The Benefits of Virtual Therapy
Having meetings and appointments online is nothing new at this point. The start of the COVID-19 pandemic launched the therapy world into a new dimension of virtual services. While it was a new type of work for most therapists at the time, doing therapy virtually is now more of an expectation rather than an outlier. Recent research looking at the quality of therapy shows that having sessions virtually is just as effective as doing it in-person, in most cases. Therapy can be a very intimate, vulnerable setting, so what are some of the benefits of doing it virtually instead of in person?
Convenience
Convenience is one of the biggest benefits of doing therapy virtually. You don’t have to waste time driving to your therapist’s office, getting stuck in rush hour traffic, or sitting in a waiting room. Therapists can see clients throughout the entire state they’re licensed, meaning you can reach services that would be too far away to see in person. This gives you broader access to different kinds of providers, more specialties, more experts, and a wider range of personalities to find the best fit for you. Logistically, this can also reduce wait times for starting therapy. If there are only two therapists in your town, you may have to wait months to get on their schedule. Now, you can shop around for a therapist with little or no wait time, getting your needs met faster. Virtual services also give more access to those who have trouble getting around, such as those with physical disabilities or without a car.
Comfort
While many therapists take pride in making a comfortable office space, you can’t beat the comfort of your own home. Having a therapy session from your own space hopefully means you’re already in a comfortable, safe environment. You can have drinks or snacks. You can have your pets with you, or other comforting objects. You can run to the bathroom or move around during your session. It’s your space, you have the control. It can be helpful to learn new skills from therapy in your own space so they feel more natural to incorporate into your daily life. It may be easy to practice a new technique inside a therapist’s office, but being able to continue practicing in your own home is ultimately what makes the difference. If you’re already starting the new skill from home, it’s that much easier to continue.
Creativity
Over the past two years, the mental health field has exploded with new resources and techniques for doing therapy virtually. There are countless apps, websites, games, and other resources that didn’t exist before that can be used to support your mental health. From the basic whiteboard function on Zoom to websites designed for very specific techniques, technology has allowed therapists and clients to be more creative in how they work together. It’s now easier than ever to share resources, projects, or art that might be a part of your therapy work. If you’re on the tech-savvy side, your therapist might be able to incorporate some of that knowledge and creativity into your practice. If you’re not too comfortable with computers, we have the flexibility to modify practices into what works best for you.
Conclusion
All in all, virtual therapy isn’t much different than doing it in person. You can still work on any goals you might have. Your therapist can talk about all of the same things. You can still exchange resources and practices. If you have any concerns about how virtual therapy might work in your life, please don’t hesitate to bring up your questions to your therapist. Therapy is more successful when you feel comfortable and confident in the work, so any therapist is going to want to make sure you feel good about how therapy is done. Contact us today to see if virtual therapy would be a good fit for you!
