Is Online Therapy A Good Idea?
Chances are that you have plenty of gadgets in your home. Some may help you with your chores, while others are strictly for entertainment. Have you ever considered using some of your high-tech gear to take advantage of online therapy? Here’s a look at online therapy, to see if these sites are worth your time.
Are All Therapy Websites The Same?
If you have never utilized therapy or reached out for mental health support, you may be wondering are therapy websites a scam? The truth is that there is no way to know for sure if all the online sites that promise therapy online are legit or not. There may be some sites that aren’t as above board as others are. However, there are some things you can look into by doing a little research, which can help you determine if they are real or not. Keep in mind that some online therapy sites and apps are legitimate, and you can get effective treatment when you use them. Check into these details to learn more about the sites you are interested in.
- Investigate information about the counselors or therapists they employ. An above-board site will tell you about the qualifications that their therapists have or how they are selected. If they don’t specify any certifications or anything like that, stay clear of the site you are looking at.
- Read about their payment policies. If they are vague about the amount they charge, what services you get for your money, or there is no information about how you will be billed, this is a red flag.
- Check for medical stamps or banners on their pages. Usually, a legitimate site will have special links or badges that lead back to medical organizations.
- Read about their specialties, to see what conditions they can help with. If these seem too good to be true, they likely are. Not all mental health conditions can be addressed in an online setting.
- Look at any reviews that they have available on their page. When companies don’t shy away from placing reviews on their page, this is a good sign. However, when all the reviews seem similarly worded or you feel like they might be fake, you should listen to your intuition.
- Complete a few internet searches to see what others are saying about the site. Sometimes when you do an internet search for a company, you will see information about other people’s experience with the site. Read through any of these you see and make your best judgement.
Ways Online Therapy Can Help You
In the 21st century, many aspects of life are digital. You may do most of your shopping online, work remotely from home, and even video chat with your family members when you are unable to visit with them. This is why online therapy can be effective in your life. Utilizing online therapy options allows for you to get help in a setting that you are comfortable with and in a way that feels right to you. Some apps let you chat, email, text, and video call, or a mixture of these.
When you are able to use your phone to interact with a therapist, it can be as private as possible. No one has to know that you are going to therapy, and you are able to work with a counselor at times that fit into your schedule. The fees pertaining to online therapy are affordable, especially when you compare them to traditional forms of therapy.
Another positive aspect of online therapy services is that it allows therapy to be available, regardless of where you live. If you have an internet connection or a cell phone, you will be able to work with an online therapist, even in places where there are no psychiatrists in the area. This allows people to have access to mental health help that they may have never had before.
The Takeaway
When you are looking into online therapy, you should know that it is not a scam, but there may be websites that are not legitimate. Do your due diligence to find one that you want to work with and check out their website and credentials. You can also check for them on social media sites, to read about how they interact with their followers. This can give you a good idea if they are a company you want to trust for your therapy.
Marie Miguel Biography
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
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