Get Better, Together

Online Group Therapy Across Iraq.

Iraq's Ministry of Health reports fewer than one mental health worker per 100,000 residents, one of the thinnest ratios in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region. Grouport connects you with a licensed therapist over HIPAA-secure video right away, seating you inside a 6-12 person group for $32 per session or $140 per month, no clinic visit required.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

The Mental Health Access Gap in Iraq.

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

Mental Illness Prevalence

16.1% of Iraqi 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 Iraq's public system, an interval during which symptoms often deepen.

Median Household Income

$9,937 median household income in Iraq, shaping what households can allocate to private mental health care.

Percentage Who Need Therapy

89.0% of Iraqi adults with a mental health condition do not receive formal specialist treatment.

Provider Shortage

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

Mental Health Providers per 100k Residents

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

The World Health Organization's Mental Health Atlas classifies Iraq among the most under-resourced systems in the region, with the vast majority of the country's roughly 300 psychiatrists concentrated in Baghdad. Grouport bypasses this geographic bottleneck by matching residents of Basra, Mosul, Najaf, Kirkuk, and every governorate in between to the same licensed clinicians through an internet connection and a smartphone.

UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGE

Why Access Is So Constrained in Iraq.

The Problem

Iraq's mental health infrastructure never recovered from the loss of the Ibn Rushd Psychiatric Teaching Hospital during the 2003 conflict and the subsequent brain drain that saw an estimated 75% of the country's psychiatrists emigrate. WHO's most recent country profile shows the reporting rate for mental health workers rounding to zero per 100,000, and Human Rights Watch has documented that only two governorates operate dedicated inpatient psychiatric units. For a population of 44 million, the practical result is that most Iraqis have never had the option to see a mental health professional.

The Impact

The consequences are measurable. Iraq's suicide rate rose 55% between 2015 and 2021 according to figures compiled by the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, and internally displaced populations in Anbar and Nineveh show PTSD prevalence above 35% in International Organization for Migration surveys. When people do seek help, out-of-pocket spending accounts for roughly 76% of total health expenditure, pricing private psychiatry beyond reach for most households living on the median monthly wage of around 700,000 IQD.

The Solution

Grouport was built for exactly this arithmetic. A single weekly session with a licensed clinician in a small peer group costs $32 (roughly 42,000 IQD), less than a taxi across Baghdad plus the consultation fee at a private clinic. There is no referral needed, no waitlist at a government hospital, and no travel to Baghdad's Bab Al-Muadham medical district. Your therapist is credentialed, the video platform is HIPAA-encrypted, and the schedule accommodates Iraq's Sunday-through-Thursday work week.

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

Because Iraq's fixed broadband penetration reached only 22% in 2024 per ITU data while mobile internet subscriptions exceed 88 per 100 people, Grouport sessions run on standard mobile video and require no specialist software. Provincial cities like Sulaymaniyah, Karbala, and Ramadi gain access to the same licensed clinicians that a resident of Baghdad's Karrada district would, and the immediate group start window replaces the WHO-documented 20-week average wait for a specialist appointment at a public psychiatric outpatient department.

Access and Availability of Care in Iraq.

Iraq's national mental health strategy, endorsed in 2019, called for integrating psychological care into 2,000 primary health centers by 2025. WHO's 2024 progress review found fewer than 400 centers had trained staff on staff, leaving most Iraqis without a local point of entry to the mental health system.

Geographic Barriers

Distance is the first barrier. A resident of Al-Qaim in western Anbar faces a 320-kilometer drive to reach the nearest psychiatric outpatient clinic in Ramadi, and residents of the Sinjar district in Nineveh often travel more than 100 kilometers to Dohuk for any specialist appointment. The WHO Mental Health Atlas records that Iraq operates roughly 25 mental health outpatient facilities nationwide, or approximately one per 1.76 million. Grouport eliminates the drive entirely because sessions are joined from home over the same 4G connection Iraqis already use for WhatsApp.

Extended Wait Times

Even when a specialist is geographically reachable, the wait is severe. Iraqi Ministry of Health referral data reviewed by WHO showed public-sector waits averaging 20 weeks for a first psychiatric evaluation, and up to 32 weeks in Basra Governorate where the ratio of specialists to population is worst outside the Kurdistan Region. Group therapy at Grouport begins right after intake because we operate a rolling roster of small groups rather than an appointment queue tied to a single clinic.

Systemic Challenges

Structural gaps compound the problem. WHO Atlas 2020 recorded that Iraq allocated approximately 2% of its total health budget to mental health, and the Ministry of Health confirmed in a 2023 statement that public psychiatric medications were out of stock in 14 of 18 governorates for portions of that year. There is no national insurance scheme that meaningfully reimburses outpatient psychotherapy. Grouport's flat $140 monthly rate replaces this uncertainty with a predictable cost payable by international card.

