Considering Online Therapy? Find Out the Benefits and Concerns

| Updated on March 27, 2024
Considering Online Therapy

The world has evolved. With just a tap on a smartphone app or the click of a mouse, you can reach out to a therapist.

While an open dialog with a professional counselor can address your struggles, calm you down, and bring a positive change in your mindset, there are factors to take into account when considering online therapy. But first, let’s see the upsides.

BetterHelp is an online portal that provides mental health services. Here’s a review on Betterhelp by a therapist — not only do they have a team of experienced and licensed therapists, but they also check all the boxes in terms of affordability, quality, and client satisfaction. You can get in touch with them to find the best therapist to support and guide you!

It is Convenient

With online therapy, you can access counseling from the convenience and warmth of your home. There’s no need to travel long miles to meet up with your therapist — just log in to a site or dial a number, and your therapy session will begin.

Without the overhead of a commute, you’d be left with more time in your day to invest in yourself!

Online Therapy is Less Expensive

Most online counseling apps charge a nominal weekly or monthly fee for unlimited use, while the pricing for in-office visits is significantly higher. If your health insurance does not cover therapy for mental health, this can be a benefit. 

Online Communication is More Comfortable

Online therapy sessions usually take place over phone calls, emails, or text messages.

These methods of communication are far more agreeable, especially when it comes to talking about personal feelings and struggles. In comparison, an in-person dialog can create a hesitation barrier that may prevent you from sharing what you need to.

Thus, online therapy is more comfortable and arguably more effective than in-office therapy.

Ease of Access

Depending on where you reside, the nearest therapist may be an hour or two drive away. This is a nightmare for people with tight routines, disabilities, or chronic illnesses.

So, if you’re short on time or can’t leave your home easily, online counseling gives you a choice to access and receive therapy without trouble.

What to Consider Before Choosing Online Therapy?

Despite the numerous advantages, you need to consider these factors before signing up for online therapy:

Is the Therapist Licensed? 

Licensure laws protect you. They ensure that only those that are qualified to perform psychotherapy receive a license. Therefore, before you sign up for any online counseling services, make sure to find out:

  • Who are you working with
  • If they have a license.

Most places maintain an online database that contains information about the licensed professionals in that state — you can use it to verify the qualification and credibility of your online therapist.

Will Your Information Remain Confidential?

Therapy and trust go hand-in-hand. Therapy works because psychologists assure their clients that they have a private and confidential space to share their personal stories, thoughts, and emotions.

Except for a few situations, what happens between a client and a therapist should remain between the client and the therapist.

So, at the very least, make sure the online therapy site is secure and HIPAA-compliant. All in all, online therapy is effective and beneficial for anyone in need of counseling. However, you should be careful in choosing who you work with.


Priyam Ghosh

Medtech and Internet Writer


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