Benefits of Online Therapy

Who can benefit from therapy? Essentially, everyone can, and with the option of online therapy, there is greater accessibility to therapy and mental healthcare.

Working with a licensed mental health professional can help address and effectively treat mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. In other cases, therapy with a licensed mental health professional can help with issues such as learning healthy coping skills, managing stress, setting goals, strengthening healthy thoughts and behaviors, addressing past experiences, working on relationships, problem solving, balancing demands, and navigating life’s transitions.

What is Therapy?

Therapy, sometimes referred to as talk therapy, may involve:

• Communicating with a licensed mental health professional about issues that cause you distress or areas of your life that you would like to manage more positively.
• Collaborating with a therapist to work on strategies to treat and manage symptoms and take proactive steps towards mental wellness.
• Facing and addressing challenges in life, such those as at work, in relationships, or in the home, and making decisions about the future.
• Therapy can be helpful even when you’re not facing a crisis.
• Addressing mental health disorders with effective treatments.
• Addressing emotional symptoms, including those associated with depression, anxiety, or trauma.
• Addressing behavioral issues, such as alcohol or drug abuse or eating disorders.
• Addressing cognitive symptoms, like uncontrolled worry or repetitive, distressing thoughts.
• Developing a happier, more productive outlook and mindset.

What is Online Therapy?

Online therapy is essentially therapy via the Internet or phone, typically using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. During online therapy, a client and licensed mental health professional can communicate through messaging or texting, live chats, voice calls, or video conferencing.
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Benefits of Online Therapy Include:

• Convenient access from anywhere to help from licensed mental health professionals.
• Affordable options for therapy.
• A comfortable, familiar setting for therapy. For instance, a client can work with a therapist from the comfort of their home.
• Flexibility with access to different methods of communication.
• Flexible scheduling and appointment options.
• Fewer inhibitions interacting with the therapist if the client feels more comfortable online.
• Saving time by eliminating travel to and from appointments.
• The potential for greater discretion or decreased feelings of stigma if a client feels hesitant about therapy.
• Greater access to mental healthcare.

Helpful Questions to Ask About Online Therapy:

• Is this the right tool or online resource for my circumstances?
• Is the website secure and reputable?
• Will I be working with a licensed mental health professional?
• Is the mental health professional the right fit for me?

Helpful Questions to Ask When Considering Therapy:

According to the American Psychological Association, if you are wondering if you should seek the help of a licensed mental health professional for an issue you or a loved one is facing is, it can be helpful to ask the following:

• Is the issue distressing?
• Do you or those close to you spend time each week worrying or thinking about the issue?
• Is the issue embarrassing to the point that you want to hide it from others?
• Has the issue reduced your quality of life?
• Is the issue interfering with an aspect of life?
• Does the issue take up a considerable amount of time each day? (For example, an hour or more?)
• Have your work, personal, or educational goals been curtailed due to the issue?
• Are you adjusting your lifestyle because of the issue?
• Is the issue upsetting or concerning to those around you?
• Are there changes you would like to make to improve your life and those of your loved ones?

Tips for Making the Most of Online Therapy:

• Try finding a comfortable, private space and setting aside an intentional, scheduled time for therapy.
• Avoid multi-tasking while communicating with your therapist.
• Work on being collaborative, honest, and open-minded when working with a mental health professional.
• Work on fully expressing your emotions, especially since body language and cues might not be as evident online as they are in person.
• Talk to your therapist about your goals and what you’d like to gain from therapy.
• Talk to the therapist about your needs. For example, try asking specific questions, such as “What can I do specifically to manage my worries and anxiety?” or “What steps can I take to think more positively?”
• Follow through and follow up. If you and your therapist collaborate and set goals or tasks to work on, try to follow through with them and then follow up with your therapist about your progress and next steps.

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25 Benefits of Therapy:

1. Receive evaluation and treatment for mental health disorders or behavioral issues.
2. Productively enhance and manage aspects of life even if you aren’t experiencing a mental health disorder or crisis.
3. Address relationship issues.
4. Learn healthy coping strategies.
5. Manage and decrease unhealthy behaviors.
6. Improve communication.
7. Gain new insights into yourself and others.
8. Work on healthier choices.
9. Feel a sense of support.
10. Set goals and work towards achieving them with accountability.
11. Address trauma and ways of healing.
12. Decrease self-destructive habits.
13. Identify problems and address them with healthy problem-solving skills.
14. Verbalize feelings.
15. Benefit from expert advice, knowledge, and experience of a licensed mental health professional.
16. Manage emotions and stress.
17. Improve functioning.
18. Improve emotional self-regulation.
19. Increase joy and contentment.
20. Increase productivity.
21. Have a safe, confidential space to talk about personal issues without judgement.
22. Increase understanding of experiences, symptoms, and diagnosis.
23. Learn about effective treatment options.
24. Learn how to address negative thoughts and feelings.
25. Learn mindfulness and relaxation techniques.

With online therapy, you can comfortably, conveniently communicate with a licensed mental health professional. Therapy is personal, and online therapists can collaborate with you to develop a personalized, effective treatment plan. Seeking therapy is a sign of strength and resourcefulness, not a weakness or a stigma. Asking for help is a smart, healthy step on the road to self-improvement, healing, and feeling better.

Marie Miguel

Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with MyTherapist.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.