Read This If You Feel Skeptical About Trying Online Therapy
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Are you considering mental health care but hesitant to seek it in person? Perhaps you are skeptical about online therapy and unsure if it's an effective therapy option. It's common to feel that way, but online therapy can be an available and effective alternative to traditional therapy. Online therapy platforms offer virtual sessions with licensed therapists, allowing you to receive mental health care from the comfort of your own home. These virtual therapy sessions offer the same support as in-person therapy, including the ability to see facial expressions and body language via video screen. Don't let skepticism keep you from getting the mental health care you need – online therapy can be an excellent solution.
Updated mental health solutions may help you change your life
Seeking treatment online may be becoming a popular way for millions of people to form a therapeutic relationship with a licensed mental health professional. The biggest difference between in-person therapy and online therapy may be the distance. Most other aspects of your therapy sessions will often remain the same.
Online cognitive behavioral therapy
Many of today's online therapists and professional social workers are licensed to practice cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as more specialized therapies. Millions of people may prefer attending therapy via digital chat sessions versus traditional therapy sessions as there can be many benefits, including lower costs and increased discretion.
How does online therapy work?
Virtual therapy offers various forms of mental health care, from audio calls to online messaging, but video chat is particularly beneficial. Video sessions allow for face-to-face interaction with therapists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, or medical practitioners, all from the comfort of your own home. Video sessions let you see facial expressions, body language, and your own face via the video screen, providing a more personal and engaging experience. This can enhance the effectiveness of therapy, as body language and facial expressions are crucial components of communication. With virtual sessions, you can receive mental health care through a medium that fits your needs and lifestyle, offering a discreet and flexible way to receive the support you need.
What mental health services does an online therapist provide?
Online therapists are generally licensed to provide mental health services comparable to those provided during traditional therapy sessions. In some cases, health insurance providers may cover the cost of your sessions with an online therapist. In other cases, the therapy platform itself may offer financial aid instead of taking insurance.
You may be surprised to learn that online therapists typically use the same strategies and tools as in-office therapy sessions to treat mental health issues.
Online therapists are usually licensed to provide various types of therapy, such as individual, couples, and family therapy.
Mental health conditions that can be treated through online therapy
Furthermore, most online therapy services can help many of the same mental health illnesses as a clinical practice or medical practitioner. Some of these conditions can include the following:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Sleep disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
How often do you need to attend online therapy?
You may attend therapy sessions once or a few times a week, depending on your treatment plan. Your treatment plan is generally a customized set of goals and activities for you to complete during the course of your treatment. Your health insurance provider may request a written copy of your treatment plan if health insurance is used to cover the cost of treatment. Aside from treating disorders, another reason people go to counseling or therapy is to understand themselves better. It can help distinguish unconscious feelings through many forms, like subjective or virtual morality, that can be related to one's mental illness.
Is online therapy better than in-office therapy?
Many studies show that people who receive treatment online for issues like anxiety, depression, and eating disorders tend to recover well. Researchers found that “users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform.
Another study tested the effects of mindfulness-based therapy delivered online. Findings showed significant progress for depression, anxiety, general mental wellness, and mindfulness.
One reason people often seek treatment for mental health is sleep issues. If you're anxious, depressed, or stressed, it can be difficult to sleep. In a study conducted to analyze the efficacy of online therapy and insomnia, researchers found that online therapy improved people's sleep.
What people say about attending therapy online
Online clients often report a more positive treatment experience when working with their therapist virtually than in-person therapy. This may be due in part to the fact that clients can view their own faces on the screen during online sessions, which can increase self-awareness and improve the therapeutic process.
However, it can be important to note that online therapists are generally not equipped to assist you in times of imminent crisis or emergency. Attending therapy online is not intended to act as a substitute if you feel that mental health issues may result in physical violence to yourself or others.
Potential advantages of online therapy
Online therapy can help people with a variety of mental health-related issues, and it comes with multiple potential advantages.
Availability for those in remote areas
Virtual therapy holds promise for improving the availability of mental health care. Individuals residing in remote areas may benefit from attending therapy sessions from their own homes, while still receiving support from therapists. Additionally, techniques such as eye movement desensitization can be utilized in online sessions, allowing for effective treatment of past traumas without needing to be in the therapist's office.
Increased feelings of safety for those with anxiety
For individuals living with agoraphobia or social anxiety, online therapy may provide a safer and more comfortable environment. In-person therapy sessions may trigger anxiety-related issues and prevent individuals from seeking the help they need. The option of talking with a therapist online offers a valuable alternative for those who would otherwise avoid face-to-face interactions.
Inclusive for those with physical disabilities
Online therapy can be great for people who have physical disabilities that make it difficult or nearly impossible to meet with a traditional therapist in person. Online therapy eliminates the need to drive a car or walk to an in-person therapist's office. People can sit, stand, or lie down during the appointment, depending on what feels comfortable. When text messaging with an online therapist, a participant can use apps that enable voice-to-text, for example
Added schedule flexibility
Online services frequently offer more flexible treatment plans and schedules than traditional therapy services. Though the average person typically prefers weekly sessions, biweekly and monthly therapy plans may also be options for some services. Before starting, you might look into the therapy plan of your preference to see if a monthly subscription is offered.
