The Benefits of Online Therapy in Today’s Fast-Paced World – Shamans in your computer

There was a time; a slower time; when you went to sleep by the brook, gazing at the stars; when you were woken up by your dog or goat licking you. You stole a sugarcane or a watermelon for breakfast, ran around in the fields with your mates, lounged in the shade of the ancient peepal tree and told stories… and the day just went along at its own leisurely pace. And then, you decided what a fabulous idea it would be to build great cities and crowd them with labor and have people struggle with outer and inner demons. And mental health, which had only needed a quiet chat with the local shaman, grew in step with our great cities, evolving to meet the changing needs and lifestyles of people. So that today, in our digitally driven world, we don’t even meet our councilor in person; we now rely on online therapy, a mode of psychological counseling that takes place over the internet. This blog hopes to lie you down on the therapist’s couch – or perhaps your own – and walk you through the myriad benefits of online therapy, explaining why it is becoming an increasingly popular option for individuals – such as yourself – seeking mental health support in a dizzying fast paced world.

Accessibility and Convenience

Breaking Geographical Barriers

Time was, you found the shaman, who took you for a long walk in the hills… and didn’t speak a word for miles. Till he did, guiding you to guide yourself. And in return, you gave him  mango. But you just don’t have the time for walks in hills; that age is gone. Now, you must seek out your therapist over long distances, in a tiny window of time that is convenient for both. Online therapy does that for you; it breaks down geographical barriers. No matter what your Zip code is, whether in remote areas or bustling cities, access to qualified therapists is just a few clicks away. This ease of access is of particular benefit to individuals who may not have access to quality mental health care within any reasonable distance from where they live.

Flexible Scheduling

Online therapy offers unparalleled flexibility in scheduling. For those juggling work, family, and other commitments, finding time for therapy can be challenging. And it can be a lot less inconvenient if the only slice of time you have to take out is for the actual session; the drive to and from the clinic, the waiting in the lounge with year old magazines about combine harvesters, are all avoided. By scheduling sessions to meet the constraints of the patient – including evenings and weekends – Online therapy solutions make it easier to integrate mental health care into busy lives.

Anonymity and Comfort

Reducing Stigma

Throughout the history of human civilization – and I’m not even talking about the village near the brook but city life in our own lifetimes – having mental health issues and seeking help for it have carried a distinct stigma, affecting both professional and social acceptability of the affectee. The anonymity that online therapy offers can help reduce, and in some cases completely eradicate, the stigma associated with seeking mental health support. Many individuals feel more comfortable discussing personal issues when freed of the additional anxiety of being recognized at a therapist’s office.

Comfort of Familiar Surroundings

Receiving therapy in the comfort of your own home or a chosen safe space can significantly ease the anxiety associated with therapy sessions, resulting in more open and candid communication and making the therapeutic process much more successful.

Cost-Effectiveness

Reduced Overhead Costs

Overhead costs are obviously going to decline when the therapist no longer needs to maintain physical office space, making online therapy a preferred model from an income perspective. Hopefully, some of these savings are passed on to the paying patient too, making therapy more affordable and accessible to a wider population.

Technological Advancements

Utilizing Digital Tools

Online therapy leverages various digital tools to enhance the therapy experience. The ease of sharing resources, digital worksheets, and the use of secure video conferencing platforms designed specifically for therapy can create the settings for a much more engaging and even enjoyable experience for the patient.

Integrating with Lifestyle Apps

Mental health is a multi-faceted aspect of human well-being, and often needs to be simultaneously approached from several different perspectives. Meditation, ritual, discipline, all have their part to play.  Many online therapy platforms integrate with other lifestyle apps, allowing for a holistic approach to mental health care. Integrating therapy sessions with meditation apps or digital journals can create a more comprehensive mental health care regimen and a more robust treatment paradigm.

Personalized Approach

Wide Range of Therapists

Once you’re looking for help online, it’s like being on Amazon or e-Bay or any of the other markets out there; you’re spoilt for choice. And that’s how it should be; the online platform offers you a wide variety of therapists with diverse specialties and approaches to choose from; variety allows individuals to find a therapist whose style and expertise match their specific needs and preferences.

Tailored Therapeutic Techniques

Online therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Simply because each individual patient is – for want of a better word – an individual in every possible way, including their mental illnesses. Therapists can – and should – tailor their techniques to suit the online medium, ensuring that each client receives personalized care.

Conclusion

Online therapy represents a Great Leap Forward in the field of mental health care, offering a practical, comfortable, and effective alternative to traditional in-person therapy. Its benefits, including accessibility, convenience, anonymity, and cost-effectiveness, make it an ideal choice for many in today’s fast-paced world. As technology continues to evolve and integrate into our daily lives, online therapy stands out as a beacon of innovation and accessibility in mental health services, offering support and guidance to those who might not otherwise seek it. Unless, of course, you live by the brook and like to take long walks with your shaman. That’s a whole other level of therapy.