Get Better, Together

Online Group Therapy for People Living in Burundi.

Burundi has one of the thinnest mental health workforces on the African continent, with roughly 0.03 practitioners for every 100,000. Grouport places Burundians into small, English-language online groups right away of sign-up, for $32 per session, so distance from Bujumbura or Gitega no longer determines whether structured therapy is reachable.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

The State of Mental Health Services in Burundi.

Understanding the landscape of mental health care access and the challenges
residents face across the state.

Mental Illness Prevalence

12.6% of Burundian adults live with a mental health condition each year, reflecting the ongoing need for accessible therapy options.

Wait Time

20 weeks the average wait to secure a first mental health appointment in Burundi's public system, an interval during which symptoms often deepen.

Median Household Income

$1,834 median household income in Burundi, shaping what households can allocate to private mental health care.

Percentage Who Need Therapy

91.0% of Burundian adults with a mental health condition do not receive formal specialist treatment.

Provider Shortage

100% of Burundi's mental health workforce falls short of what is needed to fully meet population demand for specialist care.

Mental Health Providers per 100k Residents

0.03 per 100,000 mental health workers in Burundi, a density that shapes availability, wait times, and access across the country.

Burundi's numbers reflect decades of underinvestment in specialised care rather than any lack of need. WHO's Mental Health Atlas records only a handful of psychiatrists nationwide, most attached to Kamenge Neuropsychiatric Centre in Bujumbura. World Bank income figures ($1,834 GNI PPP per capita) explain why private clinical care remains a rarity, and why community and NGO-run programmes carry most of the caseload outside the capital.

UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGE

Understanding Mental Health Access in Burundi.

The Problem

With a population of just over 14 million and only about 0.03 mental health workers per 100,000 people, Burundi's clinical capacity is measured in single-digit specialists. Kamenge Neuropsychiatric Centre in Bujumbura is the country's main referral facility for structured psychological care, and community programmes run by organisations such as Village Health Works fill critical gaps in provinces like Kayanza and Muyinga. For most Burundians, the practical question is not which therapist to choose, but whether reaching one is feasible at all.

The Impact

The consequences of that scarcity are geographic as much as clinical. Roughly 75% of Burundians live in rural communes, often several hours by bus or motorbike from the nearest hospital psychology service. A 20-week wait for a public appointment, combined with transport costs that can exceed a day's wages, means many people who seek help stop before their first session. Others rely on primary-care nurses trained through mhGAP initiatives, who provide valuable first-line support but limited access to sustained group-based work.

The Solution

Online group therapy sidesteps the two hardest constraints in Burundi's landscape: the extreme scarcity of specialists and the geography that concentrates them in Bujumbura. A resident of Ngozi, Rumonge or Cankuzo with a stable internet connection can join the same weekly group as someone in the capital. Grouport's model, 6-12 participants, a licensed clinician, structured curriculum for anxiety, depression, DBT skills and related presentations, is designed for exactly this kind of distributed access.

100% of Burundi's mental health workforce falls short of what is needed to fully meet population demand for specialist care.

Grouport matches new members to a group right away rather than the 20-week wait typical of Burundi's public system. Sessions are held in English, which works for Burundians educated in the language or working with international organisations, NGOs and universities. There is no travel to Bujumbura, no fuel or bus fare, and no need to take a full day away from work or family. All that is required is a smartphone or laptop and a reasonably steady connection, increasingly available in Bujumbura Mairie, Gitega and larger provincial towns thanks to ongoing mobile broadband rollouts.

Access and Availability Across Burundi.

Access to mental health care in Burundi is defined less by cost tiers or insurance categories and more by simple presence: whether a trained clinician exists within reachable distance. In most of the country, the honest answer is no. Grouport is built to be present wherever an internet signal is, from Bujumbura's lakefront neighbourhoods to hillside communes in Kirundo and Bururi.

