5 Reasons Online Therapy Is Highly Beneficial

With the rise of COVID-19, there has been a surge in online therapy. Therapists and clients still need to connect and communicate so that treatment may continue. Fortunately, online therapy offers a comfortable and beneficial avenue to support this process.

With a few clicks, both are transported to an online conversation via a video link. Of course, it’s not the same as being in a therapist’s office. However, there are many reasons why online therapy is highly beneficial.

Here are some reasons why it works that you might not have realized.

1. Online Therapy Is Convenient

First, few can deny that online therapy is much more convenient than a traditional therapy session. That means not having to fight traffic or feel pressured to get to your appointment on time,

Instead, you can connect online at home. This option matters a lot for those who struggle with anxiety and don’t want to add any extra stress. However, convenience is also essential for those with depression. It takes a lot of energy to get out of the house. For those suffering, anything that removes barriers to treatment is helpful.

2. Choosing Where to Receive Treatment

Another benefit of online therapy is that you now get to choose where you receive treatment. As mentioned above, it’s nice not to have to leave your home to talk to a therapist.

However, you don’t have to limit yourself to your house. You could be outside in your backyard or at a park (provided you can appropriately practice social distancing).

Being able to receive treatment in nature is helpful. It will allow you to be more receptive to the therapeutic process and help you feel more relaxed.

3. There’s No Waiting Room

If you have ever been to a therapist before, you know what it means to sit in the waiting room. It can feel awkward or even embarrassing, sitting in the waiting room for your appointment and seeing other people.

Most don’t make eye contact. They keep their heads down and eyes on their phones while awaiting their turn. Imagine that you have anxiety, depression, or another mental health issue, and have to sit in the waiting room.

What might be an uncomfortable situation can quickly turn into a crisis. Some people might even get up and leave before the appointment begins! With online therapy, there’s no waiting room — or discomfort.

4. An Easier Introduction to Therapy

Those who have never experienced therapy might struggle to go to a traditional therapist’s office. Yet, online therapy can be a more comfortable introduction to treatment.

For one, there is a bit of separation between yourself and the therapist. This separation can make it easier for someone who is stand-offish or even hostile to therapy. That’s because there’s less of a personal connection, which can be very intimidating.

Instead, you connect online, have your appointment, and then sign off. That’s much easier and less invasive for some who don’t see therapy as a positive thing. Any path to remove barriers to treatment is a good thing for getting people the mental health services they need.

5. Help for Remote Areas

People who live in an urban or suburban area might not think twice about heading over to the therapist’s office for their appointment. But for people who live in very remote and rural areas, this is a much more difficult task. A therapist might be an hour or more away.

Between driving to the office, having an appointment that lasts 50 minutes to an hour, then driving home, you’ve lost almost half a day. That’s not feasible for those who work and take care of families.

But with online therapy, all you need is to be able to connect online, and you’re in business! Online treatment means that many more people can have access to quality care who didn’t have before.

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Online therapy is an effective treatment method for mental health issues. If you are interested in trying online therapy, please contact my office to learn more.