Online Therapy: Is It Right For You? - Page 2

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Page 2

Nov 29, 1999

Is it effective? Yes, online counseling is very effective, but not as effective as traditional therapy. However, online therapy can be a viable option when traditional therapy is not available. Online counseling can help people who suffer from agoraphobia and are too afraid to leave their houses. It can also benefit many people who simply just can't open up to someone in person. Whereas online communication can create some boundaries, it can also break them down as well. For people who best express themselves through writing, online counseling is ideal. Written word has great power. Many people keep journals or diaries; imagine if your journal wrote back to you with educated and professional advice and opinions.

Pros of online counseling: - It is very convenient. You don't even have to leave your house. E-mail counseling can be done whenever you feel like it, and chat room counseling can usually be scheduled during non traditional hours. - It's less expensive than traditional psychotherapy. Therapists can charge hundreds of dollars per session for office visits. Online counseling is a cheaper alternative. - A person may find they can open up more to a therapist when there is no face to face interaction. This allows the client to deeply explore issues with a therapist they may not have otherwise confronted. - Online counseling is not limited to time or distance restraints. Say you have a particular condition that requires the attention of a specialist. The only specialist you can find lives in New York, and you live in Texas. Traditional therapy would be nearly impossible in this situation, but online counseling can cross the distance barrier.

Cons of online counseling: - It is not as effective as traditional psychotherapy and should not be used as a replacement. - Therapists and clients both find that there are certain barriers with online counseling that can interfere with progress. Not having face to face interaction is the largest barrier, for a therapist can learn a lot from a client's body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. - Some sites that claim to offer mental health services are not reputable or accredited. - Insurance does not cover online counseling as of yet, and most likely wont do so for a very long time.

By exploring the options offered by online counseling, you may be able to help yourself greatly. Any decision regarding therapy or course of treatment is an important one, so make sure you educate yourself to the fullest!

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