Let’s talk about online therapy. Maintaining our mental health during the pandemic has been a huge challenge for most of us. Covid 19 made us aware that we need more options for accessing mental health services. Conventionally, you would contact an agency and submit a request to see a counsellor and you go on a waitlist to be placed with a counsellor. Then you will get contacted and be given your counselling session information and which counsellor you will be seeing. All of these steps can be a stressful and time-consuming process.
Consider what you want from counselling therapy. Is it any of the following key attributes or all of them?
1. Convenience
2. Flexible appointment times.
3. Safety
4. Affordability
5. Cost-effective
6. Choices
7. Accessibility
8. Freedom of choice.
When you can’t access the mental help you need, the quality of your well-being can decline rapidly. In a recent NZ well-being survey completed in 2023, people aged between 15-24 and those aged 75 and above are currently the most vulnerable to poor mental health.
Most of us have at least one device to access the internet these days. We use them to allow us to work from home, order our groceries, do our banking and get the latest entertainment online. We also use it to connect with our loved ones when we cannot see them face-to-face.
Online platforms, aside from entertainment and paying bills, help us connect with the outside world when we cannot venture outside and help us access crucial health services when we can’t see them in person. Modern technology has allowed us to do more things from home, freeing up travel time. But free time is just one of the reasons why online therapy is a game changer.
In this article, we will share with you 10 more reasons why online therapy is a game-changer:
1. Flexibility: Online therapy often offers more flexible scheduling options.
You can choose when you want to be seen. It also offers the option for partners and family members to join the session without having to coordinate a meeting location.
2. Convenience: Online therapy can be done from home.
You can still go about your day at home or any safe location and then join the Zoom session with your counsellor. All you need is a smartphone or a laptop with a good internet signal. If you want to make more use of your time at home, consider online therapy.
3. Accessibility: Online therapy can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.
This can make it more accessible to people who live in remote or rural areas. The stress and anxiety of finding a new counsellor can be overwhelming when you move to a different location. If you do relocate, you can still have the option to continue your sessions with the same counsellor or therapist.
4. Anonymity: Online therapy values privacy.
One of the biggest barriers in people seeking out counselling is having to describe their issues
multiple times before they can be seen. Online therapy can be more private and anonymous, allowing people to feel more comfortable discussing sensitive issues directly with their counsellors.
5. Cost-effective: Online therapy can be more affordable than traditional therapy.
There are no travel costs to get to the counselling session. With rising fuel prices, travel costs can also be a barrier to accessing counselling. You do not need to look for parks or worry about paying for parking or paying for a babysitter while you have a counselling session.
6. Freedom to choose: Online therapy is about your right to choose.
Finding the right counsellor to suit your need is important. Sometimes you need to cast your net
wider to find the counsellor that can work with you collaboratively. Online therapy provides access to a wider selection of therapists, as clients can choose from professionals located in different cities or even countries. Be empowered
to do your research about your counselling needs. Most counsellors have their charges information and availability on their listings. You can choose who you want to engage with without having to wait for a counsellor to be assigned to you.
7. Consistency: Online therapy allows clients to maintain a consistent schedule of therapy sessions.
Relocation is like starting over again. Sometimes, it can be daunting to restart your therapeutic journey with someone new. Having a counsellor that offers online therapy allows you to keep the therapeutic relationship you have with them. You can even travel and still have access to your counsellor when you need them.
8. Sharing knowledge: Online therapy sessions allows easier knowledge sharing.
The digital platform also allows counsellors to share learning models and diagrams easily. It is better than having multiple pieces of paper that will likely get lost.
9. Improved access for disabled clients: Online therapy is accessible to people with disabilities.
If you have difficulty accessing traditional therapy locations or is more housebound, try online therapy. It offers the convenience of being able to connect with a counsellor and sometimes an interpreter easily from your own home. It is also helpful when you can get some funding to maintain your mental health. Sometimes, openly bringing into a discussion about your financial can be stressful. At Counsellors.co.nz we provide up-to-date information on how you can get WINZ funding for your online therapy sessions.
10. Comfort and safety: Online therapy sessions can be done from the comfort and safety of your home.
You don’t have to brave the weather to see your counsellor or endure cold nights. You can avoid the unpredictable weather and dark evenings by having your counselling sessions online.
Online therapy is about bringing back empowerment to you when it comes to counselling. There may be more benefits that have not been listed here. The road to better well-being starts with a simple mouse click.