BetterHelp Europe and EU: What’s The Cost & How Does It Work? [2023]

🇪🇺 BetterHelp is an online counseling and therapy service that allows people to connect with credentialed therapists via phone, video, or chat.

BetterHelp first launched in the United States in 2013 and is fully available in Europe. Here’s an overview of what BetterHelp has to offer for those seeking therapy in Europe.

Overview of BetterHelp for Europeans

BetterHelp aims to make professional counseling accessible, affordable, and convenient by delivering services through an online platform.

Key things to know about BetterHelp for residents of Europe:

• Credentialed counselors – All BetterHelp professional therapists complete a rigorous vetting process and accreditation in their country to practice therapy.
• Video, phone, chat options anywhere – Users can communicate with therapists using whichever modality works best for them anywhere with an internet connection.
• Asynchronous messaging – Between scheduled sessions, users can send messages to therapists anytime and receive a response when the therapist is available.
• Cost-effective – BetterHelp offers financial aid and subscription plans starting at around €56 per week. Traditional in-office private counseling/therapy can cost €100 or more per session.

To get the ball rolling, just whip through a quick questionnaire, and don’t forget to mention the European country you are located in. That ensures they match you with the ideal therapist tailored for your location and unique needs.

Additionally, take advantage of the 20% off via this exclusive link. ✅

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Fill out a brief questionnaire and get matched with an experienced therapist online in as little as 48 hours.

✓ Over 33K credentialed professionals

✓ Financial aid available

✓ Subscriptions as low as 65 USD/week, billed every four weeks

✓ Cancel plan or change therapist anytime

✓ 20% off your first month through Therapy Helpers

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🔎 How much does BetterHelp in EU cost?

Recent data from the OECD indicates that mental health costs in Europe total over 600 billion euros, making up 4% of the European Union’s overall GDP. This massive expenditure on mental healthcare highlights the severe economic burden of mental illness across the region.

• For Europeans accessing BetterHelp, the pricing ranges from around EUR 59 – 84 per week, billed every four weeks, depending on the plan you choose.
• In dollars, that’s translated to USD 65 – 90 per week. While the pricing is advertised weekly, the subscription plans are billed every four weeks.
• The monthly cost of the plan ranges from USD 260 – 360 per month, or around EUR 239 – 330, based on preferences. Plans can be canceled anytime.

BetterHelp aims to be a competitively priced option in most countries while offering a robust feature set and a vast selection of experienced and specialized therapists.

Competitors may be cheaper in certain markets but have fewer features, geographic reach, or therapist options compared to BetterHelp.

Is psychotherapy covered by insurance?

Marcin Rodzinka, a spokesperson for Mental Health Europe, compares caring for mental health to going to the dentist – an essential healthcare need that requires out-of-pocket spending despite otherwise comprehensive medical coverage.

• In most European Union countries, physical health is fully covered, but dental visits require extra payment.
• Similarly, mental healthcare often requires paying additionally, even though it is just as vital for wellbeing. Mental and dental health should have equal coverage.

BetterHelp doesn’t accept insurance so the costs are out of pocket but they do offer financial assistance.

In Europe, certain insurance companies may provide a partial reimbursement for therapy consultations.

Find out directly from your insurance provider if they reimburse you or not because it varies greatly from one insurer to another.

BetterHelp availability across EU

When BetterHelp first launched, it was only available in the US. Starting in 2016, the company began expanding availability internationally, making the online therapy platform available in countries across Europe.

Here are some of the European countries where BetterHelp is popular:

• United Kingdom
• Ireland
• France
• Germany
• Spain
• Italy
• Sweden
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Denmark
• Norway
• Finland
• Belgium

So no matter where you’re located in Europe, you likely have options to find a therapist on BetterHelp that meets your needs and preferences.

The 2022 Health at a Glance report revealed nearly 50% of young Europeans have unmet mental healthcare needs. Additionally, the percentage of youth reporting depressive symptoms more than doubled in several EU countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This data highlights a growing crisis in youth mental health across Europe, as demand for care far exceeds current service capacity.

