Mental healthcare has been stigmatized for far too long. For years, people suffering from depression, anxiety, trauma, or heartache have been discouraged from seeking counseling because it would be perceived as weak. But taking care of your mental health is anything but weak. It shows that you care enough about yourself and your life care to get healthy and feel happier. Your quality of life matters, and if you need emotional support from a therapist or counselor, you should feel welcomed to pursue that.
Recently, online therapy has become a widely used form of mental health care. For individuals who can’t get to a psychiatrist’s office for medical care, seeing an online therapist through a video chat or phone call can offer that safe space for healing. Mental health services moving online has opened the door for all kinds of people seeing medical treatment for a mental illness or traumatic experience. Online counseling can be for anyone because it offers flexibility and a safe space for you to heal. Here are a few reasons why this professional help can make a difference for so many people.
1. Online therapy has opened up during the Covid-19 pandemic.
For a long time, mental health professionals could only work in person with patients. If you wanted to be seen, you had to come into the office or travel far to reach a licensed therapist. However, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world, so many people were overwhelmed with sadness and anxiety that doctor’s offices started looking for alternate solutions. When individuals were asked to quarantine, health professionals started offering telehealth appointments. This included opening the door for online therapy. People needed tips for dealing with trauma during the pandemic, and therapists showed up virtually to help. This opened the door for online therapy during this traumatic event and beyond.
2. Scheduling is much more flexible.
Many individuals see mental health counseling as a luxury. You lead a busy life and don’t have time to fit in regular doctor’s appointments. With online therapists, you can schedule sessions on your time that fits your preferences. Online therapy services are much more flexible for you to get treatment in a different way. You don’t have to miss work or drive a long way to get to an appointment. Instead, these counselors are available to you whenever and wherever you need them.
3. Therapy helps with a wide range of issues for all ages.
Online therapy can be for anyone who is dealing with any kind of trauma or sadness. Whether you’re battling a terminal illness and wondering if therapy is included in end-of-life care or you’re a student just trying to get through the pressures of school, you can get the health plan and support you need. Traditional therapy may not be the right fit for everyone, but with online sessions, your treatment plan can be geared to your specific needs.
4. You have the privacy you need.
If you are someone who feels shame about your mental illness, going in for a therapy appointment is never a fun task. You don’t want to sit in the uncomfortable waiting room or go cry in a stuffy office. With online therapy, you get to work through issues in a completely private space.
5. Being in the comfort of your own home can open you up.
In addition to privacy, online therapy can also give you an added layer of comfort. Rather than being in an unfamiliar place discussing your trauma and human behavior with a specialist, you’re in the comfort of your own home. Come to your sessions in the best way when you’re already relaxed in your own space.
