The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the lives of so many people. Maybe you know someone who passed from it or someone who overcame it.
But people didn’t just have to worry about their physical well-being. The pandemic has caused widespread job loss, upheavals in the schooling system, disruption of traveling, isolation from friends and family, and more.
The effects of isolation and social distancing alone can cause several mental health issues. Now, experts are suggesting that the mental health problems caused by this pandemic will be difficult for professionals across the country to keep up with. That is a dangerous thought, considering official statistics on the mental health impact haven’t been released yet.
Like everyone else, therapists and counselors have taken precautions throughout this pandemic to keep themselves and their clients safe. But that doesn’t mean they are not available. Many of shifted their practices toward offering virtual therapy sessions.
How can online counseling help? And does it really work?
Counseling From the Comfort of Your Home
One of the biggest benefits of online counseling is that it can be done from anywhere. Maybe you’ve been considering some type of mental health care for a while, but you don’t live close to a therapist or counselor. Living in a rural setting often doesn’t give people many opportunities to seek mental health help in person without having to drive long distances.
Or maybe the idea of sitting in an office makes you nervous. Online counseling can help to keep you calm because you can do it from your own home. This might make it easier to open up and feel less pressure when it comes to talking about your problems.
Helping You to Feel Connected
It’s probably safe to say that we’re all feeling a little disconnected these days. Because online counseling is typically done through video chat, it can help you to feel more connected to your counselor. They will be able to read your facial expressions, body language, and other nuisances that can’t be perceived over the phone.
When you can see your therapist face-to-face (even through a screen), it’s another factor that makes it easy to open up and speak more freely.
Protecting Your Privacy
Moreover, you don’t have to worry about running into people in a waiting room or lobby. In fact, you don’t have to worry about waiting at all!
Online counseling sessions (like in-person sessions) are scheduled for a specific time beforehand. So you can go about your day until that designated time and then simply sit down at your computer, phone, or tablet and connect for your session in complete privacy. Not having to sit, wait, and worry that someone will see you can help you to stay calmer before your session begins.
Does Online Counseling Work?
Online counseling has become increasingly popular in recent years. Now, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become even more of a necessity for so many people. Thankfully, research has shown that is is just as effective as in-person counseling when done correctly.
In fact, for many people, it is an easier and more effective form of counseling. It is often more convenient, more cost-effective, and allows you to be more vulnerable since you can speak from a place where you’re most comfortable.
Whether you’re feeling anxious, uncertain, fearful, or you are just having a hard time with a lack of social connection, there is no wrong reason to look into online counseling.
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As long as you have a reliable Internet connection and a private space within your home, online counseling can work for you. Don’t risk feeling alone any more throughout this pandemic than you already have. Feel free to contact me today to learn more about my approach to online counseling.
