You can get digital mental health support – even if you don’t have insurance. But, how does it work? If you’ve wanted to try online counseling, you might wonder how to take the initial leap and get started. Here, we’ll talk about how online counseling works, what you can expect during a session, and how your privacy is protected when using companies like BetterHelp.
How Does Online Counseling Work?
If you’re interested in starting online counseling or therapy, the first thing that you’ll do is take a questionnaire. Of course, this varies from site to site, but part of what sets online counseling companies apart from seeing someone in a private practice setting is that there’s a virtual questionnaire that helps to pair you with the right provider. A questionnaire on a website like BetterHelp will ask questions such as, “What type of counseling are you looking for?” and “Have you ever attended therapy before?” If you’re LGBT, you can even get paired with a counselor or therapist who specializes in working with the LGBT population. It’ll also ask questions that’ll help to determine if you’re experiencing symptoms of depression. After that, you’ll create an account and have a consultation.
What You Can Expect During A Therapy Session
Whether you see a provider online or face-to-face, during your first session, you’ll likely share a little bit about yourself and what you’re there for. You only have to share what you’re comfortable with. After the initial session, you and your therapist counselor will work together to achieve your goals in therapy, whether it’s to improve your interpersonal relationships, decrease your depression, anxiety, or stress levels, or to develop coping skills. You can return to or change your therapy goals at any time, and you can leave counseling or switch providers at any time, too. You can work with an individual counselor at BetterHelp, or you can see a provider for couples counseling with your partner. You can also find online therapy resources for your teenage child.
How Your Privacy Is Protected
One common question people have about online therapy is, “Will my privacy be protected?” The answer is a resounding, “yes.” Not only are mental health professionals required to adhere to patient privacy by law, but websites like BetterHelp take extra precautions that are specific to online therapy, including the usage of banking-grade 256-bit encryption, which secures and encrypts the messages you send to your therapist or counselor. Additionally, you aren’t required to provide your full name when you sign up with BetterHelp, though you will be asked to provide emergency contact information.
How Much Does Online Therapy Cost?
There are a variety of routes to go if you can’t afford traditional in-person counseling, whether it’s due to lack of insurance or a large co-pay. The amount you’ll pay for online therapy depends on the plan you select, and it differs from website to website. Therapy with BetterHelp starts at $80/week, but depending on your plan, it could cost up to $100/week. If you work with a therapist or counselor at BetterHelp, you will be billed on a monthly basis rather than paying at the time of every session. If you’re interested in starting online virtual counseling or therapy, the first thing that you’ll do is take a questionnaire.
How Do I Know If Online Counseling Is Right For Me?
People seek online therapy or counseling for a variety of concerns, including but not limited to mental health conditions such as depression, relationship concerns, familial issues, and stress related to work or school. Many therapists, whether they have a private practice or work with an online therapy website, have switched to remote sessions due to the coronavirus. Online therapy is beneficial for those hoping to protect themselves and their families from exposure to the virus, but it is also a great fit for busy professionals, people in remote areas, or those who can’t find a therapist in their area that specializes in the concern they’re seeking help for. Some people simply prefer online counseling, whether it’s due to a disability or personal preference.
To learn more about online counseling or therapy through BetterHelp from a client perspective, you can read customer service reviews for BetterHelp on websites like trustpilot.com.
Free Mental Health Resources
If you want to learn more about mental health outside of therapy, or if you aren’t ready to begin counseling yet, there are many free resources out there. There are therapy podcasts, and there is an abundance of free articles, blogs, and videos about psychology, mental health, and mental illness available on the Internet. That said, it’s important to read articles from a source that you can trust. You can find articles that cover a wide range of topics on BetterHelp, and you can also find a great deal of mental health information, including statistics, on websites of organizations such as the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (AADA), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), or the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
There are free hotlines and web chat options available if you need support immediately, as well as online support groups. If you are in danger, always go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
What If I’m Considering Online Therapy As A Career?
If you’re a licensed mental health provider who’s worked through COVID-19, it’s possible that you’ve offered remote sessions already, or you might be wondering how to get started as a provider who offers online services. If you’re wondering how to work with BetterHelp as a counselor, therapist, social worker, or psychologist and are licensed to practice, you can learn more and fill out an application here.
Trying Online Therapy
Mental health matters. Not only does it go hand in hand with physical health, but according to the AADA, 40 million adults in the United States alone will struggle with anxiety on an annual basis, and 6.7% experience depression. You don’t have to struggle alone. Online counseling is an excellent option for many, and since you can cancel at any time, there’s nothing to lose. Every provider that you can work with through BetterHelp is licensed. You can do video chat sessions, phone sessions, or message your therapist. BetterHelp makes mental health services accessible, both by being more cost-effective than traditional in person therapy often is without insurance and by offering remote care. Click here to get started and get paired with a mental health professional that suits your needs.
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
