Team Helsa

When Diego needed to travel for work, he needed a way to stay in touch with his therapist. Digital therapy provided a lifeline when he needed support and couldn't make it to the clinic. Online LGBTQ+ therapy can be a practical and discreet option for people who need support.

Diego and thousands of individuals like him are taking therapy online as an alternative option to traditional counselling. We're going to tell you a little more about digital therapy, why it is beneficial for LGBTQ+ people and how to get started.

What is online therapy?

As the name suggests, online therapy, also known as e-therapy, digital therapy, skype therapy and distance therapy, is getting mental health counselling using digital tools like telephone, encrypted video services, texting and audio messaging. At its core, online therapy is pretty similar to the traditional face to face therapeutic interventions.

Online therapy is a discreet, convenient and cost-effective option for people looking for support. It also opens up the range of therapists that are able to support you, irrespective of whether you're in remote village or a cosmopolitan city like Manchester or London.

The main difference is that it is happening online as opposed to in therapist’s office. But seeing that on average individuals in the UK are spending 5 hours a day online, this seems like the next logical step. Talking to a counsellor online is only a click away and it is not only time saving but also cost-effective.

Why is online therapy a good option for LGBTQ+ people?

LGBTQ+ people, in general, aren't great at asking for help. For many of us, our experiences in childhood mean that we've tried to be as self-sufficient as we can, and opening up and being vulnerable is something that many of us learn later in life. And yet at the same time, we've been amongst the first communities to thrive online. Aside from helping us get laid, dating sites and apps gave us a place to find one another and connect (without, perhaps, the risks of being vulnerable in person).

As many of us learn to take early steps into therapy, issues like confidentiality, finding the right LGBTQ+ therapist, and finding the time to go back and forth to a clinic are hard. This is where online therapy can help.

Is online therapy an alternative option to traditional therapy?

Online therapy has been found to be effective in individuals with eating disorders, depression and PTSD, making it a viable treatment option for many. Certain types of therapies especially cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) have proven to be just as effective when delivered via telecommunication means like over phone, text or video chat.

What are the benefits of online therapy?

• It bridges the gap between you and your wellbeing.

• It offers you affordable treatments options.

• It puts you in control of your mental health.

• It offers you instant access to a mental health professional and counsellors.

• It is a convenient option for people with disabilities or living in remote areas.

One of the biggest advantages of online therapy is that you can find help right away without any delay. The steps are simple, find a therapist who offers online counselling and make an appointment right away.

Online therapy allows you to get help when you need it and where ever you need it. It can also be used in conjunction with face-to-face intervention; however, the core idea remains the same, help is only a click away.

How to find an online therapist

Using Helsa match, find a therapist who offers online therapy and book an appointment.