We all go through some ups and downs in our life that hamper our physical and mental health. Some of us recover after a few days, while some need to see a therapist.
However, finding a good psychotherapist isn’t as easy as it sounds. Even if you find one, it’s challenging to manage time to join a session, both for the therapist and the client.
In recent years, online counseling has become quite popular. People with different mental health problems are relying on an online therapist for their treatment.
Apart from the patient, online counseling is quite helpful to the therapist as well. That’s why most of them are getting interested in online therapy jobs.
This article looks into some genuine reasons for the increasing popularity of online counseling.
1. Online Counseling is Convenient.
Commuting to a therapist every day is time-consuming, especially if you live in a place with heavy traffic. Online counseling helps you to get your service at your home with the utmost comfort.
It’s tough for someone with depression or anxiety to get into the car and driving across the town for an appointment. On the other hand, if you have a device with an internet connection, you can talk to your therapist anytime, and from anywhere you want.
2. It Helps to Keep in Touch.
Sometimes, patients stop going to the therapist after a few sessions. It’s because they become tired and frustrated due to move. It leaves the therapy incomplete, which can be a severe problem in the future.
With online counseling, a patient can keep in touch with the therapist 24/7. Even after their regular session, they can communicate with each other whenever needed, meaning that you will never have to stop your session.
3. Online Counseling is Accessible to Everyone.
Accessibility is the best part of online counseling. You might live in a place where there’s no psychiatrist nearby. You may have to commute for miles or fly to another city to get better treatment.
However, if you have a device with a good internet connection, you can talk to your therapist even if they are not from the same country as yours. If you’re a therapist, it will let you help people across geographical distance.
4. It is Affordable.
Treatments of mental health problems are quite expensive as they require a lot of sessions. You have to pay the doctors bills each time you visit them, plus there are some transportation costs as well.
Online counseling can save you from this problem. Compared to other conventional methods, this one is quite affordable for both the patient and the therapist.
Being an online counselor can save you from renting a physical office, which is pretty expensive and might need a lot of sessions to cover that cost. Now you can have a chat with your patient from your home.
5. Online Counseling Can Ensure Privacy & Comfort.
Not everyone is comfortable with face-to-face counseling. Besides, some people do not want to see a psychiatrist as they are concerned about their privacy.
A 2018 research published in the Frontiers of Psychology found that around 35% of students preferred online counseling over face-to-face counseling.
It’s because you can be anonymous while having a treatment online. You can use a codename if you want. Even if you share your name or other information online, they will never leak your information.
Sometimes it’s difficult to express your problem to your therapist when you’re in front of them. However, you can easily discuss your problems with them online.
6. It Offers Fewer No Shows.
Nothing can be more frustrating than not having enough patients at your chamber. No matter whatever the reason, when a patient doesn’t come to visit the doctor even after an appointment, it can be a problem for the therapist.
However, now this problem can be solved, thanks to online counseling. You can easily talk to your patients anytime, anywhere. You don’t have to be in your office. Just log in to your device and chat with them.
Bottom Line
Online therapy is getting popular day by day, and there are good reasons behind it.
Whether you have a mental problem or relationship problem, you want to solve them in private. Online counseling can be the best choice if you care for your privacy and comfort.
Besides, most people hate to go out and socialize when they are depressed or having some other mental problems. In that case, it’s hard to convince them for face-to-face counseling.
If you’re a therapist and planning to go online, it’s the right time. Fewer therapists are offering this service, meaning that you will have less competition. Besides, it’s convenient for you as you don’t need an office to treat your patients.
