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The Benefits of Online Therapy

A while back there was a very funny television show starring Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe from Friends) called “Web Therapy.” It was an improvised show, and Lisa played a therapist who treated her patients over the Internet, hence the title of the show.


Back when the show was on, the idea of treating mental health clients via a webcam seemed ludicrous. The show did a great job at poking fun of Lisa’s character and her “wacky idea” of web therapy. Fast forward 11 years after the show's debut, though, and web therapy is now officially “a thing” thanks to ever-improving telehealth technology.


Telehealth (or telemedicine) and online therapy have actually been around for decades, but they experienced a surge in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic just brought about a new awareness and embracing of these tele-therapy tools. As our country and the rest of the world open back up, these virtual tools are here to stay. This is because telehealth offers clients something very valuable, and that is therapy on THEIR terms.


Here are some benefits of online therapy and why you may want to consider it for yourself:


Better Access to Care


In some rural areas of the country, it’s not easy to find qualified mental health therapists. Online therapy provides access to care to anyone that needs it, regardless of where they live. It also allows you to choose from a great pool of potential therapists across the state and does not limit you to just the therapists in your town.


Privacy


Despite the progress we’ve made over the last couple of decades, there is still a stigma attached to mental health treatments that stops a lot of people from seeking help. Many people, especially those that live in smaller towns and cities, refuse to seek help from a therapist for fear people will find out. With telehealth, you can receive help from the comfort and privacy of your own home.


Convenience


Clients often have to cancel appointments or show up late because of traffic jams and family and/or work responsibilities. Access to online therapy reduces many of these scenarios and eliminates the need for you to commute to your appointment.


Telehealth is a real time saver. Many of us ever feel like we don't have enough time in the day to accomplish all that we need to. I have found that the clients needing my services the most are the ones that are overstressed and often have scheduling conflicts. Telehealth can save you having to deal with traffic, scheduling in long drive times, and looking for parking. This makes therapy more accessible and less of a hassle.


Safety


Online therapy allows people to receive the help they need, even in the face of unsafe conditions. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic created a situation where it wasn't safe to be around other people, and tele-therapy made it safe for people to continue their mental health treatment.


What about unsafe weather? In many parts of the country, there are snowstorms, icy roads, and hurricanes that make it impossible to travel safely. Teletherapy allows you to keep your therapy appointments even when the weather outside makes travel unsafe.


Access for People with Disabilities


Some people seeking therapy find it difficult to leave their homes or navigate the outside world without significant assistance. This can make it challenging or time-consuming to get to regular, in-person therapy appointments. Online therapy makes therapy available in the comfort of your own home, no travel required.


Effectiveness


Researchers have been studying telehealth for quite some time, even before the COVID-19 pandemic popularized it. Time and again, online therapy has been found to be an effective treatment option for many different mental health concerns. All of the treatment modalities I offer can all be conducted online as well as in person, giving you the freedom to choose which form of therapy is right for you.


I offer online therapy to clients because I want to help as many people as I can as safely as I can. If you’d like to explore this style of treatment, please contact me today.

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