Online Therapy: Worth It or Not?
The onset of COVID brought on a total revamp of how health care could be delivered. Albeit the concept of tele-therapy is gaining attention in recent years - it has long been offered as an adjunct to in-person therapy when clients need additional support during an unforeseen crisis or are unable to make office visits due to scheduling conflicts. Virtual therapy is also a convenient option for expats and humanitarians, travelers and wanders, professionals who travel a lot for work, those with progressive fast-paced and modern lifestyles, and most importantly for folks that otherwise may not have access to high-quality mental health care.
As web-based applications continue to transform and adapt to modern needs, people are turning to a remote therapy model as their preferred mode of treatment because it eliminates barriers that would otherwise prevent them from receiving help. If you are a new mother, a stay-at-home dad, a busy graduate student or a doctor working 12-hour shifts, you can continue to prioritize your self-care by turning to virtual therapy.
What are some of the benefits of online therapy?
- Increased accessibility to quality health care if you live in a remote area
- No stress about missing your therapy appointment due to a delayed subway train
- No expenses for transportation to your appointment, coupled with an hour long drive in peak traffic
- Easy and comfortability of being in your own chosen space
- Access if your mental health diagnosis is what limits you from seeking care
- Wide range of communication methods (share and upload journal entries, use a virtual whiteboard, chat your therapist about the weeks updates)
Research shows that therapy from a distance can be just as effective as in-person therapy. It indicates that tele-therapy clients reported improved mental health after a month of tele-therapy. Tele-therapy patients also reported similar levels of overall satisfaction and comfort as in-person ones (Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 2006).
Why choose online therapy at Repose?
Through our continued work with people all over the globe, we have learned and adapted to what works best for them. Our HIPPA compliant, secure, and state-of-the-art platform allows us to connect deeply with our clients though creative and simple means. The Simple Practice portal will allow you to send your therapist messages between sessions in the case of an emergency/re-scheduling, and upload shared documents for homework or journal entry.
Our platform exists on a web-based platform as well as in the form of an app that is downloadable on all phone models. You are able to check into your session using either your phone, laptop or any other tablet device, and we offer both video and voice sessions. We also understand that some things are more easily discussed through text rather than speech, especially disclosures that are emotionally charged. Through our secure messaging platform you are able to communicate with your therapist via instant messaging, to allow you to express yourself in the way you deem most comfortable for you.