Does online therapy work?
Should I start online therapy?
I often get this question from people who have never tried online therapy, or maybe never tried therapy at all. There is big confusion about the effectiveness of online therapy. I am here to help you sort out if online therapy is right for you. The big answer is, it depends. Right, it depends on who you are, what you are looking for, and your mental health concerns. But there is such a large population that fits really well into an online therapy model. Here are the reasons my clients love online therapy.
Online therapy cuts down on the amount of time needed to attend therapy
Many of my clients take therapy on their lunch break or during work from home days. Many of them don’t even need to take off work to attend online therapy. They do not want to leave work, drive to a therapy office, have therapy, then drive home. Having access to online therapy anywhere cuts down greatly on the necessity of having a car, having a license, or having to shovel your car from the Minnesota snows. They are still getting the entire value of a full session, just without the extra steps. Our time is valuable and sometimes the drive to and from therapy is not how we want to spend our precious free time.
Online therapy offers you so many more therapist options
You have so many more therapist options when you find an online therapist. You don’t have to see the town therapist who works with your brother and your aunt. You can find someone who is relatable to you and who is experienced in your areas of concern. We know that finding a good fit in therapist directly impacts therapy outcomes. So why not increase your options and find someone who really is qualified to help you. Online therapy allows you to see any provider in the state. You can find a such great therapist with those odds. And a therapist who is passionate about serving your population. I am passionate about providing therapy for women, anxiety therapy, and therapy for young adults.
Online therapy creates an atmosphere of comfort in whatever space is comfortable for you
With online therapy my clients are able to take therapy from a bedroom, private office space, or car (parked preferably). So long as they are in a private place with internet connection, they can have therapy. They can sip their tea or have a snack. Another plus is that I get to meet all of the wonderful pets everyone has. And honestly that alone is worth being an online therapist. The flexibility of location may even benefit while working on skills.
Online therapy may even decrease therapy anxiety
Don’t get me wrong, attending therapy at baseline tends to be an anxiety producing event for most. At least the first few times. We are experiencing something totally new and vulnerable. However not having to sit in a waiting room, or worry about finding the exact location, or worry that jenny from PTA is going to see you brings a sense of ease. Especially for those with only one mental health office in their small town. You can log into therapy with someone with complete confidence that it will remain private.
Attending group thearpy
It is hard enough finding a group time that works for multiple people, nearly impossible when hosting face to face groups. Online groups increase access to group therapy options, times, and locations. You can find a more specialized group and you might even find one where it wont be everyone from your high school graduating class. You have an increased sense of confidentiality when the group participants are from all over the state rather than 3 blocks away. If you are interested in current groups check out the Boundaries Education Group and the Young Adult Support Group.
Online therapy provides increased access to resources
As the world changes having online sharing capabilities has proven to be so helpful in my practice. If I think of a resource that is helpful for a client I can share it in real time and answer questions. I don’t have to print it between sessions and then hope the client reads it later. We can be more active in therapy with learning skills and education.
Therapy outcomes are good with online therapy
During your intake I will tell you if online therapy is going to be a good option for you or a referral needs to be made. If you are a good fit for online therapy, your outcomes are likely going to be the same as someone who I see in the same physical space. Online therapy can be really beneficial and tends to be beneficial for my population. I provide self-esteem and life transition therapy. I help young adults and women overcome insecurities and step into new seasons of life confidently. This a population who have thrived with online therapy, so much so that when I offered in person sessions most of my clients chose the online option, even if only a short drive away. The world is changing, and technology is here to stay. There is no reason mental health therapy cannot change with it.
I am proud to offer online counseling services so I am able to help people physically located anywhere in Minnesota or Missouri. If you are ready to start your online therapy journey reach out to schedule your first session.
