Seeing a psychotherapist in person can be the best choice for many people. But an alternative that can be helpful is working with a counselor or therapist online.
Most of us experience mental or emotional health challenges to some degree, at some times.
Working with a counselor or therapist by email, video or phone, can be more available convenient and desirable for many people, and provide effective help for a variety of issues and life challenges.
Mental health professionals trained in various therapy approaches are available through a number of online therapy services.
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How can counseling or psychotherapy help us be more authentic, more in charge of our own lives, and better able to express ourselves creatively?
Claire Danes once made a great comment about the value of counseling:
“My therapist gives me permission to accept that I’m human.”
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Psychotherapist Mihaela Ivan Holtz helps creative people in TV/Film, performing and fine arts.
She notes “Emotional issues, creative blocks, anxieties, depression, or unfulfilling relationships” can interfere and “take over.”
Therapy can be “a powerful transformative journey that can take you from feeling unhappy and stuck to living with emotional freedom…”
See more in article How can psychotherapy benefit actors and other artists?
Dr. Holtz comments about the value of online therapy:
“Regardless of the challenges or unanticipated changes that may be affecting your daily functioning, they don’t have to completely overturn your life and career.
“By taking the time to talk to a counselor online, you can find relief and regain a sense of control over your situation.
“Instead of being too stressed or detached to train or practice your skills, online therapy can help you continue your work.
“You can continue to be present in your life and career.”
She adds,
“Online therapy can be an effective way to find the professional support you need right now. By embracing teletherapy options, you can continue being creative and efficient.”
See more on this page on her site: Online Therapy.
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Talkspace online service with licensed therapists
Video by Talkspace” “Life can be a lot”
“Work is a lot, life, family can be a lot, school is a lot, my OCD symptoms were a lot – that’s why I talked to my Talkspace therapist every week…”
Talkspace review
I Tried Talkspace’s Online Therapy for a Month—Here’s How It Went
Considering Talkspace for online therapy? Here’s my review to help you decide.
By Mary X. Dennis, Verywell Health April 25, 2023
Medically reviewed by Dakari Quimby, PhD
Overall, I had an excellent experience with Talkspace. I felt the level of care offered was highly professional, competent, and experienced.
My concerns over the rudimentary matching system were unfounded, as I had no problem finding a therapist that was a great fit for me in terms of personality, scheduling, and treatment approach.
The sessions were shorter than I expected and yet, I liked the shorter session time. It was easier to squeeze sessions into a tight schedule, and we still managed to set a goal and close the session with productive take-aways.
When paired with daily messaging, where I could touch base with my therapist about what we’d talked about during our session and how I’d applied skills we’d discussed, it was a nice way to spread the work out across the week, rather than cramming everything into a longer once-a-week session.
I always got a response within an hour or two—but they were always fairly short, and generally offered encouragement and support more than discussion of therapeutic concepts.
Based on how frustratingly vague the homepage is, I was pleasantly surprised by how effective the Talkspace platform was once I had actually signed up.
Also see these Talkspace pages:
Online counseling for the LGBTQIA+ community
Counseling for couples with Talkspace online therapy
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An alternative to in-office counseling.
video: “Does online therapy really work?”
A CBS News article noted that for people who “don’t have the time or money for traditional counseling or psychotherapy, a number of startups now offer a high-tech alternative.
“Sign up for one of these sites and you can reach out and communicate with a counselor via Internet, phone or text messages.”
The article notes “Research published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews… found that therapist-supported cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered over the Internet appears to be an effective treatment option for anxiety in adults.
“Another review published in 2014 found that telephone or online counseling could help people with depression return to work sooner.”
One online therapy client says it suits her needs:
“There’s very little financial risk to do it,” said Abagail, a New York City actress – interviewed in the video, and in photo at top.
The article notes “She decided to try once-a-week phone sessions combined with some online assignments to help cope with her social anxiety and stage fright” and has been pleased with the results.
“The way I feel about my career and my social interaction in general is completely different,” she said.
What to know before you try online therapy, CBS News Dec 30, 2015.
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The Online-Therapy site provides therapists trained in CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Another service is Online-Therapy.com, which provides access to therapists trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – “one of the most commonly used psychotherapeutic approaches…it helps you to identify, challenge and overcome your dysfunctional thoughts, behaviors and emotions.”
How does CBT help?
Dr. Caroline Norman writes in an article for Online-Therapy:
“CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) works by helping us to understand the links between our thoughts, behaviours and feelings.
For example, if we think of a meeting with our boss as overwhelming then we’re likely to feel stressed about it and engage in unhelpful behaviours such as not sleeping the night before.
However, if we see the meeting as a challenge we can rise to rather than as overwhelming then we may feel more relaxed, sleep better and perform better. The situation is the same, but our thoughts about it are different and have different outcomes for us.
Here are some CBT tips to help you to spring-clean your mind this season and to support you to manage stress differently:
- Focus On Behavioural Changes
Sometimes unhelpful behaviours can cause or prolong our stress. For instance, perhaps you find yourself putting things off until the last minute? Or maybe you feel too busy to exercise, see friends and family, sleep well or relax?
Take some time to identify what you find stressful in your life. Then consider the techniques you may already have access to that can help you to manage stress.”
See more in article Five CBT Stress-Busting Tips For Spring By Caroline Norman, PhD.
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Artists who benefit from therapy – Ellie Goulding
British singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding used cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) “to cope with stress,” notes an article.
“I was skeptical at first because I’d never had therapy, but not being able to leave the house was so debilitating.”
Goulding said CBT has “enabled her to retain control over her anxiety and curb her panic attacks.”
From article Ellie Goulding Opens Up About Anxiety and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, online health community The Mighty, November 7, 2022.
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MAP Coaching programs to manage stress, anxiety, trauma, and self-sabotaging behaviors
“Our Mission is to empower individuals to quickly dissolve unconscious blocks, gently heal unresolved trauma, and easily overcome emotional stress.”
Overcoming stress, blocks, unwanted emotions – People who experienced a MAP session
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A Sales and Marketing Coach, Stirling Gardner helps Coaches market and grow their businesses.
“Throughout his seven years of coaching Coaches, he saw that many clients struggle to implement his marketing strategies due to their traumas.
“He decided to get certified as a MAP Practitioner to help his clients release mental and emotional blocks.”
He says his MAP coaching session with Margaret “blew my mind.”
“I was a workaholic for many years, working 10 to 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.
“I would feel anxious whenever I relaxed, subconsciously believing that the money would stop coming if I stopped working. But the endless work was taking a toll on me.
“My original intention for the session was to enjoy one weekend off without feeling guilty about not working. After that private session, I relaxed for two consecutive weekends and didn’t even realize it until my wife pointed that out! It is now my new norm to take the weekends off work.”
Michelle on Healing from Childhood Trauma with the MAP Method
Lear about the MAP Experience Masterclass free training
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Douglas Eby (M.A./Psychology) is author of the The Creative Mind series of sites which provide “Information and inspiration to help creative people thrive.”
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