Finding Online Help For Depression
- For those experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988
- For those experiencing abuse, please contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- For those experiencing substance use, please contact SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357
What is depression?
While sadness and low energy are a normal part of life, sometimes these feelings become an unceasing part of our lives. If you find that you’re experiencing a constantly depressed mood or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed, it is possible you are experiencing clinical depression or persistent depressive disorder and could benefit from mental health services like therapy.
Depression can make you feel alone, but it’s important to keep in mind that depression is something many people experience. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that just over 8% of adults (roughly 21 million people) in the United States experience a depressive episode each year.
Why seek online therapy for depression?
Peer-reviewed studies have shown that psychotherapy is an effective treatment option for major depressive disorder. While this therapy used to be conducted in person, online therapy sessions have become more readily available in the past decade. Not only can online therapy platforms provide similar treatment methods as in-person therapy, they also offer a variety of other advantages to those living with depression.
Online help for depression
An online platform can connect you to a wide selection of licensed providers and trained healthcare professionals, including psychiatric nurse practitioners, since you are no longer limited to providers in your geographical area. That means you can search through many mental health experts and select providers who provide online therapy for specific mental health challenges or find a therapist who you can strongly connect with. Having a strong therapeutic relationship with your therapist can be a crucial part of successful therapy sessions.
Once you find a suitable counselor, you will be able to benefit from the diverse support options that online therapy offers. Counseling sessions through BetterHelp allow you to connect with your therapist online via live chat, in-app messaging, phone calls, and video sessions. These options can make it easier to obtain the help you need through your preferred communication method, whether you're dealing with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), moderate depression, postpartum depression, or severe depression. You can customize the online therapy experience to suit your mental health needs.
Convenience
Finding the time to travel to an office for therapy can be difficult, especially for those dealing with a clinical depression diagnosis. The low energy that often comes with depression can make traveling even more of a hurdle. Online therapy, including teen counseling, allows you to meet with your therapist, such as a nurse practitioner who prescribes medication*, from anywhere with a strong and stable internet connection. That means you may be able to complete individual therapy appointments from your home, office, or wherever else is convenient.
Addressing mental health symptoms through online therapy
Just like with in-person therapy, online therapy may utilize numerous therapeutic approaches. Your licensed therapist may start by learning about you or giving you a depression test or questionnaire. From there, they can work with you to find an effective treatment option to improve mental health and address depression symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that helps people reframe negative thoughts into positive ones. This reframing can lead to more positive emotions and healthier behaviors as well. Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of CBT for depression.
Research suggests that online therapy in the form of CBT can be an effective alternative to in-person CBT. One recent study found no significant differences at a three-month follow-up between the depressive symptoms of those who received face-to-face CBT and internet CBT.
Problem-solving therapy
When should I seek mental health care?
As far as when you should seek support, research suggests that recognizing and treating depression early can improve the negative effects of this condition. If you’re experiencing other concerns, such as substance abuse, it may be even more important to seek professional help. Therefore, the sooner you seek treatment, the better.
What to look for when seeking online help for depression
If you decide you would like to get started with online therapy, it’s important to know what to look for. You should consider factors including a therapist’s credentials, communication options, cost, and contracts. You also should consider if there is a specific specialty that you need to treat and manage your depression symptoms. For example, a person who is pregnant or who just recently delivered a baby may benefit from perinatal mental health support, whereas, if your spouse or significant other is negatively impacting your mental health, then relationship therapy may be a better option. There are various types of online therapy, so it can be beneficial to get specific with what you are looking for.
All therapists should be licensed by professional organizations—some credentials to look for include licensed social worker (LSW), licensed mental health counselor (LMHC), licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
You should also investigate communication options. For example, if you would like to meet with your therapist in the evening, ensure evening appointments are available. And if you prefer the ability to chat or email with your therapist, ask if this is an option.
