The pros and cons of online therapy vary, depending on your situation and financial status. While you may find it convenient, some drawbacks include the lack of emotional connection and cost. You may also be concerned about legality.
Convenience
Online therapy from professionals such as PrivateTherapy.com is an excellent choice for people who have a busy schedule and are interested in seeing a therapist. Because online therapy allows you to choose when and where you want to meet, it’s also convenient for people with children or unpredictable schedules. You can even see a therapist while traveling, saving you time and transportation costs. Online therapy is also known as remote therapy, video therapy, phone therapy, or virtual therapy. With millions of Americans accessing the internet and their computer, online therapy is becoming popular for those seeking mental health care.
Cost
If you have health insurance, you can get online therapy for mental health for a significantly lower cost. Generally, you should expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $50 per session. However, if you need more advanced care, such as psychiatry, you may have to pay more. This is because in-person therapy typically requires a co-pay, which means you must pay a portion of the bill out-of-pocket. The costs of online therapy vary, but most services offer a variety of payment plans to meet your needs. You can choose from basic and premium plans. The Basic Plan provides online chat therapy and interactive features but doesn’t include live sessions. The Standard Plan includes one live session per week with your therapist.
Loss of emotional connection
Losing emotional connection is one of the most commonly reported concerns among people who receive therapy online. Emotional connection is connecting with patients, reading their emotions, and identifying with their situation. Although this aspect may be difficult to define, it is essential to note that it significantly predicts patients’ attitudes toward online therapy and perceived efficacy. The most frequently endorsed challenge by respondents was the emotional connection, followed by distraction and patient privacy. However, boundary issues were less prevalent. A few respondents only mentioned technical/internal problems and scheduling challenges. All four types of challenges were negatively correlated with age and clinical experience.
Legality
There are several reasons that an online therapist might wish to practice outside of their home state. For example, they may be required to follow the laws of another state to practice. Even if they do not break these laws, they might be penalized in their home state if they break the rules in another state. However, this is only sometimes the case. Many states have laws that do not prohibit or restrict the practice of online therapy for mental health. Another essential aspect to consider when considering the legality of online therapy for mental health is the level of privacy and security. As with other digital practices, security should be the number one priority of online mental health services. This is because people seeking therapy do not want to share their private information with strangers.
Ethics
While online communication can make the delivery of psychotherapeutic interventions more convenient, it also brings unique ethical concerns. For instance, the American Psychological Association (APA) has stated that online therapy must adhere to the same ethical standards as in-person therapy. This is reflected in the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Online therapists are challenged with ethical obligations as they do not know their clients’ identities and geographic locations. It is, therefore, essential to balance your concerns regarding privacy with safety when considering an online therapist. Therapists can treat clients worldwide, but it is necessary to check their credentials and local laws to ensure confidentiality. In addition, clients in India have the option of filing complaints with the state’s ethics board or attorney general. However, the practical limitations of distance and financial resources can leave a client with few protections. Therefore, professional psychologists must explore the ethical issues surrounding the delivery of online psychotherapeutic interventions.
