Since daily life began to shut down and people started getting ill due to COVID-19, global rates of anxiety and depression have soared. It is no surprise that the stress and hardship that this terrible pandemic has caused has weighed so heavily on our mental health.
Many people have chosen to incorporate new practices into their routine, like mindfulness, journaling, or yoga, in order to boost their wellness. In addition to these practices, many have also incorporated online therapy into their wellness routine through sites like MyTherapist.
Online therapy has been absolutely essential during the pandemic. Not only does it meet the need for mental health resources during this incredibly difficult and stressful period, but it also allows patients to access them from the comfort and safety of their own home.
With online therapy, there is no need to worry about incorporating new risk factors into your life or putting your counselor at risk of exposure either. You can access all the benefits of therapy with licensed and trusted counselors at any time, while still quarantined.
In addition, online therapy is much less expensive than many in-person alternatives and thus can be more accessible to anyone, especially those experiencing financial struggles or geographic relocation due to the pandemic.
It’s clear that online therapy is a wonderful resource, especially during the time of COVID-19. Here is how online counseling is helping the world through the pandemic.
- Online counseling is incredibly effective
Just like in-person therapy, online counseling is offered with trusted, licensed therapists and counselors that care about your wellbeing and take your needs seriously. In the age of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and other strong emotions.
Because we are experiencing so many drastic life changes, it is necessary to address these strong emotions and learn to care for ourselves while we experience them. For this reason, online counseling has become an essential part of the quarantine routine for countless individuals during the pandemic.
- Online counseling reduces the risk of Covid-19 transmission
Even though counseling and therapy are incredibly important healthcare practices, it can still be difficult to decide whether you want to take the risk of COVID-19 transmission at your in-person appointment.
Luckily, the existence of online counseling and teletherapy completely eliminates that risk. You can see your therapist from the comfort and safety of your own home and still receive the same benefits for your mental health. Not only this, but many patients of online therapy report that talking to your therapist or counselor from home makes them feel more open during their session.
- Online counseling is affordable
While in-person therapy can cost several hundred dollars for one 50-minute session depending on insurance, online therapy only costs a fraction of this. Many online therapists offer sessions for much less than a hundred dollars per week. This can be incredibly useful to people who may be out of work due to the pandemic and provides more accessibility in general.
- Online counseling allows you to see the right specialist for you
Online therapists cover a broad range of needs and specialties, just like in-person therapists, with the added perk of being accessible from anywhere in the country. Online therapists are not only talk therapists, but are trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, relationship therapy, trauma recovery, and many other specializations. No need to commute over an hour just to see a specialized therapist when you can speak to them over the phone, text message, or video call.
Online counseling may seem like an awkward or stressful experience, but the truth is that it can be just as effective as in-person therapy with numerous added benefits. Not only this, but in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, online counseling has become a truly invaluable resource to countless people who do not want to see therapists in person due to health concerns and rules in a certain area.
