Fact vs Fiction About Online Therapy
Article By: Emma Carpenter
With the pandemic moving life into a mostly virtual world, online therapy has become more and more common. For those considering starting therapy, you may be thinking of waiting until you can have an in-person session. While that’s completely your choice, be sure it’s because it’s what’s best for you, and not because of some of the common misconceptions surrounding telehealth. To help you with your decision, I’ve outlined the top five myths about online therapy and what you should really know.
1. It’s not as effective as office-based therapy
Isn’t it awkward to meet my therapist through a screen? How am I supposed to connect with them? I have deep issues to work through, I can’t do that virtually. Studies have actually shown that client outcomes from online therapy services are on par with in-person services. E-therapy means you have a wider variety of therapists to choose from, so not only can you find one that you click with, you get access to specialists you may not otherwise be able to work with. Clients are also able to be more consistent with treatment because bad weather and being under the weather no longer means having to cancel a session! If that’s not enough to convince you, you also get the added bonus of being able to have sessions from wherever you feel most comfortable rather than having to go into a strange office.
2. Insurance doesn't cover it/ it costs more
It’s true, not all insurance policies cover telehealth, however, that doesn’t mean that it’s going to cost more. Since you’ll be able to choose from a larger pool of therapists, you can find one that offers discounts -- like those for students, service members, essential workers, fellow mental health providers, etc. -- and sliding scale options for those with lower incomes. Plus, you’ll be saving money on transportation!
3. Telehealth means less privacy
How do I know the platform is secure? What if my partner/parents/roommates hear what I’m talking about? While it may seem like ensuring privacy would be hard for virtual counseling sessions, it’s quite the opposite. The platforms therapists use for telehealth sessions are just as secure as the platforms that doctors use. That’s because they are designed specifically for confidentiality. As far as being overheard, one of the beauties of virtual therapy means you can do it from anywhere at almost any time. If there’s a time of day when you’re the only one home or the only one awake, you can have a session! If there are multiple floors in your house, you can pick one where no one else is! And if you really need to get out of the house because you don’t trust the people you live with not to spy, or you’re experiencing domestic violence or abuse, you can go for a walk, have a session in your car, or sit in a park. It’s more common than you think!
4. Online therapists aren't as good as in-person therapists
All mental health therapists are required to be licensed, and in order to get licensed there are a lot of hoops we have to jump through. Our education has to be Board approved, we have years of supervision, and we have to pass a test to prove our competency. And that’s just to get licensed! All mental health professionals are required to do what’s known as Continuing Education trainings throughout each year in order to maintain licensure. So whether you choose a therapist that does virtual or office-based therapy, you’re getting someone who is qualified to help you.
5. Technology glitches ruin the vibe
Telehealth platforms have improved so much over the past few years, and they’ve continued to improve at an even faster rate since the COVID-19 pandemic started and more therapists moved to online services. Before you have your first session, test your wifi to make sure it’s working properly. Many therapists have upgraded their in-home wifi in order to ensure your session runs smoothly. Of course, technology can be unpredictable at times, there can be glitches or bad connections, but that’s okay! Your therapist will have a back up plan for if something goes wrong so you won’t miss a beat. If a connection truly can’t be made (which is very rare these days), therapists are understanding people and will work with you to figure out the best way to move forward.
Philadelphia Therapist
Emma Carpenter is a therapist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania offering online therapy to residents of Pennsylvania. She supports individuals and couples facing stressors around prolonged higher education, financial difficulties due to debt or starting new careers, delayed “life moves”, infidelity, and insecurity involving social media. If you believe you struggle with “life moves”, Emma would be happy to meet with you for therapy from the comfort of your home (or wherever you have a private internet connection).