Online Psychologist: When Should You Use This Professionally?

What's the difference between an online psychologist and a therapist offline? The long answer to that question is; quite simply, not much. Online Psychologists are actual humans who went to graduate degree for Psychology. Think about it: if you go to a psychologist's office to discuss or receive therapy, you are talking face-to-face with the doctor, and he/she is giving you an individualized diagnosis that is based upon the information they have given you during your evaluation. In other words, online psychologists do NOT treat patients as though they are one-size-fits-all...as a result, most patients report having more of a connection with the therapist online than in the "regular" doctor's office.

But what exactly are the symptoms of a mental disorder? An online psychologist may use many different diagnostic tools to diagnose a client. A good therapist diagnoses a disorder based upon the behaviors of the person and their family background (or the history of the patient). Then the disorder is treated by working with the person's thoughts, beliefs, and motivations towards certain behaviors (i.e. coping skills, etc).

Now, online psychologists are NOT medical doctors. Although you can go to them for help with physical problems, such as when your medication needs to be adjusted, there are no medical exams or requirements to see a psychiatrist before seeing an online psychiatrist. Most psychiatrists will begin their work day with a consultation appointment. After the initial consult, they will schedule an appointment for you to come in and speak with them. This meeting will generally last around 30 minutes to an hour. However, there are some psychiatrists who work especially fast-they may even get to meet with you as soon as you send them your paperwork.

As I mentioned earlier, online psychology is NOT like "off-line" therapy. You cannot see your online psychologist unless they have your permission to contact you (and most do). You also have little to no control over what happens between those meetings (unless you decide to stop seeing them or do not wish to continue your therapy after a while). Online therapy can be very beneficial to people who may be at risk of abuse, in abusive environments, or who feel that they need extra support because of personal issues. If you have any questions or concerns, it is important that you speak up or report anything that is out of the ordinary - whether it is something online therapy platforms that you notice about a specific online psychologist, something that you are uncomfortable discussing, or even something that is just not right in your relationship. There should always be a free line of communication between your therapist and yourself.

Finally, many online therapy services will provide resources for licensed therapists. These licensed therapists can be found in many different areas throughout the United States. In order to find these professionals, you will need to know where you live and how they are located. If you are living in the Pacific Northwest, you will want to look for licensed therapists in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. Licensed therapists can be found in most major cities across the country as well, but there may be some professional psychologists that you cannot find in your area. This is when it is time to turn to the Internet and use the help that is available.

Online psychotherapy is a great option for anyone who needs ongoing psychological support. Whether you need individual counseling, group counseling, or just one-on-one help, this type of therapy can be very helpful in providing you with the psychological support you need. Just make sure that you do your homework and research each therapist before you let them into your life. Online psychologist and online therapy can be a wonderful tool to have in your toolbox of resources for dealing with all types of conditions and disorders.