Having decided to nurture yourself all over again and step into counseling, which would you choose, online or in-person?
We’re all familiar with the benefits of traditional counseling, so I want to share nine often-overlooked advantages of online counseling to give you a better idea of your options.
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🍵 Comfort of Your Own Environment
You’re in your own cozy setting—pillows, slippers, even a favorite stuffed animal. Therapy rooms can be comfy, but they’re not your space.
🏮 Flexibility During Holidays
With a private, quiet space and reliable internet, counseling sessions don’t need to pause for holidays or special occasions—as long as your counselor’s not on vacation!
The most frustrating thing in the world: counselor’s on vacation.
The most unbelievable thing in the world: counselor’s on vacation.
⌚ Save on Commute Time and Costs
Sure, some visitors are fine with taking trains, taxis, or even flights to counseling. If you’re open to traveling, great—some say healing starts the moment you hit the road. But if your counselor lives far away and you’d rather save on time and costs, online counseling can offer flexibility. If you need a more tangible connection, occasional in-person sessions can help:
“Hmm, my counselor isn’t an AI after all!”
💶 No Extra Cost for Counseling Room Fees
Yes, in-person sessions often involve extra fee for the room! I usually split it 50/50 with the visitor(s).
🌃 Easier Access to Evening or Weekend Sessions
Most clinics and private practitioners work regular office hours, which may conflict with your schedule. Online counseling makes it more likely for a counselor to offer sessions during your evening or weekend, which might be facilitated by the difference in time zones.
🤦🏻 Less Risk of Awkward Encounters
No worries about bumping into your counselor at the movies or realizing they’re friends with your neighbor. When they’re located far away or even on another continent, there’s less overlap in social circles, reducing the chance of dual relationships or sharing a counselor with someone you’d rather not.
👩🏻 Native Language and Cultural Understanding
For international students and expats, finding local counselors can mean language and cultural barriers. With an online option, you’re free to speak your native language, express emotional nuances, and avoid lengthy cultural explanations that may still miss the mark.
“Try this out – My mom insists I go back home, take the civil service exam, and go on arranged dates—or she’ll move to a senior home on her own.” Now, how many cultural nuances does that sentence contain for a non-Chinese counselor?
🗺 A Larger Pool of Counselors
With online counseling, you can choose from a broad range of practitioners—whether they’re local or international. The wider the pool, the more likely you’ll find a therapist who truly meets your needs.
⏳ Often No Waiting List
With direct appointments, you might avoid lengthy queues that GP referrals sometimes require. Also, you’re not limited by insurance-mandated session counts, a point I’ll expand on next time.
Starting November 2024, I’ll have two new spots open for counseling, available both online and in-person. Feel free to reach out to reserve a session.
Additionally, I plan to offer two low-fee slots for trans individuals facing financial hardships. Please pass along my site to anyone you know who might benefit from this support.
See Ding, seeding 