Free Online Counseling For Chronic Mental Health Symptoms

Maintaining our mental well-being is a lifelong journey, and one that ebbs and flows. Sometimes mental health struggles last for just a short period, while other times they become chronic problems. If you have chronic mental health symptoms and can't afford traditional mental health treatment, you may find yourself searching online for free online counseling services, including options for a free psychologist.

Free mental health support, such as trained volunteer listeners and community support forums, can be beneficial for those seeking emotional support for mental health concerns. While some may opt for affordable online therapy with licensed mental health professionals, others may prefer in-person therapy sessions with cognitive and behavioral techniques to address other mental health concerns. It's important to note that online therapy may not be suitable for those in a mental health crisis. However, various programs, such as employee assistance programs, may offer mental health support for those who qualify.

Many things that are free in life tend to come with a catch, but there are options for online counseling that you can use at no cost to you. Let’s give you the real scoop on free online counseling, talk about why more people are seeking therapy options online, and answer the question, "what's the catch?"

No-Cost Online Counseling: What’s The Catch?

Free online counseling services offer people an introduction to online therapy. There are various options to consider, such as group therapy sessions, community forums, web articles, and chat forums, among others.

If you're serious about improving the quality of your life by taking care of your mental health, free options are a great way to get you started. It’s ultimately up to you to decide whether no-cost counseling options online are the right fit for you, and there isn’t a catch. Free online therapy services may not be as in-depth as affordable subscription-based therapy, and those covered (or reimbursed) by health insurance. However, it may still give you the confidence you need to make healthier decisions and increase positive outcomes in your life.

Where To Find It

People may search for free online counseling to find relief for their symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other chronic mental health conditions. One of the most common reasons that people search for free counseling and chat-based services online is that they aren't aware of any other low-cost or affordable options for online therapy.

For instance, CIMHS Free Online Therapy is an online mental health resource created by the Center for Interactive Mental Health Solutions (CIMHS). It offers a multi-session therapy program that can be completed at your own pace.

Alternatively, if you are a healthcare professional or first responder, the Therapy Aid Coalition offers free therapy services. The coalition is made up of experienced volunteer mental health professionals who provide video and phone chat sessions tailored to the specific needs of their clients.

There are a few mental health counseling services that offer free online support for depression, anxiety, and related disorders for teens, adults, couples, and children. You can search for them in any search engine online. Some sites offer 100% free online counseling services with trained listeners who are available to people 24 hours a day. Free online counseling chat services introduce people to the world of online counseling by providing basic services. 

Affordable Alternatives To Traditional In-Office Therapy

Those with chronic mental health issues may seek free online counseling as an alternative, or supplement to, in-office therapy. Since people with chronic concerns often need care frequently, they may look for options that make getting support more affordable. Otherwise, the costs can quickly add up and cause financial stress on top of the pressure that often comes with living with a mental illness. 

Today's technology allows people seeking mental health services to connect with an online therapist at a lower cost, or even cost-free in some cases. Managing and recovering from a mental health disorder can already be difficult enough, and everyone deserves to have support when they need it.

Online counseling sessions are often conducted via phone, audio, chat, video, and SMS messaging (on most platforms). The cost of online therapy can vary depending on the provider and services that are offered. Some online therapy platforms offer free unlimited counseling sessions via SMS messaging, which is also called texting therapy. Messaging therapy is one of the most popular forms of online therapy as people can chat with, and leave messages for, their online support person to read and respond to in real time.

Online counseling options provide people with an inside look at what more in-depth counseling or therapy services have to offer. Free services act as a stepping stone and offer an introduction to the world of online therapy for people who are unsure about taking part in therapy online. As more people become aware of the importance of mental health, more services are becoming available, including telehealth-based services.

Who Seeks Counseling Online?

People from all backgrounds may seek out counseling online. Online therapy might be a viable option to consider for:

• Individuals: A person may seek online counseling for mental health disorders like depression or anxiety when they are having a negative effect on their daily lives. Or they may want therapy for a personal issue that they’re unable to resolve or cope with on their own.
• Couples In Crisis:  Couples who have been having relationship issues that may be leading to separation or divorce often seek online counseling. Here, they can get advice and learn new communication skills with the hopes of saving or improving their intimate relationship.
• Families: Relationships with family can be confusing, complex, or overwhelming at times. When families in crisis find they have issues they can't resolve on their own, they may seek online counseling options as a way to resolve their problems. 
• Adolescents And Teens: Many of today's teens and adolescents are also logging on to take part in online counseling. Many online platforms are dedicated to providing online services and support to those who are facing challenges as they grow into healthy adults. Since many kids and teens are already online frequently, online counseling can be a viable option to keep their minds healthy.
• Dating And Intimate Relationships: Singles and couples may turn to online counseling services or support groups to get support along their dating and relationship journey. Today's online counseling platforms provide dating advice, resources, and relationship therapy for couples in all dating communities, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Benefits Of Online Counseling

Online counseling services open up the world of therapy, self-help, healing, and exploration to people who normally wouldn't have had the opportunity to participate. Let's look at some of the reasons why people are choosing online mental health counseling or therapy over more traditional, in-person, therapy, starting with comfort and personal preferences.

• Comfort: One of the most powerful draws of online counseling services for many people is the comfort it offers. Individuals, couples, and families can now log on as a group, or individually, to attend therapy sessions with mental health providers, including family therapists and counselors.
• No Commute: Visiting a counselor or therapist online eliminates long commutes to get to in-office therapy appointments. 
• Flexible Scheduling: Taking part in therapy sessions online provides a wide variety of scheduling options for those who attend. They can schedule therapy sessions at their convenience.
• Affordable Therapy Options: Getting started with online therapy is affordable and easy. In some cases, behavioral health insurance benefits from major health providers like Blue Cross Blue Shield may provide reimbursement options for online sessions with licensed and certified therapists. While some services are completely free, others cost very little and tend to be more affordable than in-person services. Prices can vary significantly depending on the type of service needed.
• Ease-Of-Use: Using online therapy platforms is as simple as having an internet connection and a compatible device. No special equipment is required to get started. 

Online Therapy With BetterHelp

If you're ready to get started with online therapy with a licensed mental health professional, consider signing up for BetterHelp. BetterHelp is a virtual counseling platform that provides assistance for a variety of concerns. Unlike traditional therapy, you won’t need to worry about driving to a therapist’s office to meet, or moving around your schedule to fit therapy in. Instead, you can connect from the comfort of your home and schedule sessions according to your availability. 

If you’ve never tried online therapy before, it’s natural to wonder about its effectiveness. One study showed that online therapy can be just as good, if not more effective, than traditional face-to-face therapy. In the study, 96% of people using online therapy reported feeling a personal connection with their online therapists as opposed to 91% who saw face-to-face therapists. They were also more invested in completing the homework their therapists assigned them.

Read below for some reviews from people who have benefitted from online therapy at BetterHelp.

Counselor Reviews

“Tiffany has really helped me so much. I was skeptical about doing an online counseling service, but she has made it feel very personal. It takes a few weeks to create a relationship, but I am extremely pleased. The guidance she provides me with helps me get through my week to week, and she is diligent about checking in with me each week. She makes me feel like I am a priority, and I appreciate that. I recommend her a thousand times over.” 

“I was very apprehensive at using an online counselor at first as I knew I needed help but I didn’t know where to start. But because Caroline is so friendly she made it seem easy, almost as if I was talking to an old friend. She’s makes me feel as if my feelings are valid and for a personal like me this did a massive deal.”