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Every Friday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, shares the “Friday Fix”—a short episode featuring a quick, actionable tip or exercise to help you manage a specific mental health issue or concern.

Friday Fix: Episode 141

Although online therapy has grown in popularity during the pandemic, a lot of people are still hesitant to try it. And it’s wise to question whether online treatment can be effective as face-to-face therapy.

As a therapist who has only ever provided face-to-face treatment, I had a lot of questions myself. So I decided to test some of the major online therapy websites. I signed up for treatment as a client to see what it would be like to access services. 

After all, the relationship between a client and a therapist is key to a positive treatment outcome. Can someone really establish a healthy alliance with a therapist over video chat or messaging?

I also learned that not all online therapy websites are created equal. Some have better features, others are more affordable, and some specialize in specific treatments. 

I discovered that online therapy isn’t for everyone. But, it did have some distinct advantages over face-to-face treatment in some areas.

I thought it would be helpful to share what I learned along the way. I talk about what I liked and didn’t like about online therapy. 

If you’re questioning online treatment for yourself or you’re wondering if you should suggest it for someone else, check out this episode. I’ll tell you the pros and cons of online therapy and how you can find the best online treatment.

More About the Podcast

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Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too.

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Links and Resources

  • Follow Amy Morin on Instagram.

  • Check out Amy’s books on mental strength.

  • Watch Amy’s TEDx talk, “The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong”

  • How to Take Charge of Your Mental Health With Award-Winning Singer and Songwriter JoJo

  • How to Face Depression With Olympic Gold Medalist Laurie Hernandez

  • How to Get Help That Actually Works With Multi-Platinum Singer Bryan Abrams