Can you get counselling online

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Read more on Alcohol and Drug Foundation website. Healthdirect Australia is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering. There is a total of 5 error s on this form, details are below. Each of these is appropriate for a variety of therapeutic goals and treatment, but it can be a bit confusing to understand how they differ.

Here's what you need to know:. Psychiatrists have gone through four years of medical school and, afterward, several years of specialized training in the biological factors that influence mental health. Although some psychiatrists include therapy in their sessions, the focus is on medications, which they can prescribe due to their education and certification. Psychiatrists, as MDs, can also diagnose and evaluate their clients.

Psychologists have differing levels of education and training that qualify them to practice psychotherapy. A few main examples:. Except in a few U. Licensed family and marriage therapists LMFTs have a master's degree in marriage and family therapy or another relevant field and specialize in identifying and resolving relationship issues in individuals, couples, and families alike. Like psychologists, social workers cannot prescribe medication and come in more than one variety:.

Licensed professional counselors LPCs complete master's degrees in mental health counseling. They do not provide therapy or medication management; instead, they help clients address specific issues on a shorter-term basis. Trained listeners are counselors who do not have any professional training in psychotherapy but have been trained in listening techniques by the online therapy company that employs them. They cannot provide advice, but they can provide some emotional support if you just need someone to talk to.

In addition to their degrees, different therapists and counselors have different training and focus. Still, others incorporate two of the most effective methods of couples therapy: emotionally focused couples therapy EFCT and the Gottman method. EFCT has decades of evidence supporting the fact that it improves relationships. Some online therapy companies will choose a therapist for you, while others will let you pick.

Regardless, the matching process will still take into consideration your therapy goals and preferences based on your answers to intake questions. You can also usually switch, but whether you get to choose your new therapist or not depends on the company. Other companies will let you browse through therapist bios, then select a therapist you want to work with. If you are choosing your therapist, there are a few things to consider.

Think about who you will open up to easiest and what your therapy goals are:. Some online therapy companies — for example, Couples Therapy Inc. Finding a provider you feel comfortable enough to be vulnerable with is almost as crucial as selecting the best kind of clinician for your needs.

Often this means needing to try several therapists or counselors before finding the right fit. Studies show that marginalized people tend to have better mental health outcomes when working with culturally competent providers. One study found that therapy interventions targeted to a specific cultural group was four times more effective than interventions provided to groups consisting of clients from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

Some companies make more of an effort than others to give users the option to be matched with therapists with their preferred identities and backgrounds — for instance, Ayana Therapy — but many others do not. If this is a priority for you, be sure to take this into consideration when selecting a therapist. In general, online therapy costs less than in-person, private-practice therapy.

However, not all online therapy companies operate on the same business model. Some online therapy companies use a subscription model, which means that you pay a set amount per month for a set amount of services, such as messaging a therapist or a video therapy session.

Other online therapy companies operate on a more traditional, pay-per-therapy session model. These companies generally price their therapy based on the education and expertise of your therapist, though sometimes your geographic location can play a role too. Pay-per-session online therapy is usually more expensive than subscription-based online therapy, though still lower than in-person therapy.

Coverage by insurance depends. Some online therapy companies, such as Talkspace, have worked with health insurance companies in order to be in-network with various health plans. However, not every insurance company is accepted by these companies so be sure to check your eligibility before signing up. This means it is up to you to check and see if your health insurance plan will cover online therapy at all, including at out-of-network companies.

Some insurance plans may only offer partial reimbursement. Some online therapy companies also have relationships with employers, which means they provide discounts or accept Employee Assistance Plans EAPs. In , Medicare expanded its telehealth services to include the option of online therapy, and by , several medicare plans covered these virtual mental health services. Licensed mental health professionals must follow licensing regulations, state laws, and HIPAA regulations that ensure security and confidentiality.

Each website explains the steps they take to keep information secure. Also, most sites will allow you to communicate with your therapist using a nickname although they usually require you to provide the name and phone number of an emergency contact.

Ray is a copy editor, fact-checker, mental health writer, and editorial producer with over five years of experience. Simone is the health associate editorial director for performance marketing at Verywell. She has over a decade of experience as a professional journalist covering mental health, chronic conditions, medicine, and science. Ever wonder what your personality type means? Sign up to find out more in our Healthy Mind newsletter. Effectiveness of evidence-based telecoaching delivered through an employer-sponsored mental health benefits platform.

Telemedicine and e-Health. Published online June 30, Cognitive behavior therapy via the Internet: a systematic review of applications, clinical efficacy and cost—effectiveness. Group B. Americans feel good about counseling. Barna Group. Published February 27, Religion's relationship to happiness, civic engagement and health.

Published July 27, Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of individually tailored Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy for anxiety disorders in a primary care population: a randomized controlled trial. Behav Res Ther. Internet-based versus face-to-face cognitive-behavioral intervention for depression: a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial. J Affect Disord. Computer therapy for the anxiety and depression disorders is effective, acceptable and practical health care: an updated meta-analysis.

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Finally, community-based behavioral health clinics offer services for free or at a low cost to anyone who qualifies. Like in-person therapy, online therapy is a counseling session with a licensed therapist or psychiatrist, but instead of meeting in an office, your sessions take place at home. How your therapist leads a meeting is up to you, with the most common forms of delivery being live videos, phone calls, and messaging.

And the best part? Many professionals are available morning, afternoon, or night, and on weekends, making therapy more accessible than ever. For some people, this method of counseling may take some time to get used to. But for others, virtual visits will be the reason they start and stick with therapy. Some people miss face-to-face contact, while others feel more comfortable outside of the house. Remember that online therapy is better than no therapy. Because of the pandemic, more insurance companies have begun to cover online therapy.

The exact coverage for online therapy available to you depends on your insurance plan, the therapist you choose, and the regulations of your state. Medicare is now covering online therapy for all Medicare members. Medicare Advantage Plans also cover online therapy. When it comes to Medicaid, your coverage depends on your state.

You can call the number on your Medicaid card for more information. Psychologists often require a PhD, while psychiatrists require a MD. Almost all the sites listed use professionals that are licensed to provide video therapy to clients within the state in which they hold their license. Online therapy is making mental health services accessible and more affordable for many people.

With the ability to see a counselor at your convenience and in your own home, virtual visits may become the new norm, at least for a while. Can texting a therapist really be that easy, or that helpful? We've got answers to these questions and more. No matter which…. There are countless approaches to therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, illuminates the links between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

If you decide to pay to see a private therapist, make sure they're qualified and you feel comfortable with them. Many private therapists offer an initial free session and lower rates for students, job seekers and those on low wages.

Some charities and voluntary organisations also offer counselling. These organisations usually specialise in a particular area, such as couples counselling, bereavement or family guidance. You do not need a referral from a GP for an appointment for these services, but you may have to pay a fee to cover the cost of your sessions.

You may also be able to access support groups through your local community, church or social services. As counselling involves talking about sensitive issues and revealing personal thoughts and feelings, your counsellor should be experienced and professionally qualified. Reputable therapists will be registered with a professional organisation that's been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority PSA.