Talk to a therapist online: The introductory guide to online therapy.

Are you considering online therapy?

People seek therapy for a variety of reasons such as wanting general support during a hard time, for more long-term psychological issues, or for help during stressful and unexpected changes in life such as bereavement.

Research has shown that online therapy (also known as telemental health) is just as effective as traditional face-to-face therapy and comes with added benefits. These include there being no need to travel or to book time off from other commitments. When considering online therapy it is normal to have some questions about how the process works and it is important to consider some initial first steps when you’ve decided that you want to talk to a therapist online.

Common questions that people often ask include:

How do I find the right therapist for me?
What things should I consider when deciding on a therapist?
What are the benefits of online therapy?
How do I get the most out of therapy?
What if I need to talk to a therapist now?

Finding the right therapist for you

One of the most important steps when wanting to talk to a therapist online is to find one that is right for you. This includes making sure that the therapist you’ve chosen is suitably qualified and has considerable experience in the area in which you want help with. One way to do this is to get in contact with a few therapists that you’re considering and ask what qualifications they hold and what experience they currently have in the area. You can then decide on one therapist who feels the best fit for you and your experiences.

Some questions to ask a potential therapist

What qualifications do you hold?
Do you have experience in the area I need help with?
How much do you charge?
What kind of therapy do you provide?
How often are the appointments?
Are you flexible with appointment times?

We always match you with a qualified therapist who specialises in the issue you are experiencing

Our online therapists have a variety of expertise in different areas with years of experience so you can be confident that you will be matched with a therapist who knows how to support you. All of our therapists are highly qualified and specialise in a wide variety of areas such as:

How to effectively manage stress
Reducing anxiety
Reducing negativity and depression
How to deal with low self-esteem
Coping with bereavement
Living with trauma
How to live with PTSD

You should feel comfortable with your therapist

When wanting to talk to a therapist online a good thing to consider is your level of personal comfort with the therapist. You should feel at ease with them and feel able to hold an open and honest conversation with them about the troubles you are facing. Remember that therapy is a collaboration between you and your therapist and if you don’t feel comfortable with them then it is unlikely to be as beneficial to you.

Remember that if you feel you don’t get on with your therapist then it is fine to request to change therapists to ensure that you continue to receive the best support possible.

Appointment scheduling – speak to a therapist online

When deciding to speak to a therapist online a further item to consider is what days and times suit you best for appointments along with the flexibility of the therapist. This is so you and your therapist can create a schedule around their availability and what will work best for you. When you speak to a therapist online appointments are much more flexible than traditional therapy. This is because it is often more convenient than travelling to a therapist’s office due to there being no need to travel and no need to fit appointments around other commitments.

You can speak to a therapist online from the comfort of your home or any other place of your choosing in a private place with a secure phone line or internet connection.

Fees

It is often more affordable to speak to a therapist online than it is to attend therapy in a traditional setting. This is due to not needing to spend money on travelling or to have time off work to attend appointments. It is also recommended to ask about fees ahead of time when deciding on a therapist that is right for you so that you can make an informed decision and deal with financial measures first. This is so that you can give 100% focus to your therapy.

How to get the most out of therapy

To make the most out of your online therapy it is best to view the therapeutic relationship as a collaboration between you and your therapist. That means working together during therapy sessions while also being open and honest with your therapist on how you’re feeling and how you’re finding the therapy process. This can include talking through with your therapist about any issues or disagreements that arise during the course of therapy, and giving feedback on anything that you would like to change. You can also provide feedback to your therapist about how you think the therapy is progressing for you.

It may also be useful to allow yourself some time to reflect before and after the session. This is so that you can have a chance to process your thoughts and emotions before attending to other commitments.

What if I need to talk to a therapist now?

Through our website you are able to speak with a therapist online within 24 hours of sending your request. Responses to completed forms on the website and initial emails are likely to be replied to faster than this.

If you need to talk to someone sooner than this then please phone your local Samaritans or Mental Health Team. If it’s an emergency or if you feel that you’re in crisis then please phone emergency services for immediate support.