Geographic Barriers

Burundi's terrain complicates every logistical calculation. The country's hills and limited paved road network make even short distances slow to travel, and the majority of specialists cluster in Bujumbura Mairie. For a family in Cankuzo or Makamba province, reaching Kamenge Neuropsychiatric Centre can mean a full day of travel each way, plus the cost of overnight accommodation if follow-up visits are needed. Online group sessions remove that entire chain, the appointment happens wherever the participant already is, on the schedule they can actually keep.

Extended Wait Times

Twenty weeks is a widely cited waiting period for a first structured therapy appointment through Burundi's public system, and referral chains from provincial hospitals to the capital regularly stretch it further. For someone dealing with panic symptoms, persistent low mood, or the aftermath of loss, nearly five months without support is not a neutral pause, it is time in which routines, work performance and relationships often deteriorate. Grouport's immediate group start window is designed to close that specific gap, not with an emergency service but with a scheduled, sustained group people can join this week.

Systemic Challenges

Burundi has no universal health insurance scheme covering mental health at parity with physical care. The Carte d'Assistance Médicale offers partial coverage for public facility visits, but specialty psychology and psychiatry sit largely outside its scope. Private practice is rare, and most professional counselling is delivered by NGOs, faith-based hospitals such as Kibuye Hope, or donor-funded programmes with finite intake windows. In that context, a self-pay online service at $32 per session is not competing with a robust insured system, it is filling a category of care that scarcely exists domestically at scale.

Urban-Rural Divide

Only about 24.8% of Burundians live in urban areas, and formal mental health services are even more concentrated: the overwhelming majority of practitioners are based in or near Bujumbura Mairie. That leaves roughly three-quarters of the population living where a trained therapist is effectively unavailable in person. Grouport treats a participant in Muramvya or Rutana identically to one in the capital: same group, same clinician, same weekly rhythm, whichever province the login comes from.

The result is that geography stops determining whether structured group care is possible. For Burundians who can join in English and have working internet, Grouport represents one of the few routes to consistent weekly sessions with a licensed clinician, without joining a five-month queue or moving closer to the capital.

Affordable Group Therapy Costs for Burundi Residents.

Affordability and Income

At $140 per month, weekly Grouport membership is roughly 14% of Burundi's average monthly GNI per capita, high in isolation, but comparable to what many NGO staff, teachers, university students on stipends, or diaspora-supported households already spend on health, internet, and education combined. It is a fraction of what a private psychiatric consultation costs in Nairobi or Kigali, both common referral destinations for Burundians who can afford to travel abroad for care.

Hidden Cost and Barriers

In-person care in Burundi carries costs that rarely show up on a receipt. A round-trip bus fare from Ngozi or Makamba to Bujumbura, a night's lodging when appointments run late, lost daily wages for informal workers, and the possibility of repeating the trip if the specialist is unavailable, these accumulate quickly and often exceed the nominal consultation fee. Online sessions collapse all of that into a single scheduled hour, joined from home or a workplace with reliable Wi-Fi.

Immediate Availability

Grouport participants are typically matched to a group right away of completing the intake questionnaire, rather than joining a public-sector queue that commonly stretches to 20 weeks. For anyone weighing whether to spend on private care, that difference in when help actually starts is often the most concrete part of the value calculation.

Cost is a decisive factor in any Burundian household's care decisions. With GNI per capita of $1,834 PPP, private one-to-one therapy at international rates is out of reach for almost everyone. Grouport's $32 per session ($140 per month for weekly attendance) sits at a very different point on the cost curve than international private practice, though it is still a meaningful sum in local terms and best evaluated against the alternatives actually available.

How it Works

Community

Choose your online therapy group

Choose your desired online therapy group and sign up for our weekly plan. Most of our groups are $35/session, but our skills groups are $25/session.

Networking

Personalized match

We’ll ensure you're matched to an online therapy group that best fits your mental health challenges and schedule. Don’t worry if you’re not entirely sure which group is right for you, as after signing up, a care coordinator can help make sure you get started in the group that’s right for you. We typically match you to a group right away!

