The Help I Needed With A Significant Life Decision – Ryan
It can be challenging to make a significant life decision on your own. Whether you're struggling with your mental health or need validation and support, talking to a licensed therapist may be one way to come to a conclusion. Therapists are often trained in the skills to support you as you make decisions that best serve you. Clients like Ryan talk about their experiences in therapy to help others feel motivated to reach out for support.
Ryan’s experience with online therapy
The following is an honest account written by a BetterHelp client named Ryan:
"BetterHelp and my counselor, Sheilah, have helped me navigate a challenging decision-making process regarding my career path.
Life had opened two vast windows of opportunity for me, and I needed advice as I was having difficulty knowing what I wanted. I couldn't find anyone who could understand and view my predicament from an impartial perspective, so I was delighted to come across BetterHelp on my Facebook page.
My first experience with counseling was in high school when I sought support and guidance for family, friend, and school-related issues. So, I decided to take that first big step and open up to someone. Because I was in high school at the time, it was much more convenient to see someone face-to-face than it is with my busy schedule now.
I have been working with Sheilah on BetterHelp for about four weeks, and I can confidently say that I am a lot less anxious about my career path now than when I first signed up. I had been growing restless the weeks before signing up, and I am much better off now than I was before.
Sheilah helped me understand that whenever making big life decisions, sometimes you must listen to your heart and follow it. I learned that life doesn't stop for anyone. While you can sit there and think for days about what you want from life, time will continue to move forward, even if you haven't. I also learned that my mentality plays a massive role in my decisions. I can make better choices for myself by maintaining a positive outlook without regretting the opportunity cost.
My most significant achievement due to my counseling with BetterHelp is developing a renewed strength in my faith. Not many people understand the importance of faith in one's life, but my counselor gave me the affirmation I needed to move forward. Whether you're looking for faith in yourself, others, or God, having faith in your life can be as important as having food to eat, water to drink, and air to breathe for many people.
Thanks to BetterHelp, my faith is stronger than ever, and life is looking excellent!"
Counseling options
Online therapy may be more convenient for clients like Ryan than traditional in-person models. Through platforms like BetterHelp, you can switch your counselor anytime to find a match and specify your preferences for a therapist upon signing up. In addition, you can write to your therapist at any moment using messaging and choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions for your weekly appointment with your counselor.
For many clients, online therapy works. It treats the symptoms of a whole series of mental illnesses, according to various clinical studies. In addition, researchers have found it more cost-effective than in-person options.
Takeaway
What are some of the advantages of online therapy?
Online therapy has become increasingly popular in recent years, which may be due to the advantages it offers. While some people prefer in-person therapy, those who participate in online therapy often cite these advantages:
- Scheduling. Online therapists often have more flexible scheduling options, making it simpler for those with busy schedules to access therapy.
- Travel. You can attend online therapy from home or any comfortable location, meaning you don’t need to travel to a therapist’s office and sit in the waiting room before your session.
- Therapist selection. Because online therapy is administered remotely, you can typically choose a therapist outside your local area, increasing the number of professionals you can choose from. This is often especially helpful for those who live in rural areas or areas underserved by mental health professionals. Many online therapy platforms also make it simple to switch therapists, which may make it less challenging to find a practitioner who is right for you.
- Cost. Online therapy platforms vary regarding their policies surrounding health insurance, but many people paying out of pocket report lower costs when attending online therapy than in-person therapy.
Is online therapy effective?
The substantial increase in online therapy users over the last several years spurred a substantial increase in the amount of research dedicated to investigating its effectiveness. In the early days of online therapy, many mental health professionals were concerned that conducting therapy sessions over the Internet would disrupt the therapeutic process, make it harder to connect with patients, and reduce the effectiveness of well-established therapies.
Researchers examined the experiences of mental health professionals and outcomes of online therapy users. Their results indicated that, in most cases, online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy. However, most of the research surrounded videoconferencing-based therapy, where the patient and therapist are visible to each other and communicate via webcam. Videoconferencing offers an approach that is very similar to in-person therapy, likely contributing to online therapy's effectiveness, but additional research is required to determine if text or phone-based therapy is also an effective method. Overall, it is likely worth trying online therapy, especially if you need to travel a significant distance to see a therapist in person.
Who does therapy work for?
There are many types of psychotherapies, each with strengths and weaknesses. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in treating depression and anxiety, while acceptance and commitment therapy is helpful when encountering adverse life circumstances beyond a person’s control. Many therapists practice an integrated approach to treatment, meaning they combine therapeutic methods to best suit their patients. An integrated approach takes time and effort to master, but therapists who become adept at integrating techniques may be able to make therapy more effective for many.
Therapy’s eclectic approaches and evidence-based techniques mean almost anyone can benefit. While many people associate therapists with the treatment of mental health conditions, they can also help with overcoming adverse life circumstances, making big decisions, building self-esteem, setting goals, or almost anything else that supports mental well-being.
How do therapists help people facing big life decisions?
One way therapists help people make big decisions is by using structured techniques like solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT). SFBT is an evidence-based approach to solving problems. It is goal-directed, future-focused, and prioritizes solutions over problems. Rather than investigating the source of a problem, SFBT focuses on potential solutions. It might be helpful for making big life decisions because it allows a patient and their therapist to take a structured, methodical approach toward addressing the patient’s indecision. Patients can investigate how their lives will differ depending on their choice and focus on finding a solution that works best for them.
Therapists can also help their patients manage the complex and sometimes adverse emotions that can arise when faced with a big life decision. Some people avoid making certain decisions because the thought of making the decision leaves them feeling anxious or uneasy. Therapists can likely help support emotional well-being before, during, and after making big life decisions.
Who shouldn’t use online therapy?
Evidence suggests that online therapy can effectively treat many different mental health conditions, making it a viable option for many people who are seeking help with managing a mental health concern. Online therapy is also considered a useful option for those who need help overcoming adverse life circumstances, building self-esteem, making difficult decisions, setting goals, or almost any other endeavor related to emotional growth and well-being. For most people, online therapy represents an effective way to access therapy that may be more convenient and cost-effective than in-person therapy. However, while research has demonstrated online therapy’s effectiveness, it has also indicated some cases where it is not the best option:
Severe conditions. Online therapy can effectively treat many mental health conditions, but some conditions are severe enough to warrant more intensive treatment. Online therapy may not work for those whose mental health concerns are severe enough to warrant admission into intensive outpatient or residential treatment programs.
Substance use. Online therapy may be helpful for those overcoming a substance use disorder once the person has made progress on their path to sobriety. Therapists can encourage and help the person continue to address underlying conditions. However, those who are in the early stages of treatment may require more help than online therapy can provide, including medical care to address potential withdrawal symptoms.
Crisis. People who are experiencing very high levels of emotional distress, thoughts of self-harm, or thoughts of suicide might benefit more from in-person interventions than online therapy. An online therapist might find it challenging to ensure their patient’s safety without knowing their physical location or contact information. The patient may also require more intensive treatment than an online therapist can provide.
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