Al is great at what he does. I've learned a lot and I'm grateful to have his guidance.
Al Balaa, LCPC
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Al is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 5.0 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Al. View 43 reviews
- Great news, Al is accepting new clients!
- He is normally fully-booked.
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in Maryland
Recent reviews
Dr Al has understood my needs from the very beginning. He's a great listener, therefore making him very comfortable to discuss my needs with.
More about Al
- 12 years' experience
- Male
- LCPC
I am licensed in Maryland with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.
Specialties
Licenses
Al Balaa's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1902446651.
- LCPC · Maryland · LC11565 · Expires January 2025
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling, also known as teletherapy, is a method of delivering mental health services through digital means such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging platforms. It can be an ideal option for individuals who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to geographical distance, time constraints, or personal preferences like privacy and comfort. Many people find it easier to open up from the familiarity of their own space.
Teletherapy has been found to be highly effective, with studies showing that it can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy, particularly for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The flexibility and accessibility it offers make it a valuable alternative to conventional therapy settings.
Reviews for Al Balaa
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
Al is great at what he does. I've learned a lot and I'm grateful to have his guidance.
Dr Al has understood my needs from the very beginning. He's a great listener, therefore making him very comfortable to discuss my needs with.
Dr. Balaa was very helpful in a very short time! He listens very well and does a great job guiding me towards solutions-based thinking and positive habits. He spent time looking at my overall well-being as well instead of just hyper-focusing on a particular issue (which helped me make changes to my daily routines and thought patterns). The sessions were convenient to schedule and Dr. Balaa is very proactive in therapy to either highlight issues that may come up in future or to getting me to think about goals.
I have only met with Mr. Balaa once but in the first session he gave me suggestions to use that helped.
Al is a professional who listens to the client's problems and responds in a manner that helps them solve their problems.
Very good at listening and understanding
He is very understanding and respectful I appreciate that
Al is very experienced, professional, and informative. I feel very comfortable opening up to him and he has been very helpful to my journey.
Extremely accommodating and encouraging. Listens and provides insight.
I'm a middle aged man, and I was looking for a knowledgeable person with relatable life experience. Al Balaa was that person, and his advice put me on the right track. I anticipate checking back in with him in the future. Highly recommend!
He is helping me in all the ways i think i need it
Al is always supportive, thoughtful and respectful. I feel relaxed talking with him. I always leave with a smile, regardless of how I start our session.
I am still in therapy with Al Balaa but our first session has been the best and set the tone for our just together. I will successfully achieve my mental goals and plans with his guidance as my therapist. Once I overcome the current reason I would like to have Al Balaa still in my life as my therapist, mentor and friend of sound voice. I am thankful for him. 10/10 100 times over!
Dr. Al has invested in my recovery.
I switched to Al Balaa during a time of personal immense turmoil and I came from a therapist who I really felt did not respect me. Al Balaa has validated my feelings and listened to me, empathized, and supported me. He is also very kind and knowledgeable. I feel very very lucky to have randomly matched with him, especially because out of all the therapists I've had over the years I really only liked a few. Thank you!
I had trouble with self confidence issues, he helped me gain my confidence I used to have as a kid. I'm a young adult now, and I can say that he has impacted my life very much for the better. I've learned to celebrate even the small victories, and take life one step at a time. All thanks to my therapist, Al Balaa.
I am grateful that he is willing to accommodate to my personal needs.
Al is very good and offered great help and options and help I had not considered
He’s amazing
Great lister
Great and listens.
Al displays great knowledge and really listens to what is being said without judgement. Al is very sincere
I've work with Al for on and off, he provides great counseling for when I feel lost or disconnected and I his exercises are helpful. I've worked through parts of myself that I didn't know how to explain to others while working with him. If you're struggling with motivation or your life journey he is an amazing therapist to support you on your journey.
He is amazing and so insightful! Have helped me out tremendously in a short period of time
Very supportive and helpful
Al Balaa is a comforting, very warm therapist who listens closely, checks in on troubles from week to week and provides thoughtful insights and ways to approach anxiety. I really appreciate our phone sessions. They are really helping me.
Al is Very professional , caring and genuine!
Al is understanding of my concerns and treats me with respect and dignity. He offers real solutions and brings a fresh perspective, which is helpful.
Since my very first appointment with Al Balaa I knew I finally found someone that really heard me. He is very professional and quite personable, always making the experience comfortable. I am able to discuss anything and everything that is going on in my life with Al Balaa with no fear of judgment, or shame. He provides me with a safe space to say the things I don’t feel I can say to anyone else, and he provides me with tools to help me navigate through my life. I highly recommend Al Balaa!
Such a caring & understanding therapist. Al makes me feel heard & has recommended some really helpful exercises. Overall, Al is a great therapist and a great person.
Great to talk to and really understood my issue.
Al is amazing! He has deep expertise in therapy. I'd definitely recommend to anyone who's in need.
In a time of need and emotional duress, Al was able to help me set a track to my emotional state in a positive direction. I left the session wondering why I have waited so long to do this. Al was able to see into my general statements and easily understand the complexity of issues. It was like talking to your wisest friend, confidentially.
he a good listener and understands me
I believe Al is genuinely concerned about my mental state and that he has been very beneficial as I deal with the issues that are currently impacting my mental health.
Al is an amazing therapist. Even though I’m just getting started with him, he’s already made a huge difference for me.
He is very helpful and checks on me. He listens patiently and I feel he understands my situation.
Al is very down to earth and is very approachable. This is my first experience with therapy and Al has made me feel at home from our first session.
Al Balaa is empathetic, familiar with the dynamics of domestic abuse and is extremely helpful. He maintains neutrality while providing validation when appropriate, and is a great resource for recommendations on how to better support your child when co-parenting with an abuser.
Excellent listener, provides good feedback and regularly checks in to see how you are doing. EXCELLENT!
He's nice. He doesn't judge.
He was unexpectedly exactly what I was expecting.
i really appreciate Al. He is consistent when I am in need of communication. He gives sound advice and always has available times to meet through out the week with my fluctuating work schedule
Frequently asked questions
Does Al Balaa offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Al Balaa works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Al Balaa speak?
Al Balaa speaks English.
How many years of experience does Al Balaa have?
Al Balaa has 12 years of experience.
Where is Al Balaa licensed to practice?
Al Balaa is licensed to practice in Maryland.
Does Al Balaa accept clients outside of the United States?
Yes, Al Balaa accepts clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
How can I communicate with Al Balaa?
Al Balaa can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Al Balaa?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.