Is Online Therapy Better Than Meeting With A Counselor In Person?

The advent of Covid-19 has forced many people to work from home. This has led to a dramatic rise in cases of stress, depression and other mental ailments in the past year. Less people are attending physical therapy sessions with their in-person counselor or enjoying the great outdoors. Instead, the world is slowly shifting towards online therapy not only because of the current pandemic but also because it’s more accessible.

Statistics show that 40 million U.S. adults suffer from anxiety disorders. Wondering where you can get quality online therapy? Here’s a list of the best online therapy providers right now. Their services are reliable and quite affordable.

Here are 6 benefits of online therapy that make it better than in-person therapy:

1. Confidentiality

Online therapy sessions are usually more discreet than in-person sessions. With online therapy, you’re allowed to share as much personal information as you’re comfortable with. Therapists should adhere to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other relevant state/federal laws. As such, they’re required to safeguard your privacy and protect your information using HIPAA-compliant software. In addition, online therapy is remarkably convenient since you don’t have to visit your doctor’s physical office for therapy.

2. Accessibility

If you lead a busy lifestyle, you could find it challenging to get an in-person counselor who provides therapy at your preferred schedule. In addition, there’s a variety of factors that may prevent you from seeking a physical appointment with your preferred therapist. These include chronic illness, work commitments, social anxiety and other unavoidable constraints. Online therapy is extremely accessible since you can connect and communicate with an experienced counselor from the comfort of your home. All you need is a computer/smartphone and an internet connection. It provides unmatched convenience since you don’t have to struggle to get a qualified therapist who can provide quality counseling services.

3. Quicker results

Another perk of online therapy is its ability to provide faster results when compared to in-person therapy. Most people opt for online counseling because it’s flexible and can be tailored to fit into your particular schedule. If you’re only available for therapy after 9pm, your virtual platform can assign a competent counselor to provide you with therapy at this time. On the other hand, in-person therapy doesn’t provide this level of flexibility – you’re limited to a fixed schedule set up by your therapist. Remarkably, online therapy has been shown to be just as effective as traditional counseling when it comes to treating depression and anxiety disorders in kids and adolescents.

4. Access to a variety of skilled therapists

If you live in a remote location, you may struggle to access capable therapists who offer top-notch mental health services. Gladly, online therapy provides an array of counselors who are ready to give clients the treatment they need wherever they are. In fact, it’s easier to get a skilled therapist from an online platform than it is anywhere else. The resources required to access online therapy are few. You won’t incur extra costs for child care, transportation or gas money. In terms of convenience and ease of access to quality healthcare, online therapy takes the crown.

5. Affordability

Let’s face it, in-person therapy is expensive. The mere thought of visiting a professional psychiatrist can trigger panic and cause most people to worry about the cost implications. Online therapy provides clients with quite a few services to choose from, which consequently affects the rates. Individuals are charged differently depending on the particular service they choose and the degree of support they need. These broad choices make online therapy more affordable than conventional therapy. However, it’s important to evaluate the fees charged by different online counseling websites before settling on one. Some providers offer discounted rates to clients who subscribe for longer periods. Other online platforms charge per session.

6. Diverse modes of communication

The way clients communicate with their online therapists varies slightly from in-person counseling. Online therapy utilizes an array of interactive services to conversate. These include text messaging, video calls, voice notes and phone sessions. If you’re introverted, then you can appreciate the convenience of these methods of communication. In-person therapy provides a more engaging one-on-one interaction between the therapist and the client. This is more suitable for picking up subtle non-verbal cues such as body language. However, shy and reclusive people may prefer online therapy because of its private nature.

These few advantages of online therapy demonstrate the importance of online therapy. It’s evidently better than meeting with a counselor in person.