In many Arab communities, mental health is still a sensitive topic, and finding the right support can be hard. For Arabic speakers, language and trust often stand in the way of getting help. This is what inspired Teddy Kalife, Founder and CEO of areekaweb, to create a solution.
Based on his own experience, Teddy started areekaweb to make therapy simple, private, and easy to relate to. The platform connects people with licensed Arabic-speaking therapists who truly understand their culture. It’s fully online, easy to use, and built to make people feel safe and supported.
But areekaweb is about more than just technology. Teddy’s goal is to change how people think about therapy—removing the stigma and making it a normal part of life. Today, under his leadership, areekaweb is helping thousands take that important first step toward better mental health. With a clear purpose and strong vision, Teddy is making therapy more human, more trusted, and more available for everyone who needs it.
Let’s delve into the interview details below!
Can you tell us about your journey and founding vision behind areekaweb and what motivated your entry into the healthcare technology space?
areekaweb.com started from a very personal experience. While I was working as an expat in Africa, I couldn’t find a therapist who truly understood my culture, or my background. It made me realise how hard it is – especially for Arabic speakers – to access therapy that feels safe, familiar, and in their own language. On top of that, the stigma around mental health often prevents people from even trying. That’s when I realised there was a gap that needed to be filled. areekaweb was created to bridge that gap by offering easy access to licensed Arabic-speaking therapists, online, wherever you are in the world. Our mission is to normalise therapy in the Arab world and create a space that respects both culture and confidentiality – where people can truly feel heard and understood.
How does your platform redefine patient engagement, medical education, or clinical workflows through immersive technology?
At areekaweb, we make online therapy simple, personal, and accessible. With 60+ Arabic-speaking therapists, users can easily book sessions that fit their needs—from individual to couples, teens, or corporate support. Sessions happen securely online, in the comfort of your own space. We use WhatsApp and CRM tools to ensure a responsive and personal experience.
Whether you’re overwhelmed, need someone to talk to, or looking to grow, that first step can make all the difference. You don’t have to wait for a crisis—therapy offers clarity, support, and strength whenever you need it.
What have been some of the most impactful projects or collaborations areekaweb has launched in the healthcare sector, and how have they contributed to better outcomes or efficiencies?
We’ve supported over 10,000 sessions for 500+ clients globally, offering one-on-one, couples, and corporate therapy. Our recent wellness pilots with companies in Lebanon, who want to support their employees’ mental health, focus on emotional well-being through flexible session bundles, stress management workshops, and support groups – always tailoring our approach to meet the real needs of our clients. We also raise awareness by partnering with influencers and sponsoring mental health-themed theatre productions.
Augmented and virtual reality are emerging fast in healthcare. How do you see these technologies transforming the patient and practitioner experience in Lebanon and the wider MENA region?
While areekaweb.com is focused on live online therapy today, we see big potential in immersive tools in the future. AR/VR could enhance therapeutic tools like guided relaxation, trauma desensitisation, or social anxiety exposure. They could help people open up or manage anxiety in a more interactive way. In our region, where many still hesitate to seek therapy, these tools can make therapy feel safer and more engaging, especially for younger audiences. It is a path we will definitely explore in the near future.
As both a founder and tech innovator, what challenges have you faced bringing cutting-edge solutions to a traditionally conservative sector like healthcare—and how have you overcome them?
Mental health is still a taboo in many Arab countries, so gaining trust was our biggest challenge. areekaweb was built to break that barrier—fully online, private, and in Arabic, with therapists who understand the culture. We made it simple to book, competitively priced, and easy to access from anywhere. Our discreet support team on WhatsApp helps users take that first step. By focusing on comfort, clarity, and cultural fit, we made therapy feel safe and normal.
Digital trust and data ethics are increasingly important. How does areekaweb ensure security, privacy, and ethical use of technology in healthcare environments?
Privacy is everything in therapy and trust is at the core of everything we do. areekaweb.com uses secure, HIPAA-compliant systems to protect all client data as well as every single online session. We don’t store sensitive data, and our systems are built to respect client confidentiality. Whether you’re a teenager speaking about school stress or a corporate employee needing a session after hours, we make sure you feel safe and your confidentiality is fully respected.
What’s on the horizon for areekaweb in 2025 and beyond? Are there any new technologies, partnerships, or regional expansions you’re particularly excited about?
We’re expanding our services throughout the region, adding more local therapists in each country, investing in improving our user and mobile experience, and eventually adding self-guided tools. We’re launching new partnerships with companies looking to prioritise employee well-being and developing new services like online workshops and emotional well-being programs. Our goal is to become the go-to therapy platform for Arabic speakers everywhere.
Finally, what advice would you give to the next generation of tech entrepreneurs aiming to make a difference in healthcare through innovation and purpose-driven leadership?
Start with a real need—something that solves a problem, not just follows a trend. In mental health, the key is empathy. Understand what people truly struggle with and build around that. For us at areekaweb, it meant designing a platform that speaks our region’s language – literally and culturally – encouraging people to try online therapy as a means of breaking through the taboo and stigma.
To other entrepreneurs: stay grounded, listen to your users, and remember that meaningful innovation often starts small. One conversation. One solution. One person helped. That’s how real impact begins. At areekaweb, we’re proud to be doing just that, one session at a time.
