Is Online Therapy Right For Me?
Online therapy and counseling is growing in popularity. (Who hasn't heard those ads on Spotify?) But, how do you know if online therapy is right for you or your teen? How do you choose a good licensed therapist / psychologist? What red flags should you consider when searching for a therapist? Will online therapy be able to help with your specific problems?
Hi, I am Dr. Delozier. a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in using online therapy to empower teens, tweens, and adults in overcoming life’s challenges and transitions. As someone who has been doing this for years and loves what I do, I wrote this blog post to help you sort out whether online therapy is a good choice for you or your teen.
Online Therapy Vs In-person Therapy
Online therapy, also known as virtual therapy/counseling, or telehealth has been shown to be equally effective as in-person therapy for the most common problems for which people present for treatment, such as anxiety, depression, addiction, etc.
In fact, online therapy has been around for some sometime; although, it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that the option surged into popularity. This is because the many restrictions that limited telehealth practice (e.g., insurance limitations) were lifted out of necessity at that time. At least one good thing came from that exceptionally awful time.
Now, many providers offer online therapy as a service in addition to, or in lieu of, in-person services. This has been a huge benefit to the field, increasing accessibility of mental health services to a number of people.
Online therapy is a great way to receive mental health care that fits your schedule, but there are pros, cons, and red flags to consider before making your choice.
Benefits of Online Therapy for Teens & Adults
Convenience. The number one benefit my clients cite of online therapy is the convenience of accessing their therapist without having to load up and go to an office across town.
Approachability. For many, the act of starting therapy is intimidating or overwhelming. Online therapy tends to be more approachable and easier to start, meaning they start getting better faster. Adolescents, in particular, tend to prefer online therapy. To learn more about online therapy for teens, check out this blog post I wrote on the subject.
Accessibility. For folks with physical or health limitations, online therapy can be a huge relief of trying to navigate less-than accessible spaces or fit in mental health appointments around an already busy health care schedule.
Rural or Remote Areas. Most people have access to good-enough internet, which is all you need to get started with online therapy. This is great news for folks in remote areas with limited therapist options or long drives that don’t work for their schedules.
Cons of Online Therapy
Not Appropriate for Some with Serious Mental Illness. Some folks need a higher level of care than online therapy can offer. For them, residential treatment or in-person sessions may be a better fit.
Requires internet or cellular connection. If you do not have an internet capable device, then online therapy will (for obvious reasons) not work for you.
Preference. Lastly, some people just prefer in-person treatment and do not require or value the convenience of online therapy. This is a totally fine reason to go with in-person treatment. Both options can be equally effective, if you prefer in-person treatment and don’t need the flexibility of online services, then in-person may be the right choice for you.
Red Flags When Choosing a Good Therapist
Does not post their licensing credentials. For example, I post my licenses (Oklahoma and Mississippi) and education background on my website.
Does not have a website or online presence. You do not need a website to be a great therapist! But, if you say you specialize in online therapy and do not have a website, well, that is concerning to me.
Does not have a plan for protecting your personal health information online. This is important, just because a therapist operates online, does not mean your confidentiality goes out the window. They should be able to explain their practices for protecting your privacy when asked.
Makes specific promises. A good therapist knows that everyone is difference and they cannot make guarantees. If someone promises to “cure you in 3 months” run. This is a very common strategy I see marketed by unlicensed “professionals” online.
And lastly, other therapist have concerns about them. With the increase in demand for online therapy, a few mega companies have stepped in to take advantage of the looming mental health crisis. These large mental health companies are undermining the online therapy space by using very questionable marketing, employment, and privacy policies that seem to violate ethical codes. Unfortunately, we can’t speak openly about such companies without threat of a law suit, but there is worry in the field about the harm that could be caused by their practices.
To learn more about hot to choose the right therapist for you, check out this blog post I wrote here.
Getting Started With Therapy
The fact that you are reading this means you are ready to make a change.
Congratulations on taking the first step toward healing! I know the process of selecting a therapist is confusing and I want to help in any way I can. (Even if that means referring you to someone else.)
Reach out to me here to let me help you get started.
- Dr. Alli
