Becoming A Better Communicator With The Help Of My BetterHelp Counselor - Kelsey
Are you curious about online therapy? Are you interested in becoming a better communicator? You may have tried in-person therapy before and disliked your experiences. Or perhaps you've avoided counseling because you feel confident that discussing your emotions face-to-face isn't for you. Whatever the case, you deserve to be happy with your treatment, and you may find remote sessions more enjoyable.
For example, Kelsey found in-person counseling less effective than online sessions because she has an easier time writing about her emotions than talking about them, and BetterHelp allows her to choose how she communicates with her provider.
Kelsey's story has been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
Why Kelsey tried BetterHelp
"I first learned of BetterHelp when I saw an advertisement online for it. I've attended in-person counseling twice in the past but was dissatisfied with both experiences," began Kelsey. "BetterHelp caught my eye because I liked the idea of being able to write to a counselor instead of just talking to one.”
“I have a hard time verbalizing and speaking, especially my emotions. It’s much easier for me to express myself with the written word. So I thought this would be far more beneficial than seeking an in-person counselor again.
"When I previously attended in-person counseling, there were many times that I did not feel comfortable enough to verbalize and communicate what I wanted to say or how I was feeling to my counselor. And when I finally did open up, I felt as if the counselor would try to shift that topic of conversation to something else I may have brought up previously that was, to me, completely unrelated. They would make me deliberately repeat important points that I wasn’t comfortable talking about. It took a lot for me to open up about some of these topics, so to have them overlooked was frustrating. It made me feel like they weren’t genuinely interested in the issues I wanted to speak about."
Kelsey's experience with BetterHelp
"So, at that point, I decided to sign up for BetterHelp, and I'm so grateful I did! I have been working with my counselor, Alexandra, on BetterHelp for just over three months. She suggests different action-based plans. This helps me to feel as though I am doing something to truly work towards being at a better place with my situation," Kelsey continued.
"I am not solely relying on an internal change, which is exactly what I need. There are still internal changes that I need to work on, and by doing these external action-based suggestions, it’s making it easier for me. I have learned to pay attention and listen to my needs and be patient with myself and not let my anxieties get so out of control."
How Kelsey benefitted from the flexibility at BetterHelp
"I did try two other counselors on BetterHelp before being matched with Alexandra. I did not mesh with either of them and decided to request a new counselor.
"It is a much more complex process with in-person counseling to try and find one that works best for you. This was the main reason that I did not continue in-person counseling."
Kelsey's continued growth through BetterHelp
"Overall, I have discovered a lot of essential points about myself during my time with BetterHelp, and I am still learning more about who I am as a person. It’s going to be a struggle for a long time to get where I need to be, but it is no longer constant. I am continuously learning new ways to make productive and helpful changes in my everyday life.
"I am also learning to be a better communicator. From actively listening to body language, I’ve started learning a lot of things that make great communicators good at effective communication. A lot of the issues I had in my relationship stemmed from this one issue. I was never expressing myself or making my voice heard in conversation. Those unexpressed emotions would turn into anger and erupt, causing further issues in the relationship. I am learning to handle control (or feeling a lack of it), and I am learning how to cope and avoid misunderstandings thanks to Alexandra's support on BetterHelp," Kelsey Concluded.
How online therapy can improve communication skills
For most patients, online professionals provide the same benefits as in-person counseling, making it an effective alternative for those who feel uncomfortable in face-to-face sessions. And you'll have treatments and therapies that can help with almost any concern.
For example, interpersonal therapy can help improve communication skills, help a person become a good communicator, and teach individuals healthy ways to express their emotions. Therapy can also help individuals overcome their fears of speaking in front of an audience and give them the tools they need to know when an audience appears engaged or disengaged to ensure listeners hear what they have to say. In addition, with an online professional specializing in interpersonal therapy, you can learn these skills from the comfort of your home, communicating in whatever way is most comfortable for you.
Takeaway
Online therapy has several benefits, like improving your communication skills and making you more effective. In Kelsey’s case, she’s been able to focus on her communication challenges and mental health with a counselor who took time to earn respect.
Online therapy can also make mental health treatment more affordable, convenient, and available. And it allows a broader range of professionals than you might be able locally. So, if you'd like an alternative to speaking with a therapist in person, consider trying it. Like Kelsey and many other individuals, it may be a better option for you.
