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This article will review how BetterHelp works, compare costs, pros/cons, and what to know if you’re considering using BetterHelp for online counseling in Lebanon.
BetterHelp.com pricing in Lebanon ranges from around LBP 5,820,750 to 8,955,000 per week based on the plan chosen*.
User reviews highlight BetterHelp’s convenience and expansive counselor options. Note the availability of bilingual (English, Arabic, or French) providers varies on the platform.
*Estimated cost in Lebanese Pounds is based on the exchange rate of 15,000 LBP to 1 USD. Rates may fluctuate.
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
Communication: Clients can communicate with their therapist through live chat, phone, video, and messaging on the platform. Most people use a combination of methods.
Convenience: You can access therapy anywhere through the mobile app or desktop site without traveling to appointments.
Cost: BetterHelp costs about USD 65-100 per week, depending on your package. It’s typically more affordable than traditional in-office therapy in many cases.
BetterHelp aims to make professional counseling accessible, convenient, and tailored to each person’s needs.
Lebanon lacks adequate mental health resources to meet demand. Estimates indicate around 90% of people needing psychological help in Lebanon are unable to access services.
The country has a severe shortage of mental health professionals, with:
Very few practicing psychiatrists
Even fewer practicing psychologists
There are only 42 outpatient facilities providing mental health services, predominantly concentrated in urban regions. This leaves rural populations extremely underserved.
The immense gap between mental health needs and available support services necessitates major efforts to expand access to care across Lebanon.
Erica Barnes, Sr. Researcher
Some ways to help could include:
Increasing funding for mental health services
Providing incentives to attract more professionals
Expanding telehealth and online therapy options
Public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma
Addressing the mental health treatment gap must become a priority in Lebanon.
BetterHelp to the rescue
According to recent research, the immense hardship recently faced in Lebanon means psychiatric conditions and emotional distress could easily spiral out of control on a widespread scale.
With such likely far-reaching fallout, early and proactive mental health support is absolutely vital.
Erica Barnes, Sr. Researcher
However, between the mass emigration, the nonstop economic decline, and strained local resources, Lebanon alone may struggle to implement adequate solutions to safeguard people’s welfare, dignity, and mental health rights at a national level.
The current dire situation calls for an expanded, collaborative effort to protect the Lebanese people from this mental health crisis.
BetterHelp Features and Platform
BetterHelp provides a user-friendly platform for accessing virtual therapy:
Therapist matching: Answer questions about your therapy needs and preferences during sign-up. BetterHelp will match you with a credentialed therapist best suited for you.
Live chat: Exchange messages with your therapist using real-time chat. Conversations are conveniently archived in your account.
Phone and video calls: Schedule phone sessions or video calls with your therapist. Video allows you to talk face-to-face.
Messaging: Send messages to your therapist if you prefer asynchronous communication. They can respond when they are available.
Mobile app: Download BetterHelp’s app to your smartphone or tablet for on-the-go access to therapy.
Progress tracking: Use built-in tools to track your mood over time. This allows you to monitor your progress.
Education: BetterHelp offers psychologist-approved educational resources and mental health assessments.
Flexibility: Pause or resume your account anytime. Change therapists if needed for the right fit.
BetterHelp provides a user-friendly virtual counseling experience across web and mobile app platforms.
Features make it easy to communicate with your therapist in real-time or on your own schedule.
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
Fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a therapist. Answer questions about your mental health history, challenges you want to address, type of therapist you want, and schedule availability. Make sure to mention you live in Lebanon.
Set up your account. Provide your payment information and set up your username, password, and security questions. You’ll also fill in details like name, contact info, and emergency contacts.
Get matched. BetterHelp will match you with a credentialed therapist based on your questionnaire responses.
Start therapy. Once matched, you can immediately message your new therapist to schedule your first phone, chat, or video session.
The whole process typically takes a few minutes from start to finish. It’s a quick and easy way to get matched with a therapist and start online counseling.
Types of Therapists on BetterHelp
BetterHelp connects you with credentialed mental health professionals like:
Psychologists: Have a PhD, PsyD, or EdD in psychology. Experts in assessing psychological conditions and providing talk therapy.
Clinical Social Workers: Hold an MSW or DSW degree. Help with issues related to mental health disorders, relationships, trauma, and stress management.
Marriage and Couples Therapists: Have a Master’s or PhD in marriage therapy. Can help individuals and provide relationship counseling for couples.
