Online Therapy In Belgium: Is Digital Healthcare The Best Choice for Foreigners?

Edited by Emma Locker

Most expatriates (expats) relocate to Belgium for business opportunities, high living standards, and educational prospects. The country also offers a range of attractive tax incentives. A large number of Expats in Belgium are young adults and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Despite the country’s attractions, foreigners in Belgium face many different psychological challenges. Most notably, they have difficulty adapting to the language and cultural differences. Belgian society is highly structured with its unique customs. Expats often struggle to socialize outside their community and culture, leading to feelings of isolation.

In this post, we offer insight into online counseling and psychological sessions. Both can improve your mental health and well-being if you’re an expat in Belgium.

Which mental health issues can online therapists help with?

It’s important to consider your symptoms when deciding between online counseling and office-based private practice. Many psychological disorders can be treated via digital healthcare. Online therapy is clinically proven to be viable for a range of therapy courses and techniques. Still, we shouldn’t consider online sessions a replacement for in-person treatment.

Below are some examples of conditions that online therapy can help treat. You can access a variety of courses for many therapeutic approaches, ranging from simple talk therapy to rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT). You can also receive support using complex techniques like exposure and flooding therapy online.

Anxiety disorders

Expats often need additional help accessing healthcare services, as they typically find it challenging to access healthcare services due to their lack of familiarity with the health system.

In Belgium, obtaining visas or work permits can be complex and time-consuming, with just under ¼ of applications being rejected. Much of this is because they’re unaware of their rights as foreign nationals. This can lead to persistent worries which takes a toll on mental health.

Belgium is an expensive country to live in, so finding affordable housing can be challenging. This is especially true when seeking accommodation in desirable areas like Brussels. These difficulties may cause generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder.

When facing these struggles, expats may also experience anxiety-associated conditions, manifesting symptoms similar to anxiety disorders. These include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Social and specific phobias also fit into this category. Online therapists may use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), or exposure therapy to help treat these anxiety symptoms.

Depression

Depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are also often troublesome for some foreigners, especially in northern Europe.

A December night in Brussels can last for almost 16 hours. So it’s unsurprising that mood disorders can occur with so few daylight hours, especially if you’re not used to this, like those who have moved to Belgium from places closer to the equator where daylight areas don’t differ much through the year.

Treatment for depression or SAD may involve online talk therapy (CBT) alongside prescription medicine.

Language barriers and cultural differences are common for people moving to Belgium as French, Dutch, and German are all common languages in this region. Many locals switch between languages without thinking, which can confuse foreigners. The feeling of being a stranger in a new land (e.g., persecutory delusion) may trigger forms of delusional disorder.

In-Person vs. Online Therapy in Belgium

Cost comparison between in-person therapy & online therapy

BetterHelp	In-person therapy
Cost ranges from $65-$100 per week (you can message your therapist anytime)	$100 to $200 per session
$260- $400 monthly Get 15% off for Healthy Minded visitors

Online therapy is becoming increasingly popular in Belgium’s busiest cities (e.g., Antwerp). It offers convenience and flexibility for individuals seeking help with mental health issues. Sessions are accessible from anywhere at any time, making them a good fit for on-the-go people.

Despite its benefits, online therapy isn’t for everyone. Some people struggle with slow internet connections or difficulty with specific software programs. There’s also an element of anonymity to online treatment, which can lead some people to feel less connected to their therapist.

Difficulty forming a trusting relationship can seriously impede a patient’s progress. Those who need intensive support or personal contact may prefer in-person therapy. However, it’s worth noting that online therapy allows access to a broader range of therapists and specialists, especially for those within minority communities.

Provided there’s a relevant specialist in your area (and you have the time to spare), in-person therapy might be for you. Online therapy may be more feasible for busy people in congested places like Brussels.

How Much Does Online Therapy in Belgium Cost?

Anyone in Belgium can attest that therapy is notoriously expensive in the country. Most local insurers cover a limit of €300 or roughly 4-5 sessions. Anyone looking to see a therapist for a 45-60 minute session each week could expect to pay up to €280 per month.

Online therapy is more decentralized, which creates accessibility issues for some people. Famous avenues of online therapy in Belgium include platforms like Loki and Zoom. However, these might not be ideal choices considering their issues with patient privacy.

The Best Online Therapy Services for Expats in Belgium

If you’re looking for online therapy in Belgium, look into specialized HIPAA-covered providers.

Our three recommended services are Talkspace, BetterHelp, and Amwell. Let’s compare the three in the table below.

	Talkspace	BetterHelp	Amwell
Price	from $69-$129 a week	from $60-$90 a week	from $99-$129 per session
Availability	unlimited messaging	limited messaging	unlimited messaging
Counselors	3,000+	7000+	3,000+
Specialties	specialized services in more common areas	wider selection of services in niche areas	wider selection in niche areas
Community	active online community	no community features	active online community
Availability	iOS, Android & desktop (web)	iOS, Android & desktop (web)	iOS, Android & desktop (web)

Price

• Talkspace from $69-$129 a week, depending on the subscription
• BetterHelp from $60-$90 a week, billed monthly
• Amwell from $79-$129 per session, depending on the therapist

Availability

• Talkspace unlimited messaging access with their monthly plans
• Betterhelp limited amount of messaging each week, depending on the plan chosen
• Amwell offers unlimited messaging and 24/7 access to mental health support tools

Counselors

• Talkspace boasts over 3,000 licensed and experienced specialists who provide therapy services
• BetterHelp has more than 7,000 counselors for its members
• Amwell has a network of 3,000 licensed therapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists

Specialties

• Talkspace offers specialized services from relationship counseling to workplace coaching
• Betterhelp provides wider selection of services in niche areas like anxiety and depression
• Amwell also provides a wider selection in niche areas like trauma and relationship problems

Community Support

• Talkspace has an online community where users can interact and share experiences
• Betterhelp does not have a similar feature
• Amwell hosts events, groups, and forums that encourage meaningful conversations about mental health

Platforms

• Talkspace is available on iOS, Android, and desktop via the web
• BetterHelp is also available on iOS, Android, and desktop via the web
• Amwell is also available on iOS, Android, and desktop via the web

Try Talkspace for Online Therapy in Belgium

Based on the information above, Talkspace is likely the best choice for expats in Belgium.

It offers a balance of affordability, therapist availability, and specializations. This makes it ideal for young adults and on-the-go entrepreneurs, which are the leading expat demographics in the country.

Sign up today and start your journey toward mental and emotional well-being!