It’s officially 2021 and the news cycle isn’t proving to be any less stressful than last year. With the pandemic amplifying mental health issues like depression and anxiety, more and more people are seeking talk therapy. Even in “normal” times, deciding to see a therapist is a courageous step to take. If you’ve been unsure about going to therapy in the past, consider making 2021 the year you take charge of your mental health.
Here are 11 reasons to try online therapy:
It works
It’s normal to be skeptical of online therapy. Like all interactions in the pandemic, it’s not quite the same as “the real deal,” but don’t let that keep you from taking care of your mental health. Research shows that meeting with a therapist over Zoom or other applications is just as effective as talking to one in person.
It leads to better relationships
When your mental health improves, it creates a ripple effect in your life. With online therapy, you’ll not only learn skills that will help you be more effective in your relationships, the goal is that you will also reach a place where you have a greater capacity to connect with others. When you learn to be kinder to yourself, it’s easier to be kind to others.
It provides connection
After almost a year of pandemic living, you might be feeling a little rusty in the social department. Online therapy can serve as a safe, nonjudgmental place for you to brush up on your social skills and talk through any fears you may have about getting back to your “normal” social life. If your social interaction has been severely limited, therapy is a great stepping stone for helping you put yourself out there. Online therapy is no substitute for friendships, but it can help you work on combating the loneliness you might be feeling.
Therapy is planned self-care
If you find it difficult to carve out time for self-care, therapy can help you get started. An online therapy session is dedicated time for self-care, and any homework your therapist might give you will force you to take time to focus on yourself.
It can help with body image
If you’ve been struggling with more body image issues since the pandemic started, you’re not alone. The impact of isolation on your mood and self-esteem, coupled with a feeling of a loss of control could be the reason you are more fixated on your body than usual. Online body image therapy can help you work through the obsessive negative thoughts and make peace with your reflection.
Early intervention is key for eating disorder recovery
If you have concerns about your relationship with food, exercise, and/or your body, it’s important to seek online eating disorder therapy earlier rather than later. Receiving treatment early on in your eating disorder increases your chances for recovery and can help you avoid serious physical and psychological consequences.
So if you are caught in a cycle of dieting or emotional eating, consider searching for an online therapist (like those on our team) who specializes in eating issues.
It’s convenient
Online therapy can continue even in post-pandemic times, offering you a convenient option that takes less time out of your day. No sitting in traffic or worrying about being late — just open up your laptop or get on your phone and log on.
The skills you learn will serve you for life
The skills you learn in online therapy aren’t just for eating disorder recovery. They can apply to all areas of your life to help you be happier and more productive. Understanding how to make your thoughts work for you and not against you is a critical life skill that you will use long after you reach full recovery.
It gives you more options.
With traditional therapy, you may have to compromise because you can only work with the options you have in your immediate area. Depending on where you live, that can be very limiting. With online therapy, you can see a therapist located anywhere in your state. This allows you to expand your search to find a provider who matches what you want and need in a therapist.
Therapy is empowering
Knowledge is power, and self-knowledge will empower you in every area of your life. Therapy can help you get to know yourself and identify behavior patterns that might be keeping you stuck. Understanding yourself — your wants, needs, motives, intentions, goals, triggers, and struggles — gives you the power to effect change in your life and move forward from past hurts.
Therapy is for everyone
Even if you’re recovered from an eating disorder or don’t currently struggle with a mental illness, you can still benefit from online therapy. Going to therapy isn’t just for people in crisis. It can be a preventative step to combat against relapses or other mental health episodes.
Online therapy works, and if you are open to it, it can be a transformative experience for you and your loved ones.
If you are a California resident struggling with eating, body image issues, or self-esteem, consider booking a consultation so that you can start seeing one of our online eating disorder therapists.
