The Benefits Of Online Therapy And Why Online Counselor Jobs Are Becoming So Popular
In recent years, online therapy has experienced a remarkable surge in popularity.
In this article, we will explore the benefits of receiving online therapy as well as the benefits of becoming an online therapist.
The benefits of online therapy
In recent years, a combination of research, activism and increased awareness has highlighted the importance of mental health and well-being. As online therapy platforms such as BetterHelp continue to push for more inclusive, convenient and affordable mental healthcare, the benefits of online therapy have become more apparent.
For many people, scheduling and cost barriers have created stress or discouragement surrounding the idea of seeking therapy. Aside from generally lower costs compared to in-person therapy, online therapy offers far-ranging flexibility when it comes to scheduling.
Additionally, online therapy has been proven to provide quality care, with research showing it is equally as effective as in-person therapy for both individuals and couples.
The benefits of being an online therapist
According to Forbes magazine, the job outlook for psychology and mental health related careers is expected to grow by 8% by 2030. For those with an authentic passion for the study of psychology and the act of helping others, a career in therapy can be rewarding and meaningful.
When seeking online therapy positions, most reputable platforms will require providers to be fully licensed by the state board, holding a state-issued license such as LCSW, LMFT, LPC, and Psy.D. Generally, this type of licensing will require an aspiring practitioner to obtain a bachelor's degree, followed by a master's degree and/or doctoral degree.
Online therapy and counseling positions offer a number of benefits including more flexibility in terms of their client base along with the potential to reach clients from different regions, both of which can have a positive impact on earning potential. Additionally, practicing online therapy eliminates a number of hassles that in-person practitioners may face, including inconvenient office locations, tedious commutes and rigid work hours.
Furthermore, scheduling sessions with clients tends to be more streamlined, as online therapy sessions eliminate the need for commuting and can be administered and received anywhere. In many cases, becoming an online therapist opens up a practitioner's personal calendar, creating flexibility and a stronger sense of work-life balance.
Takeaway
Whether you are seeking a more convenient therapy option or considering a career as a therapist, there is a wide range benefit to exploring your online options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much do online counselors make?
How much an online counselor makes varies dramatically depending on several factors, such as how many hours they work, their rate, and so on. The same is true for counselors who practice in person. According to Zip Recruiter, the average salary for an online therapist specifically is $64,428 per year as of March 2021.
Note that many different job titles include the word "counselor" outside of mental health counselors. For example, someone might be an admission counselor or admissions counselor, a guidance counselor, and so on. The same is true for the term "therapist," which doesn't just relate to mental health therapists. Just as being a guidance counselor, admission counselor, or admissions counselor is different from being a mental health counselor, a massage therapist, for example, is not at all the same thing as a mental health therapist.
How do I become a virtual counselor?
First and foremost, to start a job search and become a virtual counselor, you must make sure that you are licensed to practice. If you are licensed, you may begin by looking for online mental health job postings or online counselor jobs, whether for a full-time counselor or a job as a part-time counselor.
Your starting point may be as simple as a web search for "jobs remote counselor," "counselor remote, part-time counselor job online," "counselor remote jobs," "jobs remote mental health counselor," "jobs remote full-time counselor job online," or "part-time counselor job remote." You may also apply directly on online therapy or online counseling sites.
For example, the world's largest online counseling website, BetterHelp, has a counselor application page for licensed providers interested in working on the platform. This is one of the best and easiest ways to get started. Though BetterHelp is the world's largest online counseling site, it's not the only one. Since it is the world's largest online counseling site, there are many providers with different specialties.
Providers on BetterHelp and ReGain are independent providers rather than employees, and there are many perks to working this way, such as the fact that the platform handles client referrals. Being an online mental health provider, you must meet all of the same requirements that a mental health provider who practices in person must.
Can I become a counselor without a degree?
You cannot become a licensed professional counselor or therapist without a degree. To work as a mental health counselor in person or apply for online counselor jobs, you must have a degree and meet all of the licensure requirements in your area.
Can I get a counseling degree online?
You can indeed get a counseling degree online. Many schools offer remote classes, and some universities are even fully online. Make sure to select a school that is accredited and offers online classes for their counseling degree. Note that a degree in counseling isn't all that it takes to gain job titles such as licensed professional counselor (LPC); you must also follow your state guidelines to receive licensure.
What jobs are similar to counseling?
There are many job titles in the mental health field. If you are looking for jobs similar to counseling, you want first to identify what aspect of counseling you are interested in and what prevents you from working in counseling specifically. For example, you might love working with people and helping others. Still, perhaps you're not able to complete or pay for the schooling needed for jobs such as jobs for mental health therapists or counselors specifically.
In that case, you might look into starting a business as a life coach. Perhaps, you want to work in a school setting. In that case, you may look into job titles and positions such as those for an admission counselor or an admissions counselor, a guidance counselor, or a school counselor. An admissions counselor or admission counselor is exactly what it sounds like. An admission counselor or admissions counselor helps students with admissions. An admission counselor or admissions counselor may also help with recruitment.
The average salary for a college admission counselor or admissions counselor is $57,823 per year, to explain how much an admission counselor or admissions counselor job would bring. In contrast to job titles such as "admission counselor" or "admissions counselor," a guidance counselor often has a bit more of an ongoing relationship with students, helping them with school and life topics outside of the school environment. Someone may have the same guidance counselor throughout their degree, And the guidance counselor can make a big difference in a student's life both on-campus and off-campus.
A good guidance counselor can be life-changing, as can any other on-campus professional, whether an admission counselor or admissions counselor, a school counselor, a professor, or someone else. Think about how you want to impact someone's life and what works for your own needs. If you have an undergraduate degree in psychology but don't want to complete additional training or schooling, you may consider working in human resources or other similar positions.
If remote jobs are what you're looking for, there are various job titles or positions that you can take into consideration in addition to online counselor jobs. Some remote job postings will specify that you need a degree, where other remote jobs will not. Some examples of potential remote jobs or remote positions outside of online counselor jobs may include but are not limited to remote positions as a graphic designer, online customer service positions, virtual assistant positions, and more.
Are a therapist and a counselor the same thing?
Technically, these are different job titles. Largely, they relate to a person's specific license. For example, someone may be a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). You might also see someone with a title such as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) conducting talk therapy or counseling.
Can you make a living as an online therapist?
What is the highest paid counseling job?
Are counselors in high demand?
Can you be a counselor without a degree?
Is counselling a stressful job?
How much is a counselor salary?
Where is the highest demand for mental health counselors?
What qualification do I need to be a counsellor?
Are counselling jobs in demand?
Is counselling a hard job?
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