Is Video Therapy Really As Effective As Traditional Counseling?
Medically Reviewed By Lauren Guilbeault, LMHCCounseling is an important resource for millions of people globally. People have many different reasons to seek out counseling. Some people need counseling to address depression or anxiety issues. Counseling can also be useful for helping people with relationship problems, substance abuse issues, and eating disorders. Being able to get the help of a dedicated professional can make a difference in people’s lives.
In modern times, people have started to make use of video therapy more often. Video therapy is a type of online counseling where patients can talk to a therapist by using video chat. Some people refer to this type of counseling as Skype counseling as well. The reason Skype counseling became a common term is due to Skype being a common platform used in video therapy.
For some people, gaining access to traditional in-person therapy can be hard. Sometimes it is not a cost-effective option. Other times, people will simply find that it is not convenient enough for them to be able to commit. This is why video counseling has become such an important pillar for treating mental health concerns.
If you are experiencing mental health issues, then you may be wondering whether or not video therapy is something that you should try out. It may be beneficial to explore what this therapy type has to offer you. This article will take a look at just how effective video therapy can be and why it may be preferable to traditional therapy methods. This information can help you make an informed decision and you will be able to easily try video therapy out if it sounds like a good fit for you.
Video Therapy Works Very Similarly To Traditional, In-Office Therapy Methods
Video therapy has proven to be just as effective as in-person therapy. Those who have experienced both types of therapy note that the process is the same. Patients will be speaking with a therapist about their issues and will be receiving quality advice from the therapist throughout the process. The conversation is similar to if it were happening at a traditional therapy center or office.
In fact, many people wind up feeling more comfortable when talking to a therapist online. It can be easier for people who have certain types of anxiety to feel comfortable when inside their own homes. Being able to reach out for therapy without having to go out in public can be a good thing. One of the goals of the therapy may be to overcome social isolation, but the initial therapy sessions may be easier for the person to handle.
Also, video therapy is just as effective as traditional therapy due to the quality of the therapists. Therapists who practice video therapy are fully licensed and know how to help their patients. These professionals are just as dedicated to their craft as those who operate out of brick and mortar locations. The only major difference between video therapy and in-person therapy is that one option is more convenient than the other.
Video Therapy Is Often The More Convenient Option For Many People
Video therapy is likely a more convenient option for many people. If you are a busy individual, then you may not always have time to make it out to see a therapist in-person. This is going to limit the practicality of going to a traditional therapist’s office. Therapists are generally going to have certain hours where they will be open, and you will need to work within those limits. This may not be the best solution for those who have little time to spare.
If you want to turn to online video therapy instead, then you will be in charge of the schedule. It will be far easier for you to have therapy sessions when you are free. This will allow you to work through your issues without it becoming an inconvenience in any way. You can reach out to most online therapists at any time.
Video therapy is convenient in other ways. You will not have to spend money on driving yourself to see the therapist. It is also simply more discreet to receive online video therapy. Many people prefer to keep their struggles to themselves and would not like to advertise that they are seeking therapy. No one will see you driving to a therapist’s office or going into the building when you use video therapy.
Therapy is certainly nothing to be ashamed of, but there is nothing wrong with wanting to maintain your privacy. Your decision to seek treatment should be between you and anyone else that you choose to tell. Being able to get the treatment without having to leave your house just helps to keep things private while also being as convenient as possible.
Online Therapy Is Often More Cost-Effective Than Other Options
Online therapy is often more cost-effective than traditional therapy methods as well. Many therapists will charge quite a bit of money for each therapy session. If you want to be able to receive therapy without having to break the bank, then live video therapy is a good way to go. It is an option that is just as effective while also being significantly more affordable.
Online therapists can charge you less money for their services because they do not have the same overhead costs that a traditional therapy office does. Not having to worry about renting a commercial space allows the therapists to pass the savings down to the patient. You can get the help that you need without having to put yourself in a tight financial position.
Many Types Of Online Therapy Are Available To Choose From
Many types of online therapy are available too. No matter what type of therapy it is that you need, you will likely be able to find it when turning online. Video therapy can help patients with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, sexual dysfunctions, substance abuse problems, and much more. This is a therapy style that has been proven to be effective for many people. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research has found that internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (online CBT) has high levels of efficacy and convenience for individuals seeking treatment for mood and anxiety disorders. The study’s authors found that significant reductions in client symptoms of depression were linked to access to CBT resources, and that participant retention during video therapy was equal to that of traditional therapy.
If you want to get therapy for any reason, then you should consider looking into online video therapy options. The benefits of going the online route are no less than equal to that of traditional therapy. For example, individuals living with severe bouts of depression will be able to seek treatment for their condition. There are so many practical uses for video therapy, which has become one of the most sensible choices for most people.
When you or someone that you love has a mental disorder or any other type of condition that requires therapy, it will be good to consider online options. It will give you many different therapy options to choose from, and you can enjoy the various conveniences that the platform offers.
Sign Up For BetterHelp
BetterHelp is an online platform dedicated to providing high-quality therapeutic services. When you sign up to receive therapy at BetterHelp, you can receive specialized guidance and attention. Their licensed therapists are capable of helping you with a wide array of problems.
