free online therapy Archives

Aug 06 2022

Online Therapy Is The Best Method to Control Teen Depression

Most of us believe that teenagers are completely free from the burden of responsibility and work pressure. Hence, they are free, and nothing bothers them in this world, but this mindset is completely wrong. Teens are not grown-up, and neither are they very small, but still, there is a possibility that your child is struggling with some type of depression. You should look for free teen counseling if your child is depressed and worried about the future. Many teens unnecessarily roam here and there with their friends, but others are concerned about the future and challenges of life. Just spot the teen depression and take the necessary steps.

It is correctly said that depression is a silent killer. Depression can interfere in your life, and you cannot act freely in life. If your teen is going to school but is underperforming or his/her health is not stable, then you must take the necessary steps. The concerned teachers should also inform the parents about the behavior of the kids. Some teens spend time with friends, but others look for some solitude. If your teen is intentionally spending time in solitary confinement, then probably something is wrong. You must look for free online therapy sessions. Many kids isolate themselves from society due to the influence of depression.

Look for solutions so that teen depression can be controlled

When children are severely depressed, then they lose their appetite, and some kids also encounter difficulty sleeping. Some of the symptoms can be easily hidden, but there can be certain symptoms that cannot be hidden. Some teens even start skipping meals at home and school. Such signs clearly and simply indicate that your teen requires love and affection. Almost every person encounters trauma at some point in life. Even a breakup with a friend can cause trauma. Some teens regret their decision.

Invite peace, stability, and happiness to the life of your teens

A conflict in the family or a long illness can trigger stress in the minds of teenagers. Responsible parents and seniors must try to invite peace and happiness into the lives of the kids. Never underestimate the power of depression because it can have a massive impact on emotional stability. You must notice any change in the behavior of your teen kids. Just keep a watch on their behavior. Are they enjoying or isolating themselves? Even if the kids pretend that everything is alright, you can still dig out the truth. When the kids are depressed, then their faces are haggard. Try to convince your kids that everything will become alright in the end.

Become friendly with the teens

Parents and well-wishers of kids must become friendly with the teens. Tell the kids that you are always present on their side. Even if the kids claim that they are not depressed, just convince them to open up. Encourage them to discuss the issues. The parents and guardians must convince the teens that solutions for all problems are present. All the doors are open, and there is just a need to make the correct approach. You must act timely to ensure your kids do not harm themselves in any manner. Convince your kids that you are aware of their emotional pain. Immediately look for professional help and ensure your kids do not harm themselves.

It is possible to protect teens with the help of relevant preventative treatment. As soon as you suspect that the teen is suffering from any depression, just start the necessary treatment and counseling. Encourage your kids to fight depression and to come out of it. Tell your kids the skills through which emotions can be managed. Convince them that it is possible to deal with stress. Teen depression has become a serious issue. So, you must take it very seriously. Take the necessary steps and fill the life of your teen with happiness.

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Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

Jul 11 2022

How to Take Full Advantage of Your Free Counseling Session

Many online therapy platforms offer free counseling for the first few days. This is a great opportunity for people to explore the platform and see if their therapist can help them. Most people waste these initial free sessions and end up with a disappointing experience. We recommend taking full advantage of these sessions to determine whether online therapy is a good choice for you. Here are some tips that can help you make the right decisions:

Take These Sessions Seriously

It is common for people to take their first few sessions lightly. Some don’t trust therapy while others don’t believe online therapy is effective. Regardless of the reasons, they don’t invest their full attention in these sessions, which can make them less effective. Therapy is a two-way process and requires both the therapist and the patient to communicate well. If you don’t take these sessions seriously, you won’t be able to communicate your concerns well.

Therapists will also sense that you don’t seem to trust them or respect their qualifications. That may lead to discord or cause the therapist to become disengaged from the sessions. You only have a few free sessions so it is good to avoid wasting them. Be serious about counseling from the get-go to get the best results.

Be Honest

A therapist can only help you if you give them the right information. Don’t hide the symptoms you experience or the suspected causes of your mental distress. If the therapist has incomplete information, they won’t be able to help you at all. They may offer advice or solutions that may do more harm than good.

