Mental health used to be a little bit unmentionable. We didn’t take about our feelings, we were encouraged to just carry on, and many people suffered in silence. But those days are, fortunately, behind us. Things are starting to change, and mental health is being brought out into the open. Schools and employers are starting to take mental health more seriously, we’re encouraged to practice self-care and wellness, and to check in with our own mental health, and perhaps finally, the taboo surrounding mental health is starting to crumble.
This means that mental health care has had to evolve. More doctors are offering mental health services, people are talking about their therapists or treatments openly, and so, more people are seeking help when they need it. A relatively modern advancement that’s growing in popularity all of the time is the availability of online therapy and other mental health services. Are these online services a good idea? What kinds of therapy are on offer? Let’s take a look.
What is Online Therapy?
There are many different types of online therapy, focusing on different conditions, issues, and specialties. But typically, they all follow the same format. Instead of going into a doctor’s office, online therapy is usually done over Zoom or other video calling platforms from the comfort of your own home; the therapist may also be working from home.
Voice calls and sometimes emails are also used for communication, although most patients and therapists find that video is more useful and encourages more open communication.
What are the Benefits of Online Therapy?
The main benefit of online therapy is that for many people, it’s more convenient. If you have a busy life, you may find it hard to find the time to head to a doctor’s office. Video calls can be much more convenient.
But there are other benefits too. These include:
- Many people find it easier to open up via virtual platforms, instead of face to face.
- You may be more comfortable and relaxed speaking from your house.
- Shorter waiting lists.
- Can be as effective as in-person appointments.
- Ideal if you live in a remote area.
Online Mental Health Counseling
Mental health is counseling is an umbrella term for a variety of different mental health issues. Online mental health counseling is typically talking therapy, which can be used to treat depression, anxiety, or to talk about specific trauma. Many people seek online counseling just because they need someone to talk to about their thoughts and feelings, without having a specific concern. If you feel like online mental health counseling could help you, take a look at the best online therapy providers listed on Top10.
Online Substance Abuse Counseling
Online counseling can be very effective for substance abuse, especially for people who have never sought help before, who may be very uncomfortable with the idea of counseling. Online addiction therapy can include cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as motivational interviewing, which involves structured conversations to help people see how their lives could be different without their addiction.
Substance abuse counseling can also include talking therapy, focused on the related issues surrounding abuse and addictions, such as financial concerns, past trauma, relationships, depression, and physical effects.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT has been available online for a long time, and many patients and professionals find that its results are very similar, whether in person or online.
CBT is a kind of talking therapy that teaches you coping strategies for different problems, focusing on how your attitudes, beliefs, and thoughts affect your feelings and actions and helping you to make actionable changes to your thought processes. CBT is used to combat a variety of mental health conditions.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical behavioral therapy or DBT is a kind of talking therapy based on CBT but adapted to suit people who feel very intense emotions. It focuses on helping people to understand their emotions and difficult feelings and thoughts, before learning to manage them and making positive changes to their lifestyles to reduce the impact of these intense and often intrusive thoughts.
People who feel intense emotions often benefit from online therapy, as it can be easier for them to open up when the therapist isn’t in the same room.
Family Therapy
Family therapy covers things like premarital counseling, marriage counseling, child therapy, and family or relationship counseling.
An online format can be ideal with these kinds of therapies if more than one person is involved but you are all busy and find it hard to find the time. Talking online means that not all of the parties have to be in the same room, which can be much more convenient.
Online therapy is growing in popularity all of the time. Many therapies on offer are the same as in-person services, and there are providers all over the world. If you feel you could benefit from online mental health services, look for someone who specializes in the therapy that you need today.