Credentialed Professional Counselors: Hold a Master’s degree in counseling or psychology. Trained to treat mental health disorders and help clients set life goals.
All therapists must meet BetterHelp’s credentialed requirements for the country they practice in. Look for a provider best suited to your therapy goals when getting matched.
What therapeutic approach(es) do you use? Why do you feel that is most effective for my situation?
What are your qualifications? Do you have experience treating my specific condition?
How do you personalize treatment plans for each client? How would you assess my needs?
How do you typically structure a therapy session? What does the process look like from start to finish?
What treatment modalities do you specialize in? Why would you recommend them for my needs?
How do you measure progress and outcomes in clients? What benchmarks will we use?
Do you have experience working with clients from my cultural background? How do you ensure cultural competence?
Going in prepared with clear questions can help you determine if a therapist measures up to your standards and make an informed choice about moving forward together.
Don’t hesitate to interview potential therapists thoroughly. Finding the right fit is critical.
Linda Johnson, Counselor
How Much Does BetterHelp Cost for Lebanese People?
For Lebanese people accessing BetterHelp, the pricing ranges from around LBP 5,820,750 to 8,955,000 per week, billed every four weeks, depending on the plan you choose.
In dollars, that’s translated to USD 65 – 100 per week. While the pricing is advertised weekly, the subscription plans are billed every four weeks.
BetterHelp aims to expand access to affordable counseling for Lebanese people facing barriers to traditional in-person therapy.
While local providers may charge less, BetterHelp provides extensive value by trying to connect Lebanese people to credentialed counselors worldwide who understand the cultural context.
While it cannot be guaranteed to be matched to a professional therapist who is from or very familiar with Lebanon and its culture, the platform matches you with an appropriate counselor based on factors like your location, language, background, and/or the issues you’re dealing with.
Erica Barnes, Sr. Researcher
By continuously improving its therapist network and support tools, BetterHelp strives to help Lebanese people find tailored mental healthcare that aligns with their budget and priorities during a time of economic crisis.
Their focus is on making counseling accessible for Lebanese people to support them through ongoing hardship.
Pros and cons of using BetterHelp
Here are some of the key advantages and potential disadvantages to consider when using BetterHelp in Lebanon:
Pros
Convenient virtual access from anywhere
Wider variety of therapists to choose from
Generally cheaper than in-person therapy
Discreteness and comfort of your space
Open extended hours
Change therapists anytime
Financial aid available
Cons
Not designed for crisis support, such as emergencies or severe mental illness that may need in-person care
Availability of Lebanese counselors is not guaranteed
No in-person contact
No insurance
Online therapy won’t be the right fit for everyone. But BetterHelp makes credentialed counseling more accessible in Lebanon for those open to virtual services.
Additional mental health resources available in Lebanon
Accessing therapy online in Lebanon has become much easier with websites like BetterHelp, Talkspace, Regain, Pride Counseling, and Mindsome.
Lebanese people living abroad also now have extensive online therapy options to explore if feeling overwhelmed.
Whether based in Lebanon or internationally, virtual counseling can provide a convenient way to access mental health support and overcome stigma.
In-person therapy is still an option through mental health clinics located in major cities across Lebanon.
Free or low-cost mental health support in Lebanon:
Idraac provides free mental health consultations to those unable to pay for treatment. Anyone can contact them at 76100576 to inquire about accessing their no-cost services.
Blue Missionoffers free psychological support and therapy from a psychologist and drama therapist for those struggling to cope with hardships or heal from trauma. Anyone can schedule a free appointment to access their compassionate mental health services by calling 07-732636 or 78-965062.
International Medical Corps regularly holds support groups tailored to different needs, as well as offering specialized mental health referrals.
Mental Health Landscape in Lebanon
A recent study found high levels of depressive symptoms among the refugee population, which aligns with expectations.
Approximately 25% of participants screened positive for moderate to severe depression based on the PHQ-9 assessment.
This rate is markedly higher than the estimated 9.9% depression prevalence previously seen in the general Lebanese population.
These results clearly indicate a substantially increased risk for depression associated with the refugee experience.
One in four refugees enduring forced displacement, loss of home, and resettlement struggle with:
Depressed mood
Sleep issues
Appetite changes
Other mental health problems
Adequate support is essential to address this vast unmet need within the refugee community.
A more recent 2022 study on child and adolescent mental health in Lebanon revealed high rates of psychiatric conditions.
