Are you considering virtual options for mental health services? Get Centered Counseling offers virtual counseling that can help you work through a wide range of mental health issues from the comfort of your home. From relationship issues to life transitions to other issues that affect the quality of your daily life, our professional counselors can provide online counseling that, in most cases, is as effective as in person counseling.
How Does Virtual or Online Therapy Work?
As an alternative to in-person counseling, virtual or online therapy allows clients and professional counseors to connect remotely. Depending on the provider and client’s preference, virtual or online therapy can take place over video conferencing or through remote software.
Online therapy works similarly to in-person counseling but makes the service accessible from your computer, phone or tablet. Clients can attend their sessions from home or any other place where they have a data connection, and they work with their counselor to understand their concerns and satisfy therapeutic objectives.
Is It Just as Effective as In-Person Counseling?
Many studies have evidence that online therapy is just as effective as in-person counseling across a range of mental health conditions. In some cases, in-person counseling may better suit specific or severe mental health conditions if they require more intensive or supervised treatment or if clients also have disabilities that make online mental health care a challenge.
The client’s level of engagement matters to the outcome of the treatment for all forms of counseling. For various reasons, some clients may find a virtual session more comfortable and convenient, and others may prefer traditional face-to-face counseling.
Benefits of Online Counseling
Online counseling can offer significant advantages to clients. The possible benefits of virtual counseling include:
Convenience
Many people find the schedule, location or other logistics of in-person counseling don’t align with their personal obligations and make it hard to commit to consistent treatment. Online counseling eliminates the need to travel to an office, and clients can fit their sessions into their day with more flexibility. Clients can also access state-licensed counselors from anywhere in their state.
Comfort
Many people find it easier to get into potentially uncomfortable or vulnerable topics when they’re in their own comfortable space at home, making counseling a more approachable concept. This may be especially true for those who aren’t ready to share their space with others, whether due to significant anxiety, depression, phobias or other conditions.
Accessibility for Physical Limitations
Online counseling removes many barriers to treatment for clients with physical disabilities. With less concern for travel logistics and having access to the comfort of their own home, many clients dealing with physical disability or chronic illness experience less stress or pain when they opt for virtual treatment.
How Long Does Online Counseling Take to Produce Results?
The timeline to see results from online counseling depends on the individual’s circumstances, treatment needs, frequency of sessions, and other factors. Some clients experience noticeable improvement within a few weeks, and others find that ongoing treatment better addresses their needs.
Contact our office today to learn more or to schedule an online counseling session with one of our mental health professionals.