Online Mental Health Services

Online Mental Health Help

Anyone struggling with their mental health knows that it can feel crippling, and reaching out for help can be very overwhelming. Luckily, access to mental health services like therapy and psychiatry, as well as Primary Care, is rapidly expanding as these services become more readily available online. 

If difficult feelings or emotions are getting in the way of your daily life, you can now easily get the mental health help you need from the comfort of your own home.

What Is Online Counseling?

Online mental health platforms, also called online therapy, telehealth or e-counseling, offer a variety of benefits when compared to traditional in-person mental health services, including accessibility and affordability. 

According to a 2016 study in the Telemedicine Journal E-Health, “Effective approaches to the long-term management of mental illness include monitoring, surveillance, mental health promotion, mental illness prevention, and biopsychosocial treatment programs. The empirical evidence presented in this article demonstrates the capability of [telemental health] to perform these functions more efficiently and as well as or more effectively than in-person care.”

People choose online therapy for many reasons, such as caregiver needs at home, mobility issues, or a tight work schedule. Some other key benefits of online mental health services include:

No Need to Leave Home

The biggest benefit of online mental health services is that you don’t need to leave your home to receive care. Symptoms people commonly experience, such as anxiety and depression, can feel crippling, and the thought of venturing out  to an appointment with a stranger is often too overwhelming for many people.

Additionally, some people in rural areas lack access to nearby mental health services. People with physical limitations may also find it hard to leave home for treatment. With online mental health services, you can have a phone or video appointment with a licensed therapist or doctor from your home, your office, or another private space of your choosing.

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Read: How Do I Ask My Doctor For Anxiety Medication?

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Affordability

Mental health services can be costly, and some insurance plans don’t fully cover therapy or medication costs. Most online therapists in private practice charge the same fee for in-person or online sessions. Online mental health services such as PlushCare are often much more affordable than in-person therapists.

At PlushCare, we offer a rate of $119 per therapy session or $99 for weekly sessions. Please note that PlushCare online therapy services currently vary between states, so be sure to check to see what’s available where you live.

Convenience

With online mental health counseling, you can have an appointment whenever and wherever you are most comfortable. There is no need to take extra time off work to drive across town for an appointment.

People in rural areas or those who have a hard time leaving their homes can benefit significantly from increased access to online mental health services. 

In addition, with online therapy you can see a therapist who practices anywhere in the state you live in, so you’re not limited by geography.

Reduced Stigma

Fortunately,  the stigma surrounding mental health and getting care for mental health issues is decreasing. However, with online mental health services, nobody needs to know you’re getting help, there are no strangers in a waiting room, and your sessions are simply between you and your therapist.  

Easier to Open Up

These days, most of us spend much of our lives online. As a result, it can be easier to open up to somebody on a screen than in-person. There may be less worry about feeling judged when you’re not in the same room with someone.

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Related Quiz: Do I Need Therapy?

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Can I Chat with a Therapist Online? How Do I Sign Up for Online Counseling?

Telehealth platforms such as PlushCare offer licensed therapists to help you deal with various mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, online from any device.

They offer convenient, reliable, and affordable virtual doctor appointments you can access from the comfort of your home. Together, our therapists and doctors will work to ensure you get the help you deserve. 

If our therapists believe you will benefit from medication, they may recommend you book an appointment with one of our trusted doctors, who can write you an appropriate prescription for your needs.

Is Online Therapy Right For You?

Online therapy is a great fit for many people, but may not work for some.  During your initial consultation with an online therapist, he or she can determine if online therapy fits your needs.

Online therapy services are not the best fit for:

• Clients presenting with serious psychiatric illness, active suicidal thoughts or active thoughts of harm to self or others. In these situations, please seek immediate assistance by going to your nearest hospital or by calling 911.
• Crisis services or responses to crisis situations.
• Clients who require regular therapeutic attention outside scheduled session times.
• Other situations deemed a poor fit.

Please note that telehealth platforms can treat not all mental health conditions online and that mental health services are not currently available nationwide. Additionally, our online doctors can prescribe many of the most common mental health medications, but they cannot prescribe certain controlled substances such as Adderall and Xanax.

Click here to book an appointment with one of PlushCare’s trusted therapists or doctors today!

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Read More About Online Mental Health Services

• Mental Health Counseling Online
• Depression Treatment Online
• Anxiety Treatment Online
• ​​Online Therapy in Your State

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