Online Counseling: Can You Get the Same Benefits Over the Internet?

Traditional mental health counseling comes with countless benefits.

12:07 16 June 2021

Improved communication, increased self-esteem, relief from mental health conditions and disorders, and improved problem-solving abilities are just a few. But when the counseling process is moved online and becomes virtual, do patients still receive the same benefits? In this article, we’ll get into the details of online counseling and how it compares to its more traditional counterpart. Read on to learn more!

 

• Studies have shown that online counseling via live video chat is just as effective as face-to-face counseling. Although many people tend to question the effectiveness of online counseling, whether the process takes place in person or online doesn’t seem to have much of an impact. In fact, the variable that plays the largest role in the effectiveness of the process is the commitment and effort of the person receiving counseling! The more sessions attended and the more frequently lessons learned in counseling are implemented in daily life, the more you’ll notice positive effects from the process.
  
  
• Online counseling tends to be more affordable than traditional counseling. On average, online counseling platforms have much lower rates. Some platforms accept insurance, and others provide financial assistance depending on income. If price is a big factor in your choice between face-to-face counseling and online counseling, it’s a good idea to look into the various platforms to compare prices.
  
  
• Online counseling platforms make services more accessible than ever before. For those who live in rural areas or don’t have access to transportation, online counseling is especially helpful. In addition, those who live with disabilities and other conditions that may prevent them from being able to easily travel to a counselor’s office can also benefit greatly from the amazing accessibility of online counseling services. To attend an online counseling session, all you need is a smartphone, tablet, or computer and a stable internet connection.
  
  
• Unlike traditional counseling, most online counseling platforms offer the option for a daily check-in. The majority of online counseling platforms provide a space where you can send messages to your counselor anytime with the guarantee that they will respond once a day. This is very different from traditional counseling, where it’s typically necessary to wait until your next session to speak to your counselor about any comments, questions, or concerns you have. Using the messaging feature to essentially have a daily check-in with your counselor can be extremely helpful in staying on the path to improvement and getting the full support you need. 
  
  
• It’s simple and easy for your counselor to share additional resources with you. Online counseling platforms typically have a “private room” that you and your counselor can both access to send messages anytime. Imagine you’re questioning whether a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder fits your experience with mental health issues. Your counselor could send over this assessment from Mind Diagnostics so that you can get a better idea of whether or not you may be living with BPD. They might even go over the assessment with you, evaluating your response to questions regarding symptoms like feeling empty inside, engaging in self-harm, and feeling detached from reality, which can indicate BPD. Your counselor could also send over informational articles, book recommendations, links to online support groups, and other helpful resources.
  
  
• Online counseling is more customizable than traditional counseling. One of the coolest things about online counseling is that you get to choose the way you wish to communicate with your counselor. Maybe you prefer live video sessions, since they’re the most similar to what you would experience in a more traditional setting. Or maybe talking face-to-face isn’t as comfortable for you as a phone call or live chat where you can type messages back and forth to your counselor in real-time. In addition, most online counseling platforms make it very easy to switch counselors if you aren’t clicking with the first professional you were matched with. The schedules and available appointments for online counseling tend to be more flexible as well, so you can really customize the time of your session to fit your schedule. Plus, you can attend your online counseling sessions from pretty much anywhere in the world, as long as it has a stable internet connection! In these ways, you can truly customize the counseling experience to fit your needs and preferences. 

 

The Bottom Line

 

There’s no arguing against the fact that there are some differences between traditional face-to-face counseling and online counseling. But the data shows that live online video sessions can provide the same results as in-person counseling, so your choice between the two really comes down to personal preference! If you’re interested in a more affordable, accessible, and customizable counseling experience, it’s a great idea to check out the various online counseling platforms and see if you’d benefit from what they have to offer.