How to get started with online therapy

If therapy on your time and in your own space sounds appealing, you’re not alone. Whether you’re new to therapy or curious about how online counseling works, you’ll want to take some time to research what’s available. There are many platforms out there in the market that offer mental health/therapy services, and with the pandemic in 2020, Online therapy was one of the most in-demand services. More than 8 in 10 (84%) psychologists who treat anxiety disorders said they have seen an increase in demand for anxiety treatment since the start of the pandemic, compared with 74% a year ago. Demand for treatment of depression is also up, with 72% of psychologists who treat depressive disorders saying they have seen an increase, compared with 60% in 2020.

Going online has brought therapy to the palm of your hand and enables you to share your thoughts and challenges anytime you wish. This makes therapy more convenient and affordable for those who are new to the experience.

Almost all types of therapy/psychotherapy entail establishing a therapeutic relationship, communicating and establishing a dialogue, and working to change problematic thoughts or behaviour.

How do you know if you need Psychotherapy?

Each and every one of us encounters struggles throughout our lives. We may face problems at our homes, workplaces, and with our relationships with people. However, if you are a person who faces constant issues with regards to your mental health, such as getting overwhelmed, anxious, or fatigued, because of the day-to-day obligations of your life, this may be a problem. These mental health issues may evolve into something major later on.

It’s still challenging to ask for help or even identify when it’s time to speak with a professional. If you are experiencing the following symptoms, it may be time to contact a psychotherapist:

You’re using unhealthy or maybe harmful coping techniques. If you’re having trouble, dealing with your problems in harmful ways like smoking, drinking, overeating, or venting your frustrations on others may not be the solution. Getting treatment can help you develop better and more useful coping skills.

Currently, nothing you’ve attempted has worked. You’ve read self-help books, tried various strategies on the internet, and even tried ignoring the problem, but things appear to be staying the same or even getting worse.

The problem is causing you severe distress or generating a major disturbance in your life. If you believe your condition is interfering with many critical aspects of your life, such as school, work, or relationships, it may be time to seek help from a psychotherapist.

Your friends and family are worried about your health. If you’ve reached a point where other people are concerned about your mental well-being, it’s time to examine if therapy can help you.

How to find the right online therapist?

Finding the correct therapist is the focal point of your entire therapy journey. When looking for a therapist, make sure to inquire about specialties, qualifications, and experience. For instance, If you’re in a stage of mourning, look for a therapist who has a lot of expertise with the stages of grief and overcoming trauma or loss.

You can browse through a wide range of therapists on Expert Republic to find the right therapist offering the services you are looking for. You also have the opportunity to read reviews about our therapists on Expert Republic and leave ratings once you are done with a therapy/counselling session. This will allow our therapists to enhance the quality of future sessions. Before starting the session, you also have the chat feature option where you can contact your therapist and get any additional information you’d like to know (if there’s any).

Different Types of Therapy to Consider

There are different and varying types of therapy that exist. If you are aware of these therapy types, you will be able to recognise which best suits your requirements and goals, and begin on the right path towards greater mental health. We will now look into some of the most common types of therapy people get started on:

1. Behaviour Therapy — Parents and children often benefited from behaviour therapy. It’s a means of highlighting favourable actions while discouraging undesirable ones.
2. Psycho-dynamic Therapy — This type of talking therapy tries to assist people to gain a better understanding of their emotions and mental processes. Individuals benefit from this because it helps them become more self-aware and notice patterns that develop over time.
3. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy — This form of therapy examines how your thoughts and feelings influence your actions. You may alter your responses to specific, frequently challenging events by altering your mental patterns.
4. Systemic Therapy — Systemic therapy is a type of group therapy that can help you on a personal and interpersonal level. It focuses on group interactions and relationships in order to solve problems and advance relationships ahead. The interactions between family members can be considerably improved by lowering stress and conflict.
5. Interpersonal Therapy — This is an attachment-focused therapeutic practice that aids in the resolution of interpersonal issues, the decrease of stress, and the enhancement of social functioning. It’s a well-organised method with a tight deadline of 3 to 4 months. Mood disorders are commonly treated using this evidence-based method.
6. Psychoanalytic therapy — This form of therapy identifies and recognises thoughts and feelings in your psyche which are unconscious. You can become aware of the unconscious mind and improve your thinking patterns by looking at how the mind affects your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. The ultimate goal of psychoanalytic psychotherapy is to help become less influenced by biological drives that may be harmful to your mental health.
7. Emotion-Focused Therapy — This type of psychotherapy examines the relationship between emotions and identity, as well as how it influences decision-making. It aids people in improving their relationship bonding and attachment.
8. Somatic Therapy — This style of therapy takes into account one’s mind, body, soul, and emotions. It focuses mostly on the mind-body connection in order to assist persons who have experienced trauma or abuse.

Did you find the type of therapy that you should start on through the above? Perhaps you wish to know more about each and the other forms of therapy which exist? If so, our licensed and experienced therapists on Expert Republic can walk you through a detailed understanding of which type of therapy will suit you. You can download the app today and get started on your journey of healing.

It’s normal to be apprehensive about your first meeting. But always keep in mind that therapists are there to assist the client. Virtual therapy which is what Expert Republic offers has the advantage of removing some of the awkwardness that can accompany your first in-person therapy appointment, which is likely to make you a lot more comfortable. Like we said previously you can select the chat option and communicate with your therapist even before the appointment begins.

Virtual Therapy Session

To be successful in treatment, you must be as open and committed to the process as possible. The more genuine effort you put in, the more advantages from therapy you’ll reap. Your therapist would be your guide. They’ll be there for you every step of the way, guiding you to make better choices and healthier decisions.

Remember, seeking help is the best form of self-love! You’ve already taken a significant step forward by considering how to begin counselling. Take satisfaction in the fact that you are willing to seek mental health help when you need it. You deserve it!