Becoming A Better Communicator With The Help Of My BetterHelp Counselor - Kelsey
Are you curious about online therapy? Are you interested in becoming a better communicator? You may have tried in-person therapy before and disliked your experiences. Or perhaps you've avoided counseling because you feel confident that discussing your emotions face-to-face isn't for you. Whatever the case, you deserve to be happy with your treatment, and you may find remote sessions more enjoyable.
For example, Kelsey found in-person counseling less effective than online sessions because she has an easier time writing about her emotions than talking about them, and BetterHelp allows her to choose how she communicates with her provider.
Kelsey's story has been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
Why Kelsey tried BetterHelp
"I first learned of BetterHelp when I saw an advertisement online for it. I've attended in-person counseling twice in the past but was dissatisfied with both experiences," began Kelsey. "BetterHelp caught my eye because I liked the idea of being able to write to a counselor instead of just talking to one.”
“I have a hard time verbalizing and speaking, especially my emotions. It’s much easier for me to express myself with the written word. So I thought this would be far more beneficial than seeking an in-person counselor again.
"When I previously attended in-person counseling, there were many times that I did not feel comfortable enough to verbalize and communicate what I wanted to say or how I was feeling to my counselor. And when I finally did open up, I felt as if the counselor would try to shift that topic of conversation to something else I may have brought up previously that was, to me, completely unrelated. They would make me deliberately repeat important points that I wasn’t comfortable talking about. It took a lot for me to open up about some of these topics, so to have them overlooked was frustrating. It made me feel like they weren’t genuinely interested in the issues I wanted to speak about."
Kelsey's experience with BetterHelp
"So, at that point, I decided to sign up for BetterHelp, and I'm so grateful I did! I have been working with my counselor, Alexandra, on BetterHelp for just over three months. She suggests different action-based plans. This helps me to feel as though I am doing something to truly work towards being at a better place with my situation," Kelsey continued.
"I am not solely relying on an internal change, which is exactly what I need. There are still internal changes that I need to work on, and by doing these external action-based suggestions, it’s making it easier for me. I have learned to pay attention and listen to my needs and be patient with myself and not let my anxieties get so out of control."
How Kelsey benefitted from the flexibility at BetterHelp
"I did try two other counselors on BetterHelp before being matched with Alexandra. I did not mesh with either of them and decided to request a new counselor.
"It is a much more complex process with in-person counseling to try and find one that works best for you. This was the main reason that I did not continue in-person counseling."
Kelsey's continued growth through BetterHelp
"Overall, I have discovered a lot of essential points about myself during my time with BetterHelp, and I am still learning more about who I am as a person. It’s going to be a struggle for a long time to get where I need to be, but it is no longer constant. I am continuously learning new ways to make productive and helpful changes in my everyday life.
"I am also learning to be a better communicator. From actively listening to body language, I’ve started learning a lot of things that make great communicators good at effective communication. A lot of the issues I had in my relationship stemmed from this one issue. I was never expressing myself or making my voice heard in conversation. Those unexpressed emotions would turn into anger and erupt, causing further issues in the relationship. I am learning to handle control (or feeling a lack of it), and I am learning how to cope and avoid misunderstandings thanks to Alexandra's support on BetterHelp," Kelsey Concluded.
Becoming a better communicator with online therapy
For most patients, online professionals provide the same benefits as in-person counseling, making it an effective alternative for those who feel uncomfortable in face-to-face sessions. And you'll have treatments and therapies that can help with almost any concern.
For example, interpersonal therapy can help improve communication skills, help a person become a good communicator, and teach individuals healthy ways to express their emotions. Therapy can also help individuals overcome their fears of speaking in front of an audience and give them the tools they need to know when an audience appears engaged or disengaged to ensure listeners hear what they have to say. In addition, with an online professional specializing in interpersonal therapy, you can learn these skills from the comfort of your home, communicating in whatever way is most comfortable for you.
