What Are the Benefits of Online Therapy in Toronto?
Now more than ever before, our lives are taking place online. We take classes, attend work meetings, and visit friends from the comfort of our own homes.
But how do things like therapy fit into the virtual world? Does online therapy even work?
Here at KMA, our team of therapists supports people both online and in-person. We’re here to help you learn more about online therapy and decide whether it might be a great fit for you.
To help answer all your questions, we’ll cover:
- What are the advantages of getting online therapy in Toronto?
- What are some considerations of online therapy in general?
- Is it possible to see a therapist both online and in-person?
By the end of this article, you’ll have all the information you need to decide whether online therapy in Toronto will work for you.
What are the advantages of getting online therapy in Toronto?
Getting online therapy has many advantages, and here are just a few:
No Commute
Online therapy, even if you’re seeing an in-person local professional, is remote, so you won’t need to leave the comfort and safety of home. No need to fight traffic or pay huge bucks for parking. This is a huge advantage if you’re a busy person.
Easier to Maintain Consistency
Since you can hop into a session from anywhere (provided that it’s quiet and confidential), maintaining weekly sessions isn’t as much of a challenge. Maintaining consistency in attendance can hugely impact your therapy outcomes and help you see results faster.
Better Access to the Right Fit
Since you won’t necessarily be limited to finding a therapy practice in your close geographical neighbourhood (If you live in Ontario you can receive online therapy from any professional licensed in Ontario), this opens up the possibilities to finding the right practice that actually suits your needs.
Insurance
As long as you’re seeing an online therapist who’s located and licensed in the province of Ontario, you’ll typically be able to claim the sessions under your insurance plan, if it covers services of the mental health professional you’re seeing.
What are some things to consider if you think online therapy might be the right choice for you?
Privacy and Space
You’ll need to have a safe, secure spot where you can talk candidly with no interruptions. If you live with other people, are there times in the week when you’re alone in your home? Can you find somewhere that you can speak without being overheard?
Internet Connection
Having access to wifi and a fast connection is imperative to prevent technical issues and dropoffs. Therapy can be a vulnerable experience to begin with, so ensuring your therapist doesn’t freeze or unexpectedly cut out during the session can help it feel more safe.
Cost
Just remember that online therapy in Toronto and Ontario will be roughly the same cost as in person therapy. So if you’re just seeking online therapy for economical reasons, it may not work out.
Your Specific Reason for Therapy
What exactly brings you to therapy and what are you hoping to achieve? While virtual therapy can be just as effective as in person therapy, it does depend on the issue you’re facing.
Online therapy is best suited for life issues, relationship issues, low level anxiety and depression, and issues that are not clinical in nature. If you’re facing a crisis situation or psychosis, online therapy may not be the right fit for you.
Can I see a therapist both online and in-person?
Definitely!
Whether you want exclusively online therapy with the option for in person services once in a blue moon, have a therapy-app in-person therapist combo, or visit a local healthcare professional and opt for occasional online sessions, all are possible and totally effective.
The most important thing is that you’re getting the help you need, period! But having the benefit of both in-person sessions and online sessions can be a great hybrid option to have great success in treatment.
Next Steps for Starting Online Therapy in Toronto
After reading this article, you now have an understanding of the benefits of finding an online therapist in Toronto, things to consider when exploring online therapy options, and an understanding of how in-person and online therapy can go hand-in-hand.
Our experienced team of therapists at KMA is here to help you get started with therapy. Whether you want to connect virtually or in person, we’re here to support you.
Sign up for an Introductory Session using the registration form below, or by contacting our team directly.
If you’re not yet ready to book an intake session, you can check out these resources for further reading:
