Is Online Therapy Worth It?
Millions of people turn to online therapy services with the best professionals when they feel like giving up on life and to help them through tough times. The idea "I don't need anyone" may not be the best option if you know deep within that you need help in easing the struggles you are facing. An increasing number of people are seeing a counselor with online therapy. These advantages include lower cost and the convenience of completing therapy from your own home. Attending e-therapy is a research-backed and supported way to get care for various concerns, whether those concerns are related to life stress, relationships, or something else. According to the CDC, 9.5% of adults in the United States saw a provider such as a therapist for therapy in 2019. So don't worry - even if your question is, "Can I get an online divorce," there is definitely an online counselor that can help you or even an online psychiatrist if your condition needs prescribed medication.
However, just because someone chooses to find mental health specialists and undergo therapy does not automatically mean that online therapy will work for them. Just like in-person therapy, various elements of online therapy like what counseling professional you see and what therapeutic modalities are used matter.
If you decide to seek help via online therapy, here are some ways to ensure that you get the most out of your experience.
How To Get the Best Out Of Your Online Therapist Sessions Online?
When you are struggling with anxiety, besides finding anxiety support groups online, finding an online psychologist or a therapist can also be a good option. When you search for a counseling professional in person, you might spend weeks or months looking for therapists that specialize in the concern you’re there to address, making phone calls, and spending time on therapists waiting lists. One of the best parts about connecting with a therapist through a platform like ReGain is that you get to skip all of that.
Instead of searching high and low for a counseling professional, the first step to getting therapists through ReGain and many other online therapy platforms like thera link is to take a short questionnaire. During the questionnaire, you’ll answer questions like, “What are the benefits you're looking to achieve?” that will help you get matched with the right professional.
Make sure that you answer honestly. No one in your personal life will know what you said - unless they’re next to you and are involved in the process, such as when you’re looking for a counseling professional as a couple and are discussing the questions together - but you’ll have a higher chance of finding the right therapeutic match.
Best Online Therapy: How To Build An Online Therapy Plan Online That Works For You
It’s often helpful to go into a therapy session with therapists to clarify what you would like to accomplish. Sometimes, you just need to get someone to open up about your emotions and worries too. If you keep a journal, try to write about any challenges you face that you would like to discuss with your professional.
If you do not have a journal, a simple list will do the trick. You can even use the notes app on your phone to jot down things to tell your therapist. In the week leading up to your first therapy appointment with your counseling professional, anytime something makes you feel a negative emotion, write it down. One of the advantages of online therapy services over traditional therapy services is that you can have these materials right before working with the therapist.
Going into the therapy session with a clear idea of the things you want to work on means you and your professional can focus on the important things and not waste any time simply trying to decide which areas of your life you want to discuss.
If you don’t necessarily have a plan, your professional in counseling can help you create one.
Online Mental Health Help: Goal Setting Importance During Your Session Online
This is an elaboration of the first point. Beyond simply planning what you want to discuss with your professional, think about what you’d like to achieve in your time with your counselor. Knowing what you want to accomplish with your counselor, and communicating these things, will make your sessions with your mental professional much more worthwhile.
Having an idea of your goals for online therapy services ensures that the time you spend talking with your mental professional will not be wasted. Plus, doing so before starting therapy services can help you find the therapist that is the right fit for you. Take some time to think about how you want to feel and what would put you at greater ease in life, and then, relay what comes up to your professional.
Taking some time to reflect before you see your professional is helpful not just at the beginning of the therapeutic process but throughout the therapeutic process. If you’re already seeing a professional and haven’t set goals or don’t know what you want, know that it’s never too late to think about it and bring it up with your professional.
Online Therapy Tips
Realistic is best with the best professional in counseling.
Creating best therapy goals with best counselors.
Ensuring best therapy goals are about you.
Create the best mental health plan.
Best Therapy Options Online: No Professional Settling
Another advantage of online therapy services is the amount of choice you have as a client. When working with a traditional in-person counselor, your choice is restricted by which professionals are practicing in your area. Finding a therapist who takes your insurance, among other factors, are another possible barrier. But, when you are working with a professional over the internet, your amount of choice with therapists is multiplied.
The best online therapy services will have a wide variety of options who you can choose to work with. These therapists may have or be of various specialties, backgrounds, and genders. Some therapists can have expertise in gestalt psychology, clinical psychology, abnormal psychology, and more. For many, having the right professional is the most crucial part of getting a quality therapeutic experience. If there’s something specific you want in a professional, it’s probably out there.
