How To Find Online Therapy For Mental Health Support In The UK
The prevalence of virtual counselling has been rising sharply in the UK in recent years. This form of counselling enables individuals to connect with a credentialed mental health professional no matter where they live in the UK. However, many people might wonder how to find a reputable virtual therapist. Below, we’ll look at online counselling, its benefits, and ways to find a reputable therapist.
Virtual counseling trends
What are common therapeutic approaches?
Virtual therapists use a variety of approaches, depending on the needs of each client. Below are just a few:
Cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT)
CBT tends to be one of the most widely used modalities. CBT usually focuses on helping the client identify and replace inaccurate thoughts about themselves, as well as exploring the link between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Online counsellors frequently use CBT for anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. When people begin to replace their inaccurate thoughts and beliefs with more constructive ones, they may experience a shift in their emotions, as well as positive behavioral changes.
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.
Exposure therapy for various mental health conditions
Exposure therapy can be effective for several disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, and social anxiety disorder. For OCD, a counsellor might use this modality to gradually expose a person to an anxiety-inducing object or situation. For example, some people experience obsessions related to potential contamination from doorknobs. Some may always wash their hands after touching a doorknob or avoid touching doorknobs as much as possible. A counsellor might ask a person to approach a doorknob and eventually touch it without washing their hands immediately afterward.
This process may weaken a person’s obsessions and help them resist compulsions like handwashing. This same process can be used with phobias to help people see that nothing bad happens when exposed to a feared object or situation.
For social anxiety disorder, counsellors might ask a person to list anxiety-inducing social situations. The counsellor might gradually expose the person to such situations, first by asking them to simply imagine themselves in a feared social context. The counsellor may eventually ask the person to engage in brief real-life social situations, which may relieve their anxiety and reduce distressing symptoms over time.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
DBT is a type of CBT that was developed by Marsha Linehan to treat people with intense emotions. DBT is often used to treat borderline personality disorder. The term “dialectical” refers to the practice of accepting two seemingly opposite things at once. In the case of borderline personality disorder, a person may be taught to acknowledge difficulty with emotional regulation while recognizing that they can do better each day.
DBT also tends to be grounded in mindfulness. Clients are often taught to simply observe thoughts as they arise without identifying with them. For example, someone experiencing intense emotions might have negative thoughts about themselves and blame themselves for their anger. Mindfulness training can enable them to observe those thoughts without identifying with them.
Where to find support for mental health challenges
Many credentialed counsellors advertise their services online. Those who don’t have their own website might be listed on various platforms, such as BetterHelp. BetterHelp allows individuals to be matched with a credentialed mental health professional based on unique mental health needs and personal preferences.
Advantages of speaking to a virtual counsellor
Online counselling allows individuals to speak with a counsellor from anywhere in the United Kingdom. This may be helpful for those who are concerned about speaking with a mental health professional in their community. The perceived distance associated with virtual counselling may help people become more comfortable opening up to a counsellor. Users can access counselling from home or anywhere with an internet connection.
Virtual counselling typically provides a larger network of therapists than what is available locally. This means that it may be easier to find a counsellor who has experience in specific mental health areas. If a person doesn’t believe a specific counsellor is a good fit for their needs, they can change counsellors until they find the right one.
Efficacy of virtual counselling
While virtual counselling can effectively treat a variety of mental health conditions, you don’t have to have a mental illness to benefit from virtual counselling. Counsellors often help people with a variety of life challenges, including major transitions, relationship concerns, and work-related stress.
Takeaway
Frequently asked questions
Below are some answers to commonly asked questions on this topic.
Where can I find a counsellor?
What counselling types are offered virtually?
Is virtual counselling as effective as in-person?
Virtual counselling has been proven by multiple studies to be as effective as in-person counselling in treating many challenges. Researchers have found that internet methods are more cost-effective and lead to a greater quality of life for clients.
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