Possible free trial
Some online treatment providers may provide a free trial to get you started. After one or two free sessions, you may decide whether to continue with weekly live sessions or sign up for a monthly package.
Affordability of seeing an online therapist
In-office therapy is frequently expensive. Even if you have health insurance, deductibles can be high, and some insurance companies may not offer behavioral health coverage. The average cost of a therapy session can range from $75 to $150, which can be expensive and add up over time. Although online therapy sessions can vary in cost, they are often more affordable than in-office therapy.
Takeaway
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Research shows that online counseling can be as effective as in-person counseling for many mental health challenges. However, severe mental illnesses may require in-person support, and online platforms typically don’t offer medication management services. People wanting immediate support can call a helpline, such as the SAMHSA National Helpline.
Can I talk to someone for free?
Yes, there are many helplines and mental health resources that offer free support services for people needing emotional support. Consider researching local resources or exploring national resources like the Crisis Text Line, 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, The Trevor Project, or The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. There are also helplines like YouthLine that can provide teen counseling resources.
Affordable online therapy is usually not covered by insurance benefits, but the cost is typically comparable to what one might expect to pay for a traditional counseling insurance co-payment. Some of the best online therapy services offer things like unlimited messaging therapy, individual therapy, couples therapy, support groups, worksheets, and more.
What is the difference between counseling and therapy?
The terms “counseling” and “therapy” are often used interchangeably, but while they are similar, they have some distinct features:
- Counseling: Counseling typically focuses on a specific issue and practical solutions
- Therapy: Psychotherapy, or “talk therapy” may focus on multiple issues and provide ongoing support for mental health conditions
Both counseling and therapy are generally provided by a licensed therapist, though you should check with your provider to ensure their license is in good standing in your state.
How to get counseling for free?
Some places to consider looking for free counseling include:
- National helplines, like the Crisis Text Line
- Your place of worship
- If you’re a student, contact your school’s health center
- A community mental health agency
- National or local support groups
- Ask your healthcare provider about available grants or scholarships
- Contact your state’s Department of Human Services
Usually, face-to-face therapy and online therapy cost money. However, providers may offer an initial consultation for free or provide services on a sliding scale. While many therapists do not accept insurance, some online therapy platforms offer services that cost about the same amount as an insurance co-payment.
Does online therapy work for anxiety?
Research shows that cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) can be very effective for anxiety, whether therapy appointments are attended in person or through an online session. For example, a 2023 meta-analysis of 1,619 participants found that online CBT is an effective intervention for both adult depression and anxiety.
How effective is self-therapy?
So-called “self-therapy” is an informal term that refers to using a therapeutic modality to improve your mental health without a therapist licensed to provide it. Self-therapy might include things like using self-guided computerized psychological treatments, prioritizing self-care, practicing positive self-talk, or reading self-help books to help you navigate grief.
Self-therapy is not considered an effective replacement for therapy appointments with licensed professionals. However, it can be useful if your insurance coverage doesn’t cover therapy, or you otherwise are having a difficult time accessing therapy services.
What are some of the benefits of talking with an online therapist?
There are several potential benefits of online therapies, including:
- Convenience: Online therapists often provide therapy sessions outside of normal business hours, allowing people to schedule sessions wherever is convenient.
- Personal: Some people may worry about running into people they know when headed to their therapist’s office. This may be a particular concern for individuals living in rural communities. Attending online sessions ensures you won’t bump into familiar faces in the waiting room.
- Comfort: Online sessions allow clients to attend sessions from the comfort of home rather than a therapy room.
- Therapist availability: An online therapy service like BetterHelp gives you access to licensed therapists across your state. This can help you get connected to a therapist sooner and increase the likelihood that you will find the right online therapist for your needs.
- Affordability: Does health insurance cover online therapy? Not always, but online therapy platforms may offer services that are comparably priced to what an insurance company's co-payment might be.
- Types of therapy: In-person services might be limited. However, the best online therapy platforms often offer therapy for specific mental health conditions, like anxiety disorders or borderline personality disorder, and diverse therapeutic approaches, like exposure therapy, CBT, teen therapy, or psychodynamic therapy.
To find the best therapist for you, consider therapist qualifications, such as educational background, experience, specialties, and approach carefully.
What are the disadvantages of counseling?
Some of the disadvantages of counseling include:
- Discomfort navigating emotions that may be uncomfortable or painful
- The cost of mental healthcare can be significant
- Talk therapy may not be helpful for people who have challenges with communication skills
- Some counselors may not be able to prescribe medication or help with medication management
- Counseling is a time commitment
- Clients must actively participate in the therapy process to get the most benefit from it
One of the most important elements of effective counseling and therapy is working with a provider you trust and feel comfortable talking openly with. Ensure their licensure is up-to-date and consider moving on to a new therapist if you don’t get along well.
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