What You Need to Know Before Choosing Online Therapy

Mental health is health. Taking care of our minds means that we begin understanding who we are. When we prioritize our emotional well-being, we start to recognize our boundaries, seek support, and prioritize fulfillment.  

Everyone deserves an uplifting life, but it usually takes a little work.

One way to create healthier mental health habits is through counseling or therapy. Behavioral health providers can help us unravel our thoughts by offering an unbiased and professional approach. 

An open and honest conversation with them can free our minds of worry. Suddenly, we have someone on our team with useful insights and techniques. 

However, truthfully, reaching out to a counselor takes a certain amount of courage. Not to mention scheduling, traffic, and parking can all create barriers to an appointment. 

If you’re looking for a convenient alternative, have you tried online therapy?

Remote counseling allows you to reach a therapist quickly, and lightens your schedule. 

Before you take the exciting step of enrolling in teletherapy, here are some things to consider:

What is online therapy?

Teletherapy, e-therapy, or remote therapy, is counseling that takes place online using technology. Some forms of technology you can use include:

• Laptop
• Tablet
• Smartphone
• Desktop computer 

For each session, you’ll want to ensure that your device is fully charged, the internet is stable, and you’re in a quiet room. The ease of access provides many fantastic opportunities for individuals to meet with a mental healthcare provider through remote communication. 

The options for online counseling are numerous. There are therapist office portals, apps, and websites (among many more). While teletherapy offers a streamlined counseling experience, take some time to research different online portals, such as the Ravkoo Health App. 

Ravkoo Health is a digital healthcare marketplace that empowers people with convenient telehealth solutions. Once the app is downloaded, you can access a module called Lifestyle. 

Ravkoo Lifestyle offers its registered users peace of mind for many reasons: privacy, licensed therapists, competitive pricing, and flexible booking. 

Travis Pantiel, LMHC, MCAP, CCTP, NCC, and Director of Behavioral Health at Ravkoo Health explains, “All of our therapists are licensed professionals who are trained to work with various behavioral health concerns.”

Online counseling platforms can offer help in the following areas: 

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Relationship troubles
• Stress reduction
• Trauma
• Substances
• Loss and grief
• Chronic medical issues
• Eating behaviors
• Self-esteem 
• Sleep problems
• LGBT+ issues

Also, e-therapy can come in different forms depending on personal preference and platform. Some forms of online therapy are text, audio calls, video, emails, or messaging. 

For instance, Ravkoo Lifestyle offers counseling services that are largely focused on video conferencing. 

“Video provides the most evidence-based and researched form of therapy outside in-person applications,” says Pantiel. Also, members can chat with their providers as they need between their sessions. 

Who is remote counseling ideal for?

Online counseling might not be for everyone, so you’ll have to ask yourself if it’s a good fit. For instance, do you prefer in-person communication when discussing sensitive topics? Do you like leaving your house for an appointment? Are your issues better-discussed face-to-face?

While many enjoy meeting with their behavioral health counselor online, some enjoy the connection of an in-person appointment. 

That said, online counseling is ideal for people who:

• Have mobility issues.
• Have busy schedules.
• Prefer online communication.
• Live in remote areas.
• Don’t drive.
• Aren’t near transit.
• Prefer to stay home. 
• Prefer familiar settings. 

What makes online counseling such a positive force?

The creation and growth of online therapy offers massive benefits for people on a global scale. More than ever, individuals can access the emotional support they need, no matter where they are. Let’s dive deeper into the pros.

1. Easier convenience 

Imagine going to your bank physically anytime you want to pay a bill or transfer money. Gone are the days when you must be present to perform basic daily tasks—thank goodness! 

Therapy isn’t a simple task, and it does take courage to follow through. Therefore, removing as many obstacles as possible can help someone more successfully attend. 

Some conveniences of online counseling include:

• Professional mental health support at your fingertips. 
• Sitting in a comfortable, quiet, private place at home. 
• No need to drive, park, or battle traffic. 
• Easy scheduling. 
• Simpler to fit into a busy lifestyle. 
• Forgo finding a babysitter. 
• Meeting your counselor online means that your life can continue to run smoothly. 

2. Improved accessibility

If you live in a city, you might have quick access to any number of mental healthcare offices. But if you’re in the suburbs, countryside, or small town, reaching a therapist in person might be difficult. 

Remote counseling allows those with mobility issues, tight schedules, and limited access the ability to reach support in minutes with a few taps. 

Imagine the endless options for people who couldn’t get their needed help before the digital era. 

Furthermore, if a person requires a prescription, their healthcare provider may be able to forward it to a local pharmacy for pickup. Medication availability depends on the type of care a person is receiving. However, referrals are also an option! 

3. Better affordability

Those without healthcare coverage can possibly afford online therapy better. Apps, platforms, and portals created to support emotional wellness usually offer competitive pricing. 

Furthermore, you can take your time searching for a provider who offers rates within your budget. Often, you pay as you go, so it’s in smaller, more manageable amounts. However, do your due diligence to seek out the best choice. 

One example of affordability is offered through Ravkoo Lifestyle because the services are all on marketplace-based pricing. This qualified team prides themselves on providing a space where behavioral health specialists can give affordable assistance to anyone who needs it. 

Pantiel explains that those seeking mental health experts will also find reasonable costs, and those looking for sessions that fit a certain budget can find therapists who are able and willing to accommodate Ravkoo Lifestyle. 

Furthermore, the app also offers plenty of free health resources for site visitors.

4. More privacy

Do you ever get that uncomfortable pang of social awkwardness? It’s not uncommon to feel shy, especially when sharing personal details of your life. But an online therapy session can be much more approachable. 

Meeting a caring mental health expert over video, phone, or text can take away that sense of vulnerability that you might experience walking into a busy office. Also, you don’t have to worry about running into anyone you know. Not that there’s anything to feel ashamed of, but counseling should remain as private as you want it to be. 

Furthermore, quality digital mental healthcare platforms, apps, and portals should encrypt all their data and follow HIPAA Compliance. 

5. More flexibility

When booking online, many platforms allow you access to the scheduling page 24/7. Therefore, if you get off work late, you don’t have to wait until the next day to book. 

Also, remote scheduling allows you to conveniently cancel and reschedule appointments (as long as enough notice is given). 

If you’re a busy bee, you can seamlessly work around family responsibilities, work, and other obligations to book your appointments.

Lastly, if you’re not feeling a connection with your counselor, you should be able to cancel your subscription or change your provider. Take note that every company has terms for scheduling, canceling, rebooking, and changing providers. 

All in all, our world is shifting gears toward online telehealthcare solutions. People want convenience, affordability, and accessibility when managing their physical and emotional health. 

If online counseling can help you feel your best, that’s an absolute win! 

However, do the homework to research and find the best online counseling platform for you and your wallet.