Video call

Meet weekly with your group

Join your group over video chat at the same time each week for 60-minute sessions. You’ll meet with the same members & therapist with a group of up to 12 members. Additional membership perks can include weekly handouts, symptom tracking, and one-off workshops.

Find Your Group

Mental Health Conditions We Treat in Burundi.

Grouport groups address the full range of adult mental health concerns commonly seen in Burundian clients: generalised anxiety, panic symptoms, depression, grief, relationship strain, workplace burnout, and the layered stress that comes with rebuilding after periods of instability. Dedicated DBT skills groups teach emotion regulation and distress tolerance techniques that translate across cultural contexts. Sessions are structured, curriculum-based, and led by licensed clinicians experienced in working with international participants.

Find your groupa group of nine people chatting online

Get Help for:

Self harm

Self-Harm, Suicidal Ideation, Self-injury, Suicide Survival

  • OCD
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Trauma & PTSD
  • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Narcissistic Abuse 
  • Eating Disorders
  • Body Dysmorphia 
  • Agoraphobia 
  • Anger Management
  • ADHD
  • Substance Abuse & Addiction
  • Postpartum depression or anxiety
  • Panic
  • Phobias
  • Grief & Loss
  • Relationship Challenges
  • Couples Issues
  • Parenting
  • Supporting a loved one
  • Work stress & burnout
  • Self-harm, Self-injury, Suicidal ideation
  • Chronic Illness
  • Divorce
  • Teen/Adolescent Groups 
  • Gender identity 
  • LGBTQIA Support

Common Treatments:

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) 
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Exposure Response Prevention Therapy (ERP)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Emotion-focused Therapy (EFT)
  • Exposure Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing 
  • Interpersonal Therapy
Vector Heart
USA

Meet Our Therapists

Our therapists represent a wide range of clinical specialties & diverse backgrounds. They all undergo the most stringent credentialing process. Grouport therapists are caring, expert mental health professionals with years of experience helping people get the tools they need to see long-lasting change.

Every Grouport therapist is a licensed clinician, and several regularly work with participants across Africa, including Burundi and its neighbours. Sessions run in English, so members should be comfortable discussing personal topics in English, the level many Burundians reach through secondary school, university, or work with international organisations is generally sufficient. Therapists are briefed on the realities their international members bring to sessions, from long working hours to intermittent connectivity, and structure participation accordingly. All groups are HIPAA-compliant and fully confidential.

FIND YOUR MATCH

a healthier future starts right here

Grouport’s Results

80% of our members start with moderate to severe mental health symptoms

70% of our members feel significantly better within just 8 weeks

50% of our members achieve remission levels within just 8 weeks

80%
of our members start with moderate to severe mental health symptoms

70%
of our members feel significantly better within just 8 weeks

50%
of our members achieve remission levels within just 8 weeks

Find your Group

girl with chart on face

Affordable Group Therapy & Care Options in Burundi.

Group, individual, couples, family, IOP, and teen therapy — all online, all therapist-led. Mix and match care options to fit your needs — and get discounted pricing when you bundle.

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Group Therapy

$35/session
billed at $140/month

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Individual Therapy

$112/session
billed at $448/month

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Partnership

Couples Therapy

$123/session
billed at $492/month

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or Learn More

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Family Therapy

$160/session
billed at $640/month

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or Learn More

IOP Therapy

$337/week
billed at $1,348/month

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or Learn More

Frame

Teen Therapy

$112/session
billed at $448/month

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or Learn More

Meaningful Results

Check out how our services have helped our members see life-changing results

Stephanie

“Grouport is time flexible and affordable and if it didn’t exist, I don’t know where I would go. I had looked into other places before Grouport and there really wasn’t any option like it.”

Michael

“I highly recommend this to anyone who is struggling with anxiety or depression. The therapists are top notch and have made me feel really comfortable and my anxiety has improved tremendously in only a few sessions!”

Isabel

"I joined Grouport to work on myself and to heal. I’m learning so much at every session! The change I see not only in myself but in my fellow group members is abundantly encouraging and profoundly fulfilling. Group therapy with Grouport is a powerful healing tool."

