People who aren’t engaged in therapy often create judgments that don’t exactly match reality. They saw it on TV or they heard it from a family member or friend. A lot of these perceptions are damaging and misleading.
Nowadays, online therapy is the most popular innovation in the field of therapy. A therapy session can happen anytime, anywhere, on any internet-enabled device with a camera. But there are many myths about online therapy that may scare you. For people, online therapy or online conversation is a brave new world, with its challenges.
These myths stand in the way of getting help in a much-needed way. In this article, we will bust up some myths and break down obstacles to online therapy.
Myth 1: Online Therapy is not effective:
Like anything beneficial in everyday life, whether it’s online or in-person therapy, you get out what you put in therapy. There are advantages to online sessions including less stress, convenience, and cheaper as you don’t have to travel, pay for gas, get stuck in traffic or wait in a waiting room, etc.
Online therapy is effective comparable to in-person sessions. It’s linked with positive outcomes across a wide range of issues, from anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and more. Online therapy offers an edge over in-person therapy, including care, and the ability to schedule at more convenient times, and being able to see your therapist from your chosen surroundings.
Myth 2: Can’t build a relationship with a therapist online:
You can say that this myth is partly both true and false. It can be difficult to build a relationship with your therapist online, for those who did not grow up with FaceTime or skype. But like the first meeting, where you are uncomfortable. It gets better over time and like in-person therapy, this is on your therapist to make you comfortable.
Building a relationship is key for therapy and the therapist will work hard online to make sure your relationship is full of support and trust. A therapist works hard to communicate that in any session, including online. They get feedback about the effectiveness of the sessions, whether online or in-person to make sure therapy is progressing.
Myth 3: Online Therapy is not confidential and safe:
In the last few years, online therapy has become more prevalent, ethics and licensing boards have begun to put rules and guidelines around the platforms used for online therapy. HIPAA is one of them for complaints and meets certain regulations and standards. The online therapy platforms which therapists use the latest in online security protocols and have agreements in place to keep your information safe and secure.
At your end, it’s your responsibility to make sure your online session happens in a separate room where only you will be present, not in a public place. These online sessions are not recorded and the therapist conducts their online session from a private and secure location.
Myth 4: Online Therapy cost than in-person:
There is no extra cost whether you do online therapy or in-person. Sessions fees for both online therapy and in-person therapy are the same. If you’re utilizing your insurance, your co-pay will be the same as an in-person therapy session. Different insurance plans may have different coverage. Insurance companies are generally expanding telehealth benefits.
Myth 5: Hard to work on real issues online:
Online therapy allows therapists and clients to focus on real issues faster and at a greater depth. It may need a different set of skills from the therapist, but they have grown more effective at creating an honest and safe online atmosphere that allows clients to share in a similar way to in-person. As the therapist said, “clients are likely to open up when they are comfortable in their surroundings whether it’s their home or office.”
Online therapy allows your therapist to see you and read your body language. Experienced therapist picks up things during a session which needs further attention.
Myth 6: It is easier to distract during an online session:
As in in-person therapy, online therapy sessions focus as you want them to be. In-person sessions are often interrupted by cell phones, stressful work emails you got right before you walked in. you can take a few steps on your end to focus on your session. Make sure you are in a private space where there are minimal interruptions. Whether you are in-person or online, silence all gadgets which cause distraction.
Myth 7: You need fancy devices to have an online session:
You need a device with a camera, a Wi-Fi connection, and headphones. Most of the tablets, computers and phones can have a quality video call. During the sessions make sure you and your therapist are not interrupting each other or saying, “No, you go ahead!”
Myth 8: Online Therapists are not experienced as in-person Therapist:
This is a concern to have about your therapist, you should be concerned about your therapist’s experience and qualification. But remember, whether you are seeing your therapist online or in person, their credentials, and qualifications are easy to find. Any legitimate therapist information posted online in their bios, on their website, or psychology today profile. If you find it hard to gather the information of your therapist, your therapist is not doing the right job.
Myth 9: Suicide Prevention and crisis intervention are impossible online:
Risk assessment is an area which many therapists do not believe can address online. Online therapy and support for people in crisis can be very effective. During an online session, therapists cannot observe clients hence their impressions are limited. So, the risk is high. Moreover, because of remote communication, online clients can be in dangerous positions who may need immediate care.
Myth 10: Online therapy makes the situation worse:
Everyone is different from another and has their own needs. The result of online therapy is not identical for everyone. Online therapy will provide you new perspectives, and a plan to tackle your problem. read more about online therapy reviews
Myth 11: You need to focus on either in-office or online therapy:
In-office and online therapy can be good practice and it doesn’t have to mean doubling up your work hours. You can think about dividing the time for your office and online therapy. Or instead of converting your practice hours, you can add a couple of online sessions to the end of your typical workday to accommodate clients with difficult schedules.
Myth 12: Don’t have time for online therapy:
As online therapy becomes more accessible and therapists are leveraging this technology. They can provide sessions that before they couldn’t. Clients can accommodate space for themselves and find therapists who they found suitable. There is more time to access much-needed treatment with a therapist.
Wrapping Up:
If you are avoiding therapy because you can’t manage your time, think again. Many offices have weekend and evening hours and therapists are willing to do sessions online on skype as long as you are serious about your mental health condition. Therapists can be flexible to accommodate even in the busiest schedule. No matter what method you choose to take online therapy sessions.
