Online Counseling for Emotional and Mental Health
Emotional health is a key component of physical health. Everyone knows that, but we sometimes forget just how important it is.
Most of us are conditioned to look only for physical causes for illnesses and chronic conditions. Yet without changing the emotions and behavior that are contributing to the problem, even if we get well, we are likely to relapse.
So the answer is to get counseling, but that seldom happens. We may know we need it, but many of us fail to obtain it for a variety of reasons. The “mental health” stigma is still strong for many people. And some of us simply do not have access to counseling.
Cost may be a big factor. Disability or lack of transportation can make it hard to get to a counselor’s office.
Or we may be so booked up with work and family that we simply cannot find the time. It is easy to put off making an appointment that could tie up several hours of your day when you include transportation time and possible delays at the counselors office.
Privacy concerns can be quite strong and valid, especially if you live in a small, conservative town. You may not have any deep, dark secrets, but you still want to keep your personal and family business private. It can be hard to find a counselor you trust when your social life and/or livelihood, and perhaps that of your family members or other loved ones, may seem to be at stake.
It can even be hard to get off work or away from the family without explaining why—or lying. So what do you do?
One new option that the Internet makes possible is online counseling. With today’s easy chat systems you can chat live with an expert far away. No one else has to know, and the cost can be quite reasonable. That could literally be a lifesaver for some.
Unlike with physician referrals, you can choose the online counseloryourself from a directory offering a wide range of background, experience, and areas of specialty and showing names, photos and credentials.
You weigh the options, and you make the choice. If you try someone and do not care for them, there are no strings. Just pick someone else. (No hurt feelings from a physician or friend who recommended them.)
You can get your questions answered online by experts and even compare answers from different counselors. Having experienced cluelessness, hostility, and even breach of confidentiality with in-person counseling myself, I would definitely use this kind of service. It just makes good sense.
As online medical care has become feasible, so has online counseling. It’s about time, too. This could help many, many people, and even save lives.
Tags: online counselors, Mental Health, mental health stigma, Health, Alternative Therapies, emotional health