Be honest with your free therapist from the very first session. When they ask you probing questions, always reply straightforwardly. If you’re not comfortable answering the questions, just say that you’re not comfortable. The therapist will revisit the topic later when you’re in a more accepting state of mind. Honesty is the best way to establish a good rapport with your therapist.

Be Comfortable

When we’re uncomfortable, we tend to make mistakes or retreat into ourselves, which isn’t helpful when you’re attending a free counseling session. While it is common to be somewhat anxious during your first therapy session, you can take a few steps to make your environment comfortable. Light your favorite scented candle, play soothing music, make sure your space is free of clutter, and choose a quiet and comfortable space.

Taking these steps will help you feel relaxed and comfortable during the session, which will help ensure it is more successful. If you’re not comfortable or secure at home, attend therapy at your friend’s house or visit your favorite park. The flexibility of online counseling ensures that you can choose your environment.

Ask Questions

Don’t be afraid to ask your therapist some questions. Most therapists will ask a few guiding questions to help initiate the conversation and get you comfortable. They will also ask questions to get more information about your current mental health. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t ask a few questions of your own. Ask them how the therapy will proceed and what kind of information your therapist means. Ask them about your symptoms and mental health struggles. Sometimes the answers your therapist provides can be very validating.

Asking questions can also help you become more comfortable and confident, which will have a positive impact on your free counseling sessions. Once you have a free flow of communication with your therapist, it is easier to work on your mental health.

Follow the Advice

Therapy sessions may only last for an hour or so but you still need to implement the solutions discussed after the therapy is done. Following your free therapist’s advice and making sure you bring about a positive change in life can help you move forward. Don’t forget what your therapist says as soon as you finish your conversation.

Being proactive and serious about therapy is the best way to ensure success. You may also need fewer sessions if you are serious about therapy as you will start to feel better sooner.

If you follow these tips, you will get the most out of your free counseling sessions. All you need to do is commit and cooperate with your counselor.

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Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

Jul 10 2022

Benefits of Free Online Therapy

Mental health is just as important as physical health. Taking care of your mind can help improve the quality of your life significantly and even attending a few sessions with a therapist can have an impact. Unfortunately, many people hesitate to invest in therapy and don’t consider it effective. The stigma against mental health issues doesn’t help. If you’re hesitating to consider therapy, try a few free online therapy sessions. Here’s a look at some of the most important benefits of online therapy:

1. Mental Health Support

Some mental health support is better than none. Attending a few free sessions with experienced therapists may set you on the right path and help you focus on your mental health. If you’re wary of therapy and don’t know if it is for you, consider getting free sessions just to experience with it is like. There is no risk or investment required. If you find therapy an unpleasant experience, you can stop immediately.

Moreover, these sessions are held online, which means you can attend them from the comfort of your home. Convenient access to mental health services is exactly what you need to get on the journey towards good health.

2. Determining the Root Cause

Your mental health troubles may have a specific root cause. You may not be able to understand why you’re experiencing certain symptoms but a psychologist may be able to. Determining the root cause can help you overcome the problem. Understanding the root cause is a matter of understanding the client. Psychologists carefully ask leading questions and consider the answers provided by their clients.

The answers to these questions give the psychologists a clearer idea of the client’s current mental state. Their advice is more effective and treatments offer better results if they are working with better information.

3. Affordability

The first few days on eTherapy platforms are generally free. This allows you to test and understand the services available. However, many people wonder what happens after the trial period expires. If you want to remain on board and continue with therapy, you just need to pay a small fee for your sessions.

Online therapy is often reasonably priced because you can pick a therapist from cheaper locations and benefit from lower overhead costs. Many people save hundreds of dollars on therapy every year by opting for online counseling. This affordability makes online therapy more accessible than traditional therapy. If you’re on a tight budget, it doesn’t hurt to get a few free therapy sessions from experienced professionals.

4. Specialists for Different Issues

When you attend traditional therapy sessions, you have to compromise with what you have available in your town or location. For example, if your local therapists aren’t familiar or don’t have too much experience with your specific concern, you have no choice but to accept it or look for a therapist who works farther away.

