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Want to know if virtual therapy (online therapy) is right for you? Here we go!
When the pandemic started, a lot of us therapists were wondering what the implications would be for folks who needed/wanted therapy. Would they be left hanging? How would the field shift to accomodate people being sick or unable to travel? Well, the powers that be figured it out and it’s been unstoppable ever since. Here’s a handy list for you if you’ve been wondering what all the fuss is about:
1. It’s Convenient!
This is the biggest reason people seek online/virtual therapy. You woke up late? No need to rush to the therapist’s office. You’re feeling low motivation, depressed, having difficulty getting started? No problem, you don’t need to impress your therapist with your fanciest outfit, just click a link and boom! there’s your therapist on the other side. There are so many barriers to folks attending therapy on a regular basis including, but not limited to, finances, childcare, scheduling issues, other appointments, mobility, local access to therapy, etc. I could go on, but for a lot of us, it’s hard to beat the ease of clicking a link either on your computer or phone and being connected to someone whose sole job is to support you and listen to you without judgment or an agenda. On the days when you think to yourself “why did I agree to this?” and the whole ordeal of getting ready for an appointment, getting there, being on time, arranging your schedule so that all of these things can happen, well you don’t have to.
2. No Need to Travel/Drive
There is nothing more frustrating than being stuck in traffic, knowing you have a place to be at a certain time. I can feel my anxiety rising thinking about it. Combine that emotion (for those of us who tend to be anxious) with trying to figure out travel time, other errands on our schedules, gas prices, wear and tear on our vehicle and you’ve got a whole lot of reasons that virtual therapy may be for you. It saves you the hassle of actually having to transport yourself to an appointment. Some folks don’t easily have transportation available and this, in my experience, is a primary barrier to accessing services (not just therapy!). The option to attend virtually has helped so many people talk to a therapist without having to borrow from grocery money for gas, having to borrow a car, having to worry about reliability of their vehicle, bus schedules and more.
3. You’re in Your Comfort Zone
Ahh, the comfort of my own home. Is it the tidiest place you’ll ever go? Nope. And that’s ok because it’s mine. It’s where I feel comfortable, I can be myself. The version of me that is typically the most me is at my home. Maybe this resonates with you? If it does, virtual therapy may be for you. People typically go to therapy to increase support, comfort within themselves, to have a space with another person where they can “let it all go” and what better place than your own home? I say this because it can be awkward and sometimes down right uncomfortable to share parts of yourself with another person in a setting that’s out of your control. I’ve been to doctors’ offices, dentists, therapists, and more where the chairs were lumpy, uncomfortable, I couldn’t find a good spot for my stuff, my hands, it just felt off. Not to mention, a lot of places are not built for your specific needs, mobility or accessibility in mind.
Another big reason people like being at their home (or someone else’s home/place they feel comfortable and welcome in) is because they feel safe. Safety is paramount in therapy, and although it can absolutely be created in someone’s office for some, for others it just can’t. People I’ve worked with have mentioned fear, anxiety and discomfort in their bodies when sharing private, sensitive information with a therapist where they aren’t sure if other clients can hear them in the next room. Did someone see them walk in the office and that poses a threat to their safety? I hope not, but it’s possible. Also, this should be determined by clients, not the therapist. I always want to prioritize safety with clients. And while that’s true, I cannot tell someone whether they feel safe or not or where they feel safe.
4. The Choice Is Yours
I’ve been to therapists before in my life and every time I’ve been faced with the dilemma of “is it worth it to get to this person (someone who stands out to me) or do I choose someone closer that I don’t really want to see?” Virtual therapy has been huge in decreasing this essential roadblock to finding the right therapist for you. Finding a therapist can be difficult! Not only do they need to feel like a good match for you based on experience and vibes, but they have to be within a certain mileage you can get to, accept your insurance or have rates you can afford and their hours of availability have to match yours. That’s a lot of criteria to meet if I’m being honest. Therapy is such a powerful tool and you deserve to find the therapist that best suits you and your needs, not just someone who happens to be the closest and has current open slots. Typically, with virtual therapy, a therapist can see a client anywhere within the state they are licensed. Example: since I’m licensed in Ohio, I can see someone for therapy who may live 15 minutes away from me in Trumbull county, or across the state in Cincinnati. Having the power to choose is such a gift and how a therapeutic relationship should start!
5. The Cost is (Often) More Affordable
Ok, so this one may tie into one of the other reasons (travel) but it’s worth saying outright: virtual therapy can be cheaper than in person services! You aren’t paying for gas, you aren’t putting miles on your vehicle or paying for a cab or the bus or an Uber. That right there, for a lot of people, is saving money. You’re using the internet connection you already have, using a computer, tablet or phone you already have without having to buy anything extra. Although some therapists’ rates are exactly the same for in person or online therapy, those other costs add up. Plus, some therapists have different rates specifying a lower rate for virtual clients. Think about it, you’re saving money on all those things I mentioned, but so is the therapist. They’re also not having to travel anywhere other than their office (which they’d be at anyway), not printing out handouts or info or giving you packets to fill out in person. All these little things add up which can save you money in the long run.
If you’d like to learn more about me and the services I offer virtually, click here.
