Meredith made a cup of coffee and settled into the living room sofa, then she clicked on an icon on her laptop. Hundreds of miles away, her face popped up on her therapist’s computer monitor; he smiled back on her computer screen.
Your therapist could be only a mouse click or email away. There are many therapy programs available online or on the computer (e.g., DVDs, CDs), and some research shows that Internet-based therapies may be just as helpful as face-to-face. But results can vary from program to program, and each program is different.
Many of these therapies are based on the two main types of psychotherapies—CBT and IPT. But they may be in different formats.
For example, you might learn from materials online and get support from your therapist by email. It could be a video conferencing session that progresses much like a face-to-face session. Or you may use a computer program with video, quizzes, and other features with very little contact with a therapist. Sometimes these therapies are used along with face-to-face sessions. Sometimes they are not.
There are pros to receiving therapy on the Internet or on the computer. These options could provide more access to care if you live in a rural area where providers aren’t available or if you have trouble fitting sessions into your schedule. Also, tech-savvy teens who feel uncomfortable with office visits may be more open to talking to a therapist through a computer screen.
There are also cons. For example, your health insurance may only cover therapy that is face-to-face. And although these various formats may work for a range of patients, they also may not be right for certain patients depending on a variety of factors.
If you are interested in exploring Internet or computer-based therapy, talk to your doctor or mental health provider. You may also be able to find an online mental health care provider on your own. But remember that there are many online “therapists” who may lack the proper training or who may try to take advantage of you. Speak with your provider first to see if he or she can provide a recommendation or trusted source for more information. You can also check the online provider’s credentials and ask about his or her treatment approach. Sometimes you may need to have a conversation with more than one provider to find the right one for you. If cost is an issue, be sure to also contact your health insurance provider to see what’s covered and what’s not.
