Florida Online Counseling for Teens-is it Effective?
So, you may be a teen or have a teen that is in need of counseling services, in Florida. The problem is, there are a few approaches and choices to select when deciding which method is best…online therapy or face-to-face. This article discusses many of the questions that you might have about online counseling, the effectiveness of online therapy for teens, and the pros/cons of online therapy.
What is the Difference between Online Therapy and Face-to-Face?
It’s very simple! The difference between online therapy and face-to-face therapy is that online counseling involves meeting online via a HIPAA compliant telehealth system. You might have your sessions via Zoom, GoogleMeet, SimplePractice, DoxyMe, Therapy Notes, etc. You may be wondering how telehealth sessions can be interactive. Many telehealth platforms allow our therapist to share their screen so you can view whatever your counselor has to show you that they would typically do face-to-face. Many approaches such as EMDR Therapy can also be conducted online now, due to different virtual software that has been developed, specifically for therapists who conduct their sessions online.
Is Online Therapy Effective for Teens?
The answer is YES. Relevant to the American Psychological Association, “96% of psychologists who responded to its 2021 COVID-19 Telehealth Practitioner Survey agreed that teletherapy was an effective treatment, and 93% intended to continue to offer teletherapy post-pandemic.” Online counseling in Florida has been determined to be just as effective as face-to-face sessions-but, it is situational. There are some teens that online counseling is not appropriate for.
Who is Online Therapy for Teens not Appropriate for?
The first question you should ask yourself to determine if online counseling is right for you or your teen is-will I or my teen have a safe and confidential space to conduct sessions in? If the answer is, “No I never have privacy at home-or my teen doesn’t have privacy at home”, then in-person counseling in more appropriate. Therapy should ALWAYS be conducted in a space where you or your teen feel SAFE to disclose personal information.
The next question you should ask to determine the appropriateness of online therapy is-will it be difficult for me or, my teen to be engaged during online sessions. If it is difficult for you to stay focused online or, if you think you might be too distracted with your phone or electronic device during the session then, face-to-face counseling is more appropriate!
If you are actively suicidal, face-to-face counseling is more appropriate because of the difficulty that counselors might have to react to a crisis rapidly via telehealth.
Online counseling might not be appropriate for you if you have a certain severe mental illness especially, if you are experiencing delusions or, hallucinations involving certain electronic methods.
What are the Benefits of Online Therapy?
There are many benefits to online therapy in Florida.
· Online counseling is a more convenient way to access therapy. There is no need to drive to a counseling office and spend money on gas. You can even wear pajama pants during your session! No one would know.
· Online therapy also has the tendency to feel more comfortable-especially if your home is your “safe place”. Going to face-to-face therapy is unfamiliar at first and for some client, adds a heightened sense of anxiety.
· One great benefit to online counseling in Florida is that now people who live in rural areas that are far from a counseling clinic can enjoy the many benefits of therapy!
What are the cons of Online Therapy?
· One con to online therapy is that there is the potential for technological issues. Maybe your wifi is running a bit slow one day or, your computer is taking longer than usual to start up.
· Some clients are also just not a good fit for online therapy, especially if they have difficulty focusing when online, are not able to use electronic methods, are highly suicidal, or have certain severe mental illnesses.
Conclusion
Hopefully, through reading this article, you have a better idea if online therapy in Florida is right for you or your teen! If you believe that online counseling suits your needs, Burch Tree Counseling Center offers online counseling in Florida for adults and teens. Click the button below to find out more. You can also conveniently schedule your first virtual session online.
