There was a time (and sadly, not that long ago) when seeking professional mental health help from a traditional therapist or an online counselor was somewhat taboo.
Few spoke of it, not even to their closest friends or family, and many more were discouraged from even pursuing that line of self-care.
Today, however, mental health is regarded as a crucial form of self-care.
Whether you are seeking assistance for a particular area of concern (such as trauma, addiction, familial conflict, for example) or simply looking for a professional to check in with from time to time and clear the air, online counseling has proven to be extremely beneficial for people from all walks of life.
Along with the dismantling of unfair mental health taboos, the traditional counseling model has also shifted with the 21st-century client.
While brick-and-mortar establishments are still the standard, online counseling has been gaining in popularity in recent years.
Tailored to accommodate every schedule, online counseling boasts a unique platform in which you can select your preferred counselor from an extensive list of licensed and certified professionals from all over the country and conduct your counseling sessions at the time and location that is most convenient for you.
There are a number of reasons online counseling can benefit everyone, and here are some of the most widely reported:
Online Counseling is for Everyone
1. Address and Resolve Your Past
We all have baggage, plain and simple.
And while the weight and severity may certainly vary, we all have to find ways of resolving our past issues in order to pursue a more purposeful future, as well as maintain meaningful relationships with those around us. (Psych Central has tips to help.)
We often don’t realize that many of our ways of dealing with conflict, be it at home or at the workplace, stem from incidents and conditioning dating back decades.
An online counselor can help you address your “baggage” and adopt the appropriate steps towards resolving it for good.
2. Improve Communication
How we communicate with the world around us largely determines our quality of life.
Are you quick to anger in moments of wrongdoing and misunderstanding alike, or do you avoid confrontation at all costs, often to your own detriment?
Learning to communicate in a way that allows both you and the other party to voice your respective point-of-views while working together towards a mutual goal, will not only improve your immediate work and home environments but ensure that you always feel in control of how you present yourself–and are thus treated.
3. Adopt Better Problem-Solving Methods
Much like communication, how we approach to conflict can all but make or break the quality of our work and home life.
The ability to assess a problem and take the soundest course of action at the moment is an indispensable tool and one that an online counselor can help you acquire.
Whether you’re looking to manage your anger better, or simply adopt better problem-solving strategies, online counseling can provide you with the necessary instruments for resolving issues the right way.
4. Manage Your Stress
Stress is an unavoidable part of human existence, but that doesn’t mean we have to let it get the best of us.
In a 2018 survey published by Everyday Health, 47% of respondents, evenly matched between men and women, admitted to taking their stress out on themselves, with just over a third of all respondents citing work as their greatest source of stress.
With such dismal figures ever on the rise, now more than ever is the time to tackle your stress with a pro.
Learning to manage your stress is essential to your overall health, and a counselor can help you determine both the source and solution.
5. Maintain Perspective
It’s easy to amplify one problem in one area of your life to the point where it invades every other aspect; a conflict at work suddenly becomes an issue at home, an isolated incident suddenly indicative of a greater, widespread issue.
How we assess problems when they arise and apply them to the greater scope of our lives can be the deciding factor in a lot more than you may think.
Your physical and mental health, as well as the well-being of those around you, may be suffering more than you realize due to an inability to put burdens in their proper place.
Talking regularly with a counselor can help you pinpoint certain issues and put them in the right perspective, instead of allowing them to consume even the best areas of your life.
6. Increase Confidence and Motivation
Anxiety, depression, and even trauma can all affect how we see ourselves, and what we feel we’re entitled to shares Harvard.edu.
It’s not uncommon for low self-esteem to get the best of even the most confident people at times, but are you routinely holding yourself back from the opportunities you deserve?
An online counselor can help you address a lack of confidence or motivating factors in your life, where they likely originate from, and how to permanently manage them.
A fulfilling relationship or dream job–neither should be off-limits.
7. Know That You’re Not Alone
One of the truly life-changing aspects of seeking professional counseling (be it via an online or offline counselor such as openpathcollective.com) service is the realization that no matter what you’re going through, you’re not alone. According to HealthyPlace.com Isolation is an all too frequent casualty of mental health struggles and external issues alike, and it’s important to understand that help is ready and available.
No matter the scale of the issue, speaking with an online counselor can not only be a source of healing catharsis but can also provide you with the necessary tools for tackling whatever hardship comes your way.
Don’t Be Afraid To Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone
Just as we go to the doctor for routine physical check-ups, checking in with a counselor (be it online or in a therapist’s office) is a vital way to maintain your mental health and keep on track with your life’s goals. Self-care is so much more than purchased luxury or a stolen moment of peace; it is the ongoing tending to your personal health and mental well-being.
A licensed and certified online counseling service can offer you the sound ear and professional perspective you need to enjoy the life you deserve.