Online Therapy | How it Works and if it’s Right For You

Online therapy is another example of how traditional services are being translated into virtual experiences that you can take with you anywhere. With a variety of online platforms, therapy, chat rooms, and general mental health services, getting treatment online has never been easier.

How Does Online Therapy Work?

Online therapy platforms are revolutionizing the way people are able to access critical treatment. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, online services were a growing industry with plenty of sites to choose from. Still, you may find yourself wondering, is online therapy legit?

Fortunately yes, online therapy is legit. Study after study has shown it to be just as effective as traditional therapy, with the added convenience of receiving treatment anywhere at any time. 

But does insurance cover online therapy? In some cases, yes. This will of course vary from one insurance plan to another, so make sure to ask your insurance provider. Also be sure to check that the online therapy platform you’re using takes your insurance, before booking.

What to Consider Before Trying Online Therapy

• What kind of therapy are you looking for? If you’ve been to therapy before consider what you liked and didn’t like from in-person therapy. If you’re new to therapy, take a look below at some important questions to consider when choosing an online service.
• How often do you want treatment? Is it important for you to have several appointments a week, or do you just want a monthly check up?
• How would you like to communicate with your therapist? Over video chat, over the phone, through text, or email, a combination of these?
• What is your budget? There are a variety of price points for any budget in online therapy.
• What kind of therapy are you looking for? There’s individual or couple’s therapy, career therapy, grief therapy, family therapy, etc. Take the time to consider what it is you’re seeking help for.
• What kind of environment do you want to take your therapy in? We recommend finding a space that’s appropriate for therapy where you can give it your full attention and have complete privacy. Similarly, you’re going to need good wifi or cell service if you’re on the phone or video chatting to ensure there are no interruptions during your session

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Read: How Much Does Online Therapy Cost?

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Why Online Therapy is Gaining Traction

Online therapy is gaining traction for a number of reasons. First, let’s address the obvious: COVID-19. Like most things in our lives, therapy services have been forced to go online for the time being due to social distancing policy.

It’s simply not safe to be in another room with someone who might be sick, and wearing masks during a therapy session can be distracting, and for that reason, therapy went virtual. However, long before COVID-19 struck, online platforms were hosting thousands of therapists for you to talk to.

Online therapy just makes sense. In this age, we communicate with one another constantly using our phones and computers. So, it’s only natural that therapy, a service at its core about communication, was made possible and popular online.

By expanding therapy into online platforms, the number of people who have access to these services goes up, costs are reduced, and new benefits emerge.

How to Find an Online Therapist and What to Ask Before Starting Treatment

Unlike in-person therapy, finding an online therapist can be a very structured process.

Before starting therapy, make sure to have answers to the following question:

• Do they take your insurance?
• What are their areas of expertise?
• How much experience do they have?
• Where did your prospective therapist or psychiatrist go to school?
• Do they have specialty board certifications?

Just as with in-person therapy, you might find it useful to get a personal recommendation for a specific service. Having a friend or family member point you in the right direction can give you the extra boost of confidence in a service that might actually get you to sign up!

Additionally, your primary care physician can be a great starting point. The PCPs at PlushCare often help patients find mental health treatment, and can even provide mental health prescriptions themselves.

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Read: How to Find a Therapist

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Difference Between an Online Therapist and an Online Psychiatrist

Online therapists and an online psychiatrists differ in the same ways online as they do in-person

• A therapist is a mental health expert, trained to help individuals resolve issues with their thoughts, emotions, behavior, and relationships. The term “therapist” is used to refer to a wide range of specialists who provide a variety of treatment and rehabilitative options.
• A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who, like a therapist, specializes in mental health issues. However, a psychiatrist is qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems. They are trained as physicians, and perform both medical and psychological tests to provide a concrete background of a person’s physical and mental state. In this way, a psychiatrist can write prescriptions for medication, such as antidepressants, that therapists cannot. 

Does PlushCare Offer Mental Health Services?

At PlushCare, we’re proud to offer the best online therapy service available in California.

Therapy patients frequently report feeling less anxious, improved self esteem, and general mood improvements.

Click here to set up an appointment with one of our California licensed therapists who you can talk to you from the comfort of your home. 

Still not sure if therapy is right for you? Take the assessment below to find out.

Assessment: Do I Need Therapy?

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Read More About Online Therapy

• How to Speak to an Online Psychiatrist
• Can You Buy Anxiety Medication Online?
• Find Affordable Online Therapy

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Article sources

apa.org. A growing wave of online therapy. Accessed on July 9, 2020. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/02/online-therapy

apa.org. What you need to know before choosing online therapy. Accessed on July 9, 2020. https://www.apa.org/topics/online-therapy

tandfonline.com. Best Practice in Online Therapy. Accessed on November 9, 2020. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15228830802097257?casa_token7