Online Therapy: Is It Right for Me?
Online therapy has exploded in recent years. Online therapy became the primary mode of therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many clients started meeting with their therapists online. It has been effective in helping people overcome anxiety, depression, and other challenges.
You no doubt have heard advertisements about online therapy platforms, such as BetterHelp. People are flocking to online therapy, but how do you know if it’s right for you? If online therapy is for you, which platform or service is the best way to go?
The Explosion of Online Therapy
Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, Brett Spiegel reports that 56% of individuals have successfully transitioned from in-person therapy to online therapy. This massive push has been driven by multiple factors. Factors include the necessity of needing to quarantine, the rise of individuals working from home, and decreased stigma around mental health.
Perhaps the biggest factor contributing to the explosion of online therapy is working from home. Individuals are more comfortable with meetings over the internet. We’ve figured out how to have a safe, confidential space for the important work that they are doing. Individuals consider online meetings the new normal and that applies to therapy as well.
The other factor contributing to the explosion of online therapy are platforms like BetterHelp and TalkSpace. These companies have spent quite a bit of money advertising on podcasts and social media. It is hard not to hear a promotional talking about online therapy. These platforms can be helpful. But it is also important to understand the pros and cons of online therapy. As well as the qualifications and fit of the therapist that you are working with. Many platforms require you to sign up before getting to survey a list of therapists. It is really important that you have all the information upfront to know if online therapy is right for you.
The Benefits of Online Therapy in Atlanta, GA
Online therapy typically gives clients multiple formats to choose from. Most therapists connect with clients through video conferencing software through an electronic health record or zoom. Other therapists do therapy over the phone. This enables clients to get up and move during therapy. Still, other therapists connect with clients over secure chat messaging.
Online therapy provides many benefits. The services are quite similar to what clients receive via in-person therapy.
The benefits that online therapy provides are:
Convenience
One of the biggest benefits of online therapy is convenience. Clients are able to meet with their therapist without leaving their own homes. Powering up your laptop or iPad to meet with a therapist is much easier than driving through rush hour traffic. Or even waiting in a lobby, and then fighting more traffic to get back home after the appointment.
For many clients, getting to in-person appointments can be rather difficult. It’s not always easy to find a provider who has flexibility in their schedule. Such as when a client needs therapy outside of normal business hours because of their job. For other clients, it can be hard to drive and make it to their appointment on time. Online therapy helps make it easier to accommodate a busy schedule.
Multiple Ways to Meet
Clients have multiple methods for receiving therapy. These methods include messaging services, telephone calls, and video conferencing.
Fewer Resources Required
Virtual therapy lessens extra burdens for clients. Especially when it comes to transportation, childcare services, or unplanned appointment extensions. Online therapy removes many of these obstacles. Obstacles that could be present with in-person therapy.
Comfort
Online therapy enables clients to meet with their therapist from the comfort of their own homes. When doing therapy in your own familiar surroundings you can access items such as a pet or blanket. This may allow you to better cope in the midst of painful conversations. Having access to these items may help you feel more comfortable with sharing difficult information.
Reduced Social Stigma
Many clients experience a social stigma when it comes to going to in-person therapy. Arriving at the therapist’s practice and sitting in the waiting room with other clients can trigger feelings of vulnerability. Especially for clients with social anxiety. While therapists make every effort to ensure confidentiality, certain situations like entering and exiting the office increase the chances of seeing someone you might know. Online therapy makes confidentiality even easier to access.
When Might In-Person Therapy Be Better?
There’s no denying that online therapy has many benefits. However, it’s important to understand some of the potential downsides to this format and when in-person therapy might be better.
Technology Problems
Let’s face it, technology can be frustrating at times. When trying to connect for online therapy, the client and the therapist are each dependent on their internet connections, battery life, and devices working. There will inevitably be times when sessions may lag and need to reconnect due to tech problems.
Harder to use creative counseling methods
Many therapists incorporate counseling methods beyond talk therapy. It can be challenging in a virtual format because there is more limited access to art supplies, props, and counseling activities that are available in person. Depending on the kind of therapy that you are looking for, in-person therapy may be a better option.
In-person psychotherapy enables the use of more treatment modalities compared to online therapy. With in-person services, clients can experience therapy through additional senses, and therapists may be more effective with certain interventions such as EMDR, psychodrama, and movement-based therapy.
Not a Good Fit for Some Clients
Online therapy adds a third dimension to the counseling process. In addition to the client and the therapist, there is the technology itself. This barrier can feel uncomfortable for some clients.
There’s no doubt that sharing hard stories from your life in a shared space with a therapist can be difficult. The good news is that licensed, professional therapists are highly trained to build effective therapeutic relationships with their clients.
For most therapists practicing today, most of the training they received was centered around engaging with clients in-person rather than online. As a result, some therapists may have a harder time connecting with their clients online versus in person.
Some clients feel more relaxed by coming into the office for in-person therapy.
There isn’t a One-Sized Fits All Approach to Therapy
There isn’t a one size fits all approach to deciding if online therapy is right for you. The effectiveness of in-person versus online therapy depends on the type of therapy as well as the problem the client wants help with.
Clients need to be able to research the therapist, check qualifications, and determine if they think that it would be a right fit.
For clients who feel that online therapy would be effective, they should feel free to try out online therapy and assess their own comfort level with the modality. Additionally, as online therapy technology continues to evolve, the online platforms supporting the technology will continue to improve in terms of features and reliability.
My name is Ash Blanton.
Ash Blanton, Online Therapist in Atlanta, GA
I am a licensed professional counselor in Atlanta, Ga.
I help accomplished and successful teens, college students, and adult men who feel anxious, down, or like they can't ever get ahead. At the beginning of therapy, we will explore where you are in your life as well as the areas in that you want to grow. Together we explore patterns that keep the pain going, learn about your strengths and the things that you do well already, and learn skills to continue growing in life.
I offer in-person and online therapy services for my clients.
Therapy can be ideal for busy teens, college students, and adults because it makes therapy accessible from anywhere.
If you are ready to feel relaxed and less anxious or depressed reach out for a free consultation! In a consultation appointment, I get a chance to hear about your life and what you're looking for help with. I also will answer any questions that you might have about what the counseling process and what getting started looks like!
Begin Online Therapy in Atlanta, GA
At Ember Counseling, I know you’re busy, especially if you’re a student or young adult focused on school and work. Therapy shouldn’t be overwhelming. With online therapy, you can learn to cope with your mental health struggles. To start online therapy in Atlanta, GA, follow these simple steps:
Contact me for a free consultation.
Meet with online therapist Ash Blanton
Begin the freedom of online therapy to start your healing journey.
Other Counseling Services at Ember Counseling Atlanta
With online therapy in Atlanta, GA, I provide many mental health services to help you overcome your mental health struggles. These services include anxiety therapy, depression counseling, teen counseling, and family counseling. I also provide an Intensive Three-Day Counseling Workshop for those who want to speed up the healing process. Check out Ember Counseling Atlanta’s blog and FAQs for more information!