Online therapy is different because you have access to expert therapists from different parts of the country. The platform will ask you to fill up a form and then assign a therapist based on the information available on the form. There will be no need to worry about poor mental health care. You will be assigned specialized experts who understand your troubles and will be able to offer nuanced advice based on experience.

5. Accessibility

Many people aren’t able to access mental health services because they are too expensive, conspicuous, or out of reach. Online therapy is a much better solution as it allows people to access mental health services discretely. For example, if you’re in a high-risk situation and think it is unsafe to visit a therapist, you can access therapy anonymously online. You don’t even need to share your name with the therapist if you feel vulnerable.

This level of accessibility had been impossible before the advent of eTherapy. Many people simply couldn’t speak with a therapist even if they wanted to. The Internet has made things easier and more convenient. Now, you can simply message your therapist or speak to them on a video call if you prefer more face-to-face interaction.

As you can see, free therapy has several benefits at very low risk. All you need to do is give it a try to see if this is the right option for you.

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Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

Jun 13 2022

What to Expect from Your First Online Therapy for Depression?

Attending the first online therapy session is always a difficult experience. Most people don’t know how to begin or what to expect. The situation can be even more difficult if you are online since you’re not talking to the therapist face-to-face. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that difficult. Here are some tips that can help you communicate with your therapist effectively and make the most out of your first session:

1. Take Time to Know the Therapist

Most people don’t think this is an important part of therapy but understanding your therapist and their background can help you feel more grounded. For example, if you are struggling with social anxiety disorder and the therapist says they specialize in the field, you will feel more at ease.

Most online therapists will provide a short introduction to help you understand their background and give an idea about their personality. That will help you feel more comfortable with the therapy session.

2. Start a Discussion

Starting a discussion with a stranger online in such circumstances can feel a little uncomfortable and awkward. However, the initial discussion is a hurdle that you must overcome. There are several ways to approach this. Usually, a therapist will start asking guiding questions to get to know you better. Their goal is to make you comfortable and get a read on your personality as well as issues. The form you filled out earlier already provides some information to them but that’s not enough for them to start helping you.

It is important to meet your therapist halfway by communicating with them honestly. You don’t want to give them a mistaken impression of your circumstances or issues. If they ask questions, answer them as honestly as they can. If the topic is too difficult to discuss, you can always say you’re not comfortable and don’t wish to discuss it.

The therapist will move on to another topic and you can revisit the issue at a later date.

3. Ask Questions

If you have any questions or concerns, don’t be afraid to ask them. For example, if you want to know more about the therapist’s qualifications, ask them. If you want to know more about their experience with your particular concern, ask them.

Asking questions also helps improve communication between the patient and the therapist. It allows the therapist to understand what your concerns are and address them fully in the first session itself.

When it comes to online therapy, many people are hesitant and wonder if this medium is effective. You can ask your therapist directly about how effective eTherapy can be for your particular concern.

4. Setting Goals

Setting goals is an important aspect of beginner sessions. What do you want to work on? Which issue do you want to resolve first? Setting a goal allows the therapist to create a guided path and plan every session.

For example, do you want to treat your intense social anxiety? Then that should be the goal of your therapy with the counselor. Do you want to address negative and depressive thoughts? If so, that will be the goal you work towards.

Sometimes, patients don’t understand their mental health concerns. They don’t know why they experience certain symptoms like self-sabotage, extreme self-criticism, and more. In such cases, a therapist may take a few sessions to come up with a goal. But usually, this is decided in the first session.

5. Confidentiality

Online counselors follow the same ethics and guidelines as traditional counselors do. You can expect everything you say to your therapist to remain confidential. The therapist will not share the information with anyone unless this information is harmful to you.

Regardless of your age, you can expect the therapist to respect your privacy and confidence. They will not share what you say with anyone unless they have your express permission.

6. Technical Issues

Technology improves every day but technical issues can still happen. You may lose connection, experience glitches, or face a system downtime during your session. They are an inevitable part of using technology. Some issues may pop up on your end and some issues may pop up on the therapist’s side.

While technical issues can be disruptive, don’t get frustrated. Resolve them calmly and if they can’t be resolved quickly, reschedule your session with the therapist.

