Why Online Therapy is a great idea?

I chose to offer my services online because everyone who needs therapy should have access to the counselor of their choice, no matter their schedule, geographic location, or their lifestyle. My clients have continuously expressed their preference for virtual sessions. They like that they can meet with me from the comfort of their home or from their office during their lunch break. They enjoy not to have to worry about transportation.

Many people are desperate for mental health services

In the United States, one in five adults experience depression, anxiety, or another mental illness. Untreated mental health disorders can seriously impact the lives of those affected. They increase the risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, can lead to unemployment and high medical bills, and drain the energy and emotional resources of family members and caregivers.

With appropriate psychiatric care and mental health therapy, however, individuals can experience partial or full recovery. They can learn how to manage symptoms that would otherwise interfere greatly with their family life, their job duties, and their other endeavors. Treatment can help them to heal and build a fulfilling life.

However, less than half of the people suffering from a mental illness, a personality disorder, or emotional challenges due to life circumstances receive adequate treatment. There are several reasons why people struggling with mental health issues may not receive the services they need. The symptoms of mental health disorders are frequently overlooked or dismissed by those affected and their families. Some people hide their mental health issues for fear of social stigma, while others do not receive treatment simply because they cannot access it. Online mental health therapy, also called telehealth, can help those who may have access issues. 

Online therapy is easy

Online therapy can be done from home

The main advantage of online therapy services is that it can be completed from home. This is particularly valuable to people who have transportation challenges. Some households don’t have a vehicle or share one among multiple family members. People with mental health issues or those taking sedating psychiatric medications may not be able to drive. In Oregon, public transportation services are well developed in the Portland area, but outside of major cities bus frequency is low. Mental health users may spend several hours in transportation—the entire day when they live in rural areas—simply to attend one healthcare appointment. Additionally, for those with chronic pain, mobility issues, or mental health challenges, riding the bus can be a difficult undertaking.

Online therapy saves time

Receiving therapy at home is not only helpful to those who do not have access to a vehicle, but also saves precious time. Many adults accumulate all sorts of responsibilities. While a busy lifestyle is often seen as a hallmark of success, a full schedule can generate stress, anxiety, and depression. Sadly, when attempting to free space in their schedule, people often first eliminate self-care activities, increasing their risk of experiencing burnout and emotional breakdowns. Too often when people come to see me they are already at a stage where they have had to take time off work. They are concerned by the impact their repeated absences will have on their career and their financial situation. This added stress could often be avoided by engaging in counseling earlier.  

Unfortunately, for busy adults, lack of time is the barrier. “With my job and the kids, I simply have no time to go to therapy”, a former patient told me.  She explained that for one hour of mental health counseling, she must find a two to three hour chunk of free time to account for travel. Meeting with a therapist online saves her valuable time; she can do it from home and be done in just an hour, the duration of her online therapy session.

There is a need for online therapy

Online therapy is less intimidating

For some people, the challenge to access mental health care does not come from a lack of time or transportation. It originates from their own symptoms. For people with PTSD, extreme anxiety, depression-related lack of energy and motivation, or paranoid delusions, just getting out of the house may be a challenge. Some mental health counselors, myself included, believe that patients forcing themselves to leave the house and come to an appointment is part of the treatment itself. By successfully exposing ourselves to what we fear, we become more self-confident, retrieve a sense of control, and see ourselves as capable. Getting some fresh air and being around people can bring the stimulation necessary to break the depressive cycle, but this only works for individuals who can gather enough strength to get up and go out. Individuals with more severe symptoms can benefit from an intermediary step: meeting with a therapist online and learning the coping skills they need to consider stepping out of their bubble of safety.

Online therapy increase services available in undeserved areas

Finally, online mental health services offer access to therapists in different geographic locations. Did you know that 60% of US counties do not have a psychiatrist? Many areas are severely deprived of mental health professionals. Most mental health services are concentrated in urban centers and it can be challenging for people living in rural areas to find a counselor. In small communities where everyone knows each other, it can be uncomfortable to share personal information with the local mental health therapist. Ultimately, technology gives individuals a broader choice of mental health professionals. Choosing a counselor who specializes in the appropriate treatment modality; someone who is a good fit in terms of style, personality, school of thought, and whose gender, language, and culture makes us feel comfortable, is crucial to the therapeutic process. So even those who have access to behavioral health care in their area can benefit from the diversity of online therapists.

Online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy

If you have concerns about the effectiveness of online therapy, you can relax. During the recent pandemic, many therapists started to provide their services online. Researchers were thus able to compare the results of online and in-person therapy. They found that both are equally effective. This is why it is increasingly easier to find online therapy covered by insurance.

Online therapy platforms are making it safe and straight forward and easy to use. You don’t need to be tech savy or own special devices. You can access it from you phone, tablet, or laptop.

So what about giving it a try?