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Online counselling?

Helena

Veteran

Hi friends, rather a personal topic, but I'm wondering if anyone has ever done virtual counselling, like Better Help or similar services. My anxiety is creeping up on me and I think a few sessions might be helpful before it gets the better. Please feel free to PM if you'd rather not share experiences widely but are willing to share (for my part, I'm happy to talk further on the thread, so whatever you are comfortable with).

Thanks xox

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32 replies

Latest reply was from Helena

Glory

Veteran

I’m have been doing online counseling for the past 5 months. Originally it was with Microsoft teams and now they are using zoom. I have found it very helpful. I’m happy to answer any questions. I’m also in Ontario.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I'd love to hear responses to this too. I've looked into Better Help and Talkspace but haven't tried either yet.

Helena

Veteran

PMd you glory, thanks! Laura, hope the thread ends up being helpful to you too

Ledonna N.

Veteran

My daughter and I both do counseling separately via Zoom. It's different but covered in our health care treatment plan. We had to find the right fit for our situations. I wanted counselors we could visit in t he future once the world could open up again

Helena

Veteran

Thanks Ledonna, that's a good point to consider re: being able to see them in person someday if needed. Appreciate it!

slim cat

Veteran

My daughter have all her sessions online since coronavirus. It's not the same as meeting the doctor in the office but it's a great help nevertheless. Definitely try all the options available. Sorry for your anxiety - I often feel the same ( being able to go to work and interact with people helps somewhat ).

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Helena, I wish you well! I’m glad you posted this, hope you find what you need, and maybe it will be the encouragement someone else needs to take action. Your care with others’ personal info is appreciated, I’m sure. If you get enough suggestions that identities would be obfuscated, perhaps you could post a compendium.

MsMary

Veteran

Yes, I've done it as a client, and my son the therapist does virtual sessions. It's not the same as in person but it's a heck of a lot better than no therapy at all! (BTW if you're in California send me a message if you'd like me to hook you up with said son-the-therapist. ETA oops "Torontogirl." Probably not LOL.)

rachylou

Veteran

I’m curious as to how people feel online v in person is different?

Helena

Veteran

Thanks so much everyone (Mary, yes - just outside Toronto now, but appreciate the thought).

Rachy, great question, and also I wonder if the online services are better at online vs. counsellors who have had to move online due to Covid ... I'm sure it depends on the individual ... hmm ok good things to investigate, thanks all xoxo

Glory

Veteran

I’ll chime back in to say I like the virtual face to face considerable better than in person. What I have liked: no travel time, no need to find or pay for parking, had a feeling on being in my own space which I liked. And in my case the building itself is a trigger which I know is not the case for everyone.

MsMary

Veteran

Glory, you're not alone. My son's anecdotal evidence is that a good number of clients feel more comfortable with virtual therapy.

Helena

Veteran

That makes a lot of sense Glory ... Actually knowing me, if I could do it via email if choose that option Mind you that's my anxiety talking, so that probably wouldn't work! So appreciate the input friends ... Very lucky to have this group to turn to with these things x

JAileen

Veteran

Helena, I don’t have any suggestions, but I hope you are able to find help. I have a couple of friends who are struggling. They are not doing well.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

My niece is a therapist who is offering online sessions, and it's working out pretty well overall. Certainly better than going without, in this time when in-person sessions are not necessarily advisable. I hope you can find some help -- I know how hard this is.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I’m the board president of a counseling organization, and we started to offer tele-therapy very early on in the pandemic.
It has worked very well for the therapists and for most clients (exceptions are seniors who can’t deal with the tech and small children who would ordinarily do play therapy.) I hope you find someone you click with. Even with a light at the end of the tunnel in sight, these remain stressful and challenging times.

Sal

Veteran

All the best Helena - I think it is a really good idea. I feel increasing comfortable in Zoom/Skype/Teams meetings whereas I used to feel self conscious about my face, hair etc...

And the good thing is that if you found someone who was fairly remote you could still see them.... you are not restricted to someone 30min commute for example.

Bijou

Veteran

Helena, I just wanted to add my support and wish you well. I am 100% with you in the belief that for health issues, we should be proactive. I am sure that therapists have adapted to the new online environment.

