By: Sarah Fader
Updated February 11, 2021
Medically Reviewed By: Avia James
If you're struggling with stress, relationships, emotional problems, or other major life challenges, you can likely benefit from working with a therapist. However, for many people, actually going to a therapist or counselor in person is impractical or intimidating. Luckily, there are now plenty of companies that provide online counseling services. BetterHelp.com is a website that offers services from certified professional counselors and therapists. There are many situations where it makes more sense to work with an online counselor than seeing one in person - here's when and why you should consider giving it a try.
You have a packed work or school schedule.
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If you have a busy schedule, you may not have time to see a therapist in person. For many hardworking employees or students, the idea of taking time off to see a therapist is very stressful and counterproductive. By choosing to counsel online instead, you can talk to your therapist during your downtime when it is convenient for you. Online counseling allows you to message your therapist whenever you need in a format that is convenient for you (chat messaging, phone call or video messaging), so you can talk about what's on your mind whenever you need it.
You travel frequently.
For individuals who frequently travel for work and may be on the road for days or weeks at a time, a more traditional therapy structure (i.e., face-to-face at a set time, every week) may be difficult to maintain. Online counseling can provide individuals with frequently variable schedules with a therapy modality that they can be consistent with. Since online counseling is not dependent on physical meetings, therapy can travel along with you. Also, the flexible nature of online counseling can help individuals with variable schedules stick to the therapy process without having to commit to a rigid or set therapy schedule.
You find the idea of talking to someone in person stressful or intimidating.
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Many people know they need therapy, but they don't go because they don't like the idea of talking to someone in person about their problems. If this feeling sounds familiar to you, you will likely feel much more comfortable with online counseling. Online therapy takes away some of the intimidation factors because you can type out your responses and you don't need to have any face-to-face interaction if you don't want to. Without the pressure of seeing a therapist in person, you'll get more out of the therapy, because you'll be able to relax and talk more openly about what's on your mind. This can be particularly helpful for individuals struggling with anxiety or are especially apprehensive about talking to someone they don't know. The different communication modalities available in an online counseling platform can enable an individual to begin with a form of communication they are most comfortable with (e.g., chat messaging) and progress to a more direct form of communication (i.e., phone chat or video conference) when they feel ready. Since online therapy is not reliant on direct contact immediately, this can help anxious individual ease to therapy at a pace comfortable for them.
You benefit from regular check-ins and immediate support.
Online counseling is a good option for individuals who benefit from more frequent check-ins with a mental health professional. In traditional therapy settings, an individual would typically need to wait until their next session to discuss or process experiences with their therapist (unless it is an emergency). However, with online therapy, an individual is welcome to message their therapist at any time to vent or express their thoughts and feelings at any time of day. However, it is important to note that despite the convenient and accessible nature of online counseling, if you are in a true crisis, the best modality is to contact emergency or crisis services near you to access immediate help.
You live in a remote area that doesn't have easy access to a professional counselor.
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If you can't get to a therapist in person because you reside in a remote or rural area, online counseling can be a great alternative to engage in mental health services. If you have access to an internet connection, you can still talk with very talented counselors who are certified professionals. Instead of driving long distances to see a counselor, which can be very expensive and time-consuming, you can schedule online sessions that are convenient for you without the travel.
You have limited access to transportation.
Some people may be discouraged about beginning therapy due to lack of transportation. Even if an individual has access to public transportation, living in areas with changing climate may make traveling during certain times of year difficult (e.g., snow storms). The remote nature of online counseling provides individuals with a modality that will enable them to consistently engage in sessions without having to rely on access to transportation. Sessions can be conducted conveniently anywhere.
You are homebound due to some reasons.
Some individuals may be homebound due to physical limitations from an illness, disability, or particular life situation. Many individuals in these situations wish to engage in therapy, but leaving home is not an option. Online counseling can be done at home and is not reliant on physical sessions in an office or clinic setting, so this is a feasible option for many homebound individuals.
You're on a budget and can't afford a traditional therapist.
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Therapy can be very expensive, particularly if you don't have insurance. Unfortunately, the cost of therapy often holds people back from getting the help that they need. While there are still fees associated with counseling online, they are usually much lower than what you would pay for in-person counseling. Many insurance providers are now also choosing to cover online therapy so you can get the help you need without sacrificing your budget.
You want an opportunity to browse and select from many practitioners.
While ease of accessibility and convenience are some top reasons, people may prefer online counseling, the ability to browse and select a professional that best fits one's needs is another. Online platforms like BetterHelp have personal sites for each therapist that enables a potential client to learn more about them before potentially working with them. Also, reviews from current and previous clients in the form of videos and notes can help aid one's decision in selecting a therapist.
