Online counseling is free and available to anyone who needs it. There are many reasons why someone may want online counseling. They include, but are not limited to: the person doesn’t have a therapist or counselor near them, they can’t afford therapy sessions, or they don’t feel comfortable talking about their problems with others. Whatever the reason may be for seeking out free online counseling, there are plenty of benefits to using this service instead of traditional face-to-face therapy sessions that you will find in brick and mortar buildings.
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What is Online Counseling?
Online counseling is a way to meet with your therapist. You can do this over a messaging app, on video chat, or even on the phone.
Online counseling is a way to get help with your problems. You can use the internet and your device to talk to someone about your issues. Online counseling can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy, sometimes even more so! This is because people might find it easier to feel safe and open up to a therapist when they can talk to them from the comfort of their home.
Why Free Online Counseling?
In 2020, a lot of people used the internet to talk to a therapist because they wanted help from the emotional and mental effects of COVID-19. In 2020, Online counseling increased by 50% in just the first few months. This is a lot more than in 2019.
There are many people these days who use Online counseling. It has been shown to help people who feel isolated, depressed, or anxious.
Virtual therapy or counseling can be a good choice for some people. It is available to people who cannot leave their home and it is also good for people who have to take care of kids and teach.
Health insurance providers now offer online counseling sessions that can be low-cost and even free. Some companies offer free trials and sessions to people, so they can experience what it is like to talk to a professional therapist. This could help employees get access to a therapist who they know well.
Benefits of Online Counseling
- Accessibility- Anyone with an internet connection can participate in Online counseling
- Time Efficiency- Online counseling or therapy can take place without you having to go anywhere. You can do it when you want and don’t need to be sick.
- Cost-Effectiveness- Online counseling is cheaper than in-person visits and most health insurance companies will help pay for it.
- Eliminates Geographical Barriers- If you want to see a therapist who lives in another state or country, you can still see them.
- Comfort- Some people might feel more comfortable talking to a therapist in their home.
- Safety- Telehealth is a good idea because you don’t have to be around people who might have COVID-19.
Who Might Need Online Counseling?
People who are willing to listen, focus, and commit to bettering their mental health will be able to get help by using Online counseling Studies show that people with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders can thrive in online therapy.
However, someone who has mental health conditions like schizophrenia or psychosis might need help soon. They need more direct care, like in person. Online counseling may not be good for someone who has schizophrenia. This is because online therapy might make people feel like they are being watched in secret.
When Is Online Counseling Appropriate?
Counseling is a good way to get help with your problems. You can also use the internet for counseling. The counselor can be from other states or countries. They will talk to you over the phone, video chat, or in person. Online counseling is good because you can do it from anywhere. You don’t need to come into a counselor’s office or anything like that.
Online counseling can be broken down into two forms: live and asynchronous. Live counseling is when you are meeting with a counselor over the internet. Asynchronous therapy is when you chat with a counselor at your own time. This is not the same as live therapy, but it can still be helpful. You can do it from your home and talk to a therapist when you want. It is like in their office except that you don’t need to go there in real life.
A lot of people go online to get therapy. They meet the therapist and talk on the phone or video chat. This is convenient for them because they can do it when they want to, not when a therapist wants them to. Online counseling is similar to traditional, face-to-face therapy. However, it offers more flexibility because people can do it whenever they want. Online therapy sites usually offer payment plans such as unlimited sessions and emails so that people can talk about their problems anytime they want to. These are especially helpful for people who are feeling stressed or anxious and want to talk about it.
Sources For Finding Free Online Therapists
You can find free therapists on the Internet. You should ask your employer about their benefits and then do a quick search online. Here are some places to find free Online counseling:
Your Health Insurance Provider
With the pandemic, most health insurance will pay for online counseling. Check to see if your insurance will pay for this before you sign up with a program that is too expensive.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
Many employers offer free counseling sessions in their Employee Assistance Programs. If you are not sure if the company you work for offers any, just email someone in the benefits department with your question.
Your Local College Or University
If you are a student or professor, there is most likely a counseling center on campus. If the university has a psychology department they may host free clinics where students can put their skills to the test and help people for free.