No matter what you are going through in life, it is possible to work toward healing. Living with depression or anxiety issues is not always be easy. It may feel difficult to get through some days. This is why it is so imperative to have people who care about you on your side. When you have trained and qualified therapists that you can rely on, it makes it that much easier to maintain a good quality of life even with mental health conditions.
The convenience of online therapy can allow you to get the help that you need at any time. If things are going poorly for you and you need to reach out, then you will always be able to do so through video therapy. Online therapists will always be readily available to assist you. Once you have the process started, you can pave the way for significant improvements in your life and can start feeling positive about the direction that things are going.
You will have many therapy options to consider as well. BetterHelp is among the best video therapy options that you can consider, but they can offer you even more than that. You will also be able to receive therapy over the phone if you would prefer that method. It is even possible to communicate with therapists with text messaging and e-mails, so it is very simple to find a method that will work for you.
Simply reach out to an online therapist whenever you are ready to move forward. If you want to start making progress toward eliminating anxiety or depression from your life, then video therapy is the perfect opportunity. Whether you need couples therapy or if you simply need someone to talk to about personal issues, online therapists are waiting to hear from you.
BetterHelp Counselor Reviews
Here are a couple of testimonials from individuals who have used BetterHelp for their concerns:
“Working with Alex for these last few months has been amazing! She is understanding, insightful and funny. I am so grateful I am on this journey with her. I feel safe and supported and my weekly video chats are everything! Since I started working with her, I feel more centered and have developed healthier habits.”
“I have greatly enjoyed working with Jason. We have met regularly via virtual video meetings over the past several months, and he has been incredible in helping me to address my stress at work, life, and everything in between, in the midst of a global pandemic. He is very adept at listening, identifying underlying thought processes, discussing issues, and working towards productive solutions. I always look forward to meeting with him, and I would highly recommend Jason to anyone and everyone!”
Below are some commonly asked questions on this topic:
What is video therapy?
Is video therapy as effective?
What is video therapy called?
What are the 5 therapy methods?
Can an online therapist diagnose you?
Is Talkspace real therapy?
Is therapy via Zoom effective?
What are the disadvantages of online Counselling?
Is therapy over Zoom effective?
What is Virtual Therapy?
Online Counseling Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Does Video Therapy Work?
Online therapy uses video sessions online to provide psychological counseling. This use of video and audio over the internet is a form of TeleHealth that allows the patient and therapist to communicate directly.
Of all the best online counseling platforms, BetterHelp is ranked number one. It gives people living with various mental health issues like bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety, and management anxiety adequate access to mental health professionals and social workers.
With this platform, patients get to connect with licensed therapists through video and audio. This quick access is vital in some sensitive instances, like with patients in need of severe stress management. This way, BetterHelp users begin counseling work via video sessions. The mental health services offered by this platform accommodates video conferencing, making it perfect for family involvement with family therapists.
Patients get to develop coping skills via stress management counseling sessions or cognitive behavioral counseling that can be particularly helpful in bipolar disorder. With BetterHelp, you don’t need to leave the house to meet with therapists in your state and have access to mental health services. You can just subscribe and schedule video sessions with mental health professionals.
Is there any legitimate online counseling?
The professionals who work through online therapy sites like BetterHelp are licensed and credentialed therapists certified by their state’s board to provide therapy and counseling.
Online Therapy, as the name implies, means seeking help through face to face online sessions from professional and licensed therapists online. It could be by text or online videos. Mental health professionals do this for them to discuss issues relating to stress and generalized anxiety depression.
This is a very convenient way to get counsel as it can be done from the comfort of one’s home. Besides, the psychologists are competent and licensed. The counseling sessions are limited to individual therapy but also incorporates support groups that encourage interpersonal relationships.
However, while the service may have benefits like getting professional help from a mental health specialist and social workers, it’s not capable of substituting for conventional face to face therapy in some sensitive cases.
Never the less its use of video and audio for mental health care makes it perfect for loved ones to collectively connect with support groups or family therapists.
Official diagnosis can’t be made to fulfill any court order or prescribe medication. It is advisable for clients who require medications for their treatments to go to licensed Doctors for prescriptions and not rely on social workers.
What are the five stages of therapy?
The five stages of Therapy are:
1. Initial Disclosure: this is the first stage of the counseling process, and it entails building a relationship with the client in need of help based on trust, care, and respect. Therapy sessions usually have positive effects when there is a good relationship of mutual trust and respect between the psychologist and the client.
Your response at this stage of cognitive behavioral therapy is very sensitive to your client and could either make them trust you or shut you out. In this stage, you have to move at the pace of your client. You have to be patient with them.
2. In-depth Exploration: In this stage, you have to intensify problem assessment. Assessing the client has to do with gathering information and drawing conclusions about the concerns of the client. This is particularly explored in cognitive behavioral therapy.
Here, most therapists desire to know who they are and explore the things that have influenced their reasoning, emotions, and their concerns. According to Psychologist Martin Seligman, the following reasons for assessing a client are:
- It allows mental health professionals to make an accurate diagnosis.
