7 Benefits Of Online Counseling
Many platforms offer online therapy, and many providers may accept telehealth appointments for managing life situations that need counseling. Having knowledge of the situations where online counseling could benefit you taking an inventory of your personal history and needs may help you make an informed decision on your care plan.
When to consider treatment
There are a wide variety of reasons to seek counseling including improving communication in your marriage, making positive changes to your social life, and managing mental health disorders.
You may benefit from working with a therapist if you're struggling with managing stress, anxiety, interpersonal conflict, relationship concerns, emotional concerns, or major life challenges. However, you might consider online treatment modalities if you feel intimidated or unsure about visiting a provider in person.
7 key benefits of online counseling
Below are a few common situations where individuals may reach out for online therapy or counseling services instead of traditional in-person options.
Online counseling is more convenient.
Driving to see a therapist in person may seem counterproductive if you are a college student, at university, a parent juggling multiple children and their events, or if you simply have a busy schedule. For many hardworking individuals, taking time off to see a therapist can be stressful and time-consuming.
By choosing to receive online services instead, you may talk to your therapist during your downtime when it is convenient for you, potentially taking the stress out of therapy. Online counseling services could also allow you to message your therapist any time, often receiving a response within 24 hours. Some therapists may have openings in the early morning, late at night, or on the weekends for those who can't make a 9 am to 5 pm schedule work.
Attend appointments from anywhere.
One of the difficulties of in-person therapy is carving out time for regular sessions. For individuals who frequently travel for work or pleasure and may be on the road for days or weeks, a more traditional therapy structure may not be a suitable fit. This is also the case for students who may live at university during the school year and at home during the summer. Since online counseling is not dependent on physical meetings, therapy can travel with you, taking place wherever you have a smart device and a solid internet connection.
Additionally, the flexible nature of online counseling may help individuals with variable schedules stick to the therapy process without committing to a rigid schedule. This option can benefit digital nomads or travel workers if your health insurance plan does not carry over state lines. You can also attend therapy on some platforms if you're in another country.
Online counseling can also be a valuable alternative for engaging in mental health services if you can't meet a therapist in person because you reside in a remote or rural area. Instead of driving long distances to see a counselor, you can schedule online sessions that are convenient for you without the need to commute or spend travel money.
Virtual appointments may feel less intimidating.
Many people may believe they would benefit from therapy but don't like the idea of talking to someone in person about their concerns. In these cases, past adverse experiences, either personal, or of friends and family or specific mental health symptoms may be a cause. For example, many individuals experiencing social anxiety or depression might struggle to leave home or commute to an office, which makes it more challenging to seek in-person services. You may feel more comfortable with online counseling if this sounds familiar.
Online therapy can take away some of the intimidation factors. For example, some online platforms offer live chat therapy sessions where clients can type their responses and questions without talking over the phone or via video chat. If you struggle with phone calls or video chat, you might feel more comfortable opening up with someone who cannot see or hear you. Additionally, you may be able to message your therapist throughout the week and receive responses, often within 24 hours.
The various communication modalities available in an online counseling platform can allow individuals to begin with the form of communication with which they are most comfortable, and progress to a more direct form of communication when they feel ready. Since online therapy is not necessarily reliant on direct contact, those worried about the process can ease into it with time.
You can check in with your therapist more frequently.
Online counseling can benefit individuals with more frequent check-ins with a mental health professional. In traditional therapy settings, individuals might have to wait until their next session to explore, discuss, practice or process feelings and experiences with their therapist. However, with online therapy, an individual may message their therapist to vent or express their stress, thoughts, and feelings. The therapist can respond when they are able, offering support throughout the week.
It is important to note that online and telemental health is not meant to be used in an emergency or crisis as these situations call for more immediate care.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Support is available 24/7.
You can attend treatment from the comfort of home.
Studies have found that most people prefer to be or feel more comfortable at home. Some individuals may also stay at home due to accessibility concerns, mental health conditions, or disabilities. Online counseling can be done from your home, as long as you have an internet connection, making it a comfortable option for many people who prefer to stay at home.
Online therapy can be more affordable.
Therapy can be expensive if you don't have insurance or experience financial insecurity for any reason. Forbes found that the average cost of in-person therapy in the US is $100 to $200 a session. The cost of therapy may sometimes hold people back from seeking the help they want.
While there are still fees associated with counseling online, they can be much lower than what you might pay for in-person counseling services. Online therapy platforms may not accept insurance coverage.
Online platforms offer a wider variety of providers.
While ease of accessibility and convenience can be among the top reasons people may prefer online counseling, the ability to browse and select a professional that best fits your needs can be another benefit. Online counseling services often offer the option to browse potential therapists and find the proper fit. Additionally, reviews from current and previous clients could aid in your decision when selecting a therapist.
Is online mental health care as effective as in-person care?
Online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy, and multiple studies support that claim. One study found that online cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helped treat low self-esteem and anxiety disorders. Another study found that online treatment for depression was as effective as in-person therapy.