Finding the right therapist for anxiety can be a lengthy process, but online therapy services can make the process easier by providing you with a variety of counselors with different licenses and specialties to suit your needs. With ReGain, your online therapy services plan will not start until you’re matched with a counselor.
If you are unsure where to start with finding a professional, reach out to the online therapy services platform’s customer service to help point you in the right direction. Perhaps you already know that you would prefer a therapist of a certain religion or a therapist of a specific race and ethnicity.
The best online platform service will be able to match you to a counselor of your preferences with open therapy availability. What is chat therapy in ReGain like? When you use a platform like ReGain, you can quickly get matched with a professional. When you first start with a therapist, you can ask them any questions about how they work as a counselor, their education, and so on, which will help you feel more comfortable.
You deserve to get the help you need. You are worthy of being supported in the way you need to be, emotionally and mentally. Online therapy services with licensed therapy professionals are a great way to take that first step to achieving a healthy sense of self.
Some therapists in online therapy services specialize in therapy topics like:
marriage therapy
mindfulness therapy
family therapy
psychodynamic therapy
narrative therapy
Some services, like ReGain, match you with a licensed professional based on your wants and needs for counseling services. That said, if you feel the counselor you get is not a good fit, you have the freedom to switch to a different therapist who you feel is better suited for you. We all have different personalities, and sometimes, what it comes down to is finding a therapist who meshes well with yours. When it comes to finding the right therapist, it’s okay to be picky. Do not settle for a therapist that you feel cannot help you accomplish your goals.
Your counselor won’t be offended if you have to switch to a new therapist or other professional. Mental therapists are aware that everyone has different needs. A therapy professional won’t take it personally and want you to succeed.
Best Online Therapy Services: How To Schedule Sessions Online?
Some online therapy services will have you schedule a 30 minute or hour-long therapy session with your therapist as you would for an in-person therapy session. Others are 24-hour services, in which you have an ongoing dialogue with your therapist and can update your therapist on how you are feeling at any time of the day.
Often, online therapy services will be a mix of both formats. You will schedule certain times to have a long talk with your therapist but can also contact your therapist at any time if something comes up. How much you use this feature when talking with your therapist is up to you.
Regardless of which form of online therapy services you choose it is imperative to talk to a counselor and set up time to interact with your professional therapist. Once you decide to work with a counselor, figure out when you can carve out some time to dedicate to your online therapy sessions in your day or week.
You may decide a certain day of the week is when you want to do one long update, or you may want to write a shorter message to your mental professional every evening.
Whatever you choose, make the time you chat with your mental professional your "me" time. If you live with other people, ask them not to bother you while you plan to chat with your counselor. This way, you can fully focus on your conversation with your professional and make sure you can communicate everything on your mind during therapy.
Of course, if you choose a 24-hour online therapy service, you can always send a quick message to your mental professional if there is something you feel you need to tell them immediately. But, it is also important to set aside scheduled time to talk to them to get the most out of your online therapy experience. Use your best judgment, and don’t be afraid to when talking with your mental professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Online Therapy: Be Realistic With Your Virtual Therapist In Online Therapy
What should you remember when setting goals or scheduling time for free online counseling?
First, be realistic about any time constraints you may be facing that limit your time with a counselor in therapy. While therapy services via the Internet or app is far less time-consuming than traditional, in-person therapy services in the sense that virtual help doesn’t require a commute, it is still important to commit yourself to dedicate the necessary time and energy towards your therapeutic efforts.
Most people are very busy, and that is okay. If you only have thirty extra minutes in your week that you can devote to therapy, that is perfectly fine, but you need to keep that in mind when setting goals for yourself and your therapy experience. This is part of why having a plan for therapy, whether or not face-to-face, matters. If you know what you want to be talking about with your therapist, you won’t waste a second.
If you have major therapy goals you want to accomplish, be realistic and realize that it may take a long time to get there if you only do a little bit of work a week. Sometimes, you won’t realize how much progress you’ve made while working with your therapist until some time passes. You might react to a situation differently one day or notice that you feel better about what you decided to see a professional for and think, “wow, I’ve come a long way!”
Remember that little things eventually add up to big things, and something is always better than nothing. But, be realistic about your time, and do not get discouraged if you feel that things are not moving along as quickly as you would like.
