Are Online Psychologists Providing Real Therapy?

As online therapy is becoming more popular, you may be wondering if it is effective and if online therapists are real. With the rise of telemedicine, like online psychiatry and online psychology, more and more licensed mental health professionals are providing high-quality care through online platforms. Below, we’ll discuss online psychologists, their credentials, and the various treatments they provide.

You may find therapists with a variety of credentials, including the following:

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
• Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Although requirements vary in different states, all of BetterHelp’s counselors are required to meet their state board’s licensing requirements. They also need to have an individual National Provider Identification (NPI) number and must have at least 3,000 hours of therapy experience with teens, adults, or couples.

Options For Therapy

If you’re living with a mental health condition like bipolar disorder, anxiety, or depression, you can talk to any of the above professionals about what you’re experiencing from the comfort of your home. You may find that they can provide you with valuable support even if you don’t feel well enough to visit a therapist’s office. If you’re experiencing something that requires medication, you likely have to speak to a physician, such as a psychiatrist, but you may find that some psychiatrists are willing to treat you online or in a hybrid format. An online psychiatrist may also be able to provide you with a medication management plan virtually.

Virtual Therapy And Its Benefits

If you’re new to the idea of online therapy, you may be surprised to learn about how many types of therapy are available online. Below is a list of therapy types that can be conducted online:

• Couples therapy and marriage counseling
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Play therapy
• Couples therapy and marriage counseling
• Sex therapy
• Family therapy
• Dialectical behavioral therapy

According to a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), many individuals have noted. Online therapists can typically provide the same treatment that traditional face-to-face therapists can, and research shows that online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for a variety of mental health challenges.

Depending on your insurance provider’s mental health plan, virtual mental health services may be covered. The pricing model and subscription services that BetterHelp offers can often make therapy more affordable and available. Online therapy may also help fight mental health stigma by serving as an option for people who may be hesitant to seek help in person.

Finding A Qualified And Licensed Virtual Therapist

When searching for an online therapy platform, you may want to visit select sites and research the credentials of the mental health professionals available. While it may be difficult to confirm a therapist’s mental health credentials online, by working with a company such as BetterHelp, you can rest assured that all professionals undergo extensive verification to provide the best online therapy for your needs.

Online therapists and psychologists who work through reputable online therapy sites tend to have qualifications you would expect from a traditional in-office therapist. They often list their certifications and experience on their profile, which you can view before you choose your counselor. You can often choose your therapist based on the type of therapy they provide.

For example, if you think you’d like to learn more about cognitive-behavioral therapy or rational emotive behavior therapy, you can search for a licensed therapist who has training and experience in these therapeutic approaches.

While there are many reputable online psychologists and therapists, there are a few potential red flags to be aware of when looking for a therapist online. For example, a poorly written or designed website may indicate a fraudulent company. Additionally, if a therapy website only accepts a non-exclusive, untraceable payment method or doesn’t list contact information, these may also be signs that it isn’t a reputable platform.

What To Expect From Virtual Therapy

Online therapy tends to be similar to in-person therapy in several ways. When someone visits a therapist at their office, they tend to spend time discussing events that go on in their daily life, and they are free to discuss any problems or challenges they’re experiencing. This also occurs during an online session with a therapist.

You can speak openly with your therapist about a wide range of topics, from relationship challenges to concerns about your career. Your therapist may be able to guide you through life transitions and help you examine your thoughts and behaviors. A licensed online therapist might use evidence-based therapeutic approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy, solution-focused therapy, or other therapy modalities.

What Are Virtual Therapy Sessions Like?

As you work through multiple sessions, you will likely have time to explore your feelings about the situation, identify your healthy and unhealthy behaviors relating to it, and decide how you want to respond.

The therapist may ask you questions to guide you to deeper insights into your life experiences. They may also teach you techniques for recognizing and responding to your emotions and help you understand how to choose behaviors that will benefit you throughout your daily life.

Sessions sometimes end with an assignment, which might involve a behavior to notice in yourself (or others) and techniques to try in everyday situations.

Additional Key Features Of Online Therapy

Text Therapy: An additional benefit you receive with some online therapy platforms is text therapy. With this feature, you can send messages to your therapist using a phone, tablet, or any device with messaging capabilities.

Texting a therapist on your phone allows you to communicate with them from anywhere. This feature may be particularly helpful if you lack a safe space to speak via phone or video chat.*

*If you or someone you know is at risk of domestic violence, you can reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) at any time day or night. TTY is available at 1-800-787-3224.

Video Chat: Online psychotherapy can take place via videoconferencing if you prefer face-to-face contact with a therapist. This type of communication still allows for observation of facial cues while still providing a way to connect with a therapist without leaving home.

Changing Therapists

Seeking out a therapist based on their qualifications or experience can be a good starting point. However, this may not be enough to determine if you and a specific therapist are a good match for each another.

After therapy begins, you might decide that you would like to try another counselor. There’s nothing wrong with that. If you feel strongly that your personalities don’t mesh well or their availability doesn't match yours, BetterHelp allows you to change therapists until you find a good match. 

Through the BetterHelp platform, you can learn about various therapists from their profile and set up an appointment relatively quickly.

BetterHelp Wants To Support You

The online therapists and psychologists at BetterHelp want to support you in getting the best possible care for your mental health. They are real therapists who have studied psychology and human behavior.

BetterHelp provides you with 24-hour mental health support. For example, your therapist will give you an exclusive chat room where you can leave messages for your therapist at any time. You may find this service  especially helpful when you want to describe your thoughts and feelings in the moment. Your therapist will check the chat room periodically and respond as soon as they can.

If you’re unsure of whether online therapy is going to work for you, it’s okay to test it out and talk to your counselor about this and decide the pros and cons of online therapy.

Below are some reviews from clients regarding their experience with therapists at BetterHelp.

Leah Mullins, LCSW, LISW

“I was skeptical about this type of counseling but Leah made me feel confident from the beginning with her straightforward profile, thoughtful questions, and rapid responses. I feel that she truly sympathizes with my situation but also holds me accountable for finding solutions.”

Juan Carlos Navarro, LPCC

“Carlos was a blessing during the several months of therapy. I am beyond grateful that he was kind and understanding. We followed a structured plan to help me cope with my complex PTSD and anxiety. I now have new strategies that I can use every day. I would highly recommend Carlos to any person who wants a reliable and kind therapist.”