You’re tired of worry and stress. You need to talk to someone, but you’re not sure how that’ll fit into your schedule. You’ve thought about trying therapy online, but you’re not sure it’ll work for you. You’d prefer a Christian Counselor and you’re wondering how to find an experienced one near you. Let me guide you through a few things to consider when choosing an online therapist.
What young adults love about online counseling:
Convenience
Online therapy offers flexibility in prioritizing your mental health. There’s no commute, no need to leave the office, no added stops on your errand list. Most of my clients enjoy meeting in the comfort of their own home (or dorm room) or during their lunch hour, either in a private office or in their car. In fact, I’ve had sessions with moms of littles on their laptops in their closets while the toddlers were napping!
Comfort
You can engage in sessions while sitting on your comfy couch, with your warm slippers on, holding your favorite warm beverage, with your pet snuggled beside you. Most young adults who choose online therapy prefer meeting in their own space where they feel most relaxed.
Access
There is a shortage of mental health resources in many communities and young adults struggle to access counselors in their area. Online therapy provides convenient options for you to address your mental health concerns.
Some things to consider, regarding teletherapy:
Effectiveness
Studies have shown online therapy to be just as effective for most mental health concerns as in-person therapy. (See this meta-analysis report from 2022: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2022-17335-001)
Type of Therapy
If you’re a teen or young adult female, you’ll want to find an online counselor who specializes in teens, young adults, and women. If you’re looking for a Christian Counselor, you’ll want to be sure a particular therapist is familiar with your faith and comfortable integrating your faith with psychology. You’ll also want to see if they specialize in the type of therapy you need, such as anxiety, trauma, grief, etc.
Therapist License
Counselors can only provide services for residents of the state(s) in which they’re licensed. You’ll want to be sure to find one licensed in your particular state. Finding a licensed counselor (LPC, LMFT, etc) is important, because this ensures they’ve got at least a Master’s degree in counseling, along with thousands of hours of supervised counseling experience, in addition to annual continuing education, with accountability provided by their licensing board.
Admittedly, telehealth counseling is not for everyone:
Technology struggle
If you’re not comfortable with technology and it’s a consistent struggle for you, you may prefer in-person sessions at a counselor’s office.
Unreliable internet
Virtual counseling sessions may not be the best fit for you if your internet connection is spotty, as you’ll be frustrated by all of the interruptions during your session.
Distractions
You may want to consider in-person counselors if you’d be distracted by a particularly stressful home or office space during your session. Counseling requires a safe space for you to feel free to share what you need to share. If you’re unable to find some privacy or get away from constant interruptions by coworkers, family, and/or pets, then a therapy office might provide you with a safe space to discuss all you need to.
Practical steps - How to Choose Your Online Therapist:
- Read counselor profiles on their websites. - Get a feel for the ages of people and types of issues they work with, how they work, what their personality is like, etc. See which ones you are drawn to!
- Narrow your choice down to your top 2-3 online counselors.
- Contact your top 2-3 counselors to determine whether their availability and fees will work for you.
- Choose a counselor and start the process!
Resources
If you’re searching for a Christian counselor in Tennessee, I’d be honored to work with you. I provide online therapy for teen and young adult women. Reach out today!