- It allows them to decide whether or not a person is suitable for a certain treatment plan.
- It helps mental health professionals to develop a treatment plan.
- Help the assessor to have better clarification in setting goals and achieves goals more measurable.
- It helps the assessor to better facilitate the generation of options and alternatives.
The various information the therapists are to get are:
- The client’s biodata.
- Challenges presented. Some of the challenges usually faced by clients are:
- Bipolar disorder
- Anger management
- Generalized anxiety depression
Client’s current lifestyle.
- Marriage and Family History. You may want to gather information about both the marriage and family of your client to have in-depth knowledge about who they relate to daily
- Personal history.
- Description of the client during the interview.
- Summary and recommendations.
3. Goal setting
Like any other endeavor in life, therapy needs to possess a high degree of concentration by both the clients and therapists. The client’s focus is going to be on his/her challenge, but the therapist needs to be concerned about the challenge, the client, the whole therapy process, and the overall goal.
Goals are needed to give direction during each session. In this stage, the client, under the therapist’s guidance, is able to identify explicit methods to move towards change and the best plan to help make that happen. When the goals are clear enough, clients are able to structure their lives in a way that makes attaining those goals more practical. In the case where a patient undergoing anger management sessions defines the level of self control he aims to reach, he will be more likely to achieve it.
4. Counselling Intervention.
In this stage, the therapist summarizes the problem, identifies a strategy, selects and Implement intervention.
After summarizing the problem, the therapist Identifies the most helpful strategy for the client. The strategy should simulate the character of the client’s challenge, i.e., the strategy should engage the client’s challenge and be more relatable to them. The client’s level of functioning should be considered when selecting an intervention strategy. It is germane for the intervention strategy to be reviewed before it is implemented.
5. Evaluation, Termination, or Referral.
Therapists are expected to discuss how long they can meet with the client, the timeline of their relationship, and make helpful recommendations after the therapist/patient session.
Can I talk to a therapist online for free?
Video counseling can be expensive. Not everybody can afford to pay for video chat, sessions, or video conferencing with mental health professionals. Despite the fact that online Therapy may be expensive, it is still plausible.
People can look for free online Therapy in the following places:
- Workplaces
Many employers offer some form of mental health service to their employees through their human resource department.
- Academic Institutions
Many health centers at colleges and universities offer free or low-cost counseling services to students and stress management workshops, and other mental health resources. Some of these may be available online.
- Mental health organizations
Mental health organizations provide therapy services for free, which usually have a specific area of focus.
Online Therapy has advantages and disadvantages which individuals can be used to decide whether or not online therapy might work for them.
Pros and cons of Online Therapy
The various advantages of online therapy are:
- Online Therapy is cost-effective for both the client and the therapist. Free online Therapy is ideal for individuals who cannot pay out of pocket or do not have health insurance.
- Suitability: The American Psychiatric Association state that telepsychiatry (another form of telemental health) is suitable for people of all ages, including children, adolescents(through teen counseling (teencounseling.com), and adults. Some people may also feel safer or more comfortable receiving treatment in their own homes from family therapists.
- Accessibility: Online Therapy is a convenient and accessible treatment option for those living in rural and geographically isolated areas or for people who are unable to travel. It also reduces the need for individuals to take additional time off work or school.
- Confidentiality: Since online therapy is only between two people mostly, your discussion with your mental health professional will be safe without having to worry about meeting someone you know in your therapist’s office.
The disadvantages of Online Therapy:
- Technical difficulties in the form of a poor connection.
- Limited communication: Video chatting limits a therapist from knowing the level of a client’s distress. The client won’t be able to fully express all of his/her challenges through video calls.
Can you cancel BetterHelp at any time?
Yes, you have the freedom to cancel your BetterHelp subscription at any time. BetterHelp is an online portal that provides direct-to-consumer access to mental health services. If you accomplish your goals and find online Therapy with BetterHelp no longer helpful, you can simply invalidate your subscription by following the stated procedures below.
Is it easy to cancel BetterHelp?
Although BetterHelp is ranked the best online therapy platform, it may not be perfect for everyone. In this vein, you can simply cancel your subscription to BetterHelp when it’s not working for you.
You can opt-out of BetterHelp by simply following the easy steps below:
- Sign in to your account
- Go to Account Settings
- Click on Payment Settings
- Click on Quit Counseling
- Give a brief reason why you want to cancel your subscription
- Finally, click Quit Counseling
BetterHelp will send you an email confirming that you have successfully opted-out once you complete this process. Now that you know you can opt out whenever you want, it is advisable that you give BetterHelp a try and make the decision on whether to continue with it or not. Its reputation as the best online therapy service provider is firmly grounded in the uplifting testimonials of many users.
How long are BetterHelp sessions?
BetterHelp, which is renowned as the best online therapy provider, offers indefinite messaging at $320 monthly and thirty to fifty minutes sessions per week. If you are looking for weekly live sessions, BetterHelp is a cost-effective option and may offer longer video sessions too.
