5 Reasons Why Telehealth Therapy Might Be a Good Fit For You
Written by Sherry Yam, LCSW
HAVE YOU BEEN WONDERING IF TELEHEALTH THERAPY IS THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOU?
MAYBE YOU’VE ALREADY STARTED TELEHEALTH BUT YOU’RE NOT SO SURE IF YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO IN-PERSON THERAPY.
YOU’RE NOT ALONE.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, many people’s lives have been impacted in every aspect - work, school, medical care, grocery shopping, and childcare. Remember when our California governor announced the first lockdown in March 2020? All of our in-person sessions had to be canceled. Some of you might have become more willing to try telehealth so that your therapy work didn’t get interrupted.
With the recent Delta variant, you may be thinking -
“When is this pandemic going to have an end?”
“It doesn’t look like this pandemic is going to end anytime soon.”
It’s easy to understand how you feel.
We've been living in the midst of a pandemic for over a year now. And many people have absolutely taken advantage of the benefits that Telehealth Therapy offers. So let’s find out how you can also be like them, and balance your busy schedule while taking care of your emotional health.
1. No Traffic
When was the last time you were sitting in the car and were desperately waiting for the car in front of you to move just ONE foot? Or you started cussing –
“Why the fxxx are they cutting me off?”
“Don’t they know that I almost crashed into them?”
We’ve all been there.
We all know that traffic can be ridiculous sometimes or all the time if you live in a big metropolis such as Los Angeles or the Bay Area. If you’re someone with a busy schedule, Telehealth Therapy offers flexibility without the added commute time.
You can easily turn this commute time into your productive time - catching up on work/ school/ cleaning, spending time with your friends/ partners/ children… Or even try out a new yoga pose/ the Coastal Trail in Presidio you’ve been interested in! What about playing the Mortal Kombat video game or taking a lavender-scented bath that has been long overdue.
2. No Mask
Have you ever experienced a time that you were at your therapist’s office with your mask on, and while you were getting comfortable to start telling your therapist what a tough week you had with your micromanaged boss, you started crying and wanted to pull off your mask so that you could get some Kleenex to blow your nose?
Or a time that you just sneezed into your mask?
Gross!
With Telehealth Therapy, you can cry freely in your own private, familiar space with No Restriction! You can take the time you need to just be yourself and also to honor that you’re making an effort to grow in your healing journey.
If a box of Kleenex is not enough for your tears, your comfy blanket is right by your side as a gentle reminder of some Self-Love and Self-Compassion. You’re just trying your best!
3. Animal Companionships
Have you ever found yourself wanting to take your pup with you to therapy sessions? What about the last time you had to reschedule your therapy session because your kitty didn’t want you to leave the house?
No Problem!
The simple truth is your pet provides you emotional support. It’s common for your brain to connect the thought of having your pet accompanying you in therapy and the thought of your distressed feeling.
The bond between canines and humans can be traced back thousands of years. Dogs have also been labeled as man’s best friend for centuries. Many of you have also heard that domesticated felines were common in ancient Egypt.
What could be a better way to have your pet next to you in a Telehealth Therapy session?
Your pet can give you a sense of safety and comfort. It becomes easier to allow yourself to enter upon this healing journey of your own. You’re not avoiding the elephant in the room anymore.
4. Relocation
You’ve finally found the therapist with the specialty that you’ve been searching for a long time but, they are 3 hours away. Or you’ve been seeing a therapist for a while and you really like their approach but, you have to relocate somewhere far from your job and you can’t bring your therapist with you.
Does this sound familiar to you?
With Telehealth Therapy, you have more freedom and flexibility to choose the right therapist that will match your therapy goals. Remember, you deserve the best care!
5. Coffee and Comfort
Last but not least, who doesn’t like to have a cup of coffee or tea during a Telehealth Therapy session? If your coffee needs a refill, the kitchen is just right around the corner. If you’re like Larry David being picky about the chair at a therapist’s office that he needs to sit at, you can simply get your favorite chair ready before your telehealth session.
By now, you probably get the idea of just how Telehealth Therapy might work for you. No matter what therapy modality you choose, your willingness and commitment to making a change can be the crucial element in your healing journey.
Here is the link to find out more about Larry David’s Chair Issues if you’re curious. Curb Your Enthusiasm: Chair Issues - YouTube
