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Reviewed by: How Does Online Counseling Work?
Patients seeking mental health counseling can now see therapists online at their convenience and often at a lower rate than seeing a counselor in-person.
In reality, online counseling is pretty similar to in-person care. If you’ve had an in-person appointment before, you can expect to see much of the same in your online appointment.
Online therapists commonly practice CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), as well as many other therapeutic modalities, and sessions run just short of an hour. Services like PlushCare allow you to log into their site and join a virtual session with a board-certified therapist.
Your therapist will:
- Review your mental health history
- Review your medications and existing diagnoses
- And then jump into your appointment
Each appointment is essentially a problem-solving session. You describe your current situation and your feelings about it, and then the therapist uses their expertise to assist you in trying to resolve your issues so you can live happier and tackle the problems weighing you down.
Of course, every therapist is different, every client is unique, and every therapist-client relationship is distinct. As such, there is no pattern that every individual session must follow.
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Browse our network of top therapist to find one that matches your needs.
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Get private and secure emotional support weekly from your dedicated therapist.
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Experience comprehensive care with unlimited access to your care team and primary care physician.
The Benefits of Online Counseling
Online therapy has been proven to be as effective as in-person mental healthcare for many conditions including anxiety, depression, stress, relationship problems, work issues, sleep issues, and more. According to one study in the Canadian Medical Journal, “…in some cases, online CBT was even more effective than traditional in-person therapy.”
While it’s not for everyone, particularly for those with complex diagnoses, many find online therapy to be a convenient, life-changing alternative to traditional in-person solutions.
Here are some of the reasons people may choose online counseling.
- Online counseling is often less expensive than traditional therapy.
- Online counseling allows those who can’t get to an office — due to long commute times, lack of transportation, or disability — access to mental health services.
- Speaking to a counselor online can be a less intimidating option than speaking to a therapist in person.
- Online counseling opens the doors to more flexibility in scheduling your appointments.
- Those who are embarrassed or shy may find the relative anonymity of online therapy very helpful.
- Many services also allow you to browse therapists to determine which counselor may work best for you.
How Much Does an Online Therapist Cost?
The cost of online counseling is going to vary greatly depending on what service you choose. Some providers offer only subscription counseling that costs between $65 and $99 per week. That gets pricey really fast!
On average, you should expect to pay about $100 for online counseling. But again, many providers offer subscription services, which can make it far more expensive depending on how much you use the service.
At PlushCare you can meet with a top online therapist for just $65 a session. Unlike many other therapy sites that offer text therapy, at PlushCare you get to video chat with your therapist for 45 minutes, weekly.
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Browse our network of top therapist to find one that matches your needs.
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Get private and secure emotional support weekly from your dedicated therapist.
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Experience comprehensive care with unlimited access to your care team and primary care physician.
Can an Online Counselor Prescribe Medication?
Online counselors, therapists and social workers cannot prescribe medication. However, if an online therapist believes you will benefit from medication, they may recommend you book an appointment with a doctor who can prescribe antidepressants and other medications.
PlushCare is proud to offer convenient, reliable, and affordable virtual doctor’s appointments you can access from the comfort of your home. Together, our virtual therapists and doctors will work to ensure you get the help you deserve.
Click here to book an appointment with one of PlushCare’s doctors. If our doctors believe you would be best treated with medication, they can write you a prescription to be picked up at your local pharmacy.
If you like to start by talking to a therapist, book an appointment here.
Read More About Online Counseling
Sources
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. The Effectiveness of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders. Accessed on December 17, 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5659300/
Mayo Clinic. Suicide and Suicidal Thoughts. Accessed on December 17, 2020 at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/suicide/symptoms-causes/syc-20378048
