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When you find yourself thinking about harnessing the benefits of online therapy, you’re likely also thinking about whether or not online therapy is as powerful as in-person therapy. While this is a topic in itself – and one that we will discuss in a later post, the short answer is yes. Although, it takes slightly more effort from you as it’s up to you to commit to the therapy sessions. So, we’ve created these tips to help you get the most out of your mental health therapy.
What is Online Therapy?
Online therapy is also known as internet therapy, e-therapy, e-counseling, cyber counseling and web therapy. It’s just like in-person therapy with a trained professional, only on the internet.
It’s quite similar to traditional in-person mental health therapy but has many additional and exclusive benefits that are hard to come by within traditional practices. We have an entire post dedicated to the reasons online therapy is better but to sum it up, here are some of our favourites:
- More affordable
- Availability (no more waiting rooms)
- Access to a professional therapist
- Great for people with social anxiety or agoraphobia
- Paired with a therapist best suited for you
We really like that Better Help provides you with a questionnaire to fill out so they can pair you with the best therapist for you. However, there are some other amazing online therapy platforms. Here are some of our top recommendations:
Best Online Mental Health Therapy Platforms
- Best for Availability: BetterHelp
- Best for Couples: ReGain
- Best for Psychiatry: Brightside
- Best for Teens: Teen Counseling
- Best for Anxiety and Depression: Brightside
- Most Affordable: Grouport
- Best for LGBTQIA+: Pride Counseling
As a BetterHelp affiliate, we receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
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How to Get The Most Out of Online Mental Health Therapy?
Getting the most out of online mental health therapy starts with finding the right therapist and establishing a strong therapeutic relationship. Take the time to research and choose a therapist who specializes in your specific needs and whom you feel comfortable opening up to. Once you’ve found the right fit, be open and honest about your goals, concerns, and expectations for therapy. Communication is key—actively participate in your sessions, ask questions, and provide feedback to ensure that your therapist understands your needs and can tailor their approach accordingly. Additionally, be consistent and committed to attending your scheduled sessions, and be willing to engage in the therapeutic process both during and between sessions. Finally, remember to practice self-care and apply the skills and insights you gain from therapy to your daily life. With dedication and a collaborative approach, online mental health therapy can be a valuable tool for personal growth and healing.
#1. Be Honest
The number one rule to any type of therapy or counseling is to be honest. It is near impossible for a therapist to provide you with the best help possible if you are not being honest with them.
Their job requires strict client-therapist confidentially, so feel free to open up and let out your deepest thoughts. Everything you discuss, whether in-person mental health therapy or in online therapy will remain private (unless you are a danger to yourself or someone else).
#2. Commit to Your Appointments
If you want to heal, you need to commit to doing just that. Anyone can do e-therapy but it’s up to you to actually take the advice provided to you. Your online therapist will not “fix” you or tell you what to do; they will advise you on what to do to help yourself while providing a safe place for you to talk.
#3. Prepare for you Online Therapy Sessions
One of the best tips for online therapy is to be prepared. Just as you would get ready to leave the house to attend in-person therapy, you need to make sure you’re all set up and ready to go when your appointment is scheduled.
This means finding a quiet place in your home, setting up your computer and making sure the internet is working, plugging in headphones if you choose, etc.
#4. Find a Therapist that Suits You
A huge problem with the industry is a lack of availability. It can be hard to find a therapist who is taking on new clients, so when one does come available you take it regardless as to whether or not they’re best suited for you.
This is a huge benefit to using e-therapy because you don’t have to wait on a waiting list. You can get started right away. This allows you to find the best therapist for you.
However, this is done via a questionnaire that Better Help provides. So, if you don’t feel a comfortable connection with your therapist, feel free to request a new one. Better Help actually encourages this, as they understand how crucial it is to feel comfortable with your therapist. And because there is no shortage of online therapists, you don’t have to wait on a list!
#5. Have a Goal
Setting goals can be a powerful motivator in therapy, not just for yourself, but also for surprising your therapist with your progress. Whether it’s overcoming a specific fear, improving communication in relationships, or simply finding more joy in everyday life, having a goal in mind can give your mental health therapy sessions direction and purpose. As you work towards achieving your goals, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised by the progress you make along the way. Your therapist is there to support and guide you, but ultimately, it’s your dedication and determination that will lead to those moments of pride and surprise. So why not set a goal that challenges you and pushes you to become the best version of yourself? You might just surprise yourself—and your therapist—with how far you can go.
#6. Be Yourself
Online therapy is your safe place. Remove the mask and show your many faces. This coincides with some of the other tips for online therapy, as you must be honest not only with your therapist but also, with yourself.
This is your safe place, so come out of hiding for your sessions.
#7. Keep The Focus on You
Venting feels good. Heck – it feels damn good and while therapy is a great place to vent about what others did or how they made you feel, it’s important to keep the focus on you. Dedicate 5 minutes of your sessions to blowing off some steam, and then bring it back to you – what can you do about it, how can you change this, what changes can you make to decrease their effect on you?
#8. Don’t Be Afraid to Let It Out
It’s your mental health therapy session and you deserve to let out your emotions. Let out your tears, your anger, your shame, your guilt, your fear, your happiness – welcome them all.
Here’s one of our favourite tips for online therapy regarding emotions… Bring attention to which emotions you have difficulty expressing and then, practice letting out your emotions and then containing them and resuming life with control.
#9. Take Responsibility
Your therapist, whether it’s an online therapist or an in-person therapist is not going to tell you what you want to hear. It’s their job to tell you what’s accurate and sometimes, you might not like what they have to say. Perhaps they call your bluff or remind you that you’re in control of the way you react and other people aren’t to blame for that. It can be hard to take the hard truth but sometimes, depending on how the therapy sessions are going, that’s exactly what therapists need to do.
So, prepare to take responsibility for your own actions but of course, do so in a way where you aren’t judging or degrading yourself. Have compassion for yourself and appreciate the different perspective your therapist brings to the table.
Get started today. Take the questionnaire to get paired with a therapist.
Whether you want to call it online therapy, e-therapy, e-counseling, cyber counseling or something else, there’s no denying the power that comes from speaking with a trained professional. Over 4 MILLION people are benefiting from online therapy and you can be yet another. Learn more about Better Help on their official website.
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