What you need to know before choosing online therapy

We live in a digital world. Therefore, helping people around the world with online mental health counseling has become a big possibility. Companies offering therapy online have proliferated. They are a convenient and affordable option for many people who live far from a mental health care provider or people with problems that do not require long-term therapy.

Today, you do not need to walk miles to get therapeutic services. However, not all online services offer the same quality of treatment. You need to know what online therapy can do for you and which drawbacks it may present before deciding whether to try it.

What does it take to choose the right therapist?

If you are considering choosing an online therapist, you should consider some key things before making your decision.

1. Find out if it's legal

The first thing you need to do is find out if Telehealth is legal in your state. It works in some states but not others. As a result, find out if your state allows online therapy. This might be the reason why you want to make the switch from traditional face-to-face appointments to virtual one.

2. You need to know if it's safe

Your safety should be the number one priority, so you must find out if online therapy is safe. The best way to do this is to read the therapist's profiles and ask them questions about their experience in cases similar to yours.

3. Can they provide evidence of their credentials?

It is normal for therapists to have licenses and certificates that prove their experience. If you are not satisfied with the responses you get from them, maybe online therapy is not for you.

4. Will they tell your secrets?

Therapists should keep their information private according to HIPAA laws. Therefore, so ask if they follow these rules. If a therapist refuses to answer your question or share their policy on confidentiality, it is best for you if you seek treatment from someone else.

5. Is there a special program for people with specific needs?

If you require the help of someone who specializes in working with families, veterans, teens, or other demographics, make sure that the therapist provides these types of services. If they do not specialize in family therapy but say there are plenty of other therapists available to help, you should probably go elsewhere.

6. How much experience do they have?

Therapists are not the same based on skills, qualifications and experience. Therefore, make sure that your counsellor has enough knowledge and expertise in the area that needs attention. This knowledge and experience will be apparent in their online profiles. If you have a question about their qualifications, simply contact them and ask the question.

7. What will happen if you lose connection?

If your counsellor is available on-demand via chat or phone services, ensure there are other methods of communication to continue support outside of those times. A good online therapist should have established a means of communication to use if any technology fails your counsellor or yourself.

8. Are they licensed?

A licensed counsellor is required to oversee their continuing education requirements as well as those of their profession. In some states, an online therapist must also be a licensed clinician to provide services via teletherapy.

9. Will you be able to provide the paperwork that proves your diagnosis?

Many psychiatrists and primary care providers will write a brief note for you to carry with you stating your name, diagnosis, date of diagnosis, and psychiatrist's name/telephone number in case of emergency. This can help establish credibility for an online therapist who may not have official credentials.

10. Is this provider covered by my insurance?

Check with your insurance carrier to see if they allow using online therapy services of a given type of clinician. Not all are covered by all carriers. Therefore, know before you start what rules apply to using tele-psychiatry services for your specific policy.

Final Thoughts

You might be surprised that you can get therapeutic help through the Internet. However, this kind of treatment does exist and has been gaining ground in recent years. This type of service usually includes weekly live sessions between therapists. Usually, they provide support by webcam, phone, or other forms of telecommunication.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the management of EconoTimes