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Benefits of Online Counseling during Pandemic

Writer's picture: Laxmi LoboLaxmi Lobo

If you are concerned about the effectiveness of online counseling, according to the American Journal of Managed Care, a study claimed that 86.7% of mental health patients recommended online counseling.

Moreover, they reported that it is as effective as traditional counseling.



COVID-19 has severely affected our lives. Over these last several months we have a fear of the disease, the casualties, financial issues, and changes in work routines to coping with social distancing.

All these have increased stress and anxiety, resulting in a huge impact on our mental health.

If you have already been experiencing some emotional issues and were in therapy for it, this pandemic time might be harder for you.

It might be escalating your mental anxiety and stress without you being able to cope with it.

Maybe it is the time to opt for online counseling, considering the demands of this lockdown and its restrictions.

You may be used to sharing your thoughts, emotions, and issues with your friends or any family member. This may be enough in normal times, but during the pandemic the same friends and family also have their own issues to deal with.

The following are the benefits of online counseling during COVID-19:


  • Talk Your Heart Out:

During COVID-19 when you have been experiencing new fears and are constantly bombarded by dreary news and restrictions, you have so much more to share and discuss. Learning how to find solutions to these seemingly never-ending issues is one reason, online therapy helps. The online therapist will provide you a safe and secure place to vent out all your stress, your fears and your anger along with discussing the appropriate solutions for you.


  • Learning New Ways to Cope:

You may be used to sharing your thoughts, emotions, and issues with your friends or any family member. This may be enough in normal times, but during the pandemic the same friends and family also have their own issues to deal with.

Besides, it is not necessary that the solutions they provide are going to work for you as the approach of friends and family is not always objective. They are not trained to counsel. .

Everyone has a different coping strategy resulting from their own unique experiences, personality traits, environment, and preferences, most untrained but well-meaning friends and family apply their own solutions to fit your problems. This is the real difference in speaking with a trained supportive online counselor.

Moreover, due to social distancing, we all have physical restrictions. Therefore, online counseling would be a good option for you to see a counselor and to learn some healthy coping strategies that would work best for you.


  • Ensuring Safety and Privacy:

Online counseling is as secure as traditional counseling. Moreover, the technologies that therapists use are mostly compliant with the standards of HIPAA, providing you a safe and secure platform.


  • Ease Out Symptoms:

If you are experiencing some emotional issues for the first time during COVID-19, consulting a therapist online would be a good way to start.

Due to the social distancing norms you might not be able to meet a local therapist. Travelling long distances during the pandemic may not be feasible. Seeking help from an online therapist will help you identify your symptoms, or first time emotional issues and provide you with ways to prevent your symptoms from worsening. Also scheduling an online appointment is easy during this pandemic.


  • Continue your Therapy:

If you were already seeing a counselor before the pandemic, you don’t have to stop it now because of the restricted lockdowns in most places.

You may ask your therapist if he/she provides online counseling and you can continue getting help in the comfort of your home. There are several encrypted meeting apps and technology where your safety and privacy is ensured. You will also be seeing your counselor or therapist if using video facility for online counseling or therapy.


  • Conclusion:

Online therapy is gaining popularity during this difficult time of the pandemic. Sadness, anxiety, stress, depression, and other issues make it difficult for you to handle everything on your own. Moreover, considering the above-mentioned benefits of online therapy, you don’t have to be alone when you can easily reach out to a counselor online.

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© 2020 by Laxmi Lobo

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