The benefits of online therapy
Online therapy can make mental health treatment more affordable, convenient, and available. And it allows a broader range of professionals than you might be able locally. So, if you'd like an alternative to speaking with a therapist in person, consider trying it. Like Kelsey and many other individuals, it may be a better option for you.
At BetterHelp, we'll match you with a licensed professional based on your needs and preferences, and you can switch therapists as often as you need until you find a good fit. Then, you'll be able to schedule sessions on your time via in-app messaging, voice chat, and video calls. You can also message your provider anytime, and they'll respond as soon as they're free.
Takeaway
Online therapy has several benefits, like improving your communication skills and making you more effective at expressing yourself. In Kelsey’s case, she’s been able to focus on her communication challenges and mental health with a counselor who took time to earn respect. Consider getting matched with a qualified online therapist and taking the next steps on your mental health journey.
Why is good communication important?
Good communication is important in many areas, but one likely example is the relationship between communication and leadership skills. Evidence suggests that those who embody preferable leadership qualities will likely achieve greater career success than those who lack those qualities. Communication is one of the most commonly cited skills a person should possess to gain a leadership role, linking it directly with potential career success.
Romantic relationships are another area where communication is often considered a crucial skill. Partners in a long-term relationship will navigate several of life's ups and downs together and encounter situations that strain their relationship. Communication can help ease those strains by allowing the couple to proactively problem-solve, develop understanding, and show kindness to their partner. Without good communication, resentment often develops during times of stress, which can compound and significantly reduce the quality of the relationship.
Can a therapist help me become more confident?
Therapists are qualified to help with most concerns related to personal growth, including increasing confidence. A therapist will likely be able to help you bolster your self-esteem, improve your self-efficacy, and learn to believe in your abilities. They are qualified to recommend strategies to help you change negative thought processes that may impact your self-perception. They can also help you investigate underlying causes that may make it hard to become more confident.
How is online therapy more convenient than in-person therapy?
Unlike traditional therapy, you can attend online therapy from any comfortable location, including your home. The ability to meet with a therapist from a location of your choice may make online therapy more appealing than in-person options. Many people find that committing the time and resources necessary to travel to a therapist’s office is a significant barrier to accessing therapy. Online therapy removes that barrier completely, which may be especially helpful for those in rural areas or regions underserved by mental health professionals. Sometimes, a person might have to travel hours to find an available therapist, which may make online therapy the first viable option for accessing therapy they have encountered.
Does online therapy work?
Online therapy falls under the umbrella term teletherapy, which refers to psychotherapy administered through videoconferencing, voice calls, or texts. Teletherapy predates modern online therapy and was already being researched when technological advances allowed for easier videoconferencing. Following the rise of high-speed internet and advanced videoconferencing protocols, many therapists began to offer their services online. The most common form of online therapy today uses videoconferencing and aims to replicate an in-person experience as closely as possible.
Following the rise of online therapy, many researchers and practitioners were concerned that remotely delivered therapy was relatively untested. It was possible that conducting therapy sessions online interfered with the effectiveness of the therapeutic process, reducing the benefit to patients. Research conducted since then has largely indicated that those fears were unfounded. While there are situations where online therapy should not be used, such as in cases of very severe mental health conditions, most people will find that online therapy is just as effective as its in-person counterpart.
How can I learn to express my emotions?
Emotional expression is often considered an innate skill, but you can likely learn better strategies to understand and express your emotions. You may want to start by evaluating your emotional intelligence (EQ). Emotional intelligence, often stylized as EQ, comprises self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, and social skills. Not everyone has the same EQ, but some areas of your EQ can likely be improved.
Many people begin improving their EQ by focusing on mindfulness techniques. Mindfulness focuses on experiencing the present moment without reacting emotionally, a crucial part of self-management. Stress management is also likely important. Uncontrolled stress can make self-awareness and self-management substantially more challenging and may also make it harder to engage socially with others. Learning some evidence-based relaxation techniques that can help you reduce stress may be helpful.
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