Online Counselling or Online Counseling - What’s The Difference?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Online Counseling And Online Therapy Covered By Insurance? 

You may wonder, is online therapy covered by insurance? Typically, no.

Online therapy websites are generally cheaper than traditional in-person therapy, which is part of why so many people choose to pursue online therapy or online counseling. It’s also more convenient because online counseling doesn't require you to commute. If you want to get started get started, research online therapy websites that suit your needs the most. 

If you’re not sure how to begin seeing a mental health provider virtually, there will often be a clear way to do it on a legitimate online therapy website.

Be mindful of the kind of therapy you’re looking for. If you’re looking for anxiety therapy, for example, look for a website or provider that offers anxiety therapy. The same is true for other concerns like bipolar disorder or relationship issues. 

What Is The Best Online Therapy Platform Or Online Counseling Service?

The best online therapy service or virtual treatment website will depend heavily on what a specific individual is looking for.

• Are you are looking to get therapy virtually?
• Do you want marriage or relationship therapy?
• Are you looking for therapy that suits your religious beliefs and want to pursue virtual therapy?

Note that there are many therapy modalities to pursue, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (which is a subset of cognitive behavioral therapy), acceptance and commitment therapy, or emotionally focused therapy, a popular modality used in relationship therapy. You may also seek therapy virtually for specific mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and more. 

Is There Any Free Online Therapy Or Online Counseling?

It’d be hard (if not impossible) to find legitimate virtual treatment for free, but virtual treatment is generally less expensive than traditional therapy services are for a variety of reasons. For example, a therapist doesn’t have to pay to rent an office space to conduct virtual treatment.

Are there free virtual chat services, hotlines, support groups, and even peer support options? Yes, however, these aren’t to be confused with virtual treatment. Resources such as support groups and volunteer hotlines are incredible assets that serve an important purpose, but they aren’t a replacement for therapy from a licensed mental health counselor.

If you do want to look for a support group, it can be an excellent supplement to mental health services that’ll allow you to start chatting with people who you can relate to. To ensure that virtual treatment is as effective as in person care, you must make sure that you’re getting virtual treatment through a legitimate website. 

What Is Online Counseling And Is It Different Than Online Therapy? 

Virtual counseling is much like traditional counseling. When you get virtual treatment, you will see providers that are licensed to provide professional therapy. You may wonder "What is online mental health treatment called?" when starting your search. Various mental health treatments may be referred to as:

• Online therapy
• Online counseling
• Internet therapy

Often, when you sign up for online therapy, you will take a short questionnaire that will gauge what you’re looking for in virtual treatment.

Once the initial steps are complete, you will see your official counselor or therapist, which will be a provider who is licensed to provide mental health therapy or psychotherapy virtually. You might talk to a virtual therapist through video chat, messaging, or by phone. Online therapy can be just as effective as in person therapy and you can get internet based care for a multitude of mental health concerns.

Since Everything Is Done Over The Internet, How Much Does Online Therapy Or Online Counselling Cost?

Online therapy generally starts at around $60 per session.

Many of the most popular or best online therapy websites bill on a monthly basis. Traditional in-person therapy can be up to $200 per session without insurance, so online therapy is an excellent and cost-effective option.

Remember that you can cancel your services at any time and that therapy isn’t a life-long commitment. Instead, it’s meant to give you skills that you can use for the rest of your life. If you’re unsure about the therapy costs at a specific virtual treatment website you’re interested in and aren’t sure where to get started, review their FAQ page. Generally, costs will be listed on an FAQ page to help those who want to get started with the relief of knowing exactly what their therapy costs will be. 

Is Online Therapy And Online Counseling Legit?

Online therapy and virtual therapists are fully legitimate. Counselors on websites like ReGain are licensed mental health professionals. Whether professional counselors and therapists provide face to face therapy or go through virtual treatment websites or virtual treatment programs, therapists have to complete a high level of education and training that prepares them to work with clients.

Is Online Therapy And Online Counselling Safe?

Online therapy is safe. 

How Can I See A Counsellor For Free With Online Therapy?

There are a number of ways that you can see a counselor for free which include insurance. Many religious organizations offer faithful therapy services that align with your religious values for free.

Counselors or therapists may be free at your college. 

Employee assistance programs can also help in certain work places. Sometimes, therapy vouchers or scholarships are available for those who can’t afford therapy.

Ask your doctor’s office if they know of any resources or call your local information hotline to see what resources are available in your area. You can also contact a local information hotline like 211 to search for free or low-cost therapy services virtually.

Often, by searching the internet, you’ll find directories that’ll give you information about therapists in your area, who they see, and what payment methods or insurance plans they accept.

What Is The Cheapest Online Counseling Or Online Therapy?

The cheapest virtual therapy option will usually include a plan with a lower amount of services.

Premium plans will generally be a higher price. When you’re looking to find the best virtual therapy services, it’s important to be mindful of your needs and preferences. For example, if video chat is the best way for you to get the most out of what virtual therapy offers, you will want to choose a plan that provides you with more live video options.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Online Therapy Or Online Counselling?

When it comes to therapy or any other health care service, the cost of therapy services is a frequently cited disadvantage.

Thankfully, there are affordable options such as virtual therapy or providers that offer sliding scale rates to consider in addition to services created for low-income individuals or families that make it easier to cover the cost.

Another potential disadvantage of therapy is that it can take some time to find the best fit for you. The important thing is that you don’t give up. It can be daunting to find the provider that suits you best, but it is highly rewarding long-term to have someone that understands you in the medical or mental health care field. 

How Do I Start Online Therapy Or Online Counselling?

To start therapy, you can look for in-person therapy in your local area, or you can look into virtual therapy programs or virtual mental health websites with just a quick Google search.

To find a virtual therapist, research virtual mental health programs of your choice, and see what they have to offer. Most websites have a start page that will help you begin the process.

You can also ask your doctor for a referral for a therapist. Whether you see a therapist virtually or in your local area, you deserve to get the help you need, so don’t be afraid to start the process.