Top 10 Benefits of Online Counseling: Why Virtual Therapy Might Be Right for You

If you are thinking about counseling, you may think of counseling in-person and in a counselor’s office. There are many benefits to both in-person vs. virtual therapy. Both come with unique differences but with the rise of virtual counseling, we will explore how virtual counseling can be just as beneficial and if not more in some circumstances depending on what you might be working on in counseling.

Top 10 Benefits of Virtual Counseling

Virtual counseling is an appealing choice for those who are busy and wanting a comfortable, safe spot to do a therapy session. Below are 10 benefits of virtual counseling.

1) Broader choice of counselors: Finding a therapist that specializes in what you’re looking for is first and foremost, if you’re seeking a counselor that only specializes in therapy for teens, EMDR therapy or infidelity counseling, finding the right fit is important. Texas is a big state and there are many options but finding the right fit for you and your individual needs.

2) Increased Comfort: Many people find talking about their issues where they feel comfortable. A therapist office can be tough because it isn’t an environment you’re used to. Most people who do counseling sessions can do them from the privacy of their living room or office.

3) Busy Schedules: Most of us work during the week and have busy schedules, if you can schedule a therapy session during your lunch hour and maximize your time by not sitting in traffic, it is a perfect solution for those with busy schedules.

4) Anonymity and Priavacy: You can easily access your therapy session via your phone or computer without driving in a parking lot with the risk of seeing someone you know. This gives an extra layer of protection if you want to remain anonymous for therapy sessions.

5) Accessibility: Having access to therapists to do virtual sessions wherever you are. If you live in a rural area finding a therapist can be difficult and accessing care that you need opens up your options.

6) Convenience: The average commute time after work is 26 minutes in Texas and in some areas it can be 1+ hours if you add traffic. By reducing your commute time and being able to do a therapy session from your workplace or home gives you more free time with this added convenience.

7) Couples counseling sessions: If you want to do a couples counseling session and your partner is at work while you’re at home, you both can join the session for flexibility.

8) Reduction of physical barriers: If you have a health condition or reduction of physical mobility, you can do sessions from the comfort of your home.

9) Support for diverse needs: Virtual counseling in Texas offers support to niche areas and gives you the best option for counseling and support.

10) Creative therapeutic tools: Counselors who have virtual platforms have access to virtual tools to enhance your counseling experience. From virtual exercises, collaboration tools, sharing worksheets during sessions or sites like sand tray for children in virtual counseling.

Studies Showing the Effectiveness of Virtual Counseling

There have been many studies conducted on how effective virtual counseling is and some studies show that it can be even more effective than in-person counseling. Here are a few noteworthy studies.

• Research published in Psychological Bulletin reviewed numerous studies and found that online therapy is as effective as traditional face-to-face therapy for many mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety.

• Research in JAMA Psychiatry for individuals with PTSD showed that telehealth counseling for PTSD was effective, showing a significant decrease in symptoms after virtual treatment and counseling sessions.

• A study in The American Journal of Psychiatry found that virtual counseling improved access to care for individuals in rural areas, leading to increased client satisfaction in counseling and better mental health outcomes because of the accessibility for these individuals with a greater access to care.

Telehealth Counseling Near You in Texas

While on your search for a counselor who meets your needs, finding a good fit is important. You might have been searching for awhile trying to find the perfect fit or new to counseling and overwhelmed with choosing one. When looking for a counselor, finding one that has specializations is important. When someone is a general counselor they may not have the direct experience or training in the areas you need counseling in. At Sagebrush we specialize in couples and individual counseling in areas such as post-divorce recovery and affairs, to learn more about our specializations, you can learn more here.

Virtual counseling isn’t just a substitute for in-person therapy; it’s a modern, effective solution for therapy that meets the needs of individuals and couples. With its accessibility, privacy, convenience, and proven effectiveness, it is a great option for you. Take the first step toward bettering your life and taking care of your mental health and well-being—consider virtual counseling at Sagebrush Counseling today!