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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

Al is great at what he does. I've learned a lot and I'm grateful to have his guidance.

Reviewed December 2024

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.

Reviewed November 2024

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

Stress Anxiety Trauma and abuse Grief Self esteem Coaching Addictions Relationship issues

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 allows you to receive care from a mental health practitioner via phone, video chat, or instant messaging. It is convenient for those who may have trouble getting to or would prefer not to have in-person therapy appointments. Starting at $65 per week, online counseling is generally more affordable than in-person counseling. A study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley found that online counseling can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy while being more convenient, affordable, and accessible.

Reviews for Al Balaa

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

5.0

43 reviews

5
4
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Clients mention: Great Helpful Listens Amazing Helped Professional Understanding Comfortable Recommend Caring

Al is great at what he does. I've learned a lot and I'm grateful to have his guidance.

Reviewed December 2024

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.

Reviewed November 2024

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.

Reviewed November 2024

I have only met with Mr. Balaa once but in the first session he gave me suggestions to use that helped.

Reviewed November 2024

Al is a professional who listens to the client's problems and responds in a manner that helps them solve their problems.

Reviewed November 2024

Very good at listening and understanding

Reviewed September 2024

He is very understanding and respectful I appreciate that

Reviewed September 2024

Al is very experienced, professional, and informative. I feel very comfortable opening up to him and he has been very helpful to my journey.

Reviewed September 2024

Extremely accommodating and encouraging. Listens and provides insight.

Reviewed September 2024

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!

Reviewed July 2024

He is helping me in all the ways i think i need it

Reviewed July 2024

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.

Reviewed July 2024

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!

Reviewed July 2024

Dr. Al has invested in my recovery.

Reviewed June 2024

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!

Reviewed May 2024

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.

Reviewed May 2024

I am grateful that he is willing to accommodate to my personal needs.

Reviewed May 2024

Al is very good and offered great help and options and help I had not considered

Reviewed May 2024

He’s amazing

Reviewed April 2024

Great lister

Reviewed April 2024

Great and listens.

Reviewed February 2024

Al displays great knowledge and really listens to what is being said without judgement. Al is very sincere

Reviewed February 2024

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.

Reviewed January 2024

He is amazing and so insightful! Have helped me out tremendously in a short period of time

Reviewed January 2024

Very supportive and helpful

Reviewed January 2024

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.

Reviewed January 2024

Al is Very professional , caring and genuine!

Reviewed December 2023

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.

Reviewed December 2023

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!

Reviewed December 2023

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.

Reviewed December 2023

Great to talk to and really understood my issue.

Reviewed November 2023

Al is amazing! He has deep expertise in therapy. I'd definitely recommend to anyone who's in need.

Reviewed November 2023

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.

Reviewed November 2023

he a good listener and understands me

Reviewed November 2023

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.

Reviewed September 2023

Al is an amazing therapist. Even though I’m just getting started with him, he’s already made a huge difference for me.

Reviewed September 2023

He is very helpful and checks on me. He listens patiently and I feel he understands my situation.

Reviewed August 2023

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.

Reviewed July 2023

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.

Reviewed July 2023

Excellent listener, provides good feedback and regularly checks in to see how you are doing. EXCELLENT!

Reviewed July 2023

He's nice. He doesn't judge.

Reviewed June 2023

He was unexpectedly exactly what I was expecting.

Reviewed June 2023

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

Reviewed June 2023

How was your experience with Al?

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.

Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video

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.