Expanding access to mental healthcare, especially for young demographics, is an urgent priority. Online therapy may help bridge gaps, but more comprehensive reforms are still needed.

How to sign up for BetterHelp?

The process for signing up for BetterHelp is similar across all countries in Europe:

1. Complete questionnaire – BetterHelp will ask questions about your history, needs, and preferences to match you with a therapist.
2. Get matched – Typically in as little as 48 hours. You can review profiles, qualifications, methods, and patient reviews.
3. Connect – Contact and start messaging your new therapist through the platform’s messaging system.
4. Schedule sessions – Work with your therapist to book phone, video, or chat sessions based on your availability.
5. Make payments – BetterHelp offers subscription plans, starting at around €56 per week. Payments are handled through the platform.

The signup process is quick and completely online. Be sure to provide accurate details to get matched with the right counselor for you.

Additional mental health help resources in Europe

Getting therapy online in Europe is so much easier now thanks to websites like BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Ieso Digital Health.

They hook you up with credentialed counselors for texting, video chat, or phone sessions whenever it works for your schedule. Talkspace starts at around €65 weekly (billed monthly) and Ieso is completely free to many NHS patients, so not bad.

There’s also an app called Kry that’s popular in Europe, it’s free for children and the elderly. It’s focused more on fast online doctor visits versus full-on counseling.

• But hey, for only EUR 9 a session, it could be helpful for a quick mental health check-in when you just need a little guidance.

The bottom line – services like BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Ieso make real online therapy accessible nowadays in Europe. And Kry is good for fast mental health consults.

It’s awesome having options that provide counseling support so easily abroad when you need it.

Definitely worth looking into if you’re ever feeling overwhelmed while living overseas!

Benefits of online therapy

There are many potential benefits that online counseling platforms like BetterHelp can offer compared to traditional in-office therapy in Europe. Some of the major advantages include:

• Convenience – Have sessions from home, work, or anywhere with just your device and internet access. No need to commute to appointments.
• Accessibility – Removes barriers of mobility and time. Options for financial aid make therapy more accessible.
• Quick access to support – Message your therapist anytime between sessions when you need extra support.
• Flexibility – Live video, phone, chat, and messaging provide options to mix and match approaches.
• Availability – Largest online network of therapists and specialists makes finding the right fit easier.

Online therapy removes many of the traditional barriers to counseling while still connecting people to credentialed professionals. The tools and flexibility BetterHelp offers can enhance the therapy experience to further address mental health issues.

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Try BetterHelp

Fill out a brief questionnaire and get matched with an experienced therapist online in as little as 48 hours.

✓ Over 33K credentialed professionals

✓ Financial aid available

✓ Subscriptions as low as 65 USD/week, billed every four weeks

✓ Cancel plan or change therapist anytime

✓ 20% off your first month through Therapy Helpers

Take Assessment

Potential drawbacks to consider

While online therapy offers many positives, there are some potential drawbacks or considerations to keep in mind:

• Technical difficulties – Sessions could be interrupted by tech problems on either end.
• Nonverbal communication – Harder to pick up on body language, tone, and facial expressions remotely.
• Crisis support – Not designed for emergencies or severe mental illness that may need in-person care.
• Distractions at home – Finding quiet spaces for conversations could be challenging.

With the right fit between client and therapist, many find that the benefits outweigh the potential limitations.

But it's important to have realistic expectations when starting therapy online.

Signs it’s a good match with your therapist

How do you know if you’ve found the right therapist for you on BetterHelp platform? Here are some positive signs:

• You feel comfortable opening up – You don’t feel judged and are able to discuss sensitive topics.
• You look forward to sessions – You enthusiastically log on rather than dread or avoid appointments.
• You feel heard – Your therapist listens well, and remembers details you’ve shared.
• You’re implementing ideas – You leave sessions with insights or exercises you’re motivated to try.
• You notice improvements – Over time you feel you’re gaining new perspectives and making progress.
• Your therapist challenges you – They don’t just validate everything, but push you gently.
• Your communication styles mesh – The conversation flows naturally without too many awkward silences.

