It may seem like online counseling is relatively new. Insurance companies are working to offer telehealth to their insured and there are a number of online therapy sites such as BetterHelp. The reasons for this are largely driven by the effort by many to find solutions to barriers that prevent people from being able to access the counseling they need. It is hard for some in rural areas, without transportation, who have hectic work schedules or are the primary caretaker for a small child to have the opportunity to visit an office for a traditional face to face therapy. It can also be costly, which is a big advantage to online therapy which offers affordable rates and more availability to your counselor.
So, while it may seem like a new thing, believe it or not, therapy and counseling first "left the office" as far back as 1972. That was the year the first experiments took place in creating a computer communication involving psychotherapy. By 1986, Dear Uncle Ezra was providing mental health advice online and by 1993 online depression groups were forming.
However, this experimental technology was perceived as ethically questionable. It was hard for both parties to ensure they knew who was on the other side of the screen and these sites were not HIPPA compliant. Further, internet chat rooms were not generally run or monitored by professionals. People were also skeptical as to how traditional therapy could transfer to the internet, at least until social media helped legitimize internet communication as a daily routine. Now, with online payments, photo sharing, and video conferencing for business, it makes more sense to people. If you can deposit a check through your bank's mobile app, why not have therapy through an app as well? Especially since online sites such as BetterHelp have worked extremely hard to safeguard the privacy and verification of counselors. BetterHelp's site is HIPPA complication with grade A banking encryption and all counselors are thoroughly vetted and verified so you know you are talking to a real licensed mental health professional. So, we are finding that not only can therapy and counseling work online, but it could quite possibly work better than traditional therapy because of the availability, flexibility, and affordability.
Individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, and other disorders have a more convenient way to make each session with no travel required and reduced stress. For someone who is depressed and is feeling fatigued and overwhelmed, just getting out of bed can be a strain, much less getting out of the house and making it on time to a scheduled therapy session. For someone with social anxiety, it can be terrifying to think of going to a new office and sitting across from a stranger and sharing their thoughts and feelings. This is one area where online therapy is so helpful. It can be done from the privacy of the client's home and they can set the schedule. For someone who is depressed, they don't have to get out of bed if they are having a really bad day. For the anxious person, she could choose to write to her counselor rather than schedule a live session. Anonymity and full discretion is another major advantage, especially since men claimed the social stigma associated with going to a therapist is one reason why they avoided getting help. The flexibility of schedule was another key point, including the ability to talk during stressful times, not just scheduled sessions, as well as write when something upsetting or unusual happens and get feedback later that day rather than have to wait an entire week. Individuals who choose online therapy may progress faster because of this feature.
Video conferencing and the "live" feature is the newest innovation, and it's quickly diffusing some of the criticisms related to online therapy. Doctors and therapists have long complained that text chat does not allow the professional to notice a patient's body language, visual cues or stress or incongruity, which is extremely important. It is also important for the client to be able to see her therapist and hear her voice. It helps to establish rapport and build trust. The messaging feature and live chat are great options, but for some people, the face to face interactions are needed. And the good news is, the client does not have to pick one of the other. On BetterHelp, clients can use the live sessions and send updates throughout the week as things happen in real time or during an especially difficult situation when it is frustrating to wait until the next session. This isn't usually available in traditional office settings. You might be able to leave your counselor a message and have a quick conversation if you face an urgent matter between sessions, but it is not a common practice for most face to face therapists who work in traditional settings.
Video sessions were the major discussion at the Federation of State Medical Boards, and online therapy video conferencing was just part of the process of making the virtual business model go mainstream. Now that therapists and doctors are able to see visual cues and hear a patient's voice, it may be easier to entice health insurance companies to work with online counselors. Another point for future study is in defining how doctors and therapists licensed in one state, can easily and quickly treat patients in other states by adding legislation to help them.
If you have ever thought about going to counseling in the past but never tried because of expense or inconvenience, then online therapy may be the perfect compromise that brings help directly to you. BetterHelp has thousands of trained counselors who are ready to work with you. You can request to be matched, or you can look through the directory and read reviews and pick a counselor you think will work best for you. If you decide that you and your counselor are not a good fit, you can change at any time. It is important to remember though, that just as in traditional therapy it takes more than one session to get a true feel for your therapist, the same is true for online. Ask questions and be upfront with your needs and preferences and you will get the most out of your online counseling experience. You can get started anywhere you have an internet connection and you do not even have to have a computer- you can use your smartphone or tablet!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the 3 types of therapy?
Out of the numerous types of therapy available, three major types are:
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Behavioral therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
Psychodynamic therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is developed from psychoanalysis. It involves taking a long-term approach to public health via mental health therapy through real time online counseling sessions. Therapists that use this type of therapy use conversations to uncover subconscious patterns in thoughts or behavior that might be causing a decline in mental health with subsequent development of a mental illness. They also encourage their clients to share details about their daily life, dreams, past, fantasies, and childhood. This strategy is a positive psychology method with great potential for people experiencing substance abuse.
