Online Counselling (Australia): How It Works For Mental Health

In recent years, online counseling in Australia has emerged as a convenient form of mental health support. With one in five Australians experiencing mental health conditions each year, online therapy can provide a lifeline—especially for those in rural or remote areas, where traditional mental health support options like face-to-face counseling may be limited. In addition to greater accessibility and scheduling flexibility than face-to-face appointments, online counseling can also offer evidence-based practices for Australians seeking help with stress management, low mood, or self-esteem challenges. Even for those without a specific mental health challenge, online therapy can help protect well-being.  

What is online counselling in Australia?

Online counselling, also known as virtual counseling, teletherapy, or telehealth, is a type of therapy provided online. Through platforms like BetterHelp. Online therapy allows individuals to connect with qualified mental health professionals through digital channels like: 

• Video sessions 
• In-app audio-only calls
• Synchronous in-app chats

Clients who seek mental health support (Australia) can get started by sharing a few details about their background, support needs, and preferences to get matched with the right counselor, typically within 24-48 hours. Whether in-person or online, counsellors are dedicated to prioritizing their clients' emotional safety and providing a supportive environment tailored to the individual needs of their clients. Unlike face-to-face therapy, you do not need to commute to have an online counselling session, allowing you to receive quality mental health support without geographical constraints.

Finding the right counsellor: Qualifications and care

When you start looking for an online therapist, you might notice lots of different types of counsellors, therapists, and other providers with a variety of accredited qualifications. Here are a few types of providers you might come across: 

• Clinical psychologists
• General psychologists 
• Clinical social workers 
• Professional counsellors 
• Marriage and family therapists 

Trained counsellors and therapists are dedicated to providing their clients with quality, evidence-based practices, and many are trained in specialties like trauma-informed care. However, note that in Australia, the term “counsellor” is not a protected title in Australia, so you may want to check the specific qualifications and training of any potential counsellors you’re considering. Trained counsellors and therapists are dedicated to providing their clients with quality, evidence-based practices, and many are trained in specialties such as trauma-informed care. 

How to reach mental health support in Australia

Eligible Australians with a Medicare number and card can have counselling through Medicare rebates or private health insurance. To find mental health support through Medicare-rebated therapy, there are a few steps to take:

1. See a General Practitioner (GP): Australian citizens and permanent residents can see their GP for a mental health assessment to gauge whether a condition may be impacting their life. 
2. Get a GP Referral: If, after providing an assessment, your GP determines that your life is being impacted by a condition, they will provide a Mental Health Treatment Plan and a referral.
3. Use Medicare Rebates: The Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral allow eligible Australians to see an approved provider for six initial sessions. After six sessions, clients must return to their GP for a mental health review before being able to access an additional four sessions. The ten sessions of a mental health plan are valid for one calendar year. 

Is online counselling covered by Medicare or insurance?

Individuals using health insurance will need to assess what services and providers are covered in “extra policies” and the amount of coverage included. Health insurers often have limitations on what their extras cover, such as waiting periods, provider eligibility, and the number of covered sessions (usually six to ten sessions per year). Sessions may also have to be paid in full before a person can submit a claim.

For individuals with other forms of plan-managed funding, it may be possible to use funds to pay for counselling services. Alternatively, you might also choose to seek online therapy through a platform that connects individuals with a wider range of providers, regardless of their location. This option can be convenient and affordable when compared to in-person therapy. 

What’s the difference between online therapy services and in-person therapy services?

Online therapy services are typically similar to traditional in-person therapy, aside from the medium through which the participants communicate. Both involve trained professionals like registered psychologists or other qualified therapists using techniques like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness, talk therapy, and solution-focused mental health strategies to help provide potential relief for people experiencing mental health conditions.

Online counselling options for different mental health needs 

Mental health professionals, such as a registered psychologist or trained therapist, can often provide individuals with support for whatever mental health-related conditions or circumstances they may be facing. That said, you don’t need a diagnosable mental health condition to benefit from online mental health support. Even for people without a specific concern, online therapists can often help individuals build mental strength, develop coping skills, and navigate life’s challenges effectively.

For many issues, there are specialised programs available. For example, some providers have extra training and expertise in issues like stress management, trauma, alcohol use disorder, and relationship problems. 

Online counselling, therapy, and self-help approaches

Often, the terms counselling and therapy are used interchangeably. However, there can be differences between the two. Counselling tends to be more solution-focused and short-term. For example, a counsellor might focus on a particular concern, such as communication difficulties, and recommend specific strategies for addressing it. 

In contrast, therapy may be a longer process, often exploring complex, deep-seated issues and helping clients manage symptoms of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. 

When self-help tools may support counselling

Self-help tools can also play a significant role in fostering wellness, complementing therapy. Some common self-help tools and strategies include:

• Practicing mindfulness
• Joining a support group
• Exercising 
• Spending time in nature
• Journaling
• Practicing gratitude and self-compassion

Benefits and limitations of online counselling

The demand for online counselling has surged in recent years, driven by factors like increasing public acceptance of mental health care, convenience, and a growing need for mental health support in general. As a result, online counselling is being offered by more and more healthcare providers.

