As our world becomes more and more conscious of the impact mental health has on our daily lives, online counseling has become an essential resource for many.
There is often an assumption that only those with severe mental illness “need” therapy or counseling; the truth is, nearly everyone and anyone can benefit from mental health treatment.
Recently, it has become more common to seek out counseling in an online space instead of going to therapy in person. Online therapy is often easier to access, whether you’re experiencing the symptoms of a mental illness or just need some help to manage daily stresses.
People may choose online options to cut costs, manage time, or because they feel more comfortable speaking over call or text.
Especially given the current climate we live in, with everyone staying home a lot more than before, online counseling is a vital option for people to have.
Online counseling can be beneficial for almost any kind of experience or mental illness. For more detailed resources and information on counseling and therapy, be sure to check out the following link: https://www.mytherapist.com/advice/therapy/.
How To Find The Right Type Of Counseling
Online counseling involves the administration of therapy or mental health services in a virtual setting.
Not everyone needs to know precisely what they would like to work on with their therapist but going in with some ideas can certainly help you choose the right kind of therapy or therapist for you.
Planning Things Out
You can start with the following steps if you are thinking about trying online counseling:
- Identify what you would like to work on with your therapist. Suppose you feel like you have anxiety that significantly interferes with your life, for example, or you are exhibiting common signs of another mental illness. In that case, it can help to look for a therapist that specializes in what you are experiencing.
- Consider costs. While online therapy is often more affordable than in-person therapy, it can still be a considerable price to pay. There are many ways to find affordable or even free counseling. For instance, you can look into Federally Qualified Health Centers, which are community-based centers that offer mental health and substance use care. Many workplaces, colleges, and state departments offer free or accessible online therapy.
- Consider the mode of communication. Online counseling usually involves either video chat, phone calls, or text messaging. However, it is crucial that the service you use makes use of HIPAA-compliant communication platforms like Zoom. Being HIPAA compliant means your personal data is secure. Additionally, online therapy may not be suitable in every kind of situation, especially those that are severe or urgent. Sometimes an in-person visit may be more appropriate or preferred.
- Check for licensing. As ‘therapist’ and ‘psychotherapist’ are not legally protected words in most states, anyone can easily claim to be a therapist. It is important to make sure you are working with a licensed therapist. You may be able to find this information in an online searchable directory if you are unable to ask directly.
- Conduct an initial assessment. The first therapist you meet may not be the right fit. You can always try out a few meetings and ask questions to ascertain if they work well with you. You may not be comfortable with the counseling approaches that a therapist is using, at which point you can try out a different therapist that uses a different approach to therapy.
- Consider the types of therapy you are looking for. There are many approaches to therapy, each with different pros and cons. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the most popular kinds. CBT is effective for many mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, and addiction. This is considered a more short-term approach to mental health treatment and can involve discussions of problematic thinking patterns, feelings about oneself, and distressing situations. There has been research that suggests online CBT is effective in treating anxiety and depressive disorders. There are, however, other kinds of therapy like psychodynamic therapy or interpersonal therapy that you might encounter.
Alternative Options
One-on-one therapy comes up in conversation more often, but you can also find support groups and large groups anonymous meetings online.
Many people prefer a sense of community over the personal feeling of one-to-one counseling.
Online forums and communities can be a great way to connect with others who have similar experiences to share. Mindfulness and wellness techniques are also easy to find online, especially if you have specific goals in mind.
Takeaway
Online therapy has become a great resource in recent years, especially with the increasing global shift towards digitalization we’re experiencing.
You may choose to opt for online therapy because you lead a busy lifestyle, you would like to save money, or feel more comfortable speaking through a computer or phone than in person.
Regardless of why you choose it, online therapy can offer valuable services that are impactful and important for mental health.
