Does the internet make you feel like you’re sitting in your basement, when you Google up “online psychologists?” The short answer to the question is: Yes. Online Psychologists are actually real human beings who got to college for Psychology. Psychologists and mental health counselors that you see online are usually some of the very same people and professionals that you might encounter offline.
Most psychologists that work online are licensed by the state to practice medicine. However, there are also many who are not licensed at all. This is why you want to be sure that the online psychologist that you’re considering has received a Masters degree or higher in mental health issues. You can easily accomplish this by checking out their educational background.
Most psychologists that do Internet-based psychological consulting or therapy sessions, are self-employed. They have to charge for their time and expertise. However, there are also large national firms, who are able to hire qualified online psychologists on a full-time basis. If you have to pay for one-time consulting hours online, then you might want to think about contacting those firms to set up a weekly consultation or monthly therapy session, which would obviously be cheaper. Still, be sure to contact the local practicing psychologist, if you’d prefer in-person therapy sessions.
Most online psychologists are social workers who did their doctoral degrees in Psychology. They are therefore required to get licensed by the American Psychological Association and the Council on Accreditation of Psychological Registered Nurses before they can take their licensing exam. Many in-person psychologists also go on to acquire Master’s degrees, MBA’s and PsyD’s. That way, they are now certified to practice in most states in the United States as well as in other countries.
Psychologist’s fees are usually based on hourly rates. Of course, an online psychologist will be able to bill by the hour, but it’s important to understand that the prices you see advertised are not what you should expect to pay. It’s not uncommon for the advertised rate to include all types of hidden charges, which will make the actual rate significantly higher. If you want to get a reliable, trustworthy and affordable professional mental health therapist online, you will need to search and find a website that offers a free assessment. This is where you will fill out a form describing your specific problems and any medications you may be on, and the website will send you a suggested course of action.
Most online psychologists offer a seven-day free trial, where you’ll just receive a first session free, as well as an information package. The information package will contain the suggested treatments and remedies you need for your particular problems. However, it’s vital to understand that the treatments suggested by most psychologists, are meant as a first step. You need to see if they will work for you, before you make the final decision to hire a psychologist. Many therapists recommend signing up for a second or third session in order to be fully informed on the type of treatment you will receive, as well as to ensure that the suggested remedies will not be harmful to you.
Once you’ve found the right therapist for your mental health issues, it’s essential to keep in mind that good communication between you and your online therapist is the key to good mental health. Psychotherapy can be quite scary for some people, and it’s crucial that both you and your therapist are comfortable with each other. Your therapist should encourage open discussions about the issues you are dealing with, and he/she should be willing to educate you on your mental health issues, medications you’re on, and anything else you want to ask about. Be careful when discussing sensitive issues such as medication. You don’t want to make your therapist angry, and neither do you want to end up on the wrong side of the prescription medication (for good or bad).
Online psychologists also offer other forms of treatment for those with a range of mental health issues. Depression, anxiety, fear of social situations, phobias, marriage or relationship problems, and insomnia are all valid conditions that may benefit from the help that an online psychologist provides. Don’t hesitate to seek treatment from an online psychologist if the problems you are facing aren’t getting any better by standard means.