Online Therapy
Online therapy is professional mental health counseling via the Internet, usually through video chat, where you connect with a therapist from the safety and comfort of your home.
It has lots of benefits!
Convenience…
With online therapy, you can access help anywhere you have a fast Internet connection. You don’t need to spend time and money traveling to appointments, fighting traffic, or spending time with public transportation, parking, sitting in a waiting room, paying for childcare, or taking time off work.
Privacy…
Many people still feel the stigma associated with getting treatment for mental health issues. When you work online, it’s easier to receive treatment anonymously. For example, there’s never any fear of bumping into someone you know in the parking lot or waiting room.
Comfort and safety…
Seeing an online therapist from the comfort and security of your home can often help you open up, be more vulnerable, and better cope with difficult emotions that may arise during a therapy session.
“But is it effective?”
Online therapy is a newer form of therapy, but evidence suggests that it can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many people.
Ultimately, how well online therapy works depends on the same factors determining the success of any therapy: the level of connection you make with your therapist, how much you open up, and the work you’re willing to put into the process.
There are a couple of drawbacks unique to online therapy…
Technical issues: With online therapy, you’re reliant on the speed of your Internet connection and the reliability of your electronic devices. Connectivity issues can disrupt the flow of your therapy sessions.
Loss of emotional connection: As effective as video conferencing can be, it may be harder to connect emotionally when you’re not physically sharing the same space as the therapist. Even with online therapy, body language cues can be missed.
But despite these potential drawbacks, online therapy is still an effective option.
Here’s what you’ll need for online sessions…
A computer or tablet with a microphone and a camera…
An Internet speed of at least one (1) megabit per second (Mbps)…
A secure Internet connection (public Wi-Fi is not recommended due to lack of privacy)…
A private space (preferably a room with a door) without pets, family members, or other distractions….
Proper lighting in front of your face is preferred…
That’s it!
It’s easy to get started!
While no therapist (online or in-person) can do the hard work of healing and growth for you, the right therapist can use technology to help you gain new insights and improve your life.
If online therapy sounds like it’s for you, call me to schedule a free 15-minute consultation: (539) 233-3850.
Once you decide to make your first online appointment, I’ll text or email you a Google Meet link. Just click the link at your scheduled appointment time, and we will begin your session!