Online Counseling For Busy Schedules

Is online counseling the right option for your busy schedule? Therapy is something we need, especially when we’re busy, but it’s not always the most convenient thing in the world to make the trek all the way to your therapist’s office. Services like BetterHelp appear to be online therapy but often wind up more closely resembling an AI chatbot with an immense database of DBT worksheets in PDF form. 

There are real online counselors out there providing genuine therapy over the internet. You might not think it, but online counseling has been shown to be just as effective in reducing symptoms of depression. If you’re working with the right counselor, online counseling can give you all the benefits of in-person therapy with the added convenience of calling in from anywhere in the world. 

“It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?” – Henry David Thoreau

Why Would You Go For Online Counseling? 

If online therapy is just like in-person therapy, what’s the purpose of booking an appointment with an online counselor when you could see an in-person counselor? It’s truly a matter of your comfort. You get to decide what therapeutic setting is best for you, whether that’s a therapist’s office or your home office.

• Online Counseling Is Healing From The Comfort Of Home. Sometimes getting to the appointment is half the battle. Accessibility can be a huge issue when it comes to therapy, but online counseling can at least remove the physical barriers to entry. When you’re embarking on a telehealth session, there’s no concern about getting a ride or being in a specific place. 
• Nervous About In-Person Therapy. If you are nervous to talk to someone (even a professional like a therapist) about your emotions, online counseling can allow you to open up in more comfort. Often social anxiety can find itself melting away when provided the right context, and when you’re doing therapy online, you can set the context in a lot of ways. Don’t want to be seen? Don’t do video chat. Need something to fidget with? Grab any of the items already in your house. Feeling overwhelmed with emotion? You can come to a telehealth session with your blanket all the way up to your chin.
• It’s Easier To Fit Online Counseling Into Your Schedule. There’s no need to account for transportation time, and you don’t have to be in a specific place to do online counseling, so it’s a lot easier to block it into your calendar. 

How Does An Online Therapist Help You? 

When you have an online therapy appointment with us, that means you’re getting the same high caliber therapy you’d be getting in the office. So that means an online therapist can lend you a sympathetic ear, offer expert guidance, and help you to be a better version of yourself. 

• Online Therapy Equips Us With Coping Tools. We all need to have tools to handle the emotional problems that life throws at us. An online therapist can put those tools in your hand, and act as your guide in using them. 
• An Online Therapist Can Help You Work Hard Without Burning Out. In order to be our most productive self, we have to do it in a sustainable way. Even if you earned enough money to buy everything you could ever want, it wouldn’t be worth a thing if you destroyed yourself getting there. An online therapist can help you learn how to work sustainably, relax regularly, and take care of yourself through it all.
• During A Big Change, Online Therapy Can Guide You Through. When we’re going through a major life transition, like moving to a new place or grieving the end of a relationship, sometimes we need someone to show us the light at the end of the tunnel. An online therapist can not only show you the light, but also help you find your path towards it.

What Can I Expect From An Online Therapist?

“Honestly,  the best part is you don’t have to leave your house. I’ve even had clients who will meet from the car. They find that there’s too much noise or too many people in their home. Basically you will be sent a link to join a virtual meeting. We might begin with just a small check-in, and then we’ll move into the challenges or wins that maybe you wanted to discuss that day. Typically, though, we’ll start small. We’ll check in with progress from the week or from your previous session. I even offer art therapy online and we offer the use of an art therapy kit that you can keep at your home. This allows you to engage in creative expression and explore your emotions through art, even when we’re not meeting face-to-face. During our online sessions, you can share your artwork with me through the video call, allowing me to see and discuss your art. You can express yourself creatively and receive feedback and support even while online.” –Quinn Smalley, LMHC, ATR

Looking For Online Therapy In St. Petersburg?

Quinn Smalley, ATR, LMHC, is an online therapist in St. Petersburg who specializes in virtual art therapy. She helps her patients adjust to new situations, like leaving home for college, the end of a serious relationship, or the start of a new career. Quinn specializes in a combination of CBT and art therapy techniques to help you process your emotions, develop coping mechanisms, and adjust to new circumstances. Through creative expression, you can gain valuable insights into your experiences and explore healthy ways to manage stress and anxiety. Schedule a free consultation with our intake specialist Alli, who will answer any questions, verify your insurance benefits, and get you scheduled with a great-fit therapist. Fill out our online form to get started.

Sunny Ebsary is an educator, multi-modal artist, and writer specializing in the intersection of myth and mental health. Sunny’s writing walks the line between poetic and logical, giving readers a chance to interface with the mind and imagination. Sunny’s been putting pen to paper since he was a child, writing everything from albums, novels, and plays, to essays, interactive games, and of course, many articles! While studying both psychology and writing, he realized his real passion in life was helping others unlock their creative spark. Whether he’s leading a D&D game, directing a production, or diving deep into the brain, you can be sure Sunny will be ushering you toward finding meaning in your life.