Sheldon

“I was feeling very down at the end of 2020 and I was ready to do something drastic that I know I'd likely regret. The group definitely helped show me that there are people who feel the same way as I do.”

Nancy

“The therapy from Grouport is high quality and convenient. I am becoming much more self aware and am liking myself more. My relationships at work are better and I’m much happier.”

Emily

“I like the connection you can make with total strangers and the confidentiality it comes with.”

Olivia

“My weekly group helps me get through the week. Best experience ever!”

Danielle

"Grouport can help you with your issues. Their therapists are well trained to work with you on your issues. I felt my anxiety greatly improve after only a few sessions. I highly recommend it!"

Glenn

"Grouport's approach to DBT is a real strength. This approach provides tools and methods for working with difficult emotions and getting a handle on them. It has given me hope where other approaches have failed."

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Common Questions About Group Therapy in Burundi.

When do Grouport groups meet in Central Africa Time, and will the schedule fit around a workday in Bujumbura or Gitega?

Burundi runs on Central Africa Time (UTC+2) year-round with no daylight saving, so Grouport's schedule stays predictable. Evening groups on the US East Coast (7 to 9 PM ET) land at 1 to 3 AM CAT, which is late, but morning and midday US slots translate to comfortable afternoon and evening sessions in Bujumbura, Gitega, or Ngozi. You pick a weekly time that fits your routine, join right away over a HIPAA-secure link, and meet the same licensed therapist and small group of 6 to 12 members each week for $32 per session.

Can I pay Grouport's $32-per-session fee from Burundi if I don't have a Visa card loaded in USD?

Yes. Grouport accepts major international credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), and cards issued by Bujumbura banks such as Ecobank, KCB Burundi, and BANCOBU work as long as they are enabled for online USD transactions. Your bank converts from Burundian francs at the daily rate, typically adding a small forex fee. Clients without a qualifying card often use a family member's card abroad or a diaspora-supported virtual card, then join weekly video groups of 6 to 12 members led by licensed therapists right away.

What happens if I cancel my subscription—do I get a refund?
If you cancel mid-month, your access continues through the end of your billing period (you've already paid for that month). You're not typically refunded for unused portions of the current month. Monthly subscriptions mean you're paying month-to-month, so cancellation stops future billing but doesn't refund the current month.
Can therapy help if I'm far from my family?
Living far from family creates loneliness and grief. You miss important events. You can't be there when family needs you. You worry about aging parents. The distance is painful even when you chose to live where you are. Therapy validates this grief and helps you navigate relationships across distance.
What if I'm dealing with discrimination or racism where I live?
Experiencing discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, or being a foreigner affects mental health. Whether it's overt hostility or daily microaggressions, it's exhausting and painful. Therapy provides space to process the hurt and anger, develop coping strategies, and figure out how to protect yourself emotionally.
Can online group therapy replace individual therapy?
For some people, yes. For others, online group therapy and individual therapy work best together. Depends totally based on what you need. Group gives you connection and perspective while individual gives you focused personal attention. Neither is inherently better, they just serve different purposes. Many people start with online individual therapy at first and add group therapy later on, or attend group and add individual therapy when specific issues arise. A care coordinator or your therapist can help you determine whether group alone, individual alone, or both best serves your needs and ultimately you can decide that and your needs may adjust over time.
What if I'm struggling financially and can't afford online group therapy anymore?
Grouport's online group therapy is already one of the most affordable therapy options out there at $25 - $35 per session ($140/month), depending on the group you’re in. That's significantly cheaper than almost any other type of therapy out there. Maybe you can use receipts to get out of network insurance reimbursement, or use HSA/FSA funds. When paying quarterly or biannually, you also do receive discounts. While we try to make our services as affordable as possible, we understand that cost is a reality that people face and everyone's financial situation is different. Sometimes taking a planned break with the intention to return when finances improve helps. The goal is supporting your treatment access with what is financially viable for you.
Can I bring up something that happened outside group?
Bringing outside experiences into group therapy is central to therapy. Whatever's happening in your life is material for group. However, dominating every session with outside content without engaging within the confines of group process limits benefits so it’s important to balance between bringing outside issues, listening to others in the group, and participating in group's here and now interactions. The therapist facilitates using outside examples productively, focusing on relevant skills that require time to go over, while maintaining group cohesion. Your life outside group is always relevant material and you should certainly incorporate things that happen in your life into group as that is why you are there.
What happens if someone leaves the group suddenly?
Unexpected departures can affect group dynamics and members may worry, feel abandoned, or question the group's overall value. The therapist helps remaining members maintain cohesiveness. New members joining also brings adjustment as groups are always evolving and it's important to be cognizant that new members can also join in at any time particularly if a group is not at capacity. So that can be a positive thing that new members can join in overtime to fill the spot of the departing individual. Learning to navigate membership changes builds real-life skills for handling relationship transitions.
Can you prescribe medication?

