A Beginner’s Guide to Online Counseling

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Mental health counseling has been available as an online resource for over 20 years. However, in recent years, online therapy has taken off. And when the COVID-19 pandemic took hold around the world, it became a critically valuable tool for both those seeking counseling for the first time and long-time clients. 

Game-changers in online therapy

The rising popularity in online counseling services was well underway before the COVID-19 pandemic imposed new limitations on face-to-face services. As virtual conferencing technology has improved, it has become easier for practitioners to offer a more traditional counseling experience virtually. Organizations specializing in virtual mental health services have grown rapidly as the pandemic took hold. Local and regional mental health services have also turned increasingly to online resources to meet the needs of clients during this unprecedented time.

Efficacy and Benefits of Online Counseling

As telehealth services have grown rapidly, there is enormous potential to provide greater access to mental health care. Additionally, studies have shown online mental health services are as effective and in some cases more effective as in-person sessions. This is especially true for counseling or therapy conducted over video conferencing technology. There really is every reason to be optimistic about the potential for growth in mental health care access.

Accessibility

One of the most significant advantages to online counseling is the greater accessibility it offers. For those who would like to explore counseling but find that a weekly visit to a therapist’s office is too great a demand on their time, being able to participate in counseling from there home is an invaluable option. This can be an especially valuable tool for busy working parents, or those with other health considerations to manage. Online services dramatically increase access for those who live in rural areas for whom medical services can be limited.

Beyond the convenience of location, online counseling may offer a greater range of scheduling options. This can include more session availability in evenings or on weekends. This allows individuals with little flexibility in their day-to-day to still find time for the care that they need. 

Overcoming stigma

Finally, it is still unfortunately the case that for many, seeking mental health care carries a stigma. While campaigns like Instagram’s #HereForYou campaign or World Mental Health Day are making progress, we have a ways to go. Though advocates continue to make headway on changing mass perceptions about mental health, online therapy offers a unique opportunity. For individuals who are considering therapy but feel held back by stigma, going to a therapist’s office may be intimidating. Online mental health care is a wonderful solution in these cases; offering a simple, low-key, easy to access means of getting the help they need. Virtual care can then be a pathway to getting critical mental healthcare in addition to creating an overall healthier outlook on mental wellness. 

Creating a relationship with your online therapist

“It can take a little more time to feel connected to someone when you are meeting only virtually,” says Rera. “But what you miss in body language cues or in-person conversation, you gain in other ways: how the client decorates their house, what they show in the background of the session, if their space is loud or quiet, and whether they have privacy at home.” 

So, give it some time with your online counselor, even if you don’t feel a strong connection at first. Even though we’ve all grown accustomed to Zoom meetings over the last year, online therapy can still take some getting used to. The trusting relationship that is key to the success of therapy can take additional time.

How can you set yourself up for success in online therapy?

While we all face constraints in the space we have to work with, there are a few key strategies to keep in mind as you prepare for an online counseling session. Rera encourages her clients not to use their bedroom, if possible. She explained that it is better to “contain” emotional content from sessions in a different space than where you sleep. However, she also notes that noise or distractions in the room can be important to consider. External activities or people can impact how comfortable a client is while discussing what they are feeling. Rera says privacy and quiet are key; minimize distractions and create a space that is just yours for the duration of your session.

Notable differences to in-person sessions

For some, teletherapy can lead to some incredible work, Rera says. Be it the comfort of being in one’s own home or the opportunity to control aspects of their external presentation. She says she has seen clients open up more easily than in in-person and make remarkable progress. This can vary greatly, of course, and depends on what any individual needs to feel safe and comfortable within session. 

Finally, Rera notes that while there may be some additional challenges to navigate—technology, finding space and privacy—online therapy can make a significant difference in a person’s life. And if it is the most accessible way for you to seek services, you should. This is especially true given the stressors of COVID-19 and racial injustice we have navigated this year. 

“I believe everyone should try therapy,” Rera says. “And what I love most about telehealth is how accessible this care has become for those who may otherwise struggle with transpiration, mobility, or other barriers to care.”

If you want to try online therapy or are seeking in-person counseling services, contact Maria Droste Counseling Center.

Written by Chloe Heskett