Is Online Counseling Right for Me? Things to Consider

The modern busy life of people demands everything right at their fingertips. In recent years, online therapy has gained massive popularity among individuals of all ages. The easy accessibility to the mental health care service right from the comfort of one’s home has influenced individuals to choose online therapy over traditional therapy. 

But sometimes, people often get confused if online counseling can be the right choice for them. So, if you are one of them who is still confused about the efficacy of online therapy, go through the below details to get a better understanding and learn about the things to consider before starting the session.

Communicate in a more comfortable way

While traditional in-person therapy has had the same mode of communication since the late 1800s, online counseling offers you different modes of communication. Traditional therapy usually starts with arriving in the given location at a given time, seating on a couch, talking to the therapist about your problems. The therapist then advises you with the necessary steps and lifestyle changes, etc. once the session is over you take on the next appointment with the therapist. 

But online therapy, on the other hand, offers various communication options. You can choose to just talk with the therapist over the phone, can make a video conference, do text messages, or even mail to your therapist. This gives you the freedom to talk with your therapist in any way that you are more comfortable with. Besides, online therapy also offers you physical comfort. You can have a session in your pajamas, lying on your bed. This informal way of therapy sessions makes it easier for you to discuss your problems with the therapist.

Unique to your needs

Online therapy doesn’t have the limitations or boundaries that come with conventional therapy. But sometimes, according to your mental health needs, it may be quite difficult to find the right therapist. But once you find the right therapist, online counseling can prove to be the best way to treat your psychological complications. 

Unlike conventional therapy, online therapy is not limited to only a few mental health experts within a 20-mile radius of your location.  Local therapists sometimes are not well equipped or educated to handle your challenges. Hence you get the chance to choose the right therapist among a list of experts, it becomes easier to find the right therapist for your needs.

Completely confidential

Although we are living in a well-educated and cultured society, there is still a stigma among people seeking mental health solutions. It is for this reason that most individuals don’t want others to know about their mental health problems. Hence these people feel shy and uncomfortable visiting a therapist’s clinic.  But online therapy gives you the freedom to keep your counseling session completely confidential. It is possible because you don’t need to step out of your house and visit a psychologist’s clinic to seek the service. All you need to do is just open your laptop, connect it to the internet and you are ready to go. You will get the same counseling benefits as traditional therapy, right from the comfort of your home. 

It is less expensive

While the traditional therapy session can cost you quite a good sum of money, online therapy is much more cost-effective. Hence anyone can afford it. The traditional therapy session allows you 45-60 minutes of the session once or twice a week depending upon your needs. If you want any additional sessions with your therapist, it will cost you an additional amount. 

But, online therapy on the other hand gives you unlimited opportunity to talk to your therapist without paying any extra sum of money. This allows you to share your emotions with the therapist as and when you are experiencing them. Unlike the traditional way where you have to make notes and wait for the next appointment dates which are far away from the time you are experiencing it.