Online therapy is a relatively new form of therapy that has been gaining traction in recent years. It offers many benefits, such as the convenience of being able to work on your mental health from the comfort of your own home with minimal distraction and scheduling flexibility. However, there are also some cons to consider before deciding if online therapy is right for you.
What is online therapy?
Online therapy is a form of mental health counseling that can be accessed remotely, typically via the internet or phone. It’s accessed by a professional therapist from their office who then connects with the client through video chat or over the phone. The therapist and client are connected virtually, so there’s no need to worry about traveling for your sessions.
Benefits of online therapy
The benefits of online therapy are many. The first and most obvious benefit is the convenience of being able to work on your mental health from the comfort of your own home with minimal distraction and scheduling flexibility. You don’t have to worry about arranging for transportation, finding a qualified therapist, or the cost of therapy. All you need is an internet connection and a few hours out of each week to focus on yourself.
Another perk is that because this form of therapy is relatively new, there isn’t any stigma attached to it like there can be with in-person therapy. Many people feel uncomfortable discussing their personal problems with someone they’ve never met before, but chatting with a therapist online can feel more anonymous and safe than in-person therapy.
Online therapy also offers some peace of mind if you’re unable to leave your home due to disability or illness, as you won’t need to worry about whether or not you’ll be able to make it into an office every other day for an hour-long session.
Cons of online therapy
Online therapy can be a great option for many people, but there are some drawbacks to consider. One of the most common complaints is that online therapy doesn’t provide the opportunity for the therapist to see a client’s body language or facial expressions. This can make it difficult for therapists to accurately gauge how their clients might be feeling or reacting to certain topics being discussed. Additionally, online therapy does not offer in-person contact with your therapist, which many people prefer for emotional reasons.
How to find the right therapist for you
If you’re considering online therapy, there are a few things you should know. First of all, it’s important to find the right therapist for your needs. There are many types of therapists with different specialties and expertise. For instance, if you have an eating disorder or want to work on your body image or self-esteem, then it would be beneficial to find a therapist who specializes in these areas.
Additionally, it is important to make sure that the therapist wants to work with you via online therapy as well. Some therapists only offer face-to-face therapy sessions because they feel like it offers clients better quality time when discussing more serious topics.
Another thing to consider is the cost of the service. Generally speaking, online therapy tends to be more expensive than traditional therapy sessions because of the specialized equipment needed for video chat and other considerations that come with conducting this type of therapy.
Conclusion
Online therapy is a relatively new form of therapy that is gaining popularity as more people turn to the internet for solutions. There are many benefits to online therapy, namely that it is accessible and private. But there are also some downsides, namely that it can be hard to develop a therapeutic relationship without in-person contact. For some, the pros outweigh the cons and online therapy is a viable option. For others, it’s not a good fit. If you’re interested in finding out more about online therapy, then you should talk to your primary care provider or a mental health specialist.