If you experience technical issues in your first session with the therapist, don’t be discouraged and give up. Like all problems, these can be fixed and you will be able to attend sessions smoothly. Good eTherapy platforms are well-maintained and will run smoothly.

Attending the first session is a positive step towards better mental health. All you need to do is to remain on this path and continue forward. Eventually, you will get used to this medium of communication and hit your stride.

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Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

Jun 05 2022

5 Reasons Why Online Therapy is Successful

Online therapy is a relatively new approach to therapy. It has been around for a handful of years and picked up speed when the pandemic ravaged the world. Initially, people were rightfully skeptical about this new approach, wondering if just chatting with a therapist or video-calling them would be as effective as traditional therapy. However, studies show that this approach is as effective as therapy and even more so in certain cases with certain patients. Here’s a look at some reasons why online therapy is successful:

1. More Accessible

Online therapy platforms are much more accessible than regular therapy. You can book a few sessions online and attend them from the comfort of your home, regardless of where you live. You could be in some isolated town in Alaska and still have access to the best counseling available. eTherapy makes it easier for people from remote or underserviced areas to access good therapy.

Accessibility is particularly necessary for people suffering from underrepresented mental health conditions. It is easy to get help for depression or anxiety but sometimes it can be difficult to get help for gender-related concerns or rare mental health conditions. Online therapy gives people access to more professionals, which gives people the benefit of options.

2. Privacy and Anonymity

More people are willing to try online therapy than traditional therapy because of the platform’s privacy and anonymity. Most online therapy websites don’t require your full name or contact information. You don’t even need to show your face to your therapist if you’re communicating primarily through chat or calls. This gives people a sense of privacy and safety. They don’t need to worry about anyone knowing that they are attending therapy.

This is particularly useful for people in risky or vulnerable situations. For example, if a person from an abusive or extremely conservative household requires therapy, they can access eTherapy services discretely, without worrying about anyone finding out. Studies have shown that teenagers and young adults, in particular, find these options appealing. They are more willing to attend online therapy because there is no exposure to peers involved.

3. Medium of Communication

Most online counseling happens through text messages or video conferences, depending on the approach the patient prefers. There are email and similar options available as well. Different platforms offer different communication approaches. You can choose what is most comfortable and tailor the session according to your requirements.

Most younger patients are very familiar with online communication. They are comfortable communicating primarily through text and are often more open or unreserved when using this medium. Older generations do struggle a little but even that is a matter of habit. If you dislike text communication, there’s always voice or video conferencing available. eTherapy can be tailored to suit any kind of requirement easily.

4. Eliminating Barriers

Online therapy eliminates several barriers, especially for people who can’t access traditional therapy. For example, individuals with physical disabilities or people who can’t speak or hear can use text as a way to communicate and access online therapy. Individuals that can’t see can use video or voice conferencing to access therapy. All of these things can be done from the comfort of their home, without the hassle of traveling to the therapist’s office.

Online therapy is also useful for people in high-risk situations. If you think attending therapy will place you in danger or get you in trouble, you can access it discretely without letting anyone know. That sets eTherapy apart from traditional therapy and draws more vulnerable people into the fold.

5. Flexibility

eTherapy is more flexible than traditional therapy, which is necessary for today’s fast-paced lifestyle. Every minute of the day is precious and most people don’t have much time on their hands to drive to a therapist’s office during work hours to get the support they need. Online therapy is more flexible. You can access it any time, from anywhere, and schedule the sessions according to your requirements.

This flexibility also means that you can schedule around disruptions and have the session when you are in the right mindset. For example, it is easier to schedule a session when the kids are at school or when everyone else is busy with work. You can have a quiet and relaxed environment around you and focus on your session completely. People find it easier to use online therapy than to attend face-to-face sessions with a counselor, which does have an impact on the overall success of the therapy.

These reasons make it clear why eTherapy is so successful. However, that doesn’t mean that traditional therapy is completely replaceable. If you’re dealing with serious self-harming behaviors and are an active risk to yourself or people around you, you may need more thorough medical intervention. In these cases, a traditional psychiatrist with the ability to prescribe medication or recommend a hospital stay may be necessary.

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Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.