Determining whether or not online counseling is right for you may feel like a daunting task given the different types of counseling services available out there. Telecounseling is a new modality that may feel foreign or intimidating to many people. However, it can be a convenient and accessible option for many individuals looking to start therapy or need a more flexible therapy option. BetterHelp is a trusted online therapy platform that enables you to access licensed mental health professionals conveniently in the comfort of your home and schedule.
FAQ
Can I talk to a counselor online for free?
As helpful as therapy may be, it can also be expensive. Fortunately, there are affordable and even free sources of counseling available. While counseling is not always a replacement for therapy, in many cases it can be helpful. Online counseling is gaining in popularity and usually entails signing up for an account, getting paired with a counselor, and then chatting via instant messaging, email, phone, or video. While online counseling is usually not free, consider free online trials, where you get one or more free session before committing to a membership. Some other free counseling options include free counseling hotlines, support groups, counseling through work or places of worship, counseling through government help and programs, and counseling through training clinics and universities. While these options all have many benefits, also check with your current insurance provider to see what exactly it is they offer as far as mental health care goes. Many people do not realize they are covered for a certain number of counseling or therapy sessions each year at no cost to them. Overall, there are many free options out there if counseling is something you need but cannot afford.
How can we overcome counselling problems?
When first deciding who to use as a therapist, it is important to find someone who you can see yourself trusting and feeling comfortable opening up to. It may take a few sessions to determine whether you and your therapist are a good fit, but sometimes, issues arise. Some of these issues can be worked through by speaking with your counselor about the issues that you are having or what you are or are not finding useful in your sessions. It is likely that your counselor is unaware that you are not finding the current sessions entirely useful, so by having the conversation, they will be able to make adjustments to better suit your needs. If after having that conversation, you are still not thinking your therapist is a good fit, it is likely time to consider finding a new therapist. With BetterHelp, if you start the process and you feel your counselor isn’t a good fit for you, you may elect to be matched with a different counselor.
What are the benefits of online counseling?
While choosing whether to enroll in counseling online or in-person is a personal choice, there are some advantages over traditional, in-person therapy. For some people, they appreciate not having to commute to an appointment or having to find childcare during their appointment time. Online counseling can also be more affordable than face-to-face treatment and many online therapy sites allow you to speak to your therapist daily via messaging functions in addition to weekly sessions, while most in-person sessions occur once a week with no additional messaging between sessions.
Is online therapy as effective as in person therapy?
Online therapy is equally as effective as in-person therapy and there are multiple studies that support that claim. One study found that online cognitive behavioral therapy was effective in treating anxiety disorders and another study found that online treatment for depression was equally as effective as in-person therapy. A third study found that online cognitive behavioral therapy was equally as effective as in-person treatment for major depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. A fourth study concluded that “users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform.”
How do I get advice online?
There are many online counseling platforms available and they continue to rise in popularity as people see the benefit of seeking help without having to leave their home. The first step to getting advice online is finding a website that feels like it is a good fit for you. It is important to make sure that the site you choose has licensed counselors who are specialized in areas that you are seeking help in. BetterHelp has counselors who are specialized in a wide variety of specific issues. BetterHelp also ensures all providers are fully licensed and in good standing. Once you settle on a website, you will then be matched with a counselor.
What is the best online counseling service?
There are many online counseling services available online and the decision of which one to choose is highly personal and is often based on various factors. BetterHelp is the largest online counseling platform worldwide and makes counseling available anytime, anywhere. BetterHelp is an affordable option that allows users to connect with counselors through their computer, tablet, or smartphone without leaving the comfort of their own space. BetterHelp has counselors who are specialized in a variety of specific issues, which allows for a wide array of individuals to get the help they need. Each website matches you to a counselor in a different way. BetterHelp will match you to an available counselor who fits your objectives, preferences, and the type of issues you are dealing with. Once you are matched, you will begin communicating with your counselor through a messaging service as well as through video sessions.
What are the problems of guidance?
Oftentimes, when people start counseling, they expect their therapists to provide advice or give them guidance on how to solve their problems. However, most therapists do not give their clients advice for a variety of reasons. The main reason is because the role of a therapist is to present clients with a better comprehension of what motivates or causes them to act or think in the way they do. Rather than give advice, therapy should be used as a tool to guide people in making their own decisions. The goal with therapy is to help you learn more about yourself and why you think and act the way that you do. By giving advice, therapists may hinder that process, which has no long-term benefit to you. Helping clients learn how to make their own choices ends up empowering clients, which allows them to feel more confident when making decisions in the future.
What are the challenges of guidance and counselling?
There are many benefits to online counseling, such as flexibility with scheduling, typically lower cost, and lack of commute time to appointment. However, there are some disadvantages that come with conducting therapy in an online space. The first is the issue of technological glitches. Inconsistent internet connection or problems with the video chat platforms can lead to frozen screens, echoing, and dropped calls. Internet connectivity issues can be frustrating and can disrupt the flow of the conversation that is taking place. Other challenges can include difficulty building a with your therapist if you are not used to forming relationships through a screen, which can lead to it taking longer to work through the issues you are facing.
