Mental health is as important as physical health. Even more important, the two are interrelated, so that a poor mental state can influence you physically, and vice-versa. However, finding support and healing is more complicated than treating a cold, flu, or other ailments and illnesses.
For many people, mental health services are unavailable or inaccessible. They may be too expensive for them, lack the time necessary to visit a mental health clinic, the therapist they want is overbooked, or there is no mental health clinic in their hometown at all.
These are only some of the reasons why people are opting for an online therapist. Read on to find out how online therapy changes lives and how you, and your loved ones, can find the happiness you deserve.
What Is Online Therapy?
An online therapist offers mental health services over the Internet. You only need a device – such as a personal computer, tablet, or mobile phone – and a stable Internet connection. Generally, online therapy means scheduling appointments and discussing with your therapist via texting, video calling, or phone calling sessions.
Online therapy is similar to in-person therapy in that the quality of care is the same and it follows a similar structure – you choose a platform and a therapist, you discuss your problems and goals, and work together on improving your well-being.
Online Therapy vs In-Person Therapy
As online therapy is essentially at your fingertips, you can benefit from counseling services in the comfort of your own home, text your therapist during lunchtime, or schedule evening sessions when you are done with your daily responsibilities. This level of flexibility and availability is a great benefit for busy individuals or those who have no mental health clinics in their area.
In some cases, there are many obstacles that could prevent you from going to scheduled in-person sessions, such as unfavorable weather, traffic jams, or having to take time off work, especially as most clinics have the same workday hours as many other people.
In the case of online therapy, you don’t need to worry about missing your sessions for these reasons. As long as you have access to the Internet, you can attend the scheduled appointment.
There are many mental health care platforms available nowadays. While some of them are specialized in only one field, such as relationships, most online platforms have a wide range of mental health care professionals. This is a great advantage, especially if there is no professional in your area who is specialized in your specific needs, such as dealing with childhood trauma, abuse, addiction, or anxiety and depression.
In general, mental health platforms require you to choose your desired field of focus or complete a questionnaire, after which you are matched with a professional. A high-quality, trustworthy platform should carefully vet each professional and make sure they are licensed, so it’s important to do your due diligence when choosing the right platform for your needs.
Online therapy has another advantage compared to in-person therapy as it is a viable solution for people who cannot easily leave their homes. Whether it is about a physical disability, social anxiety, or any other limitation, online therapy becomes a comfortable way to receive the help you need from the comfort of your home. Teletherapy, in some ways, is a revolutionary development changing the lives of those who have been unable to find support and healing through traditional in-person therapy.
Online therapy is also becoming a popular choice because in-person therapy has always been known for its high costs. For example, one session for in-person therapy can be $200 or more, while texting therapy that includes unlimited texting costs as little as $50 per week.
In other words, daily support via texting can cost the same as one 45-minute therapy, to which you need to add the transportation costs, and time required to travel to and from the therapist’s office. Meanwhile, texting therapy is available at any time – while you go to work, when you’re having lunch, or while enjoying your coffee in the morning.
Limits of Online Therapy
Online therapy can help treat and manage a variety of mental health illnesses. Depending on your chosen platform, these could vary from mild conditions to more severe ones. Stress, burnout, anxiety and depression, relationship issues, mood disorders, eating disorders, OCD, trauma, or PTSD are only some of the main specializations you can find on e-counseling platforms.
However, it’s worth noting that not all platforms are equal in terms of services and specialists. You need to do your own research and ensure that the professionals are trained and licensed in your state.
For online therapy, you need basic technology skills. Online platforms can often be accessed on any type of device, ranging from mobile phones to personal computers and tablets. For texting therapy, you should be comfortable typing – since you will have to keep in touch with your counselor via texting. At the same time, video sessions require you to have a stable connection, otherwise, your experience can be less than satisfactory.
Furthermore, most online therapy platforms are not allowed to provide prescriptions or manage medication. In this case, you may need to go to a physical clinic, get diagnosed, and receive appropriate medication for your issue. Online therapy is not recommended for any emergency, such as suicidal thoughts.
Summary
Online therapy has many benefits and is providing much-needed support to many people. What’s most important is that anyone can access online therapy. Whether you don’t feel comfortable with in-person therapy, it is too expensive, or there is no mental health provider in your area, online therapy is suitable for a variety of unique situations.
It is not only convenient and flexible, but it helps more people than in-person therapy – including those who suffer from social anxiety, people with limited mobility, and others who, for any reason, can’t access the help they need via traditional methods. While there are many barriers to efficient support and mental healing, teletherapy is making access to mental health care more convenient and accessible than ever.
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