Online therapy is also known as virtual therapy, online counseling, or teletherapy. The common mediums for providing treatment include: video conferencing, private message boards, phone calls, audio messages, and text messaging. You should note that the treatments have evolved over time. What determines the cost of the best online therapy is the duration of the session and the experience of the therapist.
Although there is an ongoing debate on the effectiveness of online therapy, most patients have noticed positive improvements. Most of its drawbacks are overshadowed by the benefits it offers. These are the top benefits of online counseling.
Saves Time
If you consider the time you commute back and forth, you will discover that visiting a therapist requires a lot of time commitment. Full-time workers and parents can find it challenging to attend the sessions. Fortunately, online counseling services eliminate the need for commuting. You only need a computer or mobile device to take your sessions. You can even undertake your session in the car or during lunchtime.
Saves Money
Therapy sessions are very expensive. The range reflects the level of education and location of the therapist. Most online counseling services offer discounted prices and offer long-term subscriptions. There are some providers that work with reputable insurance companies. Check whether your insurance company covers the cost of therapy services.
Confidentiality and Privacy
The good thing about online therapy services is that you get treated with a higher level of confidentiality and privacy. Remember that therapists offering their services online are bound by federal and state laws. This means all the communication with your online therapist is protected. Also, your chat sessions with the different therapist platforms are encrypted. Moreover, when you join a therapy session, you can choose to remain anonymous.
Variety of Therapists
Depending on your location, the availability of mental health professionals can be extremely limited. If you need a therapist specializing in certain conditions can be a challenge to find one locally. This is not the case with online counseling. Therapists work with clients residing in different locations. Even if you reside in a small town, you can access therapists from all over the world.
Variety of Communication Options
Maybe you are comfortable communicating face-to-face with your therapist. However, some people find it challenging to express themselves over the phone. Online counseling can be done through message boards, audio, phone, video, and text.