Instahelp
Graz-based platform for one-off or regular counselling sessions with psychologists, paid per session with no subscription
Quick Overview
| Company | Insta Communications GmbH (part of Up to Eleven Digital Solutions GmbH) |
|---|---|
| Category | Online Therapy Platforms |
| Headquarters | Graz, Austria |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - Austria (EU) |
| Data Location | Not stated on the pages checked; GDPR compliance claimed on the site |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Smart matching questionnaire, video/phone/text sessions, 400+ psychologists, first contact within 24 hours, couples sessions, German, English, Spanish and French site |
| Pricing | EUR 49 (30-minute introductory session), EUR 59 (30 min), EUR 89 (50 min), EUR 159 (75 min, couples); no subscription |
| Best For | People who want to buy individual counselling sessions without a weekly membership |
| Replaces | BetterHelp |
Detailed Review
Instahelp turns the BetterHelp idea upside down on one point: you pay for the sessions you book, and nothing renews in the background. The price list on its site runs from EUR 49 for a 30-minute introductory slot to EUR 159 for a 75-minute couples session.
The operator is Insta Communications GmbH in Graz, a company of Up to Eleven Digital Solutions GmbH, and the imprint lists an Austrian register number and VAT ID. The people on the other end are described as psychologists who work with methods based on cognitive behavioural therapy.
How a first session starts
You answer a short questionnaire, the matching system proposes psychologists, and after registration the chosen psychologist reaches out through the platform within 24 hours according to the site. The first appointment can be a video call, a phone call or a text chat.
Because there is no subscription, a user who wants only two or three sessions can stop without cancelling anything.
Counselling, not crisis care
The site states plainly that Instahelp is not suitable in acute psychological or medical crises and sends users to a doctor or an emergency number instead. That boundary matters when comparing it with a clinic.
The service is built around psychologists offering counselling, so it should be read as an accessible first step, not as a substitute for treatment that a health insurer funds.
Languages and reach
The public site is available in German, English, Spanish and French, and the psychologist pool is listed at more than 400 people. Which languages a given psychologist offers is shown during matching, not on the landing page.
Limitations to Consider
Instahelp counsels but does not run insurer-reimbursed psychotherapy, and the pages checked do not mention insurance refunds. A weekly habit costs more than a subscription would if you book the 50-minute slot every week (EUR 89 each). It is also unsuited to acute crises, by its own statement. For programme-based care covered by German insurers see Selfapy.
Who Should Use Instahelp
Adults in German-speaking Europe and beyond who want individual sessions with a psychologist, bought one at a time, from an EU operator.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Price per session shown openly on the site
- No subscription to cancel
- Video, phone or chat per session
- Austrian operator with a full imprint
- Couples sessions available
Cons
- No insurer reimbursement mentioned
- Crisis situations excluded by the vendor
- Weekly use adds up at EUR 89 per 50 minutes
- Data hosting location not stated on the landing pages
Alternatives to Instahelp
Other European online therapy platforms worth comparing before you decide:
It's Complicated
Germany · Therapist marketplace with free matching and 60+ session languages
Mindler
Sweden · Swedish app with licensed psychologists, video sessions and ICBT programmes
Therapyside
Spain · Madrid-run platform with weekly psychologist plans, priced per session
Selfapy
Germany · Prescription online courses for depression, anxiety and eating disorders
See all European online therapy platforms or compare them directly against BetterHelp on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The site lists prices per session and states that there is no subscription, so a session is paid when it is booked.
A 30-minute introductory session is listed at EUR 49, and a regular 30-minute session at EUR 59. A 50-minute session is EUR 89.
The vendor says it is not suitable for acute psychological or medical crises and directs users to a doctor or an emergency line.