Top 4 Questions To Ask Before Choosing Online Therapy

With the availability of the latest innovations, everything has become within reach for many people. For example, anyone can already get access to an online therapist by simply visiting a website or using a phone application. For this to work, all that is required is for both the patient and therapist to find a stable Internet connection. Both of them can already talk and discuss through the online medium.  

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Before you try e-counseling, it is essential that you orient yourself with these top things: 

 

Why Do People Love It? 

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“Online therapy is also known as teletherapy, online counseling, distance therapy, internet therapy, e-therapy, telehealth, telebehavioral health, email therapy, text therapy, phone counseling.” Sena Moran, LMHC explains. There are several reasons or causes why people prefer to go for online therapy. First of all, it provides a high level of convenience on the part of the patient involved. He could spare himself of some worries arising from heavy traffic or hectic schedule at work. With e-counseling, he can use his laptop or smartphone to get in touch with the therapist. Second, it can be more affordable compared to in-person counseling. Third, it can also facilitate secure and open communication during the sessions. Most people are comfortable talking about their issues if they do it online. 

 

Is It The Right Tool For You? 

 

As of the moment, there are still no published studies or findings showing that teletherapy is better compared to the traditional form of counseling. Because of this, it is highly recommended that you explore your options first before trying it. Do not jump into conclusions right away without finding out more about online therapy. Always put in mind that just because it works for others does not mean that it will also work for you. As John M. Grohol, Psy.D.  explains, “This kind of effort takes a fair amount of commitment and understanding of the online world.”

 

What Should You Find In A Therapist? 

 

After deciding to go for online therapy, the next thing to do is to look for a therapist. When it comes to this task, do not forget the importance of checking the existing license of the professional. As much as possible, only choose the psychotherapists who have valid permits. They must be authorized to facilitate sessions with people having mental health issues. If possible, make an effort to conduct more research before engaging the services of the therapist or counselor. 

 

How Much Does It Cost? 

 

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As already mentioned above, this form of treatment is less expensive. The rate that the therapist may charge is dependent on several factors. This is the primary reason why you need to inquire first about the fees and additional charges before availing it. Take note that the professional service fee may also depend on the type of mental health problem that you have. If it is too severe, then expect to pay more. Another important thing to remember is that most insurance companies will not reimburse you for payments made to online therapy. As such, be sure to discuss it first with your insurance provider before starting a session. 

 

“Therapy should be tailored to each individual client’s strengths and challenges.” Rachel Shimoni Simons, LMFT said. Indeed, online counseling offers a lot of advantages for many people. Make sure to try it soon so that you can experience these benefits. Do not forget to share or talk about your experience with others so that they could also start exploring this option.