At BetterHelp, we'll match you with a licensed professional based on your needs and preferences, and you can switch therapists as often as you need until you find a good fit. Then, you'll be able to schedule sessions on your time via in-app messaging, voice chat, and video calls. You can also message your provider anytime, and they'll respond as soon as they're free.Other commonly asked questions
How do you become a better communicator?
There are many ways to become a better communicator. Great communicators tend to have one thing in common: they prioritize active listening. In a conversation, they don’t just speak; they also listen. They focus while the other person is speaking to really hear what they have to say. They tend to listen with an open mind. When they speak in conversation, they tend to do so thoughtfully and voice their opinion respectfully. Effective communicators also aim to use empathy and remain mindful of how the listener or audience is feeling. Communicating with empathy can be an effective way to voice a message and be heard.
Good communicators also tend to use positive, open body language. Instead of crossing their arms, they may take a relaxed stance, lean forward, and make eye contact so that their body language is warm and open. They may try to find common ground between the speaker and the listener to facilitate the conversation and build a strong rapport. Most people find that common ground can help them form a positive connection. Embracing the characteristics of good communicators may help you find success when you communicate.
What are the four skills to be an effective communicator?
The four skills to communicate effectively are engaging in actively listening when in conversation, talking respectfully, using open body language, and being confident.
What are the three qualities of a good communicator?
Three qualities of a good communicator are building a connection with the person you’re speaking to, talking and using body language in a respectful and engaging way, and paying attention to what the other person is saying and feeling while in conversation.
What are the six characteristics of a good communicator?
- Good communicators tend to focus on paying attention to others and hearing what they’re saying. (They listen, show they’re interested, and don’t just speak about whatever they want to or talk just about themselves.)
- They tend to be confident speakers and listeners.
- Good communicators tend to ask for additional information to clarify and understand what others are saying when they speak.
- They view their audience not as people to entertain or to impress by coming across as particularly interesting or important but as people to interact with and to make feel important.
- Good communicators tend to be interesting and engaging in conversation and communication.
- Good communicators tend to use open, receptive body language.
What makes good communicators?
A person can communicate in many ways. In conversation, we may use speech in order to communicate and get our point across, but effective communication also includes listening and using positive body language. Good communicators tend to be active listeners and engaging, thoughtful speakers. They often earn respect from others by respectfully listening and considering what others say. For instance, if a friend speaks to them about a new idea, they give them the opportunity to explain the idea and genuinely try to understand its value. They spend time in conversation not thinking about what they want to say next but about what’s being said in the moment. They may use filler words, but these are not empty words. These are keywords that show they’re listening and are interested—words that encourage the other person to communicate. For instance, an active listener who is engaged in a conversation with a friend might say, “I see,” or, “I hope to hear more about that.” When it’s their turn to talk in conversations, they speak clearly, respectfully, and in an engaging way. Using strong action verbs and descriptive words may help people be engaging, clear conversationalists when they speak. They may also use open body language so that the other person feels comfortable in the conversation.
What are five basic communication skills?
Five basic communication skills are listening actively, speaking clearly, addressing the topic or subject, not interrupting, and communicating with respect. With practice, people can develop these communication skills and learn practical ways to speak, listen, and use appropriate body language. These communication skills can be helpful in relationships, in a career, and in other areas of life, such as when seeking medical care, meeting with people, conducting personal business, and more.
What are 10 good communication skills?
- Speaking respectfully to communicate a point.
- Listening respectfully to hear and understand a point.
- It is knowing when and how to use a good example to illustrate a point.
- Speaking and listening with confidence.
- Taking care to spend time not just talking but also listening.
- Speaking not just for the benefit of yourself.
- Providing or asking for additional information to enhance understanding.
- Using speech and making a point to listen is a way to build connections, impart ideas, and impart helpful information.
- Being aware of the audience and their feelings when you speak and listen.
- Addressing the subject being discussed.
What are the nine barriers of communication?
- An unwillingness or lack of confidence to speak openly.
- An unwillingness or lack of self-awareness to listen with an open mind.
- A tendency to interrupt instead of making an effort to listen.
- A tendency to veer away from the subject.
- A tendency to force ideas on others without listening to their perspective.
- A lack of interest in what other people are trying to say.
- A lack of empathy or interest leads to an inability to connect.
- A sense of self-importance or a sense that only one person has something of value to say or hear.
- A lack of awareness of what’s happening or how others are feeling in the conversation.
What are the golden rules of a good communicator?
What is the main goal of a communicator?
What is the importance of the communication process?
How can I evolve my communication skills?
What is the value of communication?
How do you speak like a leader?
Why do we need clear and concise communication?
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