The online world that now takes up much of our lives is complex as our overall assertions as to how it has benefited or hampered us individually or societally as a whole.
It would not be easy to state either way categorically as to whether it's improved our day-to-day existence, but there are demonstrable examples of positive strides it has taken us in.
During the coronavirus, we were greatly restricted, both literally and figuratively, and the internet helped us cope. It became a force for good in many aspects, and in some fields and industries, this was clearer than in others.
The Rise in Online Therapy
The ever-growing move to conducting therapy online took a massive leap during the COVID crisis and hasn't looked back. Generally speaking, those of us who elect to have therapy sessions have greatly benefitted from in-person sessions, though clearly, the move to having these appointments online is a relatively new development, and comparisons between the two are somewhat anecdotal.
On the whole, any factor that helps persuade an individual to experience the benefits of therapy will always be a plus.
Not so long ago, many of us would be reluctant to discuss our therapy sessions with others, and the whole avenue of doing so was not something that we advertised. Thankfully attitudes to therapy, in all its forms, have changed, and these conditions have played a part in the success of online treatment too.
The rise in online therapy has been frankly monumental. From a financial perspective, the industry’s size is expected to grow by 27% over the next four years, and we are talking about a market worth in excess of $9 billion in the US alone.
So what is fueling this growth, and how might the apparent advantages of online therapy work for you?
Why Online Therapy Might Work for You
Online therapy has many benefits, and it's easy to see why so many are choosing to conduct their sessions remotely; here are some reasons for this seachange.
Less Expensive Than In-Person Therapy
The cost of an online session is generally speaking less than an in-person visit, and then there are, of course, fewer related expenses in terms of traveling and other costs. These savings work in both directions. In the realm of online mental health services, BetterHelp is a dynamic and user-centric platform. Users often wonder that "Is BetterHelp covered by insurance?" BetterHelp typically does not directly accept insurance. However, they may provide invoices for users to seek potential reimbursement.
Practitioners will have less overhead costs, and individual therapists are now commonly aligning themselves to providers while often taking their sessions from home, which helps to save them money also.
Accessibility and Choice
Where you live may not be awash with therapists. Indeed, perhaps if you are in a remote community, you can not access any such services at all. Where you live may also dictate the quality of options; in other words, you are stuck with what you have available in your vicinity.
The online equivalent brings you greater choice and accessibility. This is pretty much a universal benefit of online services and one that is definitely relevant for the therapy sector.
In the internet age, you can also find out a great deal more about the potential therapist or provider that you'll be working with. Helping to give you much-needed peace of mind ahead of your
More Approachable
This is more relevant for those who are not overly keen on taking therapy sessions though they may actually want to. Some individuals are not comfortable with the concept of seeing a therapist. The slight chance they might bump into someone on the way to an appointment or, god forbid, see them in the waiting area could be what's preventing them from seeking much-needed help.
Online therapy makes the whole process more palatable for some. Sadly, the stigma about mental health is very much alive and well and moves in both directions.
In other words, there are some who may well benefit from therapy but feel that looking for such help is something of a personal failing. Additionally, societally, there are still some who deem therapy to be unnecessary or perhaps a negative process as a whole.
If the whole interaction takes place in the comfort of one's home, then there are fewer barriers to overcome.
Technological Advances
Online therapy can occur via a visual link or by a phone call, and in both these cases, technology has made our connection, in every sense of the word, far more amenable.
During the coronavirus pandemic, we all made use of video conferencing services like Zoom, either for work or to stay in touch with friends and family, and the technological leaps made in recent years mean that the appointments conducted in this way are as similar to being face to face with a therapist as possible.
Similarly, if your consultation or session is via a phone call, the quality of service is now far more acceptable and consistent. All of this makes the idea of online therapy far more agreeable.
The Potential Downsides
It would be remiss not to outline potential downsides connected to online therapy, though they are not as numerous as you might find if you produced a similar list for offline sessions.
It's well-known that some online therapy services may not be covered by some insurance companies, though this may well change as the practice becomes more and more commonplace.
There are some concerns about patient data and privacy, which are understandable given that much of your information will inevitably leave an online footprint. Finally, in some instances, as your therapist may not be geographically close to you, there is some scope for there being issues in terms of emergency situations, where they may not be able to adequately assist in a timely manner.
All of these concerns are valid, but some could also be just as relevant for offline therapy providers and services.
