online therapy

Online therapy and counseling is available to anyone in the state of Michigan using a HIPAA compliant platform to provide distance and online services.

You’re probably wondering if online therapy works. The short answer is: It does.

Studies have shown that online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy. In fact, a meta-analysis of 92 studies concluded that online therapy is especially effective for treating anxiety, panic disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorders. In addition:

  • 2014 study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that online treatment was just as effective as face-to-face treatment for depression.
  • 2018 study published in the Journal of Psychological Disorders found that online cognitive behavioral therapy is, “effective, acceptable, and practical health care.” The study found the online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was equally as effective as in-person counseling for major depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.
  • 2014 study published in Behaviour Research and Therapy found that online cognitive behavioral therapy was effective in treating anxiety disorders.

The internet and technology have opened doors for mental health treatment and has bridged a gap that previously existed by making counseling more accessible and convenient to people, no matter their location. There are many benefits to online therapy:

  • People who live in rural areas or have transportation difficulties may have easier access.
  • Scheduling is oftentimes more convenient for many people.
  • Privacy: Clients don’t have to worry about running in to people they know in the waiting room.
  • You don’t have to drive to an office or even leave your house.
  • Individuals with anxiety, especially social anxiety, are more likely to reach out to an online therapist.
  • More consistent therapy: Online therapy reduces absences due to poor weather conditions or sickness, allowing clients to participate in therapy on a more regular basis.

If you’d like to read more about how online therapy is beneficial, be sure to check out these resources:

Despite of all these benefits, online therapy does have a few drawbacks, such as:

  • It is more difficult for a counselor to observe body language, other cues, and overall demeanor during the counseling session. To compensate for this, I do ask that you sit further back from your webcam so body language isn’t completely missing from your communication during your sessions.
  • Technology doesn’t always cooperate the way we want it to and there can be issues – like dropped calls, internet interruptions, frozen videos, etc. I do have a checklist with tips that I provide that talks about how to make sure your teletherapy session is successful.

Let’s talk and see if online counseling is right for you.