No, Grouport therapists cannot prescribe medication as they are licensed therapists (LCSW, LMFT, LMHC, PhD, PsyD, LPC) focused on psychological care only, not psychiatrists or medical doctors. However, many clients see both a therapist and a prescriber (psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or primary care doctor) for combined treatment. Research shows therapy plus medication is often an effective combination for conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Your therapist can coordinate care with your prescriber if you're taking medication, and can help you find a prescriber if needed. We focus on the therapy component of your mental health care, including online group therapy, online individual therapy, online couples therapy, online family therapy, online teen therapy, and our virtual intensive outpatient program (IOP).

What conditions do your licensed therapists treat?
Grouport licensed therapists treat a wide range of mental health conditions and life challenges, including: anxiety disorders, OCD, depression and mood disorders, relationship and family conflicts, grief and loss, trauma and PTSD, anger management, borderline personality disorder (BPD), bipolar disorder, stress management, life transitions, parenting challenges, communication issues, self-esteem concerns, chronic illness, DBT skills for emotion regulation and more. Whatever you’re dealing with, we’ll have a therapist fit who specializes in your needs and would be the right fit for you. We have plenty of therapist and online group therapy options to choose from. Our licensed therapists utilized evidence based techniques where appropriate like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) , Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure Response Prevention Therapy (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Interpersonal Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). If you need help finding care for your specific challenges, contact us, and we’ll be sure to assist you and relay the relevant therapy options.
How long does therapy take to work?
Most clients begin noticing improvements within 8-12 sessions, though this varies based on your goals and situation. Grouport research shows that 70% of clients improve significantly within 8 sessions. Some issues (like learning specific coping skills for anxiety) may show progress quickly, while others (like healing from trauma or changing long-standing relationship patterns) take longer. Your therapist will discuss realistic timelines and measurable goals during your first few sessions, and you'll regularly review progress together to ensure therapy remains effective and on track with your goals.

Group Therapy Available Across Burundi.

Counties

Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rural, Bubanza, Cibitoke, Kayanza, Ngozi, Kirundo, Muyinga, Cankuzo, Ruyigi, Rutana, Makamba, Bururi, Rumonge, Mwaro, Muramvya, Gitega, Karuzi.

Cities

Bujumbura, Gitega, Muyinga, Ruyigi, Ngozi, Rutana, Bururi, Makamba, Kayanza, Cibitoke, Rumonge, Muramvya, Karuzi, Kirundo.

Zip Codes

Grouport serves all zip codes across Burundi. If you have an address in Burundi, Grouport can serve you regardless of your zip code.

Online Group Therapy Available Worldwide

Grouport offers online group therapy available globally for people in 200+ countries. Find a group led by a licensed therapist that fits your needs.

Afghanistan Aland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Colombia Comoros Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curacao Cyprus Czech Republic Côte d'Ivoire Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Republic of the Congo Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu U.S. Virgin Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City Venezuela Vietnam Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe
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Let’s find the right therapist match for you, so you can get consistent & effective care.

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