Teletherapy sessions make it possible for the patient to undergo Psychodynamic therapy without being physically present, thanks to real time virtual sessions. Depending on the application, it can also be considered a form of public health therapy.
Psychodynamic therapy seeks to make a real time connection between your unconscious mind, subconscious mind, and conscious thoughts and actions. Such inquiries make psychodynamic therapy a great choice of treatment in substance abuse. To do this, they make inquiries about your relationships, emotional response to certain people and situations and may even require you to journal your prominent thoughts.
This detailed inquiry is why psychodynamic therapy tends to last for a long time. During a pandemic where mobility is limited, people can use teletherapy to improve their mental health.
Psychodynamic therapy is executed so that even after treatment is complete, the person will be able to take charge of their healing and continue the process on their own. The therapist works with them to create a lifestyle of healing and progress and eliminate or subdue the roots of their mental health problems. Such sessions can either be real time online counseling or distance counseling. The baseline is that it requires clear communication between the client and therapist, and good internet access can make this possible. The wholesome healing process that follows psychodynamic therapy is beneficial to public health.
The application of various new technologies is now adopted in a wide range of psychodynamic strategies for public health. Take, for instance, a mental illness brought about by substance abuse. A therapist can use technology assisted primary care to help this patient improve their mental health.
This type of therapy is useful in treating:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- eating disorders
- somatic symptoms
- substance abuse disorder etc.
Behavioral therapy
Behavioral therapy is an action-focused type of mental health therapy.
The general idea is that the exhibited behaviors stem from things learned, whether consciously or unconsciously, in the past. Behavioral therapy aims to change the person's behavioral responses to things and a wide range of situations. This exploration of unconscious patterns makes this kind of therapy perfect for treating conditions related to substance abuse.
One of the benefits of real time teletherapy is that it allows clients to communicate with their therapists whenever they find themselves in a distressing situation through real-time sessions. This way, the necessary action can be taken when it's needed.
Unlike psychodynamic therapy, behavioral therapy does not involve much talking when treating mental illness. Neither does it probe too deeply into the unconscious patterns that cause conscious behavior. Instead, behavioral therapy seeks to educate the client via real time sessions on how to change their behavioral patterns and emotional reactions to distressing situations.
Behavioral therapy has numerous subtypes. These include:
- Systematic desensitization:
Systematic desensitization uses gradual exposure and relaxation exercises to transform your behavioral reaction and emotional response to specific people, objects, or situations. This form of behavioral therapy has a proven positive impact on mental illness and public health.
Aversion therapy teaches you to connect undesirable behaviors with undesirable things; this way when your brain learns to identify unwanted behaviors as unhelpful and harmful. You will then be able to replace them with desirable behavior. The focus is on the use of association to subdue undesirable behavioral patterns or responses.
Take, for instance, a patient indulging in substance abuse can be taught to associate compulsive triggers with undesirable things. This way, the patient is less impulsive towards such triggers as they aren’t as enticing as before. Ultimately this leads to a regression in their substance abuse behavior.
This is often considered to be identical to systematic desensitization. There is, however, an obvious difference between the two. While systematic desensitization takes a gradual approach to expose you to your fears, flooding requires you to face your fears directly from the start. If you have a fear of elevators and are using the flooding method, you will be taken to an elevator to confront your fears directly. However, because of its risk factor, you will rarely find a therapist using this. This type of therapy is usually less preferred in treating a substance abuse case.
Behavioral therapy is indicated in:
- Anxiety
- Phobias
- Substance Use Disorder
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Oppositional and Defiant Behaviors
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is very similar to behavioral therapy, except it is not solely action-based. Because of its short-paced style, you will often find a therapist using CBT. It also focuses on treating the root problem of damaging thought patterns and behavioral reactions stemming from the unconscious. Being a form of positive therapy, Cognitive behavioral therapy is being done using teletherapy at an increasing rate.
Cognitive behavioral therapy cbt seeks to address the beliefs and emotions a patient holds about themselves and others that may be causing distress and precipitating mental disorders like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The belief is that these negative emotions and thoughts are contributing to any mental health decline you may be experiencing.
During real time CBT sessions, your therapist will help you identify and understand the harmful patterns you might have adopted. You can also work together with your family members to create measures against these patterns and eventually replace them with practices that reinforce positive emotions. Just like distance counseling, this can be done with home based therapy such as video conferencing or other forms of online therapy, rather than traditional face to face sessions.
CBT is typically used to treat:
- Mood Disorders
- Addiction
- ADHD
- Anxiety and Phobias
- Eating Disorders
- Bipolar Disorder
- Substance Use Disorders
- OCD
- Insomnia Etc.
Well-coordinated real time sessions are a great way to begin a healthy therapeutic relationship.
Is a clinical psychologist a therapist?
This is a question that is commonly asked. There is a simple difference between a therapist and a psychologist. While both functions to improve the lives of individuals, they both approach this in different ways.
