Online therapy or e-therapy is a way of offering mental health services over the internet. Online therapy can be offered through various online modes like email, video conference, messaging, etc. The current pandemic condition followed by unemployment, boredom, economic meltdown, and loneliness has increased the need for online therapy among various people around the world.

The world health organization (WHO) has recently reported that around 70 percent of the countries have now adopted online therapy to overcome mental illnesses like depression, alcoholism, anxiety, etc. The reason why online therapy has gained so much popularity among individuals is; the mental health service can be accessed from any corner of the world as long as you have a reliable internet connection.

Conditions that online therapy can help with

E-therapy could be an effective way to treat various mental conditions starting from simple to complex. But, at the same time, it is not the best option if your condition requires in-person intervention and direct treatment.

• Anger management
• Depression
• Anxiety disorder
• Addiction
• Bipolar disorder
• Relationship conflicts
• Eating disorders

Does online therapy work?

Many researchers have suggested that e-therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy. According to some individuals, e-therapy can be even more helpful than face-to-face therapy to treat anxiety, depression, and other emotional distress. According to a review of 17 studies, it is found that online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be more effective than face-to-face CBT at reducing the severity of symptoms.

According to a journal published in the ‘world journal of psychiatry’, patients who received e-therapy through video conferencing, have reported maximum satisfaction.

Benefits of online therapy

Here we will discuss a few reasons why online therapy has become so popular among so many.

Accessibility

The most beneficial feature of online therapy is accessibility. Any individual can have access to online mental health services from professional experts from any corner of the world. Sometimes, we often see a few people who are living in a remote area or are physically disabled find it extremely difficult to cover a long distance and get face-to-face therapy. But, with online therapy, any person can consult a mental health expert from the ease of their house. Thanks to advanced technology that anyone from anywhere can get the benefit of therapy.

Affordability

Online therapy is much cheaper compared to in-person therapy. This is because the overhead cost like transportation cost, electricity, house rent, etc gets reduced when a therapist offers the service from his own house or clinic. This allows the therapist to offer cheaper and affordable treatment options to patients.

Convenience

Another major benefit of e therapy is, it allows you to schedule your therapy session that fits your schedule. You can schedule your e-therapy session at a time that won’t interfere with your work timings or family obligations.

Privacy

In-person therapy may sometimes interfere with your privacy. You may unwantedly encounter a co-worker at your therapist’s office. But with online therapy, there is no such possibility. As you can enjoy complete privacy and schedule your therapy at a time when you are all alone at home. 

Find a therapy that works for you

Although online therapy has gained massive popularity among individuals from different parts of the world, your mental health condition still matters the most. The various benefits and easy accessibility of online therapy can inspire you to get an appointment with a mental health care expert online. But you must remember that in some cases, a face-to-face session with the therapist is required. For example, if you have serious mental health problems like schizophrenia or other behavioral disorder, online therapy would not be efficient. 

But if you are struggling with other mental health conditions like anxiety, alcoholism, depression, etc., seeking help from an online therapist can be the best way to treat it. If you think online therapy can work for you, Washingtoncitypaper.com can be a useful resource to learn about the best online counseling services in 2021, along with their benefits.