Don’t force a connection that doesn’t feel right. But give a new therapeutic relationship time to develop before you give up on it completely and be sure to check our BetterHelp review for more tips.

If after a few weeks, the therapist you chose just isn't the right fit, BetterHelp makes it easy to switch counselors at any time to get matched with a therapist who's a better fit, without any penalty.

What types of therapy does BetterHelp offer in Europe?

For those living in Europe, BetterHelp provides a flexible online therapy platform for clients to communicate with credentialed therapists in a variety of ways.

Users can exchange messages, have live chats, schedule phone or video sessions based on their preferences.

The service accommodates many different therapy approaches to meet diverse needs:

• One-on-one counseling for individual mental health or personal growth goals. Suitable for addressing stress, depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, and more.
• Relationship-focused therapy for issues with intimacy, communication, conflict resolution, infidelity recovery, premarital counseling, etc.
• TeenCounseling.com (owned by BetterHelp) offers experienced teen specialists working with adolescent issues like self-esteem, bullying, school pressures, and family dynamics.
• Options to be matched with therapists from your religious/spiritual background, although availability varies.
• Tailored support for LGBTQ members dealing with topics like coming out, discrimination, and building self-acceptance.

BetterHelp offers an extensive therapist network and therapy types to help people work through diverse mental health challenges and relationship issues. When signing up, you select your specific goals so appropriate therapist matches can be suggested.

According to recent research, “more than 150 million people in the WHO European Region live with a mental health condition, and only 1 in 3 people living with depression receive the care they need.”

World Health Organization

Sponsored, keeps our community free. Therapy Helpers does not accept money for reviews.

4.5 (6,513+) FROM TRUSTPILOT

BetterHelp

Fill out a brief questionnaire and get matched with an experienced therapist online in as little as 48 hours.

✓ Over 33K credentialed professionals

✓ Financial aid available

✓ Subscriptions as low as 65 USD/week, billed every four weeks

✓ Cancel plan or change therapist anytime

✓ 20% off your first month through Therapy Helpers

Take Assessment

The pandemic’s effects on mental health in Europe

The COVID-19 pandemic has been linked to a significant rise in mental health symptoms and issues. There is still uncertainty around how subsequent pandemic waves and economic lockdowns will continue impacting mental wellbeing.

Research indicates the pandemic has amplified inequalities in mental healthcare access and outcomes between different demographic groups.

Overall, the pandemic has negatively affected mental health across populations. Ongoing surges and restrictions present further risks, especially for vulnerable groups.

Addressing widened access gaps and mental healthcare needs should be a priority going forward.

Verdict: Should I use BetterHelp in Europe?

For those across Europe seeking accessible, convenient mental health support, BetterHelp provides a viable online counseling option to get help. While remote therapy has its limitations, the benefits for many outweigh the drawbacks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is BetterHelp and how does it work for someone in Europe?

BetterHelp is an online counseling platform that connects individuals living in Europe with professional therapists. It provides convenient and reasonably-priced access to mental health services through video, phone, and messaging sessions.

• To use BetterHelp in Europe, you simply sign up on the website or app, complete a questionnaire, and get matched with a therapist who suits your preferences and needs.

Can I trust the therapists on BetterHelp if I’m in Europe?

Yes, you can trust the therapists on BetterHelp if you are in Europe. All BetterHelp therapists are credentialed professionals who have at least three years of experience and a master’s or doctoral degree in their field.

• They undergo a rigorous screening and vetting process to ensure that only qualified and competent professionals provide services on the platform.

Can I cancel my BetterHelp subscription that I purchased while based in Europe?

Yes, you have the option to cancel your subscription at any time, without any penalty. There are no long-term commitments, and you can easily cancel your subscription through the website or app or by submitting a request to their customer support.

What’s the cost of the plan and what payment options are available?

For those in Europe using BetterHelp, costs vary from approximately EUR 59 to 84 weekly, billed every four weeks, based on which plan you select.

• The fees for your weekly counseling sessions will be charged once per month to your PayPal account or debit/credit card on file, as provided during signup.

Note that exact pricing can fluctuate depending on your location and current exchange rates for your local currency.