6 Ways you can benefit from online therapy

Have you ever felt stuck in life, like you’re sad all the time, lost motivation or you just don’t know what to do to move forward? Getting the help you need through online therapy allows you to explore what you’re feeling, what you’re thinking, and how you can cope with it.

Online therapy can provide you with a safe space to discuss challenges you are facing or have faced in the past. Many people find therapy helpful during times of grief, breakups, trauma, abuse or family difficulties. 

When a person chooses to start online therapy for themselves or as a couple, they’ll begin to uncover the many positive benefits that support their healing journey towards living a happier life.

Can online therapy be effective?

In short, yes!

The effectiveness of online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, depression, and panic disorders has been demonstrated by a variety of studies.

According to a 2018 study in the Journal of Psychological Disorders, online CBT has the same effectiveness as face-to-face therapy. Further, a 2020 study analysing 17 studies found that online CBT might even be more effective than face-to-face therapy when treating depression.

How do I know if I need therapy?

When faced with everyday challenges, we tend to ignore our feelings and think they will simply go away. Painful memories, experiences, and a feeling of being stuck don’t simply disappear, they need to be addressed or else they can begin to affect many other aspects of our lives, such as our relationships with others, our self-esteem, motivation, and overall wellbeing. 

Seeing an online therapist can help you if you are feeling:

• Uncertainty within yourself
• Have a low mood 
• Lack of motivation 
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Hopelessness 
• Social withdrawal
• Fatigue 
• Changes in eating and sleeping patterns

Here are 6 ways you can benefit from online therapy

1. You can learn more about yourself. By engaging with your thoughts and feelings in a guided and safe environment, you are able to learn more about who you are and what may be best for you. 
2. You can have more fulfilling relationships with those around you. The relationships we form with the people closest to us are an important part of our wellbeing. When we distance ourselves from or push people away intentionally, there may be something that we are struggling with. It is natural to want to feel supported and share that support in return. 
3. You can live a better life. Therapy can help you build self awareness, self-esteem and self-confidence by supporting you to live a life that is in alignment to what’s meaningful and important to you. 
4. You can work through past traumas. Many people suffer through trauma in their childhood that still affects them in their adult life. By using therapy, you can learn lifelong coping skills to better understand yourself and make the necessary positive changes. 
5. You can gain motivation to achieve your goals. Naturally, our level of motivation can fluctuate at different times during our lifetime but it can be hard to pick yourself up again when you begin to feel depressed and overwhelmed. With a lack of motivation, you may benefit from having your therapist also be an accountability figure in your life to help you stay on track towards achieving the goals you’ve set out for yourself. 
6. You can access online therapy from anywhere. Yes, anywhere – that has an internet signal that is. One of the main benefits of online therapy is that you can log in to your sessions from home or the office, saving you time from travelling to and from your appointment.

How to get started with online therapy

If you’re considering starting online therapy, you may be wondering how to go about it. Here is a quick step by step guide to help you get prepared:

Step 1: Find a therapist, psychologist or counsellor that’s right for you

You need to feel comfortable with your mental healthcare provider. Look for a provider with experience in dealing with situations similar to what you’re going through. Check that they are qualified and consider if you prefer speaking to a male or female provider.

Step 2: Make a booking

Select a date and time for your first session. One of the benefits of online therapy is that you’ll have access to view booking availability easier than having to call around to enquire on availability. Booking online makes the process much easier and faster.

Step 3: Know your intention and expectations

Explore the intentions and expectations you may have and what type of goals you want to achieve. Make some notes before your session. If you don’t know where to start, that’s okay, you can bring it up during your session and your provider can discuss and guide you through them.

Step 4: Complete your first session

When starting online therapy from home, find a quiet area with good internet signal and make yourself comfortable. Sign into your session and introduce yourself. Feel free to ask any important questions that you have and your provider will naturally start to guide you through the conversation.

Once you are done with your first session, here are a few questions you can ask yourself about your therapist:

• Do they make you feel comfortable? 
• Will you be able to trust them by confiding in them?
• Do they maintain a professional relationship?
• Did they listen to your needs?
• Does the atmosphere feel right?

Step 5: Book your follow up appointment/s

During your first session your therapist would have discussed the way forward. You may agree on a certain day and time each week or when necessary. It’s easier to make your next booking straight after you’ve completed your initial session.

Since therapy is an ongoing process that cannot be rushed, give yourself some time to adapt and make therapy a healthy part of your new lifestyle.

Visit Conrati to find an online therapist

Easily find and make bookings with an online therapist, psychologist or counsellor on the Conrati platform. Some therapists also offer a free 30 minute first time session. If you are new to online therapy you can take advantage of this offer to help you get started.