Helena

Veteran

Thanks so much everyone ... DH discovered that his company has a virtual counselling service available, and they can then recommend resources locally which his benefits would help us cover ... so I will try that path and see where it takes me. Thanks SO much everyone for being so lovely and supportive xoxo

nemosmom

Veteran

Oh, Helena! I know how difficult anxiety is to manage. I have no experience with therapy via the new fancy apps, but have heard great things about tele-therapy. I am certainly no professional, but happy to lend an ear if you ever need someone to talk to (I PM'd you my contact info).

I hope you find a professional source of support that works. Major APPLAUSE to you for reaching out! Big big hugs xx

Jules

Veteran

Helena, if the service is via an employee assistance plan, please keep your expectations very low. I attempted this route and waited 2 weeks-ish for what turned out to be a 10 minute phone call. I didn’t pursue it any further because I was so shocked and dismayed that I had built myself up for that paltry effort from the provider. Someone wisely reminded me that typical EAP benefits are worth approximately $500 a year - therapy sessions in Toronto can easily cost over $200/hour, so do the math on what you might expect to get and whether it’s worth investing in a relationship that would be so short-lived (if you can even get 2 total hours out of it). When I later found my own therapist I did find value in just a few sessions, and at least when I showed up I knew I had her attention for the full hour.

Jules

Veteran

Just to add/clarify, the referral service may be useful as finding a therapist with availability is also a challenge. It’s the free counselling service that I specifically was disappointed in / didn’t have the right expectations for.

Anonymous

I get therapy and meds for anxiety. It's been tele help since the pandemic, and I find it's just as helpful, if not more so, than in-person. Therapists must be making a fortune right now!

I've also been using two apps for getting to sleep: Nothing Much Happens, and Sleep With Me. They put me out in 5 minutes or so. If I can get a good night's rest, the world looks much brighter!

Helena

Veteran

Thank you so much everyone ... this really is the kindest place on the Internet. Xtabay, it's exhausting sometimes, isn't it? I'll check out those apps. Jules, yes - I'm sure it's the same EAP service, and you are right - I've not enjoyed their phone service particularly ... I'm hoping they will refer me somewhere. If not, it is what it is; fortunately we can shell out to some degree at least if needed. Thanks so much all xoxo

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Sorrytohear that you are struggling at the moment.You are not alone in this l don’t think that the pandemic has helped anyone’s mental health.Good for you in being proactive.l wish you a speedy recovery.

nuancedream

Veteran

I have been with my current counselor for the past two years and transitioning to online sessions have worked out well. Not having to travel to an office for a session has certainly reduced my stress level considerably. With the upheaval in our lives that the pandemic has wrought, mental health services, already underfunded and understaffed, have been stressed like never before and far too many people are not getting treatment they need. When will we ever learn that mental health is integral to our individual and collective well-being? I hope it is sooner rather than later.

kerry

Veteran

I’ve only ever seen my therapist virtually, who only started doing so when the pandemic hit. I started seeing her the end of March 2020 and it suits me perfectly! I don’t have to get to her office and I can usually get a day/time that works well with my schedule. She’s located in Toronto, has reasonable rates and my benefits cover quite a few sessions. I hope she’ll continue to offer a virtual session option even when things get back to “normal”.

In this time of uncertainty, the lack of distractions and the inordinate amount of public shaming everywhere, anxiety is definitely peaking. Curiously though through therapy I’ve discovered what I had been thinking was anxiety actually isn’t.

Hope you find someone you click with and that it proves helpful. Anxiety and the like are tricky beasts.

Anonymous

Hi Helena,

My husband is a Therapist and he also does phone and internet appointments. He said that it’s working very well for many people & I hope it works out that way for you.
<3

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Glad you've got a lead on some possibilities, Helena.

I used to volunteer for Crisis Text Line and they're a cool resource, too - not as in-depth as therapy but good for those moments when you are feeling overwhelmed and want to talk to someone about it. It's via text, too, so good for those of us that have social anxiety. It's 741741 in the US, or crisistextline.org.

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