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5 Signs that It is Time to See a Therapist

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Deciding to see a therapist is one of the most difficult aspects of the journey toward recovery. Most people struggle to make it. Some fail to understand that their problem is serious and they need some professionals. Some seek out therapy for everyday struggles that they can overcome with the help of friends and family. It is very easy to underestimate or overestimate your need for therapy. Here are some signs that indicate you do need help:

1. Noticeable Shift in Mood and Personality

A noticeable shift in mood and personality is one of the biggest indications of mental health issues. If you have suddenly become withdrawn, distant, or experience uncontrollable fits of anger or sadness, you are under some sort of mental strain. People don’t experience sudden shifts in personality or mood unless there is some underlying motivator. If a calm and steady person suddenly develops a temper, they need assistance.

If you or your loved one have experienced such a sudden shift, consider booking an appointment with an online therapist. They will help you get to the bottom of this issue.

2. Lack of Interest in Different Activities

Most people have hobbies and interests outside their regular activities. Some people like to read, some listen to music, some watch movies, and some like to go on long walks or drives. Many enjoy having drinks or a bite to eat with friends. If you notice that you’ve not been in the mood for any of your favorite activities recently, there may be a cause for concern.

Sometimes you may lose interest in the outside world and will want to spend time alone or doing different things. That’s not alarming, but if you experience a persistent lack of interest in everything, you may need therapy.

3. Recent Loss of a Loved One

Losing a loved one is never easy. It can take a toll on a person and even cause them to slip into long-term depression if they’re not careful. People come up with different ways to handle the situation. Spending time with other loved ones, engaging in activities that distract them, trying healthy ways to cope with grief, etc, are normal behaviors.

However, if you find it difficult to engage with others, participate in activities, and can’t seem to shake off your sadness, you may need some professional help. Sometimes grief and loss can be devastating, especially if you were close to the deceased individual. It is best to seek help in such circumstances.

4. Recent Traumatic Experience

Trauma causes a lot of harm to your mind and body. It should be addressed quickly and effectively to ensure there is no long-lasting effect. Whether you have been battered or have witnessed a big accident, you need to invest in some healing to recover from the incident.

We recommend booking a few sessions with a therapist even before you experience any adverse effects.

5. Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms

Unhealthy coping mechanisms like drug abuse, alcohol abuse, violence, excessive sexual activity, etc, can have long-term consequences. If you notice that you’re relying on these things to cope with your mental health issues, seek professional help quickly. It is never a good idea to leave these issues unaddressed.

Increased dependency on drugs and alcohol can have life-threatening consequences. They can also have a big impact on your personal and professional life.

If you experience any of the issues mentioned above, it is time to seek out therapy. eTherapyPro is a reliable and trustworthy online therapy platform that can help you get back on the road to recovery. With our help, you can overcome these issues and regain some stability.

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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.

What Does it Cost to Go To a Therapist vs an Online Therapist?

Anxiety

When trying to decide whether to seek therapy and which kind may be right, cost is an ever-present factor. Many insurance plans don’t cover therapy or only cover a certain number of sessions. Sliding-scale clinics often have long waiting lists, leaving many Americans who are interested in therapy wondering how to get the help they need.

Comparing the cost of brick-and-mortar therapy to the online variety can be complex, because there are different types of therapists with sometimes widely different hourly rates. Generally, however, because an online therapy practice is structured differently than a traditional counseling practice, it is more affordable. For one thing, online therapists are able to pass along the savings of not having to lease the physical spaces needed to conduct face-to-face meetings. Quantifying access itself is a little more tricky to compare. This is because many online therapy models include a level of access to the therapist, such as unlimited messaging or texting, that old-fashioned practices simply don’t cover as part of their hourly services.

There are also so-called “secondary” cost savings when it comes to the cost of online therapy. For example, the cost of gas and wear and tear on a vehicle is saved because the client doesn’t actually need to travel to a physical office—for clients who would have to drive 15 minutes or longer to reach a physical appointment, this can add up over time. For clients with careers, time savings can matter, too. Conversely, for clients with children, not having to arrange childcare eliminates a hassle and possibly another expense.

 

If you have been experiencing Depression please start a FREE trial of online counseling and get help today.

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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.

How Can You Know if your Online Therapist is Reputable?

Anxiety

If you’ve decided that online therapy is right for you, the next step is researching a provider. Just like with brick-and-mortar therapists, it’s important to take steps to make sure that the online counselor you’ll be seeing is a qualified professional by looking only for licensed providers. It’s important to understand the various kinds of training and certifications available to therapists, because there are many different kinds. Common licenses include LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), LPA (Licensed Psychological Associate), MSW (Master’s in Social Work), LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist), alongside doctorate-level degrees like PhDs, PsychDs, or MD/DOs.

While there are a variety of training methods and professional license types, all of them require the therapist to adhere to certain professional standards; the difference is simply which kind of training has been involved. Why is licensure so important? While there are undoubtedly plenty of great people doing counseling work without a license, making sure that you hold to this standard has several benefits, the first being that you’re sure to get someone who has undertaken formal training and passed exams. Another benefit is that insurance is more likely to cover licensed counsellors instead of, say, energy healers or religious leaders.

When trying to decide which type of professional therapist is the best fit, it’s important to note that different types of licensing may have different hourly rates, too. As a general rule of thumb, those holding doctorate-level degrees tend to charge more than those that hold a graduate degree, like an MSW. Whichever type of therapist you ultimately decide to go on may also depend on your particular needs, such as whether or not you might need medication prescribed.

If researching by type of therapist is too overwhelming, simply begin your search by looking up licensed therapists that specialize in the particular area you need help with. Next, it’s time to evaluate the websites of e-therapists to help decide whether a practice is legitimate or not. Remember that the first or second search result may not be the best, as these are often rankings that sites pay for, much like an old-fashioned ad. In regards to the practice itself, there should be an associated confirmed address if you search it by name. Why should this matter in the case of online therapy? Even if the therapist(s) run the practice entirely virtually, having a registered address helps verify that the business is being run legitimately. On the website itself, there should be clear, professionally-shot photos of the therapists along with brief biographies summarizing where they’ve been educated, what certifications they currently hold, and any areas of specialty. If you need an extra layer of reassurance, you can search the status of any therapist’s licensure in the state they are registered to practice in. If this information is unclear at any time, simply move onto the next e-therapist.

Most reputable online therapists use integrated software right from the site to conduct counseling appointments via secure video chat. Other online therapists may use an external app, but it’s important to do a quick check to make sure the app is legitimate (eg, available in Apple and Android stores) before downloading anything. While some therapists do use Skype or other popular chat tools, it’s recommended that this is only done with therapists that the patient has already worked with in-person, because not having dedicated communication software or a gateway on the website may indicate less-than-top quality or a therapist that isn’t actually experienced doing remote counseling sessions. The last step in verification is to call the practice to enquire about payment options, setting up an introductory appointment, and discuss exactly what technology will be used to access the therapist and how it works. Most reputable therapists are more than happy to discuss all of these things over the phone, including holding a brief discussion or interview to gauge initial compatibility.

 

If you have been experiencing Depression please start a FREE trial of online counseling and get help today.

Free Trial

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.