspension, & Renewal

Terms related to how users can cancel their accounts, the conditions under which services may be suspended or terminated, and automatic renewal policies.

Looking good

No billing surprises spotted

Verbaterm only flags concerns it can cite. No cancellation, auto-renewal, or refund terms needed attention here.

Gotchas

Potentially overlooked clauses that could disadvantage users, such as limitations of liability, arbitration clauses, or unexpected fees.

high95% confidence

Binding Arbitration and Class Action Waiver

The agreement is subject to binding arbitration and includes a class action waiver, meaning disputes will be resolved individually through arbitration rather than in court or via class action.

Mandatory arbitrationClass-action waiver

Why it matters: Users waive their right to a trial by jury and cannot participate in class action lawsuits against the company, potentially limiting their legal recourse.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: THIS AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO BINDING ARBITRATION AND A CLASS ACTION WAIVER AS DETAILED IN SECTION 7.

The Terms and Conditions, paragraph 3 · Citation strength: strong

Protections

These are the good clauses, the policies designed to protect you, give you control, or (potentially) save you money.

Looking good

No source-backed concerns shown

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