Why You Should Give Online Counseling A Chance

If you’ve seen advertisements for online counseling platforms, you may have wondered if they’re worth the hype, or if traditional face-to-face counseling is the way to go. You may have even questioned whether the counselors on these platforms are legitimate! In this article, we’ll shed some light on the realities of online counseling while explaining a few reasons why you might want to give it a try.

1. You can customize the counseling experience

Not only do you get to decide the mode in which you communicate with your counselor (live video chat, audio call, live chat, or asynchronous messaging), but most platforms also allow you to switch counselors if you don’t feel that your first one is a good fit. There’s also a large variety of available session times to fit a vast array of schedules. Thanks to all of these options, you’re able to essentially customize the counseling process to best serve your mental health goals.

2. Online counseling is more affordable than traditional counseling

Online counseling platforms employ the same types of credentialed mental health professionals that you would see in traditional counseling, and studies show that online counseling is just as effective as face-to-face counseling. Still, the rates for online counseling tend to be much lower. Plus, some platforms offer financial assistance, and some others accept insurance, making the cost even more affordable.

3. You can check in with your counselor on a daily basis

In traditional counseling, it’s pretty rare to speak to your counselor between sessions. If you have an observation, a question, or want to talk about something, you’ll generally need to wait until your next session. But most online counseling platforms offer the option to message your counselor anytime with the promise that they’ll get back to you once a day. This type of daily check-in can be extremely helpful for those taking their first steps towards improving their mental health, or for those who benefit from more consistent support and communication!

4. All you need is an internet connection

The fact that you can experience all of the benefits of the counseling process as long as you have access to a phone, tablet, or computer and the internet makes online counseling extremely accessible. This is great for people who live in rural areas and don’t have traditional counselors in their area, and it’s also just convenient in general! Even if you’re on a business trip or a vacation, you can still talk to your counselor and attend any scheduled sessions if you wish to. You can attend a counseling session from nearly anywhere in the world!

5. Online counseling is totally private

If the thought of walking into a traditional counselor’s office absolutely terrifies you, or if you fear the judgment of others (even though it’s completely normal and beneficial to attend counseling), you might appreciate the fact that online counseling is totally private. If you don’t want to tell anyone that you’re in counseling, you don’t have to–everything can stay between you and your counselor.

The Bottom Line

Even if you’re not quite ready to give online counseling a chance, there’s no denying that it has some great benefits! It’s just as effective as traditional counseling, but it’s more affordable, private, and customizable. Online counseling is also extremely accessible, since all you need is an internet connection. And the fact that you can check in with your counselor once a day is a great way to stay on track on your journey to improve your mental health!