How do you overcome academic problems?
Academic concerns affect many students throughout their academic careers. Academic concerns may negatively influence a student’s classroom performance as well as other areas of life. Academic problems can place undue stress on a person, which can lead to interference in various parts of a person’s life. Speaking to a counselor about academic problems can be helpful in overcoming the issues at hand. Therapists will help a person understand the root of why they are having problems academically. Once the person is aware of what is causing the problem, they will be able to work together to figure out a plan to alleviate the issues. For example, if a student is stressed out because they are not turning their homework in on time, addressing time management issues and taking steps to mitigating the time management issues.
Is online therapy safe?
Online therapy is generally considered safe. However, security issues can come into play that you otherwise would not worry about. As with any other common practice that has moved online, such as online banking, security and privacy are top priorities for telehealth services. Since online therapy involves patient-therapist communication via computers or mobile devices rather than face-to-face interactions, the American Psychological Association provides specific guidance for therapists who use telecommunication to treat patients. The goal of the American Psychological Association’s guidance is to keep patient information as secure as possible. Their advice to online counseling platforms includes the following:
- Do your best to understand the technology you are using, including any necessary security measures.
- Take care with your use of social media and be aware that even your search history is a potential security risk.
- Know that electronic communication has a higher risk of being made public.
- Use robust passwords, data encryption, and other similar security measures.
Online therapists are encouraged to safely and securely destroy data and other private information as appropriate. In addition to these measures, all platforms must comply with the federal guidelines set by HIPPA as well as follow all licensing regulations and state laws to ensure security and confidentiality.
What is meant by online Counseling?
Online counseling provides professional mental health counseling services online. These services are typically provided through email, real-time chat or instant messaging, and video conferencing. Online counseling can address a variety of issues or concerns that a person might have and since there is no face-to-face interaction, some people find it easier to open up to a counselor through this medium. Some people choose to use online counseling as opposed to in-person counseling because it is oftentimes, but not always, a more affordable option. Online counseling also offers individuals more options to connect with their counselor on a more regular basis, whereas in-person sessions are often once a week.
What are the disadvantages of Counselling?
While there are plenty of benefits to counseling, it can have its downsides. Beginning counseling can leave a person feeling vulnerable, which is why it is so important to find a mental health provider who you feel you can trust and are comfortable opening up to. Additionally, therapy might bring up negative feelings that could lead to you feeling worse before you start to feel better. Counseling can expose you to hurtful issues that you might have previously be unaware of – these feelings can be intense and can lead to feelings of isolation or leave you emotionally drained. One of the benefits of online therapy is that your therapist is available to help you process those feelings that might arise outside of your weekly video visits through online chat functions such as instant messaging.
Is BetterHelp worth it?
BetterHelp is the largest online counseling platform worldwide and makes professional counseling available anytime, anywhere, through a computer, tablet, or smartphone. BetterHelp is an affordable option that allows users to connect with a licensed mental health professional in the privacy of their home. BetterHelp has counselors who are specialized in specific issues such as stress, anxiety, relationships, parenting, depression, addictions, eating, sleeping, trauma, anger, family conflicts, LGBT matters, grief, religion, self-esteem, and more. However, the following are instances where BetterHelp would not be the right solution:
- You have thoughts of hurting yourself or others
- You are a minor or you are under the care of a legal guardian
- You are in an urgent crisis or emergency situation
- You have been diagnosed with severe mental illness
- You have been advised to be in psychological supervision or psychiatric care
- You are required to undergo therapy or counseling either by a court order or any other authority
- You do not have a device that can connect to the Internet or you do not have a reliable Internet connection.
Which is better BetterHelp or TalkSpace?
When it comes to finding a therapist, it is important to consider the therapist’s credentials, whether the therapist’s approach is right for you and if they have experience working within your area of concern, and their availability. BetterHelp’s base plan includes weekly live video chats along with unlimited messaging. BetterHelp also offers phone therapy, which is helpful for our clients with slow or no internet. BetterHelp also offers financial assistance who can’t afford therapy. TalkSpace is also an online therapy platform where individuals are able to choose the therapist they would like to work with. Overall, it is essential that no matter which online platform you choose, you’ll want to make sure that they are someone you feel comfortable discussing and working on personal issues with your therapist.
Is there such thing as an online therapist?
Online therapists are licensed mental health professionals, who mostly provide similar treatments online as they would in-person. Online therapy is a way to communicate with a licensed mental health professional over the phone or computer. Oftentimes, treatment includes messaging, live chat, phone calls, and/or video chat.
