Feeling overwhelmed in our fast-paced Singaporean lifestyle? You’re not alone. We could all use some extra mental health support from time to time.
Read on as I spill the tea about using BetterHelp for comprehensive mental health care right from Singapore.
You’ll see why it’s worth looking into the next time you feel extra stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed by life in our busy city.
Is BetterHelp Available in Singapore?
BetterHelp.com is now available in Singapore, offering tailored matches with therapists and therapy types tailored to your unique needs and mental health goals.
This ensures a supportive and effective journey to well-being.
Highlights
- BetterHelp therapists are licensed and accredited mental health professionals in the US and UK, ensuring they meet strict qualifications and standards.
- No special Singapore license required: Overseas therapists can offer online therapy in Singapore without needing local licenses, as long as they follow regulations at home.
- Cost-effective: Plans are SGD 88-135* per week. That compares favorably to SGD 200-300 per in-office therapy session.
*Based on an exchange rate of 1 USD to 1.35 SGD. Rates may fluctuate.
With BetterHelp, you can access affordable, high-quality mental health care from the comfort of your own home, ensuring that support is both accessible and tailored to your needs.
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
BetterHelp Cost in Singapore vs Traditional Physical Therapy
BetterHelp.com has pricing tiers based on how much support you want.
Here’s what it costs in Singapore dollars:
BetterHelp: Singapore | Traditional Therapy |
---|---|
SGD 88-135 per week (US$65-100) | SGD 200-300 for 45-60 minute session |
(One live session per week and ongoing messaging) | (No support in between) |
SGD 351 to 540 per month (US$260-400) | SGD 800-1200 per month |
Get 20% off on BetterHelp.com |
*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 classes 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.
With BetterHelp, you can expect to pay SGD 88 to 135 per week, totaling SGD 348 to 489 monthly.
This includes free messaging between sessions, offering significant savings compared to the average SGD 200-300 per in-office session locally.
You’ll also save on transportation and avoid hidden fees, making it a more economical and convenient option for mental health care.
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 tech and therapy pros
- Offers individual counselling, teen, relationship & couples work, group
- Features video, phone, chat, texts – lots of flexibilit
- Works globally with 35,000+ credentialed therapists
- You can message your therapist anytime
You can access professional counselors through any device—computer, phone, or tablet—allowing for voice or video chats, texting, or phone calls for easy connection from home.
You can review therapists’ profiles to understand their backgrounds and credentials before booking.
BetterHelp employs advanced matching tools to pair you with the ideal therapist.
Benefits of Using BetterHelp
For me here in Singapore, doing therapy online has big advantages compared to in-office visits:
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.
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.
Sylvia Fisher, Sr Researcher
In contrast, virtual counseling with BetterHelp is readily available to Singaporeans and can be way more convenient, affordable, and tailored 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:
- 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.
- Get matched: Get paired with a professional therapist within 48 hours.
- Communicate: Book video, phone, chat or text therapy sessions. You can message your counsellor anytime between sessions!
- Switch if needed: Request a new match anytime if your therapist isn’t the right fit.
- 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.
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
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!
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?
Platform | Specialties | Price Range |
---|---|---|
BetterHelp | Broad variety | $88-$135 weekly |
Online-therapy.com | Professional therapy for anxiety, stress, depression | $54-108 weekly |
Talkspace | Adults & Teens. Medications + Psychiatrists. Broad variety | $94-$128+ weekly |
ReGain | Couples counselling | $88-$135 weekly |
*Currency exchange rates vary and subject to change without notice
BetterHelp stands out to me for having tons of therapists available at pretty competitive rates.
Other sites have strengths too, but for choice and affordability, BetterHelp might take the prize.
Local mental health resources
Acknowledging that you may be dealing with a mental health issue is the initial step to getting assistance. There are several options for obtaining help and support:
- Consulting a mental health professional or doctor.
- Discussing with friends and family.
- Joining a support group.
- Contacting the SAMH Counselling Hotline at 1800 283 7019 for information on resources.
- SOS – Offers a safe space to turn to when life becomes overwhelming. Their 24/7 support is provided by empathetic listeners, with the option to remain anonymous. All conversations are kept fully confidential.
- CPH Online Counseling – Team of qualified counselors specialized in marital, divorce, and parenting issues under the Strengthening Families Programme. They provide online counseling to Singapore citizens and residents over 18 years old who need support with relationship and family matters.
- Care Corner – over 120 trained volunteer counselors who provide emotional support and counseling intervention to callers. This first-line assistance aims to prevent the escalation of mental health problems and help individuals emotionally regulate, and manage relationship difficulties.
- For over 50 years, the Singapore Association for Mental Health has made efforts to enhance wellbeing and provide support for diverse groups across Singapore.
Verdict: Should I Use BetterHelp in Singapore?
For Singaporeans wanting convenient, affordable online counselling, I’d absolutely recommend giving BetterHelp a look.
Here are the key advantages I see in using BetterHelp while based in Singapore:
- Proven effective remote therapy from properly credentialed folk
- Super flexible scheduling and messaging with your therapist
- Less stigma around seeking mental health support
- Way more choices for therapists compared to local options
- Cost savings compared to in-person therapy
Of course, there are limitations like no in-person contact or Singapore-based counsellors. But, for many people, the upsides may make BetterHelp an attractive option for quality virtual mental health care.
It’s so quick and easy to sign up and switch counsellors until finding one who’s a great match. This opens up access to talented therapists all around the world.
References
- Effectiveness of a Multimodal Digital Psychotherapy Platform for Adult Depression: A Naturalistic Feasibility Study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6364202/
- Harrer, Mathias, et al. “Effectiveness of an Internet‐and App‐Based Intervention for College Students With Elevated Stress: Randomized Controlled Trial.” Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 22, no. 4, 2020, p. e13635. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5938594/
- Efficacy of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression and Anxiety among Global Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial Study, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9315502/
- Association of Psychotherapists and Counsellors Singapore (APACS) Standards of Ethics and Conduct. https://apacs.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/SAPAC-MOP-P11-Standards-of-Ethics-and-Conduct-2022-Jan.pdf
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