Is Telehealth Online Therapy Right For You?
We use the internet and digital services for so many areas of our lives through a device we almost always have with us, so can this work for accessing therapy online too? The short answer is yes. After all, smartphones have been designed to be used for communication with one another and online communication has become increasingly mainstream, especially since the COVID pandemic. Telehealth appointments can provide a convenient way to connect with a health professional from anywhere with an internet connection, and this format brings other unique benefits too, like flexibility and comfort. But, there are also other important considerations to think about to ensure it’s the right fit for you. The following article will explore some of these benefits to help you make the decision whether seeing a telehealth psychologist for online therapy sessions is right for you.
Who Can Benefit From Seeing A Telehealth Psychologist?
Online therapy can be an excellent tool to help address common challenges like anxiety, stress, depression, or relationship difficulties. No matter what your circumstances are, I believe that everyone can benefit from a little extra support sometimes and that this support should be available with as little stress as possible. As such, online therapy can benefit a wide range of people, but it’s especially well suited for:
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Juggling work, meetings, and personal commitments can make self-care feel like a luxury instead of a necessity. Online therapy lets you fit sessions into your day without commuting, so you can prioritise your mental well-being and confidentiality without disrupting your schedule.
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Non-traditional work hours, like night shifts or rotating rosters, can make standard appointment times inaccessible. Flexible telehealth scheduling, including after-hours options, can be useful to accommodate your routine without sacrificing precious sleep. If you’re frequently on the move, online therapy can also provide continuity of care where you can maintain a consistent therapeutic relationship with a trusted psychologist, regardless of your location or hours.
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Arranging childcare or managing family responsibilities can be a big hurdle for in-person appointments. With telehealth, you can attend sessions from home while your children are playing, doing homework, or sleeping, making it just that little bit easier to find some much deserved time for yourself.
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Balancing study, part-time work, and a social life or relationship can leave little time for mental healthcare, despite the stress of constantly trying to juggle all of these things at once. This can also be while managing new adult responsibilities, dealing with uncertainty or self-doubt, and trying to figure out if you’re doing the “right” thing. That’s a lot of pressure for anyone. Online sessions can fit into busy schedules, where students can attend from home, in long breaks between lectures or tutorials, or once classes are done for the day so you don’t have to try to play catchup.
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Physical disabilities, chronic illnesses, or severe mental health conditions can make traveling to a therapist’s office prohibitively challenging and stressful. Online therapy can help remove these barriers, ensuring equal access to mental healthcare.
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If you live in a regional or remote area, access to a clinical psychologist may be limited due to distance, wait lists, or in small towns it might be uncomfortable to consider because you already know your local providers personally. Online therapy can connect you with a professional anywhere you have stable internet offering you greater choice and privacy.
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Some people have had negative experiences with healthcare settings in the past and find clinical settings intimidating or impersonal, which can add unnecessary stress to appointments. Being in your own space where you can control the lighting, seating, level of eye-contact, or even have a pet nearby, can help you feel more comfortable and open during sessions.
Convenient
Imagine accessing professional mental health support without leaving the comfort of your home. No traffic, no waiting rooms, just high-quality therapy tailored to your needs. Online psychology sessions are growing in popularity and can fit into busy, modern lives, making therapy more accessible than ever.
Online therapy is particularly valuable for people with demanding schedules, physical or mental health challenges that make leaving the home difficult, or situations with limited access to local mental health services.
Flexible
Technology has opened the doorway to be able to step into a session with the click of a button, so now you don’t have to deal with organising time off work, navigating a commute and parking, or the potential expenses of childcare.
Kelly Brooks Psychology focuses on providing after hours appointments that can suit your lifestyle so that you can prioritise your self-care, rather than feeling like you have to compromise other responsibilities to try to take care of yourself. Instead, treatment and support can be accessed on your terms.
Comfortable
Talking about your experiences and being open about the challenges you’re facing can feel vulnerable, especially with someone new. That’s why many people are finding comfort in attending therapy sessions from their own homes where they can feel the most relaxed and safest. This also means that you have the freedom to choose how you set up your space to best support yourself throughout the therapy process.
Being in your own space can help you feel at ease, fostering a deeper therapeutic experience.
Online Therapy Isn’t For Everyone
While online therapy is a suitable option for many, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution, so if it’s not for you, that’s okay. My goal is to help you feel supported in making that decision for yourself so that you can find a way that works best for you, whether that’s with online appointments or seeing someone for in-person appointments. Here are some considerations to ensure telehealth is the right fit for you:
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A quiet, private space can be key for effective online therapy. If your home environment is very busy, like with young children, shared living spaces, or frequent interruptions, it might be harder to focus. We can work together to try to find creative solutions, like scheduling sessions during quieter times or using headphones, but in-person appointments might be a quicker, easier solution for some.
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Online therapy requires a basic level of comfort with using video platforms. If you find technology frustrating or don’t have access to a reliable device or internet connection, in-person sessions might feel easier for you to manage. That being said, most people find it intuitive after a session or two.
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Therapy is deeply personal process and as such, some people simply prefer the tangible presence of sitting across from their psychologist. If you feel the in-person dynamic is important for you, then traditional therapy might be a better match at this time.
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If you’re currently having active problems with addiction to things like alcohol or substances, face-to-face support can often initially be better suited. This allows for frequent monitoring of physical well-being and the ability to step in more quickly if a crisis situation occurs. Additionally, during the initial stages of treatment for addiction there is often a focus on medical support and medication to manage withdrawals and cravings in a safe and effective manner.
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If you’re experiencing a severe mental health crisis, such as suicidal thoughts, psychosis, mania, acute distress, violence or abuse, contacting local crisis support services can more appropriately provide immediate safety and support. Online therapy can still play a role in providing ongoing support afterwards, but some situations benefit most from immediate face-to-face intervention and multidisciplinary care. This helps ensure a safe and calm environment, while having access to additional levels of support currently required, such as monitoring, medication, assistance with primary care, accommodation, or financial/legal aid.
Why Choose Kelly Brooks Psychology?
Hopefully this brief article has helped provide some more information so that you feel like you can make a more informed decision for yourself. If you’ve made the decision that telehealth online therapy is right for you, here are some tips on how to get the most out of your online therapy sessions and what you can do to prepare.
As a clinical psychologist, I bring my training and experience combined with empathy, compassion, and a non-judgemental attitude to every session. I offer therapy, counselling, information, validation, and skill-building suited to a range of different challenges people face, including social anxiety, depression and low mood, work stress and burnout, relationship and communication issues, feeling lost in life or managing transitions, and navigating personality vulnerabilities. My approach is rooted in evidence-based practices, but tailored to your unique goals and delivered in a warm, confidential space where you can feel heard and understood within a relational model of treatment. Online sessions at my practice offer flexibility, with appointments available after hours throughout the week to fit your schedule. Whether you need short-term support or long-term therapy, I’m happy to meet you where you’re at and try to help guide you forward.
If online therapy feels right for you, I invite you to reach out. If you have any other questions or want to organise an appointment, click Book Now or email me at hello@kellybrookspsychology.com with the subject “Booking Enquiry” to discuss scheduling.
