Is Online Therapy for Me?
Updated: Oct 12, 2020
Online video-conferencing psychotherapy is the new frontier for how the internet can better our lives. But is it as good as in-person therapy? Will it work for everyone? Like many aspects of therapy, it depends on the person!
If you're the super-busy type, and have a private office you can sneak away to, then online therapy might be a great option that values your scarce free time. No more wasting time commuting, finding parking, etc. Plus, there's more flexibility in scheduling.
If you're a stay-at-home parent, online video-conferencing therapy can benefit you as well, since you won't have to arrange for a babysitter, wait for the other parent to get home so you can leave for your therapy appointment, or again, waste time commuting.
If you're stuck at home for other reasons, like social phobias, chronic illness, lack of transportation, & living remotely-again, online video therapy may be ideal for you. Traveling for work or for pleasure and need to connect to your therapist? You got it-online therapy to the rescue!
But who is it not good for?
I wouldn't recommend online therapy for people with severe psychosis, as they are better helped in-person. I also wouldn't recommend having only online therapy for someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts or intentions. Perhaps in addition to in-person therapy, but not as the only form of therapy unless that's the only option they have. If you're not confident that your computer or the space you have to attend online video therapy is private and confidential, then it may not be the best format for your therapeutic needs. If you don't have access to a strong wifi connection, or if you don't have video capability on your device, then it may not be as beneficial for you to try online psychotherapy.
So you see, it really depends on your needs and desires for psychotherapy. Perhaps you enjoy that face-to-face time and getting away from your world for an hour to sit in the safety and comfort of your therapist's office. Or perhaps you prefer to stay home in your jammies and connect virtually. Others may enjoy shifting to online video therapy after we've established an in-person connection. Either way, I am committed to supporting you in deepening your connection to yourself as you take your own unique healing journey. And, I'm excited that technology has created this new avenue to make it even easier for my clients to show up for themselves. If you're ready to start creating positive shifts in your life, contact me for a complimentary consultation!