Psychologists usually have an advanced degree in psychology and do a lot of evidence based research, and manage people living with anxiety and depression. They may or may not practice as a therapist but are qualified to carry out various therapies like anger management. They also help diagnose disorders in patients and help select the right approach towards treatment like anger management strategies.
Psychologists usually work with therapists and help to make clinical diagnoses and observations to achieve positive psychology. On the other hand, ‘therapists’ are psychologists, psychiatrists, marriage counselors, life coaches, and social workers. They don't necessarily need to have a psychology degree, although it helps to practice positive psychology. This versatility is one of the benefits of teletherapy. Also, therapists are easier to access than psychologists, so it is not difficult to find a therapist.
What are the responsibilities of a clinical psychologist?
Clinical psychologists are responsible for helping clients identify the existing emotional, mental, and behavioral patterns that negatively affect them. A clinical psychologist is responsible for diagnosing any disorders that the client may have. They are also responsible for selecting and executing an appropriate treatment plan and may also indulge in evidence based research to further their career.
Clinical psychologists also conduct evidence based research relevant to their field and publish valuable papers. Clinical psychologists may work in offices, from home, or a research center due to the availability of technology that supports online therapy. A lot of clinical psychologists opt for traditional face to face therapy or distance counseling. This availability of options is one of the benefits of teletherapy.
What are the areas of clinical psychology?
Areas of clinical psychology include but are not limited to:
Forensic Psychology: which uses both forensics and psychology to help solve legal cases. This type of psychology should not be confused with occupational therapy.
Clinical Child Psychology: this focuses on providing mental health therapy to children and improving their overall quality of life via real-time virtual sessions. New technology is also breaking ground in child psychology.
Health Psychology or Health Therapy: a health psychologist provides mental health support for individuals whose physical health problems are negatively affecting their mental health. They focus on helping people cope with poor health and maintain good mental health.
Clinical Neuropsychology: This involves an evidence based pilot study of the relationship between the brain and behavior. And helping individuals with brain injuries achieve perfect mental health.
What is the main focus of clinical psychology?
Clinical psychology focuses on ensuring quality mental and behavioral health care for individuals and families. This is achieved through proper research, diagnosis, and treatment of various mental health issues across a lifespan. Clinical psychology works by integrating clinical knowledge with science and theories in patient management. Evidence based research has shown that recent technological advancements permit the incorporation of virtual reality in patient management. An evidence based pilot study has shown that technology assisted therapy has great potential as current applications have only scratched the surface.
What is technology-based therapy?
Technology-based therapy is therapy services that use technological tools and platforms. Therapists use technology like social media to achieve their goals in providing quality healthcare. An excellent example of this is a real time online therapy. Online therapy is any therapy practice that takes place with the assistance of an electronic device.
Nowadays, technological tools like therapy software make long-distance therapy possible via real time communication between the therapist and client. Because of its contribution to therapy, therapy software can be considered a form of technology-based therapy. Online tools can also help people dealing with declining mental health to find a therapist. Tools like Google can help you find a therapist or the best online therapy available. Real time online therapy is also useful for individuals who don't have health insurance.
What type of therapy is talk therapy?
Talk therapy is a type of psychotherapy that involves real time verbal interaction between the therapist and a patient. It is commonly a part of psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy and uses speech as a core part of its process. Talk therapy uses extensive conversations to help uncover the issues causing the client's distress. It is not to be mistaken for speech therapy. The use of technology assisted strategies has also proven beneficial to talk therapy.
What are the approaches to counseling?
The three main approaches are psychodynamic, humanistic, and behavioral.
The main goal of psychodynamic online counseling sessions is to help people to balance their personality. It focuses on exploring past experiences and understanding them to identify the issues causing the client's current behavior. Here is an evidence based pilot study that highlights the effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy in people living with panic disorder.
Humanistic counseling focuses on the individual and only uses data gained during therapy to achieve diagnosis and treatment. The belief is that all individuals possess an innate capacity to achieve healing and fulfillment. This kind of counseling can be practiced as online counseling.
The behavioral approach focuses on the assumption that their environment determines a person's behavior. The belief is that all behavior is learned and can be unlearned. Behaviorists assist their client's in changing their behavior. It is not advisable to take this approach via distance counseling as observation plays a crucial role in the success of this form of therapy.
Does technology affect behavior?
Yes, technology affects behavior in several ways; this is because the gadgets we use are more like extensions of ourselves rather than manual tools. In this day and age, however, technology is used not just to accomplish tasks but, more importantly, to achieve a desired position in the social hierarchy.
New technology has also enabled us to record moments we consider meaningful and communicate emotions such as affection, love, anger, disdain, and desire. Because of technology's social nature and the constant social interaction that it allows us to participate in, some of our behavior is often dictated by technology.
The good thing is that, even though the emergence of new technology comes with a potentially destructive implication to public health, it also has great potential to impact primary care positively. People who live with conditions that society is yet to understand, such as addiction and ADHD, can use technology assisted methods to find a therapist.
This application of technology to primary care has a great potential to have a desirable effect on daily life.