Here are a few benefits of online therapy that many clients mention: 

• Scheduling flexibility: Online therapy platforms can make it easier to plan around your schedule, including outside standard business hours, and book sessions quickly. 
• Convenience: It’s easier for many to receive care when they don’t have to get to a therapist’s office. 
• Comfort: Many clients appreciate attending therapy from the comfort of home, without having to worry about running into someone they know in their therapist’s waiting room.

Eliminates travel barriers

Online counselling eliminates travel barriers and allows Australians to receive mental health services from their home or another place where they feel comfortable and have an internet connection. Many online services also offer sessions outside of traditional working hours, catering to individuals who might otherwise struggle to attend in-person appointments due to scheduling. Additionally, online counselling can benefit those with mobility challenges or limited transportation, since there’s no physical travel required.

Increased acceptance and reduced stigma

The act of seeking mental health services in general has become more mainstream in recent years. One reason is that the stigma around having mental health conditions and seeking mental health support has begun to decrease. 

After the COVID-19 pandemic began, a rising need emerged for healthcare services that wouldn’t put people at risk of spreading the virus. As a result, Australia and the rest of the world saw a spike in the demand for and usage of telehealth services. 

The freedom to choose mental health care services tailored to you

In an ideal situation, individuals seeking help would have the freedom to pursue the type of mental health services that would fit their specific lifestyle. Those who prefer face-to-face counselling could get the help they want, and those who prefer some social distance could get the help they want. With online therapy and online counselling services, this is becoming increasingly possible. 

Removing barriers to mental health services in urban areas

While online counselling can be especially valuable for promoting good mental health for those in remote areas, it may also benefit those living in Australia’s major cities. Urban life can bring its own unique mental health challenges, like stress caused by fast-paced lifestyles, crowded environments, or demanding careers. 

Many city dwellers also face barriers to in-person care, such as long commutes, long wait times for appointments, costly in-person therapy sessions, or challenges in finding an available trained therapist who suits their needs. Online counselling can help individuals overcome these obstacles by providing a quicker and more convenient way to speak with a professional mental health care provider. 

Affordability

Another significant benefit of online counselling is its relative affordability. Online therapy sessions can cost less than many in-person sessions without insurance, which can help remove another barrier to care. However, pricing through BetterHelp is based on various factors, such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability, and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply.

Limitations of online counselling

Despite its benefits, online counselling and online therapy may not be suitable for everyone and for every concern. In these cases, face-to-face therapy can be recommended. In-person counselling may be more suitable when:

• A person is presently grappling with psychosis or more severe symptoms of a mental health condition
• A person does not feel comfortable or finds it challenging to connect and build rapport with others online, preferring in-person interactions
• A person is in a crisis

Why online counselling continues to grow in Australia

Opportunities to receive mental health treatment services in Australia’s rural and remote communities have historically been limited due to a shortage of local mental health professionals and resources. According to the Australian Psychological Society, nearly three in ten people living in remote communities rate the availability of local mental health services as either “poor” or “very poor.” Online counselling may help bridge this gap by providing people living in remote areas a way to more easily receive mental health support. Online therapy also provides reduced wait times, helping people begin their healing journey sooner.

How effective is online mental health care?

Research consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of online counselling in many cases, with studies suggesting that it can often provide significant improvements in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. According to a study by the National Library of Medicine, not only do many people prefer online counselling to traditional face-to-face counselling, but it can often be just as effective, if not more effective, than the traditional alternative in many cases.

Many individuals feel that the freedom to engage in therapy from the comfort of their home is preferable to meeting in person. This newfound level of comfort may have an impact on the effectiveness of therapy. For instance, when people are more comfortable, they might also be more likely to experience:

• Increased willingness to proactively seek help when experiencing early signs of mental health struggles
• More openness to sharing personal thoughts and emotions because they are in a familiar, safe environment
• Reduced levels of stress and anxiety, which can be caused by commuting, waiting rooms, face-to-face interactions with strangers, or unfamiliar settings
• Improved consistency in attending sessions, since many barriers have been significantly reduced or removed
• An enhanced sense of control, since online therapy allows individuals to choose when and where they receive support
• Improved emotional readiness, because being in a comfortable environment can make it easier to engage in meaningful therapeutic work

Choosing an online counsellor or platform

The process of selecting the right mental health counsellor for you can sometimes be a challenge. Finding a good match can also be key for promoting positive therapeutic outcomes, since it’s usually important that you feel comfortable opening up to your therapist.

When searching for an online counselling provider, Australians might benefit from considering factors like professional experience and credentials, areas of specialty, therapeutic approaches, and therapist-client compatibility. Is it easy to talk to them? Do you feel comfortable sharing your struggles? These are the types of questions you can ask yourself to help you decide if you’ve found the right online counsellor. 

For many concerns, there are specialised programs and approaches. For example, some providers have extra training and expertise in stress management, trauma, alcohol use disorder, and relationship problems. They may use different approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), humanistic therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or existential therapy. While many therapists and counselors integrate different approaches, such as mindfulness and CBT, learning about these approaches may help you make an informed choice.

Online therapy through a platform

When you pursue online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp, you can specify your needs and preferences and then get matched with a provider accordingly. You can also switch providers at any time for no additional cost until you find the right fit. The platform can connect you to a wide range of providers and specializations, improving your chances of finding just the right fit. Pricing through BetterHelp is based on various factors, such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability, and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply.