Almost 88 percent of Australians now have easy access to the internet, and over 83 percent have smartphones, so it's not surprising that online therapy in Australia is becoming more popular. Research shows that internet therapy could be a great alternative or addition to more traditional methods of in-person therapy, and online treatment is just as likely to be preferred by men as it is by women.
What is Online Therapy?
Online therapy is the delivery of mental health support, education, virtual consultation, and other services through a desktop, laptop, or smartphone. There are various types of online therapy, from live video conferencing with a psychologist to something as simple as diagnostic indicators and questionnaires to help you decide whether or not to seek help for a mental illness. Many organizations offer web-based seminars while others have created online courses. Some programs allow access to an online therapist or psychologist, while others do not.
Many people may benefit from online counselling and treatment, as it can help with a wide range of mental health conditions, such as:
- PTSD
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Panic Attack
Why Utilise Online Counselling and Therapy?
When it comes to accessibility, adaptability, effectiveness, and privacy, online counselling and therapy sets the bar high. Getting counselling online has never been easier. The pandemic has pushed numerous therapists to re-evaluate how they might best help their clients, and, as a result, the availability of internet counselling has increased significantly. If you've been thinking about going to counselling but have been reluctant to see a psychologist due to cost, inconvenience or stigma, online therapy may be right for you due to the convenience and accessibility offered by telehealth and the digital revolution.
Accessibility - Online therapy is made easily available through the technology that everyone uses every day, such as phones to tablets, laptops and desktop computers - essentially anything with speakers and a microphone for voice chat, and anything with speakers, a microphone and camera for video chat.
Connection may take a variety of forms, ranging from video-based technologies such as Skype to group chat formats such as WhatsApp or Telegram. Real-time connection between an online counsellor and a patient is possible due to the advancements in technology, which can assist patients in overcoming barriers such as distance to see a therapist.
Because of this technology, internet-based therapy is a straightforward and practical option for those who live in rural or isolated areas of Australia, who may have limited personal mobility, or otherwise have limited access to services.
Flexibility - Everyone who requires therapy must be given the opportunity to participate. Online therapy is a convenient and cost-effective way to develop a meaningful one-on-one therapeutic relationship between the therapist and the patient without the need for in-person appointments. This means that online therapy is adaptable to anyone who may find it difficult to physically travel to sessions, such as people with certain impairments or those suffering from severe anxiety, as well as those who may be unable to attend sessions during typical work hours.
Privacy - For certain patients, the anonymity of the Internet may be the key to treatment. Therapy is a very personal undertaking that people should decide on for themselves. A private internet chat room could be a valuable resource for some people as they begin their journey to recovery. Many people, regardless of age or computer literacy, may be drawn to the internet's privacy and anonymity, particularly during their early treatment exploration.
The Best Online Therapy Websites in Australia
Online counselling and therapy are now widely available in Australia. The vast majority of online therapy sites that offer these services , however, are geared toward the US market, with American therapists charging American hourly rates. These are some of the online platforms that provide these services to Australians.
Talked
Talked.com.au, people can now easily find the right therapist for them. They provide an excellent network of therapists who are eager to help their clients.
The therapists on the platform are qualified and have passed background checks. For your consultation, Talked offers integrated private video calls making the process easy as third party apps are not required to support the service. Talked supports video calls from all desktop and mobile devices with a camera, mic and speakers.
You can speak with counsellors before scheduling a session, allowing users to vet their options before committing to a counsellor.
Advantages
- It is simple to locate and search for counsellors
- Before scheduling, you are allowed to contact qualified and verified therapists
- Video consultations are incorporated
- High levels of privacy and safety
- Medicare rebates available for those with a Mental Health Care Plan
Drawbacks
- Finding a specialised counsellor for your requirements may be time-consuming
- Booking a physical session may be difficult and expensive
MindBodyWell
MindBodyWell.com.au is an Australian treatment platform that makes telehealth (virtual) therapy accessible to Australians. You can easily browse through the profiles of available therapists on their platform and submit a request using a customer registration form. Because their virtual clinic also focuses on dietetic treatment and eating problem therapy, this platform collaborates with a variety of dietitians.
Advantages
- Access to highly qualified therapists and dietitians
- Medicare rebates are available for those with a Mental Health Care Plan
- They have qualified dieticians on the books
Drawbacks
- A smaller team of therapists, which means fewer appointment options
- It is not possible to book directly through the website
TherapyConnect
TherapyConnect.com.au is the leading NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) online therapy provider. Unlike other online therapy providers specialising in psychological therapy, TherapyConnect works to support clients with all the Allied Health therapies they may need due to their disability. Therapies delivered include Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Physiotherapy, Psychological therapy and Dietetics.
Their method is supported by research agreements with Sydney University, where they actually assisted in the establishment of the criteria for online treatment. All treatment packages are personalised to the needs of the client, ensuring they get the help they need as conveniently as possible.
Advantages
- Personalised service
- Large network of therapists and services
Drawbacks
- People have less influence over the therapists with whom they are paired
- NDIS details are required to register
If you need to schedule an appointment to see a psychologist for therapy, don't hesitate to get the help you need. If you feel you may be having difficulties with your mental health, you can visit your doctor to get them to put together a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) so you can access a number of Medicare subsidised appointments with a mental health professional.
The fastest and easiest way to search for and both face-to-face and telehealth medical appointments is at MyHealth1st.com.au