Is Online Therapy For You?
You've probably heard of online therapy right, but what does it actually look like? How does it actually work? Is it really something that you want to do? Here’s some answers to those questions and the pros and cons as I see it.
The first and most important thing you should know is that online video therapy has been shown in studies to be just as effective as in-office therapy. [link https://itherapy.com/online-therapy-growth-efficacy-white-paper/ ] That means this is NOT the “less than” option that some people might think that online therapy is. It is just as effective as in-office therapy and in fact has a number of advantages over traditional, in-office therapy.
Another point is that not all online therapy is created the same. There are a lot of different options with all called online therapy. It's become a bit of an umbrella term covering a lot of different opportunities including asynchronous text-based therapy and more.
My favorite version of online therapy is video chat therapy -- that's what I offer. With online video therapy, we use a secure, HIPAA compliant, video platform where we can talk to each other just like we would if we were face to face. It's really easy to use -- just like Skype or Facetime. You simply use the camera on your phone, tablet, or computer, and we talk. That's it. In that way, it's exactly like in-office therapy.
The other thing to know about online therapy is that it's a great big world out there. There are some really big names offering online therapy including Talkspace and Betterhelp. If you were to google “online therapy” you'd likely see both of those companies near the top of the results. When working with those companies, the providers work for them. I want to work for you.
I work in my own private practice. That means the only people I have to answer to are you -- my clients. I also only work private pay which again means I work more exclusively for you. (LINK to pros of not using insurance. You can read more about that here.)
This approach means there’s no middle men dictating how I care for you. No one else determines whether a phone call would be appropriate or asks to see your progress notes. Only me, your dedicated therapist. And I make those calls based on what I think is going to best serve you, my clients.
It's more work on my end to work for myself rather than work for a big company, but I believe cutting out any middle men in your treatment provides the best quality of care to you.
So, what are the pros and cons of online therapy?
Advantages:
Convenience. No commute to an office! You can do it anywhere you have a reliable connection. I've even had people do online therapy from their phone in their parked car on their lunch hour. If that's the only time you have, online therapy is really a great option for you.
Comfortable. You can do online therapy from any space you'd like, such as in the comfort of your own home on your couch with your dogs or at the kitchen table. Whatever makes you comfortable, you can do it. You have your phone near you all the time, and that's all you need. You don't have to go across town and worry about time or a commute to see me. The sessions are wherever you are.
Confidential. I use only HIPAA compliant services (video, phone, email, messaging), which means your private information won't be shared with anyone else. Again, this is another reason why I choose to work for myself. You can read more about that here.
More accessible and flexible. Online counseling is a great option for people who experience difficulty with mobility. It is also great for people who might find it challenging to travel to an office. For example, no car and the bus and trains are crowded and time-consuming. No worries! The sessions are wherever you are. With no travel time, the sessions fit easily into your schedule. And, you can use that extra time for whatever you want, like self-care or time with your family.
Privacy. The sessions are done at a time and place that you choose, which allows you to maintain a high level of privacy. No one sees you coming or going from an office. And, there is no chance of seeing people you know in the waiting room.
Consistency. if you're sick with a cold but still want to have your session, you could get yourself as comfortable as possible, log-on to the session, and not share germs with anyone. Or, for example, you had an accident and broke your leg, the ease and convenience of online sessions can be the difference between going to therapy or not.
Caregiving. Scheduling childcare, eldercare, or partnercare can be challenging when trying to make it to an office for an appointment. With online counseling, sessions can be scheduled around naptime or screentime or whatever creative solutions you devise to give yourself 45 minutes for a session to take care of yourself.
Traveling. Sometimes work, family, or vacation travel takes you to different places. As long as you are located within PA and OH and still want to have a session, you can!
Weather. It is sort of like mail delivery. But, because there is no traveling, you can have a session when it is sun-shining, raining, or snowing.
Disadvantages:
Connection Required. You will need a solid internet connection (For example, can you watch Netflix without it buffering or getting glitchy? If so, then you are good to go!). Even with the best connections, sometimes technology has hiccups. A connection drops, WiFi is unavailable, etc. These can put a stop to an online session. However, we will have a backup plan in case the technology glitches.
Distractions. Sometimes being at home and having the comfort of your favorite sweater or blanket or pet can be great. Other times having all the entertainment options of home can be a big distraction. You’ll want to make sure that wherever you do your sessions is as free from distractions as possible.
Skepticism. I get it. This is different. Particularly if you’re not completely comfortable with technology, this can feel really foreign or complicated. It’s not. It’s just like chatting in a room together.
WHEN TELE-HEALTH IS NOT APPROPRIATE
Although there are many benefits of online counseling, there are certain situations when tele-health may not be appropriate. These include:
Complex mental health diagnoses: for example, visual and/or auditory hallucinations, active substance use, recent suicidal or homicidal thoughts
People 18 years old or younger
People with poor Internet connection
People with a lack of privacy
Whether you’re ready to get started or still a little skeptical, I offer a free consultation. Let’s schedule a time to talk and I can show you just how easy online therapy can be.