What Problems Can An Online Counselling Service Fix?
Medically Reviewed By Wendy Boring-Bray, DBH, LPC
If you think online counseling services evoke discussion today, just imagine how the concept was divisive 20 years ago before the Internet changed Western culture and frankly, changed everything about the world we lived in. Nowadays, we make friends online, we find love online and we get the news online, news from multiple and preferred sources, as social media allows us to create a narrative we're comfortable with.
However, now that we've become accustomed to online degrees, online payments and online healthcare websites, we can better understand the idea that an online counseling service really works, and perhaps is even more effective than an in-person doctor visit.
What Problems Affect Emotional Recovery?
You might be surprised at the rather peripheral obstacles that prevent successful recovery. Problems with transportation and getting to the doctor's office is a major source of stress for some people, especially if they can't drive, or are in a faraway rural location.
Problems with in-person interactions and working around a therapist's schedule are also stressful. Sometimes, patients want a more readily available therapist who can at least meet their patients "halfway" in terms of being available more hours of the day.
An online counseling service offers the option to consult with a preferred therapist, one who matches the patient, in case of an emotional crisis.
Studies Support the Online Model
According to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, online therapy (using cognitive behavioral therapy treatment) produced a reduction in depression symptoms in as little as eight weeks with continued results as long as two years after therapy ended. Another study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that online counseling can even reduce the stress of visiting doctors and therapists which indirectly helps patients get better and more effective care.
The reason why is obvious, an online counselor is patient-centered and client-centric. Patients undergoing mental stress need help and an online service is built from the ground up with a patient's comfort and recovery in mind. Furthermore, online therapy offers help with coping mechanisms, how to reduce symptoms and how to change the patient's harmful thinking patterns. All of this leads to more permanent results.
If you or someone you know has been suffering from depression, bipolar, PTSD, suicidal thoughts, or other disturbing episodes, don't hesitate to contact us at BetterHelp. Our website offers an online counseling service that puts you in contact with one or more qualified therapists. The results are clear…help is just one chat away!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is online counseling effective?
Yes! Online counseling is effective for anyone who wants to improve their quality of life. It can also be helpful if you’re struggling with common mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. An online therapist can help you work through other issues in your daily life such as questions about your sexuality, problems with your family, or career counseling. However, if you’re in crisis, you should call 911 or an emergency hotline rather than relying on an online counseling service like BetterHelp.
Can I talk to a counselor online for free?
Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to access the services of licensed counselors for free. Peer-to-peer therapy services like 7 Cups do offer the opportunity to connect with trained active listeners for free, but the listeners are volunteers, not licensed therapists. By contrast, BetterHelp can connect you with the services of a qualified mental health professional at an affordable rate.
What are disadvantages of counseling?
Affordability and access are two of the primary disadvantages of traditional counseling. If you can’t afford the rates of a traditional therapist or you live in a rural area, it may be difficult to access the services of a qualified mental health professional. Online counseling services like BetterHelp exist to fill these gaps by providing accessible, affordable mental health care for everyone.
Is BetterHelp counseling legit?
Yes! BetterHelp only works with licensed, accredited mental health professionals who are highly qualified. BetterHelp empowers you to choose the therapist that’s right for you and connect with your therapist in the way that best suits your needs. For example, you can choose to message your therapist or talk to them via phone call or video chat if that’s what you prefer.
Can an online therapist diagnose you?
Absolutely. BetterHelp only employs licensed mental health professionals who are qualified to diagnose and treat mental health disorders.
What is the best online counseling?
Ultimately, the best online counseling is the one that works best for you. Therapy is a very personal and individual process, so what works for one person might not work for you and vice versa. BetterHelp is committed to providing counseling of the highest quality and empowering our clients to live their best, healthiest lives.
How do I get advice online?
If you want to get mental health advice online, BetterHelp can connect you with a qualified mental health professional at any time. You can chat with your therapist from the comfort and privacy of your own home without ever needing to leave the house.
Can I chat with a therapist online?
Yes! BetterHelp can connect you with a therapist online right now. You can message your therapist any time.
Is 7 cups therapy free?
Yes and no. 7 Cups offers free, anonymous, trained active listeners who are able to listen to your problems at any time. However, these trained listeners are volunteers and most of them are not licensed therapists. If you want to chat with a therapist through 7 Cups, it costs $150 per month.
Can counselling be harmful?
Therapy will almost always do more good than harm. But counseling can sometimes be harmful if you have a bad therapist. “Bad therapy” might be therapy that is simply unhelpful or ineffective or it might be therapy that is practiced by someone who misdiagnoses you or doesn’t understand you. If you’re using BetterHelp to find a therapist, you can switch therapists at any time to avoid a bad experience with a therapist who isn’t right for you.
Who benefits from counselling?
Therapy can be beneficial for everyone! Many people assume that you have to be at a point of crisis or struggling with a specific mental health issue in order to “need” therapy. But nothing could be further from the truth! Everybody can benefit from counseling.
How long does it take for counselling to work?
Therapy is a highly personal and individual process, so you can’t really provide a universal answer about how long it takes for counselling to work. Your therapist will work with you to identify the type of therapy you need and design a personalized treatment plan for you. On average, however, people who are struggling with generalized anxiety disorder or depression typically need to see a counselor weekly for 6-12 weeks before they make progress.
Is BetterHelp or Talkspace better?
BetterHelp and Talkspace are both online counseling platforms that aim to connect you with a therapist. Although there are some key similarities and differences between the two platforms, ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which one is a better fit for you. However, it is important to be aware that Talkspace’s standard therapy plan does not include the option of live therapy sessions. BetterHelp’s standard plan offers you at least one 30-50 minute session with your therapist per week. You also have the option to switch therapists at any time and switch the method of communication you use for your therapy sessions. For example, if you start out messaging your therapist and you’d prefer to switch to video calls, you can do that any time.
Is BetterHelp worth the money?
BetterHelp is the largest online counseling platform worldwide. We are committed to making therapy affordable and accessible for everyone by connecting you with a licensed mental health professional from the comfort of your own home. The cost of counseling through BetterHelp ranges from $60 to $90 per week (billed every 4 weeks) and it is based on your location, preferences, and therapist availability. Traditional therapy sessions range from $75-150 per session. So, if you want to access affordable, confidential, online counselling services from your phone at any time, you may feel that BetterHelp is worth the money.
Can you cancel BetterHelp at any time?
Absolutely! You can cancel your BetterHelp subscription at any time for any reason.
