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Over the past year and a half, virtual therapy has seen a rise in demand – and, pandemic aside, it’s easy to see why. First, there’s the convenience factor: You can speak to a professional therapist remotely, either by text, phone, or video chat, at any time during the day. Not to mention, virtual therapy is effective and surprisingly intimate.
While some may still prefer to see a therapist in person, there are advantages to trying an online version. Here are five reasons you might want to consider virtual therapy.
You’ll be able to choose how you communicate.
When it comes to virtual therapy, it’s up to you how you choose to communicate. You can arrange a convenient time of day and speak to a therapist from anywhere. If you prefer to text your therapist, you can – and in your pajamas from the comfort of your bedroom! Or, if you’d prefer a face-to-face experience, you can set up a video call instead. Depending on the therapist, most can respond to messages within 24 hours, so you’ll get almost instant support as well.
You’ll get matched with the right therapist.
The latest virtual therapy apps pair patients with their ideal therapist. When you register, the standard procedure is to complete a questionnaire that will help to match you with a therapist based on your preferences. For example, you could choose to be paired with a therapist of your similar age or background. Alternatively, you could simply leave it up to the app.
You’ll have access to a wider range of experts.
Without the restriction of geography, you can communicate with a wider range of experts. This means you can find a therapist that specializes in a particular area, whether that’s addiction, trauma, eating disorders, or something else. For example, a therapist specializing in addiction will be able to recommend recovery centers and resources so that Families Of Alcoholics Can Still Get Help. This way, you’ll get a more tailored service.
You’ll be offered privacy and discretion.
The best therapy apps offer total privacy and discretion. These apps will usually have a privacy policy in place limiting access to your chat box with your therapist. Since you aren’t having to physically leave your home for your appointment, you can do this more discreetly if you prefer. If you like, you can communicate solely by text, meaning that you can even speak to a therapist in a public place or on your lunch break at work. It’s very flexible and totally confidential at the same time.
You’ll have therapy anytime, anywhere.
If you’re looking for a more convenient option, then virtual therapy could be ideal. You can get in touch with your therapist even while you’re out and about. If you experience a situation that triggers PTSD, anxiety, or any other issue, you can communicate this to your therapist on the app, and they’ll be able to respond in a more prompt manner than an in-person session would allow. Virtual therapy isn’t for everyone, but it’s worth considering – especially if you’re juggling work and family as part of a busy lifestyle.