Benefits of Online Counseling and Online Therapy

There comes a time in nearly everyone’s life when they just need someone to talk to, and with the convenience of home counselor online services, getting the support and guidance you need has never been easier. Sometimes, this can be a trusted friend, family, or even co-worker, but in some situations, only a qualified professional, like a therapist, will do.

When seeking mental health treatment, you might consider the potential benefits of virtual therapy—be it with an online psychiatrist or an online therapist/psychologist. Virtual therapy offers mental health services without the physical barriers of a traditional therapy setting. A licensed therapist can offer equally effective therapy sessions virtually, which eliminates the need to seek in-person therapy. From eating disorders to body language, virtual therapy provides help for mental health concerns without the need to wait in a therapist's waiting room.

Online therapy is an effective way to talk through your problems with a counselor and get valuable guidance and feedback from someone ready to listen without judgment. Services such as online CBT can give people the tools they need to understand and manage their mental health. If you're considering this, it would be good to know the benefits of online therapy to determine if it could be a productive step for you.

The Benefits Of Online Therapy

Studies show that therapy, in general, is effective and has many benefits. Some of the benefits of therapy include helping you identify the things that are causing distress, understand yourself better, and achieve your goals.

While in-person therapy is an option for many people, some of the benefits of online therapy that you might consider before deciding which type of therapy is right for you include:

No Traveling

Starting therapy can be challenging, especially for those with a physical limitations, a disability, or those living in rural areas. Whether the closest therapist is hours away or all of the counselors in your area have long waiting lists, it can be challenging to get an appointment. One of the biggest online therapy benefits is that you can get an appointment with a qualified professional from the comfort of your own home or you can get therapy from anywhere with an internet connection. With a large pool of counselors available online, you don’t have to worry as much about waiting lists or limited appointment times to get mental health care.

Personal Space At Home

Online counselors follow the same rules as office-based therapists, but the feeling of being behind a screen and not in the same room can allow people to open up more quickly about sensitive topics.

More Available

People with mental health conditions such as social anxiety disorder, depression, or mood disorders, might have difficulty motivating themselves to find a therapist, schedule an appointment, and then travel to the office for the first meeting and every subsequent meeting after that. Online counseling makes connecting with a counselor easier for people who need help but may not seek it out if there are too many obstacles in the way.

When Online Counseling Is Appropriate

To Give Yourself More Options

In addition to having more options for counselors and appointment times, online counseling services allow you to choose how you interact with your therapist, either through live counseling or asynchronous counseling. Live counseling is when you meet with a therapist via video-based teleconferencing or over the telephone. You and your therapist are both present, responding to each other in the moment, getting you close and personalized treatment from the comfort of your home. Asynchronous online counseling is when you exchange messages with your therapist. You send a message, and your therapist responds when they log back into the platform. Depending on their availability, your therapist might respond to messages daily or multiple times a day.

Downsides To Online Counseling

While online therapy is an effective and viable option for many people, there are certain drawbacks to consider, and some people may still be skeptical about online therapy. While many people find online therapy effective, there are just a few reasons online sessions may not be right for you:

Insurance Might Not Cover You

Your insurance company might not cover it. Paying for online therapy out-of-pocket can add up quickly, so make sure your medical insurance covers it, and your online therapist accepts your plan. 

Out-of-State Providers

Some states don’t allow for out-of-state providers. In many states, your online therapist must be licensed in your home state for them to deliver treatment. 

Unreliable Technology

Unreliable technology could be an issue. Because online therapy relies on the internet and the reliability of multiple devices, many things might not always work as they should. If your internet goes down or your laptop runs out of battery, your session will be interrupted. 

Rapid Response

Online mental health professionals cannot always respond quickly in crisis situations. If you are in immediate danger or having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for 24/7 support and assistance from a trained counselor.

Complex Treatment

In-person therapy is better for treating severe and complex psychiatric illnesses that may require medication or hospitalization.