Honesty Is Best In Counseling
Another way you can think about being realistic is, to be honest with yourself about the time you can commit to therapy and what you can expect to accomplish in that amount of time with your therapist. But, honesty is not only important when it comes to your goals or when answering questions. It’s vital to be honest throughout the entire therapeutic process.
When making your initial plan about what you want to work on with your therapist, you want to be honest about any struggles you face with your professional.
The best part about seeing a professional is that it's a safe place to be vulnerable. If you have questions such as "Why am I so hard on myself?", "How to be better?", "Why am I too emotional?" it's best to consult a professional.
Therapists are trained professionals and will never judge you for anything you tell them.
Rather, it is crucial to be honest with your professional if you want to get the best possible outcomes from your experience.
You’ll likely find that when you get to speak things you’re afraid to say to your professional off of your chest, you’ll feel better. If it’s too hard to say out loud during a therapy session with your therapist, message your therapist and let them know you want to talk about it later.
You should never feel embarrassed or ashamed about anything you need help with when talking with your therapist. How they became a therapist is a career path that they chose because they want to help people overcome challenges. If you keep things concealed from your therapist, you will not get the maximum benefit out of the time and financial investment that you make in online counseling.
Why Follow The Best Guidance & Best Advice Of Best Professionals?
Your therapist cannot force you to do anything. All a therapist can do is offer their opinion on your situation and give you suggestions on how you can work on things to feel better. Other than that, the power is in your hands. While a therapist can make suggestions, a therapist is not there to control you, nor does a therapist want to. They can only guide you through your problems, especially on things you can't control alone.
That being said, it is important to take the guidance of your professional to heart. Some people feel better simply having someone to whom they can unload all of their worries, and for them, less outside work might be necessary. But, most people seek more from their therapy experiences virtually. Of course, if you don’t feel that certain guidance from a professional is right for you, it’s okay to look at the situation objectively and decide not to take it. You can explain this to your therapist, and in most cases, you’ll be able to find common ground. Again, whether you see a therapist online or through other means, they can’t force you to do anything. Just make sure that you’re honest with yourself throughout the therapeutic process.
There’s a saying that goes, "it won't work unless you do." This applies to remote help.
If your professional instructs you to do something or gives you homework, it is because those activities are best and crucial to your treatment and will have the best, most positive impact on your life. Sometimes we want to run away from our responsibilities, but if we won't accomplish our therapy goals without consistency.
A lot of people enjoy the homework provided to them by a professional and find it incredibly advantageous, so it’s something to make time for. You can give professional feedback on your homework and other activities so that your therapist can get a feel for what works for you.
If you cannot do everything your therapist asks you due to time constraints, that is okay, but be sure to let your therapist know that you want to work on a new plan. This is a collaborative process, and your therapist is there to work with you. Doing at least some of your therapist's work is key to getting the most out of the therapeutic experience.
Best Discussion Tips
But, if your reasons for seeking help have to do with your relationship, it can be very beneficial to discuss what you're talking about with your professional with your partner. If you feel you need to seek help from a professional to work on your relationship, your partner must know this to improve the relationship.
In some cases, you may even choose to ask your partner to participate with you or see a professional as a couple. This way, the dialogue with the professional becomes a three-way conversation.
Couples therapy can be a positive, best addition to a relationship and teach partners things about each other that they continue to benefit from long after they cease working with a professional regularly.
People in relationships, whether a marriage relationship or a d/s relationship, see therapists for many topics or concerns, and there's no right or wrong reason to see a professional. If you are looking for professional help, there are options for psychology and therapy that can improve your condition or your relationship.
Choosing to get the help you need can be difficult, but extremely worthwhile. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in trying to create a better future for the marriage or family that we lose touch with who we used to be and who we want to become. Sometimes, we find ourselves thinking, "I don't know who I am anymore." You can improve your self-awareness with a personal mental health professional or work through issues with your partner in a therapeutic setting. Couples see a lot of benefits.
It could be you and your partner participating in marriage counseling services or couples counseling services over the internet for long-term relationship concerns. Not only married couples attend couples therapy. Whether you see an individual counselor or see a couples counselor for you and your partner, you can get enormous benefits. If you're single and wonder how to find companionship, a specific therapist can also guide you.
Compassion Is Best During The Best Therapy
What typically happens during a therapy session? Whether you see a professional or not, people tend to uncover things about themselves that they had been trying to push away for a while. Or, talking to a professional may simply lead you to realize things about yourself that you never realized before. Seeing a professional can help you gain confidence, communication skills, and so much more.
