While technology, society, and the entire human race are evolving rapidly, our problems are growing, too. And in today’s age, poor mental health is one of those pressing issues.
This stands true for cities like Seattle: a large, influential urban center and home to tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft. Here, the cost of living is significantly high. Hence, mental health might seem like a luxury to many. But this is where online therapy comes into play.
However, the question remains: is online therapy Seattle as good as traditional therapy?
So, if your search for online therapy in Seattle has brought you here, you’ll find everything essential and more.
Table of Contents
What Is Online Therapy?
As the name suggests, online therapy provides mental health support through text, emails, phone calls, video calls, and similar virtual modes.
In this form of therapy, you connect to a therapist and receive their services through the above communication modes.
Some platforms will let you connect with therapists all across the globe, but others are more localized, where you can meet them if you like their session.
Because only some therapists you go to will be the right fit. You may need to switch a couple of them to find someone suitable for your needs. You may need to switch a couple of them to find someone suitable for your needs.
Is Online Therapy Reliable?
Despite how comforting it may sound, most people keep questioning the reliability of online therapy. They have questions like, is it a value of money? Or is it just a waste of time?
Research shows that online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is very useful in the post-pandemic setting. It can help with conditions like depression and anxiety, which have increased a lot. Online CBT also has great potential for being used widely.
So, in simple terms, yes, online therapy can be as effective as traditional therapy for mild to moderate depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, and relationship issues.
Online Therapy Seattle vs. Traditional Counseling in Seattle
Now, apart from the intensity of your condition, choosing between online and traditional counseling also depends on your location.
You need to consider many questions, such as:
Is online therapy available in Seattle?
Concerning Seattle, yes, online therapy is widely available. You get a good mix of local therapists across city-based and global online platforms. Thus, you have many options to explore in both online therapy Seattle and in-person therapy in this metropolis.
Is online therapy cheaper than traditional therapy in Seattle?
In Seattle, in-person therapy costs vary widely from $100 to $250 per session, which is expensive to get without insurance, especially for recurring patients. But in most cases, the price of online therapy in Seattle is significantly lower, around $60 to $90 per session.
But if you are still deciding whether to choose online therapy, here are the lists of its pros and cons so you can decide better.
Pros of Online Therapy
Here is a list of the benefits of online therapy:
Cost-efficient compared to traditional therapy
Most online therapy platforms come with subscription-based models. Plus, the rates are significantly cheaper than traditional therapy. Online therapy can be more financially sustainable for some in the long run.
Convenience and comfort
Imagine getting treatment from the comfort of your house without stepping outside. While for some, this is an added bonus. But, for people with mobility issues, it can be a necessity.
Better Access
With online therapy, you don’t have to restrain yourself from your local therapists. You can get treated by some of the best talents in your state and worldwide. Online therapy will be an excellent resort for those living in remote areas.
No Shame Or Hesitance
A lot of people still feel the stigma around mental health treatments and fear seeking out help. With online therapy, they can keep their healing journey completely private. Some platforms even give you the option of being anonymous. Hence, you feel less conscious about revealing your identity and can focus better on your therapy.
Cons of Online Therapy
Here are five drawbacks of online therapy:
Device dependent
You must have a communication device, a calling facility, and active internet service to avail of online therapy. If you don’t have any of these, you won’t be able to take online treatment.
Better for tech-savvy people
A lot of online therapy platforms require you to set up a profile, use their dedicated platform, and manage a calendar to be able to take sessions. For the elderly or people who aren’t very tech-forward, all these can be an added hassle.
Limited care
Online therapy is great for individuals who require medium to low-level care. So, if you are struggling with a severe condition that requires prescribed medication or in-person diagnosis (i.e., bipolar disorder), online therapy will not be effective.
Communication gap
As an introvert, it can be tempting to avail online therapy where you don’t have to face the therapist. While this might give comfort, it can also cause a communication gap. Not being able to read your body language and pick on non-verbal cues can influence the effectiveness of your treatment.
Online Therapy Seattle: Options You Can Explore
If you have decided to go with online therapy, let me share some of Seattle’s best online therapists and therapy platforms.
Thriveworks
Thriveworks is a popular online therapy platform in Seattle with over 145K Google ratings and an average score of 4.5/5 stars.
Apart from their comprehensive service list, one of their unique selling points is their insurance (some online therapy platforms don’t take insurance cover). They have been in the business for the last 15 years and are present in over 380 locations across the US.
SinclairMethod
This is a HIPAA-compliant platform dedicated to fighting alcohol addiction through medication and therapy. They have a steep 78% success rate, and unlike most, they do not add abstinence as a part of their treatment method.
They have several addiction psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners to help you out.
Greenlake Wellness
Local to Seattle, this wellness group offers therapy and healing services for individual adults, couples, and teens. They provide online and in-person services, so you can choose what suits you better.
Kipp Trembley
He is a therapist with 13 years of experience focusing on stress, anxiety, trauma, and anger management. You can get in touch with him through BetterHelp.
Ahrens Counseling:
Jessica Ahrens, LICSW, is a therapist with 21 years of experience using cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and mindfulness-based techniques. She offers online counseling to people throughout Washington State.
Erin Swan:
With 22 years of experience, Erin offers coaching, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic approaches. You can contact her through her Fearless Healing Therapy website for more details.
Lisa Watson:
Lisa is an LCSW and has been practicing for over two decades now. She specializes in anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. She uses cognitive-behavioral (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) methods.
You can book her services through her website.
BetterHelp:
BetterHelp needs no introduction to the world of teletherapy. It is one of the most popular and earliest online therapy service platforms that connects you with licensed therapists via video, chat, or phone sessions.
They cover a wide range of mental health issues.
Talkspace:
Talkspace, much like Betterhelp, provides online therapy through text, audio, and video chats. You can choose from various plans based on your needs.
The prices are very affordable, and they accept insurance coverage from major providers (i.e., Cigna, Optum, Aetna, Resources for Living, etc.)
Wrapping Up
In your journey towards mental well-being, exploring online therapy in Seattle can be a significant step towards healing. Remember that it is ok to seek support as and when needed. While online therapy programs offer convenience and access, it is also essential to acknowledge the limitations, especially during serious situations. So if you are dealing with intense struggles or having suicidal thoughts, reach out to any local professional for immediate emergency service.
Your well being matters and we are here to support you on your path towards healing.
FAQs
Can I talk to a therapist online for free?
Not exactly. But yes, you might get one free session to clear your doubts; the next one will be chargeable though.
However, some community platforms allow you to share your thoughts with volunteers for free. But these are definitely not a substitute for paid platforms.
Is online CBT effective?
Experts suggest that in most cases, online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is equally effective as the offline version. This statement is true even in the case of mild-to-moderate PTSD.
What are the free alternatives to therapy?
Some free and effective alternatives include physical exercise (like yoga, cardio, Zumba, etc.), meditation, art, journaling, reading, and music. But yes, finding alternatives depends on the condition you are trying to tackle.