With the rise of COVID-19, online platforms for work and our personal lives have increased. Many of those platforms continue to thrive two years later. When discussing this, it’s hard to ignore the rise of online therapy platforms. You might wonder if they’re worth the effort. Is online therapy a good idea?
What Is Online Therapy?
Online therapy is a type of therapy that can be used to treat a variety of mental health disorders. This includes depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
This type of therapy can be effective for treating anxiety disorders because you don’t have to worry about scheduling appointments or finding transportation to and from your therapist’s office. This makes it easier for people with anxiety disorders to stick with their treatment plans.
Online therapy also allows you to communicate with your therapist in real time over text messages or video chats. This permits you to ask questions about your symptoms and how they relate to the root cause of your disorder. It also helps you feel more comfortable sharing personal information that might make it difficult for you to speak openly in person.
Some people with anxiety disorders may find it difficult to leave the house alone or travel on public transportation because they’re afraid they’ll have a panic attack in public places. With online therapy, however, these fears are eliminated because all communication between the client and therapist takes place online instead of in person.
Is Online Therapy Effective?
According to research, online therapy can treat a variety of mental health issues equally as successfully as in-person counseling. According to a review of the scientific literature, cognitive behavioral therapy delivered online is just as effective for treating mild depression as if it were delivered in person. Another study discovered that online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder was just as effective as attending sessions face-to-face.
Summary
For some people, it’s hard enough to admit they might need therapy. Add in the effort it takes to find a good therapist, make an appointment, and drive there, and it becomes overwhelming.
As mentioned above, consider those who have difficulty leaving their house, whether it be due to a physical disability or mental health issue. In these situations, online therapy might be the answer to many sleepless nights.
Online therapy does indeed seem to be a good idea, and it appears to be effective as well. For many, it’s the answer they’ve been searching for.