Learning these things is extremely beneficial in the long run, but it is not always pleasant in the present moment. These therapy sessions may force you to face things about yourself that you do not like. If this situation occurs, remember to be kind to yourself and ask your professional for support if you need it. Your professional can help you remind yourself that this is not “bad.” The therapeutic experience comes with growth, and that can be uncomfortable, but that does not make it negative.
Do not get angry with yourself or beat yourself up if you realize some negative traits in yourself. Remember to be compassionate and that you are doing it to improve yourself. It is natural to feel upset upon learning certain things about yourself.
Try to keep in mind that it is the best learning experience in rediscovering yourself.
By learning these things, you can improve yourself and feel happier in the long run. Seeing a professional can be hard work, but it’s worth it.
Get started with a professional using ReGain today or read the therapist review below for more information. If you have questions about seeing an online counselor, read the FAQ section on the ReGain website or contact us.
Reviews
“Shannon is very knowledgeable, and skilled in knowing how to use that knowledge to help others. She is also very compassionate and encouraging. I was skeptical about using a counseling service, but this experience has been incredible. I highly recommend Shannon to anyone who needs guidance or help through a difficult time in life. I gave her some enormous challenges, and nothing has been over her head. She has been a tremendous help to me.”
“I don’t know what I would have done without Harry. I was in a super low place and I was not sure what my problems were or how to solve them, but he was able to help me get to the bottom of my problems and work through them. Today I am happy and feeling like myself again. He was so easy to talk to and worked with me whenever I needed him. Even on vacation he took time to call me and talk through whatever I was going through. I would highly recommend him.”
Meet Some of Our Therapists
All Therapists Are Licensed & Experienced With 1,000 Hours of Hands-On Experience
Lindsay Burke - Therapist
LMFT, Lifecoach, Burke
Therapists Specialties: Relationship issues & marriage therapy, Family conflicts, Parenting issues, Career difficulties, Pride Counseling
Therapists Years of Experience: 8
Eric Anderson - Therapist
LMFT,CSAT
Therapists Specialties: Addictions, Relationship issues & marriage therapy, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Pride Counseling
Therapists Years of Experience: 7
Lynn Salsbury - Therapist
LCSW,MSW (Licensed and Background-Checked) - Live chat, live video, online chat rooms, unlimited messaging therapy
Therapists Specialties: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship issues & marriage therapy, Self esteem, Depression, Coping with life changes using traditional therapy, Pride Counseling
Therapists Years of Experience: 12
Doctor on-demand coverage that accepts insurance not needed; aka, you don't need health insurance.
Carla Noto-Vencill - Therapist
MA,LMFT - Live chat, phone and video sessions & video conferencing, online chat rooms, unlimited messaging therapy
Therapists Specialties: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Parenting issues
Therapists Years of Experience
29
Doctor on demand coverage that accepts insurance not needed.
Gina Found - Therapist
Therapists Specialties: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship issues, Depression, Teen Counseling
Therapists Years of Experience
11
Doctor on demand coverage that accepts insurance not needed.
Sam Jenkins - Therapist
MSW,MFA,LCSW - Live chat, live sessions, phone calls, real time chat sessions
Therapists Specialties: LGBT, Intimacy-related issues, Self-esteem, Anxiety, Depression, Teen Counseling, Emotional Support, Peer Support
Years of Experience
25
Doctor on demand coverage that accepts insurance not needed to cover online therapy here.
Experience an easy sign up process with one of the best online therapy services online.
Cynthia Wiedemann
Terry Brewer
Catherine Wilson - LMHC
Heather Connors - LCSW, PPSC
Joseph Frey - MA, LMFT
Stephen Robinson - MA, LCMHCS, LCAS
Darcy Dobb - LCSW, MHPP
Cheryl Williams - MA
Shannon Caraway - LCSW
Dr. Patrick Casthely - LMHC, MCAP, PHD
Dennis Doke - M.S., LMFT-S, LPC-S
Debra Jenkins - MSW, LCSW-C
Best Therapy
Therapy is a personal experience, and not everyone will go into it seeking the same things. But, keeping these things in mind can ensure that you will get the most out of therapy, regardless of your specific goals.
ReGain's therapy platform helps address all types of mental health concerns. If you're interested in individual therapy, please reach out to contact@regain.us. For more information about BetterHelp as a company, please find us on:
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