BetterHelp and REFORM Alliance Provide Free Therapy to Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

May 31, 2022 at 14:28 PM EDT

BetterHelp, the world’s largest therapy service, partners with REFORM Alliance, in their latest social impact partnership to provide free therapy to people impacted by the criminal justice system.

REFORM Alliance aims to transform probation and parole by changing laws, systems, and culture to create real pathways to work and wellbeing. They’re working to move people from the justice system into stability.

The partnership aims to support people who have been formerly incarcerated, people who have served time on probation or other forms of criminal justice supervision, and individuals who have loved ones that have faced criminal justice involvement, with mental health resources from BetterHelp.

“Given impact that incarceration may have on mental health, we are honored to work with REFORM Alliance on providing free therapy resources to formerly incarcerated individuals to help them succeed,” said Alon Matas, President and Founder of BetterHelp.

Nearly 40% of people in jails and prisons have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder and more than one-third of people on probation have some form of mental illness. The impacts of incarceration often worsen mental health challenges that continue long after an individual is released. Family members also deal with emotional trauma when a loved one is impacted.

To combat some of these challenges, BetterHelp is donating 300 months of therapy to members of REFORM Alliance’s community.

“Ending cycles of harm and creating safer communities starts with getting people the resources they need to thrive,” said Louis L. Reed, Senior Advisor at REFORM Alliance. “As someone who spent 14 years in federal prison but also became a licensed clinician, I can attest to the lifesaving value of therapy in achieving stability and wellness - especially for people who have been harmed by the criminal justice system. Our membership includes thousands of people across the country who have been impacted and they fight hard alongside REFORM to bring about change. We know that the process of sharing your story, engaging in advocacy, and, honestly, just living life with a felony conviction can be retraumatizing and extremely difficult. That’s why we are all deeply appreciative of our partnership with BetterHelp.”

Through this partnership, the two organizations hope that this access to mental healthcare would provide individuals with the tools they need to succeed.

About BetterHelp

BetterHelp is the world’s largest therapy service, facilitating over 5,000,000 video sessions, voice calls, chats and messages every month. We set out on a mission to make sure everyone has easy, affordable, and private access to high-quality therapy. Since 2013, over 30,000 licensed, accredited, and board-certified therapists from BetterHelp’s network have helped more than 2,000,000 people face life’s challenges and improve their mental health.

About REFORM Alliance

REFORM is committed to transforming probation and parole throughout the United States by changing laws, systems, and culture. The organization is working to replace America's criminal justice system with a restorative approach that is fair, accountable and invested in rehabilitation. Our goal is for people to reenter society with dignity, create meaningful pathways to work and equip them with the tools to succeed all while making families and communities safer and stronger.

The nonprofit organization was founded in the wake of the #FreeMeek movement by award-winning recording artist Meek Mill; Philadelphia 76ers partner and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin; Arnold Ventures co-founder Laura Arnold; entrepreneur and business mogul Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter; Kraft Group CEO and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft; Galaxy Digital CEO and founder Michael E. Novogratz; Vista Equity Partners founder, chairman, CEO Robert F. Smith; Brooklyn Nets co-owner and philanthropic investor Clara Wu Tsai; and CNN host and activist Van Jones. Veteran criminal justice advocate Robert Rooks leads the organization as CEO, and, most recently in October 2021, philanthropist, pediatrician, and criminal justice reform advocate Dr. Priscilla Chan joined the organization’s Board of Directors.