A third study found that online cognitive-behavioral therapy was equally as effective as in-person options in treating symptoms of major depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Further research concluded that users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform.
BetterHelp online therapy: Flexible, affordable, accessible mental health care
Several studies have been conducted to determine if online therapy is as effective as in-person counseling. Online therapy has been effective in treating various mental health conditions. Research has also shown that patients are as likely to stick to participating in online therapy as they are to in-person therapy. If you're interested in trying this form of therapy, consider reaching out on a platform like BetterHelp to connect with one of the 30,000 counselors offering various therapy modalities and specialties.
Takeaway
Online counseling services may feel intimidating for some. However, these services can be a convenient, accessible, and effective option for those who face barriers to treatment from in-person providers. Consider reaching out to an online platform or provider to learn more about their services and how they can support you and help you to be your best self.
Is there a way to talk to a therapist online for free?
Several organizations provide free online crisis counseling resources. Here are several of them:
Crisis Text Line: You can reach a volunteer crisis counselor at the Crisis Text Line by texting “Home” to 741741. This resource is available 24/7.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): The National Helpline is a free resource available Monday-Friday, 10 A.M. until 10 P.M. (ET). You can reach the NAMI helpline by calling 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or texting “HelpLine” to 62640.
988 Lifeline: The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 free, which include a translation service for over 240 languages and an ASL feature. You can call, text, or chat with someone at any time to discuss you or someone you care about at 988.
These resources can provide free crisis counseling, help you find a therapist, and help you access other local resources.
Is online counseling as effective as in-person therapy?
A review of 373 peer-reviewed studies found that online therapy, specifically internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT), can be as effective as its face-to-face counterpart for many mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Is online counseling expensive?
Online therapists may charge lower rates than in-person therapists. Even if rates are comparable between in-person and online therapy, online therapy can be more cost-effective because it may not necessitate costs like transportation or childcare.
Platforms like BetterHelp charge rates are generally comparable with what you might expect to pay from insurance co-payments.
Can I use WhatsApp for counseling?
WhatsApp is not a secure, option for messaging and is generally not recommended for therapeutic purposes. Synchronous messaging with therapists is typically done through separate applications designed specifically for mental health messaging.
Is free online therapy legit?
If you find a free online therapy service, it may be worth questioning whether the site is trustworthy. Free national helplines, including the Crisis Text Line and 988 Lifeline, are legitimate, free crisis resources.
If you are concerned that an online therapy resource might not be real, consider asking for your therapists licensing information and inquiring with your state board.
What are the disadvantages of online counseling?
Online individual and couples therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy for many people. For example, it’s been used effectively for things like depression, anxiety, relationships, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and chronic pain. However, there are some instances where it may not be as beneficial:
Severe mental health challenges: Crisis situations or cases of serious psychiatric illness may necessitate in-person care.
Medications: If you need medication management, you’ll likely need to see a doctor, such as a psychiatrist or general practitioner (though licensed in-person clinical psychologists in some states may be able to prescribe medications).
Technology issues: Some people do not have access to technology or adequate bandwidth to support live video sessions. In-app messaging services and voice calls can help mitigate some technological issues.
Online therapy provides many benefits, including greater convenience, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. However, there are pros and cons to choosing it over face-to-face sessions.
Is online counseling safe?
Many people prefer online therapy to in-person sessions because sessions can be attended from the comfort of your home. To provide the highest level of secrecy, consider closing the door of the room you’re attending sessions from and running a white noise machine in the hallway outside your room.
Before working with an online therapist, it’s a good idea to ensure they’re licensed in your state, and that their licensure is up to date. In many states, the term “therapist” is not legally protected, meaning someone can claim they’re a therapist without training or licensure. Therapists listed on platforms like BetterHelp are licensed in the states they practice.
How many times a week should you have counseling?
Most commonly, clients see their therapist once per week. But it’s up to you and your therapist to determine the best frequency for your needs. If you’re navigating an acute challenge, you might want to schedule sessions two to three times per week. If you’re using therapy as a preventative tool, you may only want to attend sessions once every other week.
Who is not suitable for online counseling?
Online therapy may not be a suitable option for people navigating a crisis, severe psychiatric illness, or those at risk of self-harm or harm to others. In these cases, in-person therapy, in-patient treatment, or outpatient care is more appropriate.
Is it OK to text your counselor?
Whether or not it’s okay to text your therapists depends on their boundaries. For example:
Some therapists may be okay with texting about scheduling only, whereas others may be willing to answer quick questions you have between sessions.
Many therapists do not share their personal phone number with clients, instead choosing to share their work email for scheduling and billing-related questions.
Your therapist may prefer that you only contact them during business hours, or they may ask that you give them 24-48 hours to respond to your messages.
In general, the appropriateness of texting your therapist depends on the situation. It’s a good idea to discuss how you can communicate between sessions during your first meeting.
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