Text therapy gives a person the chance to text with a licensed therapist from the comfort of their own home or whatever location is convenient for them, rather than meeting their therapist in an office for in-person therapy. Everyone has their reasons for seeking mental health care, and now some methods, like texting therapy, work for anyone.

Time to process

When you are sitting in front of a therapist for an in-person session, and you know that the clock is ticking and you only have 30 or 60 minutes total for a weekly live session, it may feel like the pressure is on. This can make it very difficult to process information and honestly answer the questions being posed to you during therapy. 

When you are using text messaging for text therapy, you can take the time that you need to think through the questions you are being asked. Text messaging allows you the time to process and think of things that you might have missed if you were sitting face-to-face, making communication easier for some individuals. The information provided could be key in helping the therapist to know what follow-up steps need to be taken to help you achieve your goals. Text-based therapy may allow for more insightful responses to your therapist’s questions and comments.

Some things are easier to say through messages

Some people communicate better with written words than they do verbally. Writing things down and taking time to think about the therapist's responses can make a difference in helping people to process and respond to information. It can help allow them to reflect on their memories and situations and to come to revelations of things that could have been done differently. You can also text your therapist at any time. They may not be able to respond immediately, but you can at least get the words down. 

Look back at the conversation

During an in-person therapy session, the therapist usually takes notes throughout your half an hour to an hour together. However, you as the patient do not usually take notes about what's being said in the conversation. Later in the day, after your session has concluded, you may have questions about the conversation you had. If you don't have notes, you are unable to look back at that information. 

Text therapy and messaging with your therapist allow you to see the conversation that you are having. Text message allows you to look back through the live chat sessions and their provided information so you can reprocess it through a new lens if needed. This can be a significant benefit of text therapy platforms.

Less judgment

Some people report feeling less judged when talking over text messaging than chatting in person for individual therapy or standing up in front of a support group. Your therapist should never judge you, no matter what type of therapy you're doing, but the patient could feel judgment because they are navigating many difficult emotions, such as shame and guilt. 

Just the thought that they might be judged harshly can make some people clam up during a session. When these same people are talking with a therapist through text therapy— whether it be text messaging or a chat, they may be less worried about judgment and can speak more openly. It can be much easier to type out your thoughts and feelings in a live chat setting, rather than speaking to your therapist in person or through a video conference.

Comfort and safety

Therapy sessions and even support groups tend to stretch people outside of their comfort zone. Most people aren't naturally comfortable talking about their feelings and emotions with strangers. However, text messaging provides an opportunity for a greater level of comfort and safety than you may find in more traditional therapy– whether that’s individual or group counseling. Patients know that no one sees them on the text therapy platform, which can help them to feel more comfortable being open. 

Some people may also prefer messaging because they don't want to be seen going in and out of the sessions. This is often due to the stigmas surrounding mental health and can keep many people from getting the help that they need.

Messaging and text-based counseling aren't going to be the right approach or mental health treatment for every situation. Other options for mental health support include:

• Group therapy
• Support groups
• Video sessions  

There are also some limitations on what type of mental health challenges can be properly treated through therapist messages. It can help many people navigate obstacles like:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief
• Relationship problems

The therapist that you choose will help you determine if text therapy is right for you or if in-person therapy or another type of traditional counseling might be a better fit. 

Cost and payment options

Cost varies depending on the online therapy company you choose, as well as whether you must pay out-of-pocket or if your insurance company offers coverage for an online therapy subscription plan. A BetterHelp subscription typically ranges from $70 to $100 per week, based on factors like therapist availability, your preferences, referral source, and more. Financial assistance may be provided to qualifying individuals.

Who does text therapy work best for

Text-based therapy sessions may be ideal for young people who are familiar with technology, individuals who prefer written communication, people with busy schedules, and those with social anxiety challenges. When it comes to teen therapy, live chat may be preferable for many individuals. 

Please note that BetterHelp users must be at least 18 years of age, while the Teen Counseling platform is available for those aged 13 to 19 and their parents. Those in need of immediate help may reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for support.

When text therapy may not be enough

Text therapy is not appropriate for crisis situations, psychiatric emergencies, or severe mental illness. If you need immediate help, contact emergency services. It can also be helpful to consider that many people enjoy speaking to their therapist face-to-face, whether through in-person sessions or via video call. These individuals may not get as much benefit from text therapy.

How to get started with text therapy

Starting with text therapy is simple. Once you choose an online therapy company, complete a brief intake questionnaire, and sign up for a weekly or monthly subscription, you’ll be matched with a suitable therapist. Then, you can schedule your first session and officially start therapy. If your first match isn’t a good fit, BetterHelp allows you to switch therapists as needed at no additional cost.

