Seven Benefits to Online Therapy
With the COVID-19 pandemic making face-to-face meetings with anyone outside of our immediate bubbles difficult, many therapists, myself included, transitioned from seeing clients in person to seeing clients only on secure videoconferencing platforms. If you’re trying to decide if online therapy, or teletherapy, is right for you, I want to share some benefits to this approach.
1. It cuts down on the time it takes to travel to your therapist’s office.
Just as you might be feeling good about potentially not having to commute to work, the same can apply for teletherapy. Without the need to drive over to your therapist’s office, you save on time, gas, and maybe even spare yourself from a little stress. There’s no need to sit through traffic; there’s no need to find parking. Little things like this can add up to an overall more pleasant experience.
2. There’s a psychological advantage to doing therapy from the comfort of your own home.
Instead of sitting on someone else’s couch or chair, you get to choose the exact location you’re most comfortable with (From your own couch, dining room table, office, etc). As a psychologist specializing in couple therapy, I often help couples have deep, meaningful, and tender conversations with one another. I guide you in having these conversations without alienating the other person. You learn to turn towards one another for support. This process, however, can feel very vulnerable, even uncomfortable at times. But being able to open up in this way in a familiar place, one that makes you feel more confident and “at home” can make it easier. Consider how special it might be to have these bonding conversations with your partner in your own space where you feel the most safe and comfortable.
3. Transitioning to the other things becomes easier.
Due to the flexibility of scheduling that comes with not needing to worry about travel, you might find that you can squeeze in therapy during a lunch hour and then transition right back to work. Or, you might be able to find some time where you would be commuting to/from work that is now open and available for scheduling therapy.
4. You can keep it casual-comfy.
Along with being able to be in your own comfort zone emotionally, you’ll be able to be physically comfier too. If you’re just not feeling 100%, taking that extra effort to make yourself presentable to the outside world and then having to expend that energy in traffic might just be too much. Being at home, you’re free to just toss on that comfy sweatshirt, put on those soft, warm slippers, and attend therapy in your sweatpants!
5. You can have your pets with you if you desire.
Many people find it soothing to be with their pets during therapy, but it would be such a hassle to take your pet to the therapist’s office. Even if you don’t mind taking your furry friend to the therapist’s office, their building might not allow pets. Doing online therapy from the comfort of your own home means you can easily have your pet with you during sessions.
6. Seeing you in your home environment can help your therapist help you.
Inviting the therapy session into your home can actually yield benefits. Your therapist might be able to see significant things just from interacting with you while you’re at home. Perhaps it’s a family dynamic; or maybe it’s brainstorming pleasurable activities or coping strategies to do at home.
7. You won’t have to be away from your children.
I often work with couples with young children. For those with babies, being able to do telehealth session from home means your nanny or helper can alert you right away if they need your immediate attention. Or perhaps you can squeeze in a therapy session while your baby naps. You have the monitor right next to you and can see them the entire time. If you have older children who are able to work on independent tasks, you can attend therapy with the peace of mind that your kids will be able to occupy themselves for the duration of your session.
Many of us are reflecting on how we might take the things we’ve learned during the pandemic into our non-pandemic lives. Some of us have learned a new skill that we’ll be continuing once we’re not dealing with COVID-19. Telehealth or online therapy is one of those exciting things that was pertinent during the pandemic, but just may carry over to when the pandemic is over. The seven benefits listed here can still be taken advantage of even after we’re all safe to meet in person. In fact, even prior to the pandemic, I also used to offer online therapy for those who preferred it. Finally, there’s another advantage of telehealth, and one that can only happen through the virtual medium: You can attend sessions with a therapist virtually from anywhere (as long as the therapist is licensed in the state where you are at)! Considering couples counseling? Whether you are in San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, or right here in Los Angeles, I can work with you via teletherapy sessions. Contact me today for a consultation!
You might also like…
“How to Find the Right Couple Therapist?”
“Five Myths About Couples Therapy That May Be Holding You Back from Growth”
“What is Your Love Language, and Does It Matter?”
Writer Bio: Dr. Annie Hsueh, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist (PSY25708) in the Los Angeles area. She has dedicated her career towards helping couples and individual adults develop more joy and connection in their relationships. She is based in Torrance, CA and sees clients throughout California via secure online therapy platforms. Whether you are right here in the South Bay area of Los Angeles or in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dr. Hsueh can work with you via online therapy.