BetterHelp Israel: How Much Is It & How Does It Work? [2024]

Seeking mental health support can be challenging anywhere. But, in Israel, the cultural stigma around counseling persists.

Some Israelis may fear judgment just for booking a therapy appointment. Yet depression, anxiety, and trauma impact so many.

What if convenient therapy was only a click away? BetterHelp offers just that for the Israelis – credentialed counselors accessible remotely from home.

Let’s evaluate the cost, pros, and cons of BetterHelp in Israel. You may find the path to the support you need.

About BetterHelp

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in California, BetterHelp.com offers individual therapy through video, phone, text chat, and more.

• Over 35,000 professional, credentialed therapists
• Available worldwide, including Israel
• Therapy options like video, phone, chat
• You can message your therapist anytime
• Reasonably priced compared to traditional private therapy

BetterHelp offers accessible, convenient, and flexible counseling for Israeli residents, matching clients with a therapist based on their needs and allowing them to start in as little as 24 hours.

Ad, keeps our community free. The perspectives presented on this website are genuinely our own and we do not accept money for reviews.

4.5 (7,802+) FROM TRUSTPILOT

Try BetterHelp

Fill out a brief questionnaire and get matched with an experienced therapist online in as little as 24 hours.

✓ Over 35K 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

Cost Comparison: BetterHelp in Israel vs. In-Person Therapy

BetterHelp offers online therapy subscription packages that are competitively priced compared to traditional in-office counseling in Israel:

For those thinking of USD prices, the weekly plans cost $65-100 per week, equating to $260-400 per month, depending on preferences chosen and length of sessions. 

Clients are billed every four weeks, and there are no long-term commitments required. You can pause or cancel anytime through your account. 

Compared to traditional therapy, which can cost 300 ILS or more per 45-minute in-person session in Israel, BetterHelp provides an affordable way to access expansive counselor options on demand.

How BetterHelp Works in Israel

Here is an overview of how the BetterHelp process works when accessing from Israel:

1. Sign up – New users provide basic info like name, location, religion, contact details, and therapist preferences.
2. Get matched – Based on the intake form, BetterHelp matches clients with an ideal therapist for them.
3. Communicate – Once matched, clients can message the therapist whenever it’s convenient. 
4. Switch therapists – If desired, clients can switch therapists at any time through their account dashboard.
5. Rate & review – Clients are encouraged to rate their experience and leave feedback for the therapist. This helps improve matching.

BetterHelp offers weekly live sessions 30 or 45 minutes long. However, the platform also facilitates free messaging between sessions, allowing clients to get support more frequently at no extra cost.

Pro Tip: Be as open and honest in the sign-up questionnaire as you can to help get matched effectively.

Please note BetterHelp's counselors cannot prescribe medications. If you are seeking help with medications, Talkspace offers this option.

Ad, keeps our community free. The perspectives presented on this website are genuinely our own and we do not accept money for reviews.

4.5 (7,802+) FROM TRUSTPILOT

Try BetterHelp

Fill out a brief questionnaire and get matched with an experienced therapist online in as little as 24 hours.

✓ Over 35K 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

Features and Benefits of BetterHelp

BetterHelp provides a range of features and benefits not found in traditional in-person private counseling:

• Convenience – Therapy from home on your own schedule. No commuting.
• Accessibility – Remotely access thousands of specialized therapists worldwide who may not be in your area.
• Affordability – Subscription plans with many features are between USD $65-$100 per week (billed every four weeks).
• Flexibility – Messaging therapy lets you think through responses on your own time.
• Privacy – For more information about how BetterHelp protects your therapist interactions, please review their Privacy Policy.
• Support options – Get therapy by video, phone, chat, or messaging depending on your needs.

Combining tech-enabled features and credentialed professionals aims to improve the therapy experience overall.

BetterHelp for Israelis

Mental health issues are prevalent in Israel, with nearly half of the population suffering from mental health issues at some point in their life and about 73% of adolescents reporting mental health problems. 

A Bar-Ilan University found that anxiety disorders impact about 28% of the Israeli population, followed by depression affecting about 20% of Israelis.

In comparison, PTSD is an issue for 9.4% of the public, according to the National Insurance Institute of Israel. 

Access to mental health services does not adequately meet demand, according to reports. This makes services like BetterHelp useful for expanding access to support.

With easy sign-up and remote therapy options, BetterHelp provides a more approachable avenue for Israelis to seek help discreetly.

Ad, keeps our community free. The perspectives presented on this website are genuinely our own and we do not accept money for reviews.

4.5 (7,802+) FROM TRUSTPILOT

Try BetterHelp

Fill out a brief questionnaire and get matched with an experienced therapist online in as little as 24 hours.

✓ Over 35K 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

Here are Some reasons Why BetterHelp May Benefit People in Israel Specifically:

BetterHelp launched in Israel in 2020, providing remote access to therapists for Israelis seeking mental health support.