Key findings from the Psychopathology in Children and Adolescents in Lebanon Study (PALS):
32.7% of 1,517 youth screened positive for at least one psychiatric disorder
However, only 5% of those with disorders sought professional mental health help
This high prevalence signals an urgent need for youth mental health prevention in Lebanon.
Additionally, in 2022, around 20% of those aged 15-24 reported having depression. The data highlights critical gaps in care for Lebanese children and teens:
High rates of mental health conditions
Low utilization of professional services
Lack of prevention programs
Bridging these gaps is imperative to support the psychological well-being of Lebanon’s youth.
Expanded access to care and destigmatization of mental illness are essential first steps.
Cultural factors
Lebanese culture traditionally has certain stigmas around mental health issues that may cause people to feel ashamed or reluctant to pursue in-person counseling.
The discrete approach of online therapy can help overcome these hesitations.
However, it is still important to find a therapist knowledgeable about Lebanese culture, family dynamics, religious diversity, and concepts like “namus” (honor).
A culturally competent therapist will understand how to build trust and rapport while navigating sensitivities surrounding mental health within this cultural context.
Linda Johnson, Counselor
BetterHelp counselors can provide a judgment-free space to process issues affected by cultural influences and expectations.
A qualitative study explores the stigma experienced by mental health patients in Lebanon.
Key findings:
Stigma remains a major issue affecting those with mental health conditions (MHC).
Patients report facing overt discriminatory behavior in the community.
Discrimination is more implicit in primary care settings.
These results highlight need for reducing stigma on multiple levels:
Combating structural stigma via legal reform
Addressing interpersonal stigma
Education
Contact-based strategies
Ensuring primary care commitment to quality mental healthcare
Management buy-in
Integrated services
Reducing intrapersonal stigma
Building public empathy
Anti-stigma campaigns
A multi-layered approach is essential to tackle the pervasive stigma surrounding MHC in Lebanon.
Reviews on using BetterHelp therapists
According to TrustPilot, Many BetterHelp users praise the platform and share positive experiences.
Key benefits highlighted:
Easy access
Affordable pricing
High-quality therapy
For some, the online setting feels more welcoming than in-person therapy. It offers space without fear of judgment.
Ratings:
Better Business Bureau:
BetterHelp has an A rating
But this may not fully reflect newcomer feedback
Trustpilot:
4.5 out of 5 stars based on 7,800+ reviews
Kudos for top-tier customer service and satisfaction
However, some still prefer traditional in-person counseling over online.
While BetterHelp gets overwhelmingly positive feedback, it comes down to personal preferences and needs. Those wanting face-to-face interaction may favor traditional therapy.
Bottom Line: Should I use BetterHelp in Lebanon?
For many people in Lebanon, BetterHelp can provide an accessible, affordable, and convenient way to quickly connect with credentialed therapists online.
Is it the right platform for you?
Consider BetterHelp if open to therapy via messaging/phone/video, have a difficult schedule, financial constraints, and have personal space at home.
When signing up, carefully complete the questionnaire to optimize your experience with the right provider.
While not a complete replacement for in-office counseling, the virtual platform makes getting mental health support simple from the comfort of home.
With over 35,000 counselors worldwide, BetterHelp can match clients with professionals experienced in issues specific to Lebanese culture and mental health needs.
Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time. There are no long-term commitments, and you can easily cancel or pause your subscription through your account settings.
Are the therapists credentialed?
Yes, all the therapists are accredited professionals. They have undergone rigorous training and hold the necessary qualifications to provide mental health therapy.
Can I schedule appointments with my therapist?
Yes, you can schedule appointments with your therapist. The platform offers flexible scheduling options, allowing you to find a time that works best for you and your therapist.
Is BetterHelp available in Beirut only or in other cities in Lebanon?
BetterHelp is available to individuals in all cities across Lebanon. As an online therapy platform, its services can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, making it accessible to individuals in Beirut and other cities.
References
Naal, H., Nabulsi, D., El Arnaout, N. et al. Prevalence of depression symptoms and associated sociodemographic and clinical correlates among Syrian refugees in Lebanon. BMC Public Health 21, 217 (2021)https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10266-1
I’m a medical professional and psychologist based in Sweden, with 11 years of experience in the field. I’m dedicated to improving our understanding of mental health and developing effective interventions. Through my work, I strive to positively impact the lives of individuals and communities affected by mental health challenges.