Starting online therapy with a mental health professional
As mentioned above, depression can sometimes make it difficult to find the energy to leave the house or travel to an office. In these instances, online therapy can make it easier to receive the help you need since it allows you to connect with your own therapist from anywhere with a stable internet connection.
*If you or a loved one are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please know that help is available. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline anytime, 24/7, at 988.
Takeaway
What helps people cope with depression?
Treating depression may require a personalized treatment plan developed by a mental health professional. Still, there may be coping strategies and lifestyle changes you can try such as getting outdoors, exercising regularly, journaling, and practicing gratitude. For people with mild depression, practices like these may be enough to alleviate the symptoms of depression. Major depression may require the kind of intensive treatment only mental health care professionals can provide.
What websites help people with depression?
There may be many different websites and apps that can help people with depression. Some of these sites offer general resources while others may provide online therapy services:
- National Institute of Mental Health
- Mental Health America
- National Alliance on Mental Health
- BetterHelp
- American Psychological Association
- Crisis Text Line
- The Trevor Project
Another type of website individuals may want to check is the website of their insurance providers, such as United Healthcare, for example. Typically, your insurance company will have an online directory of local providers covered by your health insurance plan. You might also want to check for any funds in your health savings accounts or flexible spending accounts that could help with the cost of therapy to treat your mental health condition.
Is there an app for depressed people?
Yes. There may be many apps that are designed for people with depression. The BetterHelp app, for example, is available for both iPhone and Android. Some of these apps may offer messaging therapy.
What is the fastest treatment plan for depression?
Everyone with depression is unique. You may have unique symptoms, for example, and you might not respond to a type of treatment the way someone else does. That’s why it’s important to speak to a mental health professional for a personalized treatment plan. Still, some treatment options that may act quickly include esketamine nasal spray and electroconvulsive therapy.
What are the two solutions for depression?
There may be more than just two solutions for depression. Online or in-person therapists may be able to offer guidance based on your personal history and medical history, such as a history of heart disease or thyroid disorders. However, many people experience relief from depression with a combination of both therapy and medication.
What are three ways to treat depression?
Three ways to treat depression include:
- Medications like serotonin reuptake inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants
- Individual therapy sessions (online or in-person sessions)
- Peer support groups
Who can talk to me about depression and other mental health conditions?
If you’re dealing with depression, know that you’re not alone. There may be many different people you can talk to, including your parents, close friends, or a doctor. Other local resources may include a counselor, pastor, coach, or teacher. There are also several hotlines that provide crisis support. For example, you can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If this is a suicidal crisis, go to the nearest emergency room for care.
Are there apps that help mental health?
Yes. There are many different apps that could help with various mental health concerns. To find them, search online or go to the Apple Store or Google Play Store. Some of these apps let you check therapist availability while others offer virtual treatment.
Where can I talk about getting help for depression or bipolar disorder?
There are many places you can go to request help for depression or bipolar disorder. For example, you can talk to a school counselor, your primary care doctor, a therapist, or your pastor or spiritual advisor. There are also many online spaces where it’s safe to talk about mental health topics, including online therapy platforms and websites run by non-profit or government agencies.
Can I trust online therapy to help with depression?
Generally, online therapy has been proven just as effective as in-person therapy to treat mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Still, it may depend on the online provider. Many online therapy platforms can be trusted, including BetterHelp. Still, it may be wise to research the online therapy company before using it. You can check with the Better Business Bureau, for instance, or read online reviews. Legitimate online platforms offer online depression counseling from a licensed and experienced therapist or clinical psychologist.
The best online therapy platform is the one you can depend on for quality mental health care when you’re in emotional distress. Be sure to ask questions before you sign up, including questions about a therapist’s background and whether you can switch therapists easily if your own provider isn’t working out. Other important questions could include if the provider accepts insurance or if the provider accepts Medicaid. And, of course, if you’re not satisfied with your experience, you can always switch providers.
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