• No transportation needed – Virtual sessions remove geographic barriers to therapy.
• Judgement-free – No stigma when seeking mental health care.
• English & Hebrew – Bilingual therapists may be available, and this availability varies.
• Cultural sensitivities – If you match with an Israeli or Jewish therapist, they can provide culturally-informed counseling.
• Access experts – Connect with therapists worldwide who specialize in your needs.
• Cost – Can be more affordable than in-person private therapy in Israel.
• Teen specialists available – TeenCounseling.com (owned by BetterHelp) offers affordable and specialized online teen therapy.

BetterHelp aims to make professional counseling accessible across Israel’s population through technology.

Therapist Options

Therapists have training in areas like:

• Marriage & family therapy
• Clinical social work
• Professional counseling
• Clinical psychology

This allows BetterHelp to match clients with a therapist qualified to support specific mental health needs and issues such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Relationships
• Trauma
• Life transitions
• Stress management
• Religious/spiritual (availability varies)
• LGBTQ+
• Addictions 
• And more

BetterHelp works to ensure all therapists using the platform are properly credentialed and experienced in their field.

All client-therapist interactions abide by relevant laws and ethics standards.

Pros and cons of BetterHelp Israel

Like any service, BetterHelp has both advantages and disadvantages to consider:

Pros

• Convenient access anytime, anywhere
• Can be more affordable than private in-person therapy
• Flexible options for communication like chat, video, etc.
• No need to find/vet therapists yourself
• Connect with a therapist, in a more discreet setting
• Change therapists easily if needed

Cons

• No in-person interaction
• Counselors are not located in Israel (unless Israeli counselor is requested, which is more likely based either in the U.K. or the U.S.) 
• Matching effectiveness depends on input accuracy
• Not useful for those lacking tech skills/tools
• Potential time zone difference

BetterHelp may be a good option for Israelis seeking an accessible way to get therapy remotely. But, in-person counseling is still preferred by some.

Is Online Therapy a Good Option in Israel?

Mental health challenges are highly common in Israel, yet talking about them is often viewed with disgrace.

Without a doubt, bias still exists against resorting to therapy or medication for problems like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

We are frequently told to show strength and simply “move on”. Ignoring mental health issues will not make them disappear.

That’s why it makes me happy that an increasing number of people are thinking about exploring internet-based counseling services.

Since 1 in 3 Israeli Jews avoid seeking therapy due to stigma, as reported by Times of Israel, online counseling may help reduce this number missing out on needed psychological support.

The act of initiating a conversation with a therapist from home can lessen the intimidation associated with starting therapy.

How to Find the Right Therapist on BetterHelp

BetterHelp matches clients to therapists based on an intake questionnaire, but you can improve the match by:

• Providing accurate details about your history and preferences.
• Trying a few sessions to assess fit and requesting a switch if needed.
• Reading therapist profiles closely, noting specialties and approach.
• Contacting support for help with specific preferences like language or location.
• Giving constructive feedback to refine the pairing.

With patience and clear communication, you’re more likely to find effective counseling through BetterHelp in Israel.

Alternatives to BetterHelp in Israel

BetterHelp is the leading online mental health platform in the world, and there are additional options that are accessible from Israel.

While pricing and features vary, these platforms join BetterHelp in expanding access to remote therapy for people in Israel seeking mental health support.

Although, for the price and the expansive online network of specialized mental health care offered, it is hard to find a better value than BetterHelp.

Additional mental health resources

Government-subsidized mental health clinics in Israel offer affordable therapy, with just a 35 NIS quarterly co-pay.

These clinics provide comprehensive care, so they are recommended as the first stop for Israelis seeking initial mental health treatment and services.

List of mental health clinics in Israel:

• https://www.gov.il/he/Departments/General/mental-clinics
• The Kupah (public): All Israeli citizens and residents are entitled to subsidized mental health services through Kupat Cholim, known as “tachanat briut hanefesh.” This typically includes psychotherapy from a psychologist or social worker for just 34 ILS per quarter.
• Crossroads: Heavily subsidized or free therapy with trained social workers for at-risk youth, ages 13 – 21.
• The Path Center: free or low-cost therapy from psychotherapist trainees, though sessions are limited and severe cases may not be accepted. Trainees work under experienced supervisors (under the guidance of an experienced therapist). Sessions are usually limited, and they do not handle severe cases.

Bottom Line: Should I Use BetterHelp in Israel?

BetterHelp offers Israelis an accessible, flexible way to receive mental health support from credentialed professionals.

Key advantages include remote access, multiple communication options, and affordable pricing, making it a convenient alternative to traditional therapy.

Online counseling allows Israelis to seek help discreetly, which is beneficial given the social stigma around mental health in Israel.

BetterHelp’s filtering options for gender and cultural background help accommodate specific needs, though therapist availability may vary.

Overall, online platforms like BetterHelp make mental health resources readily accessible across Israel. For those interested, there are cheaper alternatives to BetterHelp.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What payment options are available?

Debit/Credit Card or PayPal.

Is insurance accepted?

When using BetterHelp in Israel, the therapy pay is out of pocket and insurance is not accepted.