Urban-Rural Divide

The World Bank reports Iraq at 71.3% urban as of 2023, with the concentration of health resources following the population into Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, and Mosul. Rural Diyala, Muthanna, and Salah al-Din governorates share single-digit numbers of licensed psychologists across populations exceeding one million each. For any Iraqi living outside a governorate capital, an internet-delivered service is often the only realistic path to a licensed therapist, and Grouport's licensed clinicians serve every postal code identically.

Iraq's population of 44.5 million is served by a specialist workforce measured in the low hundreds. Online group therapy is not a supplement to in-person care in this context; it is often the only care available. Grouport is designed to be that first door.

The Cost and Value of Therapy in Iraq.

Affordability and Income

Iraq's minimum public-sector wage sits at 350,000 IQD per month (about $267), and World Bank purchasing-power data places household median monthly spending at roughly $520. Against this, a $140 Grouport subscription buys four weekly group sessions with a licensed therapist plus curriculum materials. The same $140 would cover perhaps one to two private psychiatry visits in Baghdad with no continuity of care, or a single round-trip flight from Basra to the capital to see a specialist. The math consistently favors online group therapy for anyone in Iraq who needs sustained, weekly support rather than an episodic prescription refill.

Hidden Cost and Barriers

In-person care in Iraq carries substantial ancillary costs that never appear on the clinic invoice. A patient traveling from Amarah to Baghdad for a specialist appointment loses a full workday plus 40,000-60,000 IQD in shared-taxi and lodging expenses. Women in more conservative governorates often require a mahram accompaniment, doubling the travel expense. Medications, when available in the private market, run 30,000-90,000 IQD per month per prescription. Grouport's $140 monthly total eliminates travel, lodging, and time off work, and group therapy relies on clinician-led skills training rather than pharmacotherapy.

Immediate Availability

Public psychiatric services in Iraq require a general practitioner referral followed by a queue that WHO documented at 20 weeks on average. Private clinics offer faster access but at prices that outrun most household budgets. Grouport matches you to a small group and begins sessions right after intake, on your schedule, with no referral, no queue, and no clinic visit.

Private psychiatric consultations in Baghdad's Mansour and Jadriya districts commonly run 75,000-150,000 IQD (roughly $57-$115) per session, and follow-up frequency is typically monthly at best. Grouport delivers weekly clinician-led sessions for $32 each, a fraction of what a single private visit costs in country.

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

What Grouport Groups Address.

Grouport groups are organized around specific clinical themes rather than mixed-issue support circles. Iraqis have joined groups focused on anxiety, depression, PTSD and trauma processing, grief following bereavement, relationship distress, and dialectical behavior therapy skills for emotion regulation. Each group is capped at 12 participants and led by a licensed therapist working from a structured evidence-based curriculum.

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 clinician holds an active clinical license and has completed at least a master's-level degree in clinical social work, counseling psychology, or marriage and family therapy. Because Iraq's psychiatrist-to-population ratio rounds to zero per 100,000 in WHO reporting, matching with a licensed international clinician over video is frequently the only pathway to a credentialed professional. Sessions run in English and matching completes right away.

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 Iraq.

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 from Iraq.

With Iraq's GNI per capita near 14,550 USD PPP and private Baghdad sessions paid fully out of pocket, is Grouport's 32 USD price actually workable?

Yes. Private counseling in Baghdad or Erbil typically runs 40,000 to 75,000 IQD per one-off session, and public clinics carry long queues on top of cultural stigma. Grouport is a flat 32 USD per weekly group session with a licensed therapist and 6-12 peers, roughly 42,000 IQD, and you join right away instead of sitting through the 20-week gap common in under-resourced systems. For urban professionals, NGO staff, and oil-sector families in Basra or the Kurdistan Region, it fits a realistic monthly wellness budget.

In Iraqi households where extended family shares space in Baghdad or Erbil, how does Grouport keep sessions private from relatives?

Grouport runs entirely over a HIPAA-secure video link, so headphones and a closed door, or a parked car, keep the session private from parents, in-laws, or siblings. Nothing is shipped, no clinic name appears on a receipt, and members use first names only inside the group. Your weekly 60-minute session with 6-12 peers and a licensed therapist happens on your own device, discreetly, without any visit to Ibn Rushd or a Baghdad counselor that neighbors might notice or gossip about.

