What BetterUp Is and How It Delivers Coaching

BetterUp is a digital coaching platform that connects you with a professional coach through an app. You don't meet in an office — instead, you message your coach through the BetterUp app, schedule video or phone sessions, and work on personal or professional goals over weeks or months. The coaches are trained in areas like career development, resilience, productivity, and relationships.

The platform works by matching you with a coach based on what you want to work on, then giving you a structured plan. You'll typically have weekly sessions and can message your coach between sessions. BetterUp also includes exercises, articles, and reflection prompts in the app itself, so there's content available whenever you want to use it.

BetterUp is a paid service — it's not free. Some employers offer it as an employee benefit, which means your company pays for your access. If you're paying out of pocket, you'll need to know the cost before you sign up.

Key Takeaways

  • BetterUp pairs you with a professional coach who works with you through the app via messaging, video calls, or phone calls on a schedule you set.
  • The platform is designed around specific goals — career changes, building confidence, managing stress, or improving relationships — and your coach creates a plan tailored to what you want.
  • You can message your coach between scheduled sessions and access exercises and articles in the app on your own time.
  • BetterUp is a subscription service with a cost; many people access it through their employer's benefits package rather than paying individually.
  • Sessions typically happen weekly, and coaching relationships usually last several months rather than a few weeks.

How to get your free guide and What the First Session Looks Like

When you first sign up, you'll answer questions about what you want to work on — your goal might be switching careers, building leadership skills, managing anxiety, or improving how you communicate. BetterUp uses these answers to match you with a coach whose experience fits what you're looking for.

Your first session is usually a discovery call where you and your coach get to know each other. The coach will ask about your situation, what brought you to coaching, and what success looks like to you. This isn't the moment to solve your problem — it's the moment to make sure you're working with someone you trust and who understands what you need.

After that first session, your coach will propose a plan. This might include weekly video or phone calls at a set time, specific exercises to do between sessions, or articles and resources in the app related to your goal. You'll also be able to message your coach asynchronously — meaning you can send a message whenever you want, and they'll respond within a set timeframe (usually within 24 hours on business days).

What Happens During Coaching Sessions

A typical coaching session lasts 30 to 60 minutes, depending on what you and your coach agree on. The coach will ask questions to help you think through your situation differently, suggest strategies or frameworks you can try, and help you plan concrete next steps. Coaching is not therapy — the coach isn't diagnosing or treating mental health conditions, but rather helping you move toward a goal you've set.

Between sessions, you'll usually have homework. This might be trying out a new communication approach at work, journaling about a decision you're facing, or completing an exercise in the app that builds a specific skill. The homework is designed to create change outside the coaching session, not just during it.

As you progress, your coach will check in on what's working and what isn't, and adjust the plan. If you're not seeing progress toward your goal after a few weeks, a good coach will ask whether the goal itself needs to change or whether the approach needs to shift.

Cost and How to Access BetterUp

BetterUp's pricing varies depending on whether you're paying as an individual or accessing it through an employer. If your company offers it as a benefit, you may pay nothing out of pocket, or you may have a small copay. If you're paying on your own, the cost is typically a monthly subscription, though the exact amount changes based on what level of service you choose and any current offers.

To learn about your employer offers BetterUp, check your employee benefits portal or ask your HR department. If you're self-employed or your employer doesn't offer it, you can sign up directly through the BetterUp website. You'll need to create an account, answer the intake questions about your goals, and then be matched with a coach.

BetterUp also offers different tiers of service. A basic tier might include weekly coaching sessions and app access. Higher tiers might include more frequent sessions, access to group coaching, or additional resources. Review what each tier includes before you commit.

How Coaching Differs From Therapy and When Each Makes Sense

Coaching and therapy are different tools. A therapist helps you process past experiences, manage mental health conditions, and understand patterns that may be holding you back. A coach helps you move toward a specific goal — a new job, better communication, more confidence — and assumes you're generally functioning well.

If you're dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, or other mental health concerns, therapy is the right choice. If you're managing your mental health but want to make a change in your career, relationships, or how you show up in the world, coaching can be very useful. Some people do both — therapy for the underlying work, coaching for the goal-oriented change.

BetterUp coaches are trained professionals, but they are not therapists or psychiatrists. If a coach recognizes that you need mental health treatment, they should refer you to a therapist or doctor rather than try to coach you through it.

What to Expect From Results and How Long Coaching Takes

Coaching isn't a quick fix. Most people work with a coach for three to six months to see meaningful change. Some goals take longer, and some take less time — it depends on what you're working toward and how much effort you put in between sessions.

Results from coaching are usually specific to your goal. If you're working on career confidence, you might notice you speak up more in meetings or feel less anxious about networking. If you're working on a relationship, you might communicate more clearly or feel less resentful. The changes are often gradual rather than sudden.

The work you do outside sessions matters as much as the sessions themselves. If you're assigned homework and don't do it, progress will be slower. If you're actively trying new approaches and reflecting on what's working, you'll see results faster.

How to Know If BetterUp Is Right for You

BetterUp works well if you have a specific goal you want to move toward, you're willing to invest time and money, and you're open to feedback and trying new approaches. It's less useful if you're in crisis, dealing with untreated mental health conditions, or looking for a quick answer rather than sustained work.

Before you commit, think about what you actually want to change. The clearer your goal, the better coaching works. "I want to be happier" is too vague; "I want to feel more confident speaking up in meetings" is specific enough for a coach to work with.

Also consider whether you prefer working with a human coach or whether you'd rather start with self-guided resources. BetterUp is built around the coaching relationship, so if you're skeptical about talking to a coach, it might not be the right fit. There are also other platforms that offer more self-guided learning if that appeals to you more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch coaches if I don't feel like we're a good match?

Yes. If you and your coach aren't clicking after the first session or two, you can request a different coach. A good coaching relationship depends on trust and rapport, so it's worth speaking up if something doesn't feel right. Most platforms make this straightforward.

Will my employer see what I talk about with my coach?

No. Coaching conversations are confidential between you and your coach, even if your employer is paying for it. Your employer can see that you're using the benefit, but not the content of your sessions. There are some exceptions — if you disclose intent to harm yourself or others, the coach may be required to report that — but day-to-day coaching is private.

What if I don't see results after a few weeks?

Talk to your coach about it. Sometimes the goal needs to be adjusted, sometimes the approach needs to change, and sometimes you need to give it more time. A good coach will be honest about whether coaching is working for you or whether you might benefit from a different kind of support.

Is BetterUp the same as therapy?

No. Coaching is goal-oriented and forward-focused; therapy is often about processing past experiences and treating mental health conditions. You can use both, but they're different services with different training and different purposes.

Can I use BetterUp if I'm already seeing a therapist?

Yes. Many people work with both a therapist and a coach at the same time. Your therapist handles mental health, and your coach helps you move toward a specific goal. Just let both professionals know you're working with the other so they can coordinate if needed.