Limitations of text therapy services

It's important to note that this therapy may not be available for you 24/7. If you're looking for immediate support, contact the Crisis Text Line by texting "DESERVE" TO 741-741. You can also visit the Get Help Now resource page for more emergency services contact numbers, like the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. 

You cannot receive psychiatry or a prescription

Some mental health challenges will require the use of medication to help alleviate symptoms. Therapists generally can't prescribe medications through text therapy. For this type of mental healthcare, a person must visit a medical doctor or have in-person counseling with a psychiatrist. Sometimes these providers may also be able to provide prescriptions over online video sessions, but it’s not common for doctors to prescribe medication after only speaking to a client through text-based communications.

Tone of voice is hard to replace

Sometimes your mental health provider can pick up on things that their patients are trying to communicate simply by hearing their voices during face-to-face therapy or even through audio messaging and video chat. It might not be the words that they are saying, but how they are saying them. Messaging removes a therapist's ability to pick up on subtle cues. In text-based therapy sessions, all that they have to go off of are the actual words that the patient is typing into each message. They are unable to detect changes in emotion in their voice.

Common nonverbal cues are lost

As outlined in this article, certain technologies are increasingly being used in a few online therapy platforms as tools for mental health services, like video chat and text therapy platforms. Medically reviewed and peer-reviewed studies have shown that messaging is a valuable component of online therapy and counseling programs when addressing an array of mental illnesses and mental health issues. 

Text-based therapy outcomes for adults and teens

According to one study, messaging with a provider through text-based therapy can help lead to better outcomes compared to control groups or in-person therapy alone by increasing engagement with therapeutic exercises and reinforcing the skills learned in video therapy sessions or personal sessions. However, more research on text therapy is needed regarding how text-based services can help clients and when alternative or additional services are needed.

Overall, studies published in peer-reviewed journals point toward the fact that messaging can help facilitate and complement an overall mental health approach. Some therapists and therapy services offer the ability to message your therapist anytime, and they will get back to you when they can, even outside of sessions.

If you are interested in beginning messaging with a therapist, be they a crisis counselor, grief counselor, or another specialty, you'll have to find a provider offering such services. There are several platforms, such as BetterHelp online therapy, that can provide you with a list of people who can help. Many also have online forms and other tools that help you match up with a therapist for your situation, including if you are looking for sliding scale therapy, if the therapy cost is a concern for you. BetterHelp even offers text messaging options. In the same way, TalkSpace offers online text with therapists to help people progress toward their goals. With online counseling, you're not limiting yourself to seeing a mental health professional in your state-you're open to seeing anyone who's licensed to work with you.

You may feel much more comfortable checking yourself to see the therapist's credentials that you might be working with. And, if the first person that you were matched up with doesn't feel like a good fit for you as you go through your first session, it's okay to stop working with them. This doesn't necessarily mean that messaging isn't a good option for you; it just means that the individual therapist was not a good fit. Online therapy services, including text-based therapy sessions, may serve as an effective alternative to in-person care when a strong therapeutic alliance is formed.

BetterHelp online therapy and mental health support: Meet with licensed therapists

As mentioned above, internet-based sessions, video counseling, and text therapy services are efficient ways of helping to manage symptoms arising from several different mental health challenges. Online therapy is more affordable, too. It usually costs from $70 to $100. The price varies depending on the online therapy platform. If you’re concerned about safety, online therapy sessions through a therapy platform like BetterHelp can be completely anonymous. Along with the ability to easily communicate with your therapist through text, you’ll be able to schedule sessions on your own time and learn how long BetterHelp therapy sessions typically last. You won’t have to wait months for an appointment with one of our licensed therapists, or contact support staff just to schedule a time—just go online or through the BetterHelp app to quickly make or modify an online session. You can even use the app to easily switch therapists if your current therapist isn’t the right fit for you.

BetterHelp offers text therapy as part of its online therapy platform. The price range of BetterHelp is $70 to $100 weekly or $260 to $400 monthly. This can be a cost-effective option for a mental health resource. Traditional therapy usually ranges from $100 to $200 for one session. In-person couples therapy is more expensive, usually costing $70 to $250 in out-of-pocket costs.

Several reviews indicate the effectiveness of BetterHelp in reducing the symptoms of mental health concerns. With its positive reviews and ratings, BetterHelp is a viable option for individuals seeking mental health help through online therapy. 

Online and in-person therapy are both effective for relationship and mental health concerns. In certain situations, online therapy can be more effective. It is worth mentioning that the mode of delivery is not the sole indication of therapy effectiveness. It also requires dedication and commitment from the clients.