Why Online Therapy Is Worth It: Benefits Of Using BetterHelp
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Is online therapy worth it? Many studies suggest that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy for treating common mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. BetterHelp provides virtual therapy with licensed professionals, offering flexibility and accessibility for those who may not have access to traditional in-office care.
Over the last several years, the popularity of online therapy has grown significantly in the United States, particularly since the pandemic. Below, explore research on the effectiveness of online therapy and the key benefits of choosing a virtual therapist.
Is online therapy worth it? What the research says
Every year, more and more Americans report a positive view of online mental health care, as evidenced by the following statistics related to online therapy in the United States:
- In a survey from 2021, 45% of respondents said that telehealth services provide the same quality as in-person services, compared to 40% in 2020.
- Nearly 60% of Americans say they would use remote therapy for mental health treatment.
- According to a survey by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, more than 50% of all therapy sessions now take place remotely, compared with approximately 20% before the pandemic.
The benefit of wider therapist availability
For many people, one of the key benefits of virtual therapy is therapist availability. Online therapists typically have wider availability given that they can work from home. As a result, online therapy often allows for flexible scheduling outside of standard business hours, which means that therapy sessions can often be scheduled around the client’s work and family commitments.
The benefit of flexible communication methods
Online therapy allows people to communicate with a licensed therapist remotely in the way that’s most comfortable for them. Videoconferencing allows clients to get face-to-face interaction without leaving home, while those who prefer not to be seen on video can communicate via audio or live chat instead.
With a remote therapy platform like BetterHelp, clients can reach out to their therapist at any time through in-app messaging, and the provider will respond as soon as they can. The freedom to contact their therapist at any time and schedule extra sessions (for an additional cost) means that people can communicate what they’re feeling in the moment, so they don’t forget what they wanted to say by the time their next session arrives. They can also review their therapist’s responses at any time in the app, which may be encouraging on days when they experience relationship challenges or mental health concerns.
Where to find online therapists
Many therapists now offer their mental health services online in addition to or instead of providing in-person care. Some may have their own website while others may work through an online therapy platform like BetterHelp. With BetterHelp, you can get matched with a therapist based on your preferences and needs as outlined in a brief questionnaire.
BetterHelp also allows you to change therapists for any reason, at any time, for no additional cost until you find the right fit for you. BetterHelp has a network of more than 30,000 licensed therapists, which may make it more likely that you’ll find the best provider for your needs.
If you’re searching for a mental health professional with experience in specific modalities, from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, online therapy can be a viable option for connecting with them. Many modalities can be practiced online.
The effectiveness of online therapy vs. in-person therapy
Is BetterHelp as effective as in-person therapy?
In one systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2020, researchers looked at 17 studies exploring the effectiveness of electronic cognitive-behavioral therapy (eCBT) compared to traditional in-person therapy for depression. They concluded, “Our results demonstrated that eCBT was more effective than face-to-face CBT at reducing depression symptom severity.”
Mental health conditions that may be treated online
Researchers have studied online therapy for many other conditions in addition to depression. For instance, in another systematic review and meta-analysis, a group of researchers studied the effectiveness of online CBT for numerous disorders. Their findings suggest that online therapy can also be effective for the following illnesses:
- Depression
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Specific phobias
- Social anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Substance use disorders
- Adjustment disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Although therapy can be a helpful treatment for mental health conditions, you don't need to be showing signs of a mental health condition in order to potentially benefit from speaking with a therapist online or in person. Therapy can also be helpful for individuals experiencing low self-esteem, relationship challenges, grief, trauma, and many other types of difficult life situations.
That said, remember that you don't need to be showing signs of a mental health condition in order to potentially benefit from speaking with a therapist online or in person. Therapy can also be helpful for individuals experiencing low self-esteem, relationship challenges, grief, trauma, and many other types of difficult life situations.
Takeaway
- Flexibility
- Convenience
- Cost-effectiveness
- Accessibility
Online therapy typically allows for more flexible scheduling and a larger selection of licensed therapists than what may be available locally. With BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist who has experience with specific mental health conditions, and you can always change mental health providers at any time. In addition, you may access weekly group sessions on many topics.
What form of therapy is most effective?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely studied types of therapy. Many professionals in the mental health field consider it to be the gold standard of talk therapy today, given the large evidence base indicating its effectiveness. CBT sessions are offered on online platforms like BetterHelp and are often similar in length to in-person sessions, lasting from 30 to 45 minutes.
What type of therapy does a therapist use for trauma?
The American Psychological Association strongly recommends the following four types of therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy, cognitive therapy, and prolonged exposure. The APA also provides a conditional recommendation for three other types of therapy: eye movement and desensitization reprocessing therapy (EMDR), brief eclectic therapy, and narrative exposure therapy.
How does online therapy compare to in-person therapy for mental health conditions?
Numerous studies have indicated that online therapy may often be effective for treating various mental disorders, including depression and anxiety. Some studies suggest that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy.
Are online therapists licensed?
When looking for an online therapist, ask about a prospective provider’s credentials. With BetterHelp, all mental health professionals are licensed and have at least three years and 1,000 hours of clinical experience. Online therapists at BetterHelp are required to follow the same legal and ethical codes as all other therapists.
Do online therapists take health care insurance?
Many health insurance companies don’t cover therapy. However, there may be exceptions if a person has a diagnosed mental illness. Individuals seeking online therapy can ask if their specific insurance plan covers online therapy. If not, an online therapy platform like BetterHelp tends to be more affordable than traditional therapy without insurance.
Is online therapy worth it according to patients?
One study from 2022 looked at patient and clinician satisfaction with virtual therapy. The study’s authors state: “Patients gave high ratings to virtual treatment and indicated a preference for virtual formats. Both patient and clinician preference for virtual visits increased significantly with time, and many clinicians perceived virtual services to be equally effective to in-person.”
Can I trust online therapy?
Online therapy is frequently rated as trustworthy and effective by experts and clients. However, be sure to use only a platform where therapists are vetted and licensed, and look into client reviews to learn more about how clients find online therapy.
You can learn more about a therapist’s identity by searching their name and title online. Many therapists who offer online counseling also offer in-person sessions, and you may find information about their practice and professional support experience and delivery methods through searching.
How successful is online therapy?
Online therapy sessions have a host of benefits backed up by studies and providers. For example, studies show that online therapy can significantly reduce depression and anxiety and increase clients’ quality of life. In addition, online services that offer e-therapy are often more affordable than out-of-pocket costs or insurance coverage co-pays for in-person therapy at a therapist’s office.
The treatment process for many modalities is the same online, and because the client can attend an online session from home with reliable internet access, they can learn coping skills in an environment that is safe to them. In contrast, in-person interventions can seem cold, clinical, and scary for some people, and body language may be challenging. Online therapy options can take away these barriers for many clients, making it a successful treatment choice for mental health issues like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and many others.
Is face-to-face therapy better than online therapy?
Face-to-face therapy and online therapy are often believed to be as effective as one another. Whether you use online or in-person therapy is a matter of personal preference. An online platform can provide convenience and discretion, which might be helpful. However, some methods of therapy, such as EMDR and animal-assisted therapy, may be harder to find online. In addition, you might check with insurance providers to see if they cover online sessions, as some platforms might not accept insurance.
Is online therapy more expensive?
Online therapy is often compared to common insurance co-pay prices and is significantly less expensive than out-of-pocket costs for therapy in the US. For example, someone might pay $150 for one therapy session in person, whereas an online therapy session and extra benefits may only be around $65 to $90.
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