Online counseling is similar to traditional counseling where the counselor talks to the person face to face alone. In online counseling, the counselor provides mental health services through internet mediums like mobile apps, websites, video conferencing, voice calls, live messaging, text messaging.
The primary tools for communicating in online therapy and counseling are:
- Video conferencing
- Text-based messaging
- Voice call
- Android or iOS apps
- Email
- Live messaging
There are different types of therapies available in online counseling. When a person wants to access online counseling, first they have to answer some questions. Then the counselor or therapist evaluates those answers and provides the correct type of therapy. Some of the common types of therapies are:
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Cognitive-behavioral therapy - Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to treat a different range of problems such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and severe mental illness.
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Family Therapy - Family therapy is a type of psychotherapy that helps the family member to communicate between them. During family therapy, the therapist tries to understand the family patterns that are contributing to those bad habits or miscommunication.
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EMDR Therapy - EMDR therapy stands for eye movement desensitization & reprocessing is a therapy that is used to relieve psychological stress. There are 8 phases in the EMDR therapy - history analysis, client preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, reevaluation of treatment effect.
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Teen Therapy - Teenage life is full of stress, anxiety, depression, and identity confusion. So with teen therapy, the counselor solves all the teen issues.
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Couples Therapy - Couples therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps couples to sort their misunderstandings, rebuild their relationship.
Benefits of Online Therapy
Following are the benefits of Online Therapy
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Easy accessibility - Conventional therapy has many barriers like you live in a remote area, or you don’t have any access to transportation. Because of technology, you can get counseling or therapy without moving out of your home. Online therapy is also very accessible for disabled people.
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Cost - Online therapy costs a lot less than conventional physical therapy. Online therapy starts at low as $30 per month. Much online therapy nowadays is covered under medical insurance.
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Convenience - You will be scheduling the therapy sessions from your place or home, time and date will be chosen by you.
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Obscurity - While speaking to the counselor's face to face, many people feel insecure. They don’t feel confident enough to talk about their mental health. With online counseling, people can easily express themselves. Online counseling cuts down the threat and increases self-confidence.
