BetterHelp Singapore: How Much It Costs & How It Works? [2023]

🇸🇬 Living in modern Singapore is great, but let’s be real – life can still get pretty stressful. When I’m feeling anxious or down, it’s awesome having options like BetterHelp for convenient online counseling.

In this post, I’ll give you the lowdown on using BetterHelp while based in Singapore.

Is BetterHelp available in Singapore?

The good news is that BetterHelp is available in Singapore and I know Singaporeans want to be sure about licensing and credentials.

Here’s the details:

• Properly licensed in the US and credentialed in the UK: Most of the BetterHelp therapists are in the US, and there are over 1,000 professional therapists based in the U.K. All BetterHelp therapists are legit mental health professionals vetted and accredited by their respective countries.
• No special Singapore license needed: Singapore’s Ministry of Health says overseas folks can offer online therapy here without needing local licenses. As long as they follow regulations in their own country, it’s all good.
• Cost-effective: Membership plans are SGD 87-122 per week*, billed every four weeks. Compare that to the cost of traditional private therapy of SGD 200 to 300 per session.

*Based on an exchange rate of 1 SGD to 0.73 USD. Rates may fluctuate.

So the bottom line – BetterHelp.com counsellors are qualified and can legally provide online therapy to folks living in Singapore. You can double-check credentials on the site for that extra peace of mind.

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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/week, billed every four weeks

✓ Cancel plan or change therapist anytime

✓ 20% off your first month through Therapy Helpers

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BetterHelp cost in Singapore vs traditional physical therapy

BetterHelp has pricing tiers based on how much support you want. Here’s what it costs in Singapore dollars:

*Currency exchange rates vary and subject to change without notice

Membership plans include:

• One live session weekly, 30 to 45 minutes via phone, chat, text, or video (up to you).
• Billed for four weeks on sign-up date, and renews every four weeks.
• Can cancel anytime.
• You can message your therapist anytime.
• Group webinars led by a therapist on topics of anxiety and depression.
• CBT, EMDR, and many clinically proven therapy options.
• In-app journal.
• Free switches if your therapist isn’t working.

So you’re looking at around SGD 87 to 122 weekly depending on your preferences and where you are. It is billed every four weeks, so that comes to SGD 348 to 489 per month. Messaging between sessions is free.

Compared to the SGD 200-300 average cost locally for one in-office therapy, BetterHelp saves me money. No transportation or hidden fees either.

What is BetterHelp?

BetterHelp is one of the big names in virtual therapy worldwide. Here’s a quick peek:

• Started in 2013 in California by some tech and therapy pros
• Offers individual counselling, teen, relationship & couples work, group
• Features video, phone, chat, texts – lots of flexibilit
• Works globally with 33,000+ credentialed therapists
• You can message your therapist anytime

The gist is you get access to real professional counsellors through your device – computer, phone, tablet, whatever. You can voice or video chat, text, talk on the phone – they make it easy to connect from home.

Therapists have profiles you can check out before booking to get a feel for their background and check their credentials. BetterHelp uses smart matching tools to pair you with the right person.

Why I like online counselling

For me here in Singapore, doing therapy online has big advantages compared to in-office visits:

So darn convenient

• Book anytime: Even outside 9 to 5! BetterHelp has late evening and weekend hours.
• From anywhere: Home, work, wherever I’ve got wifi and my laptop. No commute or parking costs.
• Fast start: Get matched to an ideal therapist in as little as 48 hours.

More accessible

• Transportation not needed: Living far from the clinic or having mobility issues makes online therapy a lifesaver.
• Cheaper than in-person: Lower costs open up counselling to more Singaporeans.
• Judgement-free: Reduces embarrassment of seeing a therapist in-person.

Bigger selection

• Global talent pool: Connect with great specailists from around the world.
• Change counsellors anytime: Browse profiles to find just the right fit.
• Specialists available: BetterHelp has therapists experienced in all kinds of issues.

