What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a treatment method for people who are struggling with psychological issues like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder, just to name a few. It's normal for someone to sometimes feel sad or anxious, but when such feelings escalate and get in the way of life, it's best to seek the help of a psychotherapist.
What are the Benefits of Psychotherapy?
Research shows that psychotherapy can assist with a variety of mental health issues, often rooted in traumatic events from the past, as it helps you understand your feelings and what triggers them. Apart from learning how to look at your situation from a new perspective, the modality can help you manage your emotions, increase your self-esteem and develop effective ways to cope better with difficult situations. Psychotherapy is beneficial to the following conditions:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Addictions
- Phobias
- Panic attacks
- Bipolar disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Personality disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Eating disorders
Online psychotherapy offers the same benefits as seeing a therapist in person, if not more.
Mental health is a sensitive topic and not many people like the idea of sharing their issues with someone whom they've just met in a face-to-face setup. Having the ability to engage with a qualified psychotherapist and open up while remaining anonymous gives you a big chance to heal. What's more, an online consultation spares you from the stress of having to travel to and from the practitioner's office.
How Does Psychotherapy Online Work?
You can reach a qualified practitioner of psychotherapy online using different communication channels, including Zoom, email or instant messaging apps. Some psychotherapists would also facilitate a therapy session by phone. Distance therapy is no different to one that's provided in a clinic as the practitioner approaches their remote clients the same way they would a walk-in client.
Perhaps the only challenge that you may face in an online therapy session is a slow internet connection. That said, make sure to check your network prior to your appointment to avoid interruptions. It's also important to have a reliable computer or mobile device, with good audio and video capabilities.
What Can You Expect From Psychotherapy Online?
An online psychotherapy session typically lasts an hour. Depending on the issue you're working on, you may need to see your therapist once a week or fortnightly. Similar to a face-to-face treatment session, your practitioner will explain different types of therapies that may be incorporated into your treatment plan after gathering information about your emotional, mental and physical health, as well as goals for seeking treatment.
You can ask questions at any point if you need further clarification about any part of the treatment journey. Psychotherapy is not a passive form of treatment. As your therapist helps you release your pent-up emotions, you have to perform the self-care activities that they have included in your treatment plan to improve your coping skills and expedite your healing process.
