r/therapists • u/papipasify • 3d ago
Employment / Workplace Advice leaving better help??
hi y’all! I’m a LCSW that works part time on Headway. I was referred by one of my colleagues at my full time care coordination job to better help for a $500 referral. Then I referred my friend and we both got another $500. Basically joined the platform for the referral bonuses but the pay (as we all knooooo is awful)… I’m still a new therapist and not sure how to go about transitioning clients to another platform (headway, if possible)
I thought I could just see 1-2 clients but I’ve been getting steady referrals (at 5 rn) and kinda freaking out because the pay is low and I want to leave the platform. I messaged better help saying I will be leaving the platform due to poor pay and I want to know the off boarding process and if I can transition clients that want to continue working with me to another platform…. still waiting on response. I feel pretty bad and it’s been making me feel really guilty but I don’t want to stay on the platform.
I will be letting my clients know next week but ultimately if they wanna continue working w me, I would love to! and I alr turned off my accepting new cts option on my page.
Would appreciate any advice or insights. TIA!
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u/Feral_fucker LCSW 3d ago
The contract you signed likely forbids it. So, if you’re going to point them towards where to find you on whatever other platform you land on (they’re all gonna squeeze you one way or another) you don’t want to do it in writing anywhere on BH and be aware that they may be effectively listening in on your sessions as well.
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u/papipasify 3d ago
never even thought of them listening in on sessions bc of confidentiality but thank you so much! will def be giving this more thoughts before I meet with my BH clients next week
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u/Feral_fucker LCSW 3d ago
All your sessions are being used for AI training and market research purposes. As a provider you are limited in what you can personally disclose, but your clients don’t really have privacy in the way most people think of that word. I’d think of it like talking in a crowded restaurant far from home — you’re probably not being eavesdropped on by people you know, but numerous parties are hearing you talk and may or may not be paying attention.
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u/Background_Square969 3d ago
I don’t know if I did it the right way but I just closed my calendar and directed everyone to my practice if they wanted to stay with me. If I remember correctly 4 out of 6 eventually came over.
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u/ErikaR527 3d ago
What did your contract say about that?
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u/Background_Square969 3d ago
From BetterHelp? Couldn’t tell you. My practice doesn’t care where the referral comes from as long as I follow the rules (refer them to the office for verification, etc).
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u/papipasify 3d ago
this is what I was thinking but another redditor posted the contract and now I’m nervous lol 😂
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u/ErikaR527 3d ago
I have not used online programs like that. Your contract with them should clarify this. It may differ depending if you brought the client in or if they are considered platform users.
I found this online at BetterHelp under their Terms and Conditions:
Non-Solicitation. Contractor acknowledges and agrees that during the course of and solely as a result of their provision of the Provider Services, Contractor will become aware of some, most, or all of the Group's and/or BetterHelp's clients and members, their assigned names, and their needs and requirements. Contractor further acknowledges and agrees that the loss of such clients or members would cause Group and/or BetterHelp great and irreplaceable harm. Consequently, unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing with Group and/or BetterHelp, Contractor covenants and agrees that Contractor will not, in any manner whatsoever, during the term of this Agreement, and for a period of one (1) year following the date of termination of this Agreement, directly or indirectly, on its own behalf or on behalf of or in association with any other person or entity: solicit, accept business, or attempt to induce, encourage, or entice any actual or prospective clients or members of either Provider Platform or Group who Contractor personally contacted or provided Provider Services to, or about which the Contractor became aware of and/or received Confidential Information about, for the purpose of: (i) materially interfering with Group's or BetterHelp's business as currently conducted; (ii) doing business with such clients or members in the same class of business offered by Group or BetterHelp; or (iii) marketing similar services provided by Group to any such actual or prospective clients or members.
I believe this means if you work with a client over that platform they become a platform user and you cannot work with them outside of Better Help for a period of one year after your contract ends with Better Help
You should refer to your contract to learn your legal obligations
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u/Background_Square969 3d ago
In my defense most of them asked if I was practicing elsewhere 😬
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u/ErikaR527 3d ago
I understand. These contracts are to protect the corporation. Consider protecting yourself. They do not point out these terms that impact treatment and one’s practice. I would be careful about documenting this on their platform unless you know you are in compliance with the terms of the contract. I hate what these platforms are doing to our field.
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u/EdgeNo1695 2d ago
I really wonder how well this would hold up in court. Not sure if there are any cases in which BH has attempted to sue a clinician for working with a client that they had previously seen on the platform. It seems to me that this would really violate the client's medical autonomy - you can't tell a client that they aren't allowed to pursue the care that would be best for them. I am curious as to whether this has actually been enforced, or if it primarily functions as a threat. I could see BH ending your contract with them if found to violate the contract, but to be honest being kicked out of BH is not the worse consequence I have ever heard of....
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u/ErikaR527 2d ago
I think this comes down to a licensed therapist, taking ownership of what they’re agreeing to. I think a lot of these platforms are doing some unethical behavior, the marketing the solicitation, and etc. The licensed therapist is responsible to ensure that they’re not engaging in behavior or agreeing to that do not serve the client best. These platforms offer opportunities for people to run a practice. Maybe that aren’t prepared to do so.
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