Is Virtual Therapy Right For Me?
Since the pandemic, most therapists figured out a way to move their practice online. What many people didn’t expect, was how successful it could be. If you are considering virtual therapy, this blog can answer a few questions.
Most online therapist resources like Psychology Today or Therapy Den have a place where the therapist can mark if they are accepting virtual clients or not. If they are, that is a good place to start if looking for an online therapist.
There are a lot of similarities to what you are looking for in an in-person therapist and a virtual therapist. A therapist needs to communicate effectively, be organized, warm, responsive, respectful, nonjudgmental, and not impose their beliefs onto the client.
What to look for in an online therapist, is finding someone with a HIPAA compliant platform to conduct their video sessions, and a plan for when the technology piece fails: the therapist needs a way for clients to fill out paperwork online, be able to submit insurance for the client online (if accepting insurance), and have a place where the client can manage their schedules (for example cancellations or scheduling) themselves if needed.
These are essential elements to consider if planning to go the online therapist route. One of the most important aspects of counseling is for the client to feel safe, but also to feel like they have some autonomy on their healing journey. People want to feel seen, heard, validated, and respected. If you aren’t feeling these things with your therapist, it could help to speak out and explain what you want from the counselor relationship or look for someone else.
What is important to keep in mind with online therapy is that it can be just as effective as in person therapy, sometimes more so. Online therapy cuts down on commuting issues, needing to find a babysitter, and needing to leave work to have a session. It has cut down on late sessions, last-minute cancellations, and allows people to be in the comfort of their home. Virtual counseling can be helpful because it allows clients to feel safe in their space when revealing traumas, shameful moments, things they feel guilty about, etc.
Online therapy has been extremely effective in my practice. I have been able to help many people through this style of counseling and plan to continue indefinitely.
