Benefits of Online Therapy
Why have my therapy session on the phone instead of in person?
You’ve probably already gotten a few emails regarding the Covid-19 virus and heard that both UofM and MSU have transitioned to remote operations for the rest of the semester to contain the spread of this virus.
Time to panic?
I wouldn't. But I would take appropriate precautions, such as:
thoroughly washing my hands (pro tip: take a moment to notice how your hands feel once they are clean, it might surprise you how good it feels),
not touching my lips, nose or eyes,
cleaning my home,
sneezing into a tissue or elbow, and
and consider doing as many things possible remotely for a while.
And while doing your sessions remotely can help contain the virus and protect you from it, there are more reasons for trying online counseling or E-therapy (i.e. having sessions via the phone or online)!
Reason #1 - Save time and gas
As a good friend of mine told me a few days ago - “I love that I can have my therapy session on my phone.” There is no need to travel, park, and then drive home. You can be wherever is most convenient for you and more seamlessly incorporate therapy into your life. Know that you have to wait an hour during your child’s piano lesson every Tuesday at 5pm? If you use online therapy, you can just hop in your car and have a therapy session right then and there.
Reason #2 - Comfort during session
Some people feel more comfortable talking about difficult things on the phone or online rather than in person. There’s a sense of space between you and the therapist and some folks find that comforting.
Reason #3 - You’ll notice you cancel less often, and getting more consistent care leads to better results
We all know that sometimes putting on our shoes to get out of the house after a long day at work can feel like an insurmountable task. When you have sessions via telehealth, those type of obstacles are removed and therefore, sessions are cancelled less often.
Reason #4 - Easier access to care
Because a room doesn’t have to be booked for your session, you might find it easier to find a time that works great for both you and your therapist. Removing the physical logistics of a session gives more time and space to focus on what matters --- you.
So even without the Covid-19’s presence and the desire to contain the spread of the virus, there are real reasons to consider taking advantage of online counseling. It’s great that we have this option during a time of needing to be more cautious of public spaces, but the benefits of tele-mental health go beyond this moment in time.
PS I know some people are worried about not having enough hand sanitizer but washing your hands is just as good (if not better) than hand sanitizer so I would personally prioritize washing my hands ;) We love this image for having a little fun while washing your hands.
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