Online Therapy Taiwan: Does BetterHelp Make Sense? [2023]

🇹🇼 In this article, we’ll examine the mental health landscape in Taiwan, benefits and drawbacks of online therapy, and how BetterHelp serves Taiwan.

Online therapy has become very popular worldwide in recent years. One leading provider is BetterHelp, which offers convenient and affordable online mental health services to residents of Taiwan through video, phone, chat, and messaging.

Can BetterHelp provide a lifeline for Taiwan’s growing mental health needs? Let’s find out.

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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 USD/week, billed every four weeks

✓ Cancel plan or change therapist anytime

✓ 20% off your first month through Therapy Helpers

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Mental health landscape in Taiwan

• As of 2017, approximately 1.5 million individuals in Taiwan suffered from some form of depression.
• A 20-year Chinese study of over 10,000 Taiwanese adults found that the prevalence of common mental disorders doubled from 11.5% to 23.8% within that timeframe.
• A study found that between 2007 and 2016, the prevalence of treated depressive disorders in Taiwan increased 1.18-fold, with the largest adjusted increase of 59% seen among children and adolescents.
• Taiwan has a shortage of mental health professionals to meet demand. Only around 7.25 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, versus 16.6 in the US.
• Stigma surrounding mental health persists in Taiwanese society.
• Consequences include:
  • Suicides hit 3-year high as of 2023
  • Untreated conditions cost over $6 billion USD in lost productivity yearly
• There is an unfilled need for mental health services in Taiwan. Online platforms like BetterHelp can help bridge this gap.

Benefits of using BetterHelp

• Founded in 2013 in the United States, BetterHelp.com now serves over 2.5 million users globally.
• Therapy via: phone, tablet, or computer (live video, call, messaging, chat)
• All counselors are:
  • Screened carefully
  • Have at least 3 years and 1000 hours of experience
  • Background checked & country accreditation verified
• Users are matched with the right counselor for their needs from over 33,000 therapists.
• Other features:
  • Message your therapist anytime
  • Weekly live sessions last 30 or 45 minutes
  • Easily cancel plan or change counselors if needed
  • Costs about the same or less than traditional therapy, starting at US$65 (~ TW$2056) per week, with most expensive plan being US$90 (~TW$2848) per week*. Traditional counseling rates in Taiwan range US$68-100 per session.

*Based on an exchange rate of 1 USD = 32.35 TWD. Rates may fluctuate.

Therapy approaches

Here is an overview of the types of therapies BetterHelp counselors utilize:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Focuses on identifying and changing negative thought and behavior patterns
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Develops coping and emotional regulation skills
• Psychodynamic Therapy – Explores impact of past experiences and unconscious factors
• Person-Centered Therapy – Focuses on unconditional positive regard to help self-actualize
• Mindfulness-Based Therapies – Use meditation and mindfulness to manage stress and emotions
• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy – Focuses on solutions and setting achievable goals
• Family Systems Therapy – Explores roles and dynamics within families
• Existential Therapy – Seeks to find meaning, purpose, and responsibility in life
• Attachment-Based Therapy – Improves interpersonal relationships by developing secure attachment

BetterHelp counselors are experienced in utilizing the latest evidence-based therapies tailored to each client's unique needs and goals. Their broad expertise allows them to support people dealing with a wide range of mental health challenges.

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 USD/week, billed every four weeks

✓ Cancel plan or change therapist anytime

✓ 20% off your first month through Therapy Helpers

Take Assessment

Opportunities and challenges in Taiwan

While BetterHelp has immense potential benefits for Taiwan users, there are also some unique considerations to keep in mind:

• Taiwanese cultural attitudes towards mental health issues and seeking therapy tend to be more conservative and stoic.
• Nuances around language and Taiwanese cultural values could be easier to miss in remote therapy sessions compared to in-person counseling. Users should feel empowered to communicate openly with counselors if misunderstandings arise.
• Young people in Taiwan tend to be more tech-savvy and open to mental health help. BetterHelp may be especially appealing to these demographics.
• Rural and remote areas of Taiwan have less access to in-person counseling. BetterHelp’s accessibility can serve these previously underserved communities.

Focusing on the needs of diverse groups within Taiwan will allow BetterHelp to gain greater traction in this emerging market.

Potential drawbacks and considerations

While BetterHelp’s 6700+ TrustPilot reviews are mainly positive, there are some potential drawbacks or considerations to keep in mind regarding online therapy:

The asynchronous nature of messaging therapy means your counselor is not available immediately in times of acute distress.

As long as users understand the limitations and adjust expectations accordingly, BetterHelp can be an excellent option for affordable, convenient mental health support in Taiwan.

Combining online therapy with traditional psychiatry and counselling as needed may be ideal to some.

Best online therapy options in Taiwan

While BetterHelp.com leads the global online therapy space, other platforms like Regain and Talkspace are also available to residents of Taiwan.

• Regain – Intimacy/relationship experts, start at US$65 per week.
• TalkSpace – Adult & Teen counseling. Psychiatry and medication management available. Plans start at US$69 per week.
• Teen Counseling – Teen therapy specialists, plans start at US$65 per week.
• Calmerry – Professional counseling for the LGBTQ+ community, starts at US$50 per week.
• Realize Counseling – local psychotherapist office https://realizingcounseling.com/

Free or low-cost mental health resources

• International Lifeline Taiwan Association Crisis & Help lines, https://www.life1995.org.tw/, Phone: 1995
• Ministry of Health suicide prevention line: 1925
• Community Services Center in Taipei – provides counseling & resources for expats and long-term residents, https://communitycenter.org.tw/counseling/
• Taiwan Counseling and Psychotherapy Association https://www.counselingassociationoftaiwan.org/

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

Bottom line: Should I use BetterHelp in Taiwan?

BetterHelp provides an innovative way for Taiwan residents to access quality, affordable mental health support online.

Convenience, cost-savings, and expanded accessibility make online counseling an appealing choice for many people struggling with common issues like depression, anxiety, relationships, stress, and more.

BetterHelp's diverse group of therapists, easy payment options, and competitive pricing structure make professional counseling more accessible in Taiwan.

While not a panacea, BetterHelp and online therapy can be a valuable mental health resource. As internet connectivity continues improving across Taiwan, services like BetterHelp may help meet the significant unmet demand for mental health services.

FAQs

How much does BetterHelp cost in Taiwan?

• For users in Taiwan, BetterHelp costs between US$65 to US$90 per week, billed every four weeks. This equates to about TWD 2056 – TWD 2848 per week, or around TWD 8226 to TWD 11392 monthly (US$260-360).

How quickly can I start counseling with BetterHelp in Taiwan?

• You can sign up and be matched with a counselor in as little as 48 hours in most cases.

What kind of mental health conditions or problems can BetterHelp treat?

• BetterHelp counselors can address common issues like depression, anxiety, stress, relationship problems, trauma, grief, and more through talk therapy and counseling. Those with more severe or complex conditions may need specialized treatment.