According to CNA, Singapore struggles with expensive fees and long wait times for mental health services due to high demand but low availability of care.

• Singapore has only 4.6 psychiatrists and 9.7 psychologists per 100,000 people, according to 2022 statistics from the Ministry of Health.
• This is much lower than countries like Switzerland with 44 psychiatrists per 100,000, or New Zealand with 28 per 100,000.

In comparison, neighboring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia have even fewer mental health professionals, with only 1.0 and 0.3 respectively per 100,000 people.

The low supply of mental health experts coupled with high demand from the population seeking care is likely driving up costs and wait times in Singapore.

In contrast, virtual counseling with BetterHelp is readily available to Singaporeans and can be way more convenient, affordable, and personalized than my past office therapy experiences here in Singapore.

How to start with BetterHelp in Singapore

It’s super straightforward to begin online therapy with BetterHelp while living in Singapore:

1. Sign up: Fill out a brief questionnaire with your objectives for therapy with your details. This will help them match you to the perfect therapist for you.
2. Get matched: Get paired with a professional therapist in as little as 48 hours.
3. Communicate: Book video, phone, chat or text therapy sessions. You can message your counsellor anytime between sessions!
4. Switch if needed: Request a new match anytime if your therapist isn’t the right fit.
5. Cancel whenever: There is no long-term commitment and you can cancel your membership at any time. There is no requirement to let your therapist know.

Pretty smooth and flexible, right? You’ve got lots of control to schedule sessions and change therapists until you find the perfect match.

BetterHelp’s therapy specialties

If you live in Singapore, BetterHelp has counsellors available that are experienced in all kinds of mental health situations. Some key areas they cover:

• Anxiety: General, social, phobias, panic attacks
• Depression: Major, postpartum, situational
• Relationships: Couples, dating, intimacy
• Trauma: PTSD, abuse, grief, workplace issues
• Addictions: Alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography
• LGBTQ+: Gender, sexuality, coming out
• Life stuff: Careers, disabilities, spirituality

When signing up, you fill out a detailed survey of your needs and preferences. This helps get matched with a counsellor who gets your specific issues. You can preview profiles to confirm they have the right background.

Does BetterHelp actually work?

Studies so far suggest online therapy is effective for common problems like anxiety and depression:

• A 2019 study found that using the BetterHelp online therapy platform significantly reduced depression symptoms in diverse users. The platform was particularly effective for those without previous psychotherapy experience. [1]
• A 2018 study found that online and mobile interventions may efficiently and affordably reduce the negative effects of college stress. These digital tools could engage depressed students who otherwise would not get help. [2]
• A 2022 study found that both guided and unguided virtual CBT therapy have been shown to reduce depression and anxiety scores during the pandemic. [3]

While effectiveness can vary individually, so far research indicates that online therapy platforms like BetterHelp can provide meaningful care and positive outcomes remotely.

Of course, more studies over time will tell us more. But the platform shows a lot of promise for delivering convenient, useful online therapy to people living in Singapore!

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

4.5 (6,513+) FROM TRUSTPILOT

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/week, billed every four weeks

✓ Cancel plan or change therapist anytime

✓ 20% off your first month through Therapy Helpers

Take Assessment

The good and bad of BetterHelp

Let’s quickly sum up the main pros and cons of using BetterHelp for therapy while based in Singapore:

Pros

• Super convenient scheduling and access
• Huge selection of specialized counsellors
• Proven effective in studies so far
• Virtual setting reduces stigma
• No transportation hassles

Cons

• No local Singapore-based counsellors
• Not ideal for very serious mental illness
• Virtual therapy isn’t right for everyone
• Matching isn’t foolproof
• Bi-lingual therapists may be available but decent English skills are still a must

For me here in Singapore, the convenience and expanded access of BetterHelp outweigh limitations like no in-person contact. But it depends on each person’s needs and preferences.

Comparison to other online therapy brands

How does BetterHelp stack up against popular international online therapy platforms also available in Singapore?