What if I need therapy but I'm unemployed?
Check if you qualify for Medicaid, which varies by state. Some therapists offer sliding scale for unemployed clients. Group therapy costs less than individual. Since our sessions are all online, Grouport tends to be more affordable for all therapy options we offer.
Can I do therapy if I've moved to a new country recently?
Yes. Moving to a new country creates adjustment stress, loneliness, identity shifts, and practical challenges. Therapy helps you navigate the transition, process what you've left behind, and build life where you are now. Moving countries is genuinely difficult even when you chose it.
What if mental health services in my country aren't good?
Some countries have limited mental health infrastructure, long waiting lists, or services that don't meet your needs. Online therapy provides access to quality care regardless of what's available locally. Many people use Grouport specifically because local options are inadequate. Our therapists specialize across the full range of mental health diagnoses and life challenges, so whatever you’re dealing with we’ll be able to get you situated with an individual therapist or in group therapy that’s right for your needs.
What size are the online therapy groups?
Grouport’s online therapy groups typically have 6-10 members on average. This size is ideal because it's small enough that everyone can participate in each session and receive individual attention, yet large enough to provide diverse perspectives and peer support. It’ll feel like your group of people that you consistently meet with each week, and this is tremendously helpful as its a reliable space of people you can confide in on a regular basis.
Is group therapy confidential?
Yes. Everyone in the group agrees upfront that what's shared in group stays in group and everyone in the group is there for a similar reason. The therapist maintains professional confidentiality just like in individual therapy. However, all group members must also agree to confidentiality as what's shared in group stays in group. Most group members take confidentiality seriously because they're also sharing vulnerable information and want the same protection. Many people find they're comfortable sharing in online group therapy sessions because others genuinely understand and respect the need for privacy. Keep in mind after all the members are there for the same reason you are.
What if I don't want to hear about other people's problems?
This concern is understandable as when you're struggling, it seems counterintuitive that listening to others' problems can help you. However, online group therapy works differently than expected as hearing others describe similar struggles reduces isolation and shame, observing others' progress provides hope and practical strategies that you can implement, giving support to others builds confidence and purpose, and different perspectives help you see your situation more clearly, and witnessing others' challenges often provides needed perspective on your own. Online Group Therapy isn't just venting about problems, but rather it's active problem-solving and skill-building together. If group feels like it's dragging you down rather than helping, perhaps it’s a matter of the group fit and it's worth exploring a different group fit, or individual therapy might be a better fit. But most people find that supporting and learning from others is surprisingly beneficial, and that is why the majority of our members do online group therapy as a primary part of their treatment plan.
Will I have to share my story in front of strangers?
You're never forced to share anything in online group therapy. Groups work at your own pace, and many people observe for several sessions before actively participating, and that's completely acceptable. Good group therapists create safety where participation feels natural overtime. You might start by simply introducing yourself, then gradually share more as comfort builds. Many people worry about this initially but find that sharing with others who genuinely understand because they struggle in a similar way is less scary and more relieving than expected and it's precisely this vulnerability that leads to tremendous progress. Group members typically respond with empathy and support and not judgment. The therapeutic power comes partly from being witnessed and accepted by others. Most people find that they are naturally willing to open up over time and share more, as it's precisely this vulnerability and being open with others that leads to the bulk of therapeutic progress.
Is there a long-term commitment required for therapy?
No, Grouport operates on a month-to-month basis with no long-term commitments required for our therapy plans. You can cancel at anytime and you’d just finish out whichever month you’re on. This flexibility allows you to attend therapy for as long as it's helpful. Many clients continue for several months or years as they work through their goals, while others use Grouport for shorter-term support. The choice is entirely yours, and you're never obligated to continue beyond your current billing period.
Can I change my session times?
Yes, if you need to change your recurring group therapy session time you can absolutely switch groups to one that works better for your schedule. Groups work on a set schedule so we don’t reschedule group sessions but if you can’t make a particular group session we can always add in a credit as long as it's within reason. If you need to reschedule an individual, couples, or a family therapy session, you can coordinate with your therapist and our care team to find a new time for that week - just provide advance notice. ✅ Occasional reschedules are fine, but we recommend keeping changes to a minimum for consistency. ✅ Need to change your recurring weekly time? Our team will help you adjust to a new time that fits your schedule.
What if I don't like my therapist?
We want you to feel comfortable with your therapist, so switching therapists is always an option at any time. Simply contact our support team at support@grouporttherapy.com, and we'll match you with a different therapist from there. We’ll present you alternative therapist options and time slots that fit your preferences, and you’ll ultimately select which therapist you’d like to switch to. So the choice is always yours in terms of who you are meeting with and when. We understand that therapeutic fit is personal and that finding the right fit is essential, so we’ll be happy to work with you to ensure you’re in the optimal fit and are satisfied with your care. This type of flexibility that we provide in switching therapists or groups easily is one of the many benefits of Grouport. You can switch as many times as needed to find the right match.

Where Grouport Serves Across Iraq.

Counties

Baghdad Governorate, Basra Governorate, Nineveh Governorate, Erbil Governorate, Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Duhok Governorate, Anbar Governorate, Kirkuk Governorate, Najaf Governorate, Karbala Governorate, Diyala Governorate, Wasit Governorate, Babil Governorate, Dhi Qar Governorate, Salah al-Din Governorate, Maysan Governorate, Muthanna Governorate, Qadisiyyah Governorate.

Cities

Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Kirkuk, Najaf, Karbala, Nasiriyah, Amarah, Duhok, Ramadi, Fallujah, Samarra, Tikrit, Baqubah, Hillah, Kut, Diwaniyah, Zakho, Halabja, Sinjar, Tal Afar, Al-Qaim.

Zip Codes

10001, 10011, 10013, 10015, 10025, 10052, 10054, 12001

If you have an address in Iraq, 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
See all areas we serve →

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Let’s find the right therapist match for you, so you can get consistent & effective care.

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