Mental Health Organizations
There are many free or low-cost organizations that can help you find an online therapist. Some of them are called Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). These are people who have helped your family in the past. They know what to do when you need help.
Free Counseling Websites
This is a list of some of the free counseling websites:
eTherapyPro
EtherapyPro can help you decide if you want to do online counseling. You can try it for 3 days and see if it’s right for you.
The therapist service provides you with privacy. You can also use a fake name. They will only see your username and not who you are. You can also just text, so they won’t know what you look like or anything else about you.
Mantra Care
Mantra Care is one of the leading companies providing healthcare and employee assistance programs across the globe. It addresses a wide range of personal difficulties, from coping with addictive habits and substance addiction to managing work-life balance. Participants (workers and their qualified family/household members) can reach out to their counselors via phone calls, text messages, live video chats, and other methods.
Mantra Care’s EAP and MAP (member assistance program), according to its website, focus on the four main pillars:
Participants and members can access their services and resources in a variety of ways.
The organization will develop a bespoke plan to engage your staff based on your specific demands.
The company designed its overall experience with mental health and substance abuse issues in mind.
Mantra Care believes in providing outcomes, which is why each annual case study is published. To show, over 70% of participants report increased productivity as a result of using their EAP.
Mantra Care’s therapists will help you find the solution to your problem with advice and care. It is proven that Online counseling is as effective as in-person therapy sessions. There are many benefits of joining MantraCare.
- Affordable
MantraCare’s Online counseling is less expensive than face-to-face therapy. The first few sessions are just $10 each.
- Multiple Communication Modes
You can decide how you want to talk with your therapist: by texting, voice messages, or video chat.
- Your Therapy, Your Terms
You can choose who your therapist will be. You also get to decide the time, location, and direction of therapy.
- Expert Care Anywhere, Anytime
MantraCare offers 100% online care. You can get it whenever you need it and there’s no waiting room.
7 Cups
7 Cups is a place that you can go online to talk to trained volunteers. They will not give you advice because they are not therapists, but they can listen if you need someone to tell your story. Anyone who has a computer and is over the age of 13 can sign up for a free account on 7 Cups.
If you feel like it would be helpful, you can upgrade your membership and get a therapist. It costs $150 a month. They will offer coping mechanisms and give you a plan to manage your mental health.
Doctor on Demand
Doctor on Demand can provide medical care and mental health management from the comfort of your home.
People sometimes need treatment for their mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic can make it hard to find a doctor who will do the necessary treatment. Doctor on Demand is a good service because you can talk to other doctors. They are not about mental health, but they are still helpful.
ReGain
ReGain is a good way to get help when you want to fix your relationship. You can talk to people who know about relationships. If you sign up to use ReGain, people will know that you are in a relationship with someone. If you request one-on-one sessions, then your partner will not know what you talk about with the therapist.
Therapy Aid
Therapy Aid is a company that connects people with mental health issues to support groups and therapists. This volunteer-based platform has therapists who offer their services for free or at low prices. When you sign up, you fill out a questionnaire. You also give information about your state and how much you want to pay for your session (from $0 to $50).
iPrevail
iPrevail is a place where you can get help from other people who understand what you are going through. You do not need to tell anyone your name.
Furthermore, iPrevail is different because they have lessons about how the mind works and the lessons are on demand. They teach you how to understand your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. These lessons help you find inner peace and purpose.
Conclusion
Online counseling is a great option for those who are looking to get help with their mental health or personal problems. If you’re interested in finding out more about how Online counseling sessions work, the benefits of using them over traditional face-to-face visits, and what qualifications our therapists have before they can offer free services to others, feel free to reach out! We would love to provide you with all the information that we know about this service so that you can make an informed decision on whether it’s right for your needs. How do you think online counseling could be beneficial? What questions do you have? Let us know!
For more information, please contact MantraCare. Online therapists are increasingly important in today’s world because they provide a convenient and accessible way for people to receive mental health support and treatment. Visit MantraCare If you are searching for “therapist near me”. Book a trial Online therapy session
