Crisis often affords opportunity. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a shift towards non-traditional access to healthcare services, including therapy. Access to care online became more widely available due to social distancing, catapulting the therapeutic community into the digital world. The benefits of online treatment became quickly recognized- no need to live near your therapist, account for travel time, or wait months for an appointment.
Access to therapy online is not just a response to improved technology; in fact, the demand for virtual care has resulted in a boom in enhancements for better platforms. This shift towards acceptance of mental health services also suggests a broader cultural change. The pandemic has helped highlight the importance of mental health care and has pushed the boundaries of the stigma of seeking professional help.
That said, there are other benefits of online therapy that also contribute to its growing popularity. Today, we will take a closer look at the most important benefits.
Online Therapy is Easy and Accessible
Traditionally, the process for accessing mental health care was long and offered many opportunities to get “cold feet.” In fact, when contemplating change, it can be the most significant opportunity to back away from the decision. Having to wait to get that intervention decreases the chances that you will follow through. In the past, gaining access to a therapist required visiting your general practitioner first, asking for a referral, and waiting weeks or months for an initial appointment. This first step can be incredibly intimidating.
Online therapy lowers the threshold, making it easier to reach out directly to a provider and gain an appointment at a time that works for you. No travel, no waiting room, just professional and confidential help from the comfort of your own home. Accessibility makes it easier to access services sooner. Early intervention is proven to enhance outcomes, helping you to address problems before they become massive crises. Getting help sooner helps you to feel better faster.
Receive Professional support Wherever You Are
Online therapy has helped to eliminate barriers to accessing care. Barriers may include:
- Living in a remote area
- Having limited access to transportation
- Having health or mobility issues
For many people living in communities, online treatment has become a reliable way to receive consistent care. A 2023 study of online therapy for individuals living in a rural location found that online services improved access to care and treatment providers reported increased attendance to sessions [2]. Online therapy puts quality services within reach and makes accessing care much easier, getting you the help you are looking for, just needing an internet connection.
Online Sessions Are Flexible and Convenient
You already have a lot on your plate, likely juggling a busy work schedule, kids, sports, and trying to find time for a social life. Seeking therapy should help alleviate your stress, not add to it. Access to online therapy allows you to have a session on the weekend, evenings, during your lunch hour, or before you start work, making it less disruptive to everything else on your plate!
This flexibility will help you stick with therapy. You won’t need to cancel sessions due to work obligations, travel, or family schedules. Instead, your treatment can be integrated into your life naturally. When therapy fits into your life, you are more likely to stay engaged and see improved results.
Therapy via Internet is Location Independent
Recent research on online therapy for expatriates has shown that these virtual services are a helpful resource if you work and live successfully help people living abroad access professional services despite distance and cultural barriers [3]. Expats often are faced with unique emotional challenges, such as:
- Adapting to a new culture
- Loss of immediate access to a natural support system
- Missing friends and family
- Feeling disconnected with limited social outlets
Traditional in-person therapy may not be an option when living in another country, especially if they don’t speak your language. Online therapy can bridge that gap. You can connect with a therapist with whom you can maintain connections and continue therapy even if you have to travel frequently. This continuity of care supports success in counseling.
Comfort and Privacy Guaranteed
You may find opening up easier when you are in the comforts of your own home. There is something that is reassuring about being in your own environment…your favorite chair with a cup of tea can take away some of the apprehension about disclosing tough thoughts and feelings. Online therapy removes the anxiety that may result from having to go to a clinic or office and sit in the waiting room. Controlling your surroundings allows you to focus entirely on your session and then have a few moments after to reflect quietly on your takeaways from therapy.
Choose Your Own Online Therapist
Another big advantage of Global Online Therapy is that we are a network of professional therapist. You can choose which therapist you want to have your therapy sessions with. Check out our team page, ach therapist has his or her own specialties. And these specialties can match the mental health issues you are experiencing.
In addition, there are also therapists who speak multiple languages, as most people can best express their feelings in their native language. Thanks to our extensive network with a wide variety of therapists, you can always find a suitable match, a therapist who understands you and with whom you really click!
High Quality and Effective Mental Help
It is a common misconception that online therapy feels impersonal. In reality, there is as much opportunity to form a healthy therapeutic relationship with your therapist online as in person. Video calls allow you to see each other and read facial expressions and body language as easily as if you were in the same room.
At Global Online Therapy, our providers are trained to provide high-quality online services and are well-versed in making connections even through a screen. You will receive the same professionalism, empathy, and attentiveness as you would in an office setting.
Solid research backs the efficacy of online therapy. Research has shown that it is as effective as in-person counseling for many areas of concern, including:
- Stress and burnout
- Anxiety and panic
- Depression
- Trauma and grief
- Relationship or family issues
- Adjustment and cultural transition challenges
A large study in Nature Mental Health [1] of more than 27,000 patients found that online cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) treatment services achieved similar clinical outcomes to those reported in face-to-face counseling sessions, but with lower cost and shorter treatment duration.
Our therapists are trained in evidence-based practices, such as CBT, relationship therapy, solution-focused therapy, and EMDR. These treatment modalities are effective through an online platform. In fact, seeking services online can support finding the therapist who is the right fit for you. In-person services limit you to options within your geographical reach. Connecting with an online therapist gives you greater access to a mental health professional specializing in your needs.
Benefits That Meet Your Needs
Online therapy meets your needs, no matter where you are in your healing journey. The benefits of virtual sessions make it easier to stick with counseling to ensure you get the best outcomes. These benefits include:
- Cost-Effective: Online services remove the cost of driving and parking to your sessions, resulting in you needing to take additional time off work to commute to and from appointments.
- Time-Saving: You will benefit from scheduling sessions that are convenient for you, often at more non-traditional office hours, limiting how much time you miss at work.
- Better Outcomes: Mental health care differs from other medical services, requiring you to be seen more frequently than most other medical professionals. Online services ensure that sessions occur at the frequency your therapist recommends for the best outcomes.
- No Waiting Lists: Traditional mental health services are currently overwhelmed, resulting in wait lists that can stretch out for months. Having to wait for services can result in symptoms escalating and can make it harder to recover. With online therapy, you typically can start immediately. Fast access to care has a positive impact on treatment outcomes.
Start With Online Therapy Today
Online therapy can meet you where you are. Both literally and emotionally. Reach out to us at Global Online Therapy today. Your intake session is free of charge.
References:
[1] Hollinghurst, S., Devlin, N., Palfreyman, S., Lovell, K., Kessler, D., & Byford, S. (2023). Economic evaluation of 27,540 patients with mood and anxiety disorders and the importance of waiting time and clinical effectiveness in mental healthcare. Nature Mental Health, 1(10), 801–812. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-023-00106-z
[2] Nelson, D., Inghels, M., Kenny, A., Skinner, S., McCranor, T., Wyatt, S., et al. (2023). Mental health professionals and telehealth in a rural setting: A cross-sectional survey. BMC Health Services Research, 23, 200. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09083-6
[3] Park, H. Y., Kim, J. Y., Koo, H. Y., Han, J., Jun, J. H., Lee, W., Na, K. Y., Lee, H. Y., Pak, Y., Jang, S., Kim, S., Jeong, C., & Nam, T. (2018). Evaluation of a telehealth counselling program for expatriates. Telemedicine and e-Health, 24(8), 615–623. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2018.0272