Has anyone used online therapy before ?

[Depression = 72% of members]

Has anyone used online therapy before ? If so I would appreciate your feedback. I'm using 7 cups currently, which looks like the biggest. Its based in America but I have a European therapist (time difference).

I note on the websites they suggest a T would cost $150-$250 an hour in America, but in the UK the range for a qualified CBT Therapist is more like £35 ($47) a hour upwards. Are they just quoting top tear prices or is this a symptom of a more developed market ?

Must admit the fact you can exchange thoughts each day, rather than once a week, is helpful. What have others found ?

[HappyChappy]

Has anyone used online therapy before ? If so I would appreciate your feedback. I'm using 7 cups currently, which looks like the biggest. Its based in America but I have a European therapist (time difference).

I note on the websites they suggest a T would cost $150-$250 an hour in America, but in the UK the range for a qualified CBT Therapist is more like £35 ($47) a hour upwards. Are they just quoting top tear prices or is this a symptom of a more developed market ?

Must admit the fact you can exchange thoughts each day, rather than once a week, is helpful. What have others found ?

[Woolspinner2000]

Hi HC! 

I've not heard of that type of T online, just the T that I go to does CBT. I do know that typically for outpatient T it runs about $120 to $150 per 50 to 55 minute session in the area where I live. Some reduce costs to a sliding scale or for a cash payment if the person doesn't have insurance or their deductible is very high. It's usually left up to each office to decide.

 
Wools

[Turkish]

Different market.  I live in the highest cost region in the USA and my T is up to $200/hr. He's not a specialist. If I go through my insurance,  it's a $20 copay/session (I pay about $2k/ year overall for me and the kids), but they shuttle you into group therapy if you're not diagnosed with something severe.  I'm describing in person T. It's too bad the online self-directed CBT we used to promote started charging.  MoodGym.

[HappyChappy]

Thanks Wools and Turk helpful feedback as always.

So Therapist earn way more in America. Here in the UK, people get if for free on the NHS so the private market is very small and consequently undervalued and over supplied. Also the NHS can only afford people in crisis, so the assumption here is you are in crisis if you have a therapist, but I expect that perception is changing.

If online therapy is not so popular, does anyone have some Therapy success stories ? 

[Mooberry]

Thanks Wools and Turk helpful feedback as always.

So Therapist earn way more in America. Here in the UK, people get if for free on the NHS so the private market is very small and consequently undervalued and over supplied. Also the NHS can only afford people in crisis, so the assumption here is you are in crisis if you have a therapist, but I expect that perception is changing.

If online therapy is not so popular, does anyone have some Therapy success stories ? 

I did online therapy, and I did not like it.  I felt like they weren't able to get my tone, my inflection, or catch my body movements the same way in person therapy has helped. I did it having already experienced in person therapy, though... .so I'm not sure what it would be like for someone who doesn't have that experience.

[Harri]

Hi HappyC.  I would say I have had success with in person therapy.  My therapy is focused on trauma recovery and I have been diagnosed with c-PTSD.  I have, over time, seen a significant improvement in anxiety, a significant reduction in dissociation and a better understanding of how to manage my panic attacks (which have also reduced significantly).    The biggest help has been with emotional processing.  That requires looking within, changing behaviors and thought processes and know that it will help over time even though it feels like things are getting worse.  Accepting that last part, that things will feel worse before they get better, has been critical in continuing with therapy which is obviously required for improvement.  My T uses a combination of therapy techniques all of which I find very effective.

I am currently paying 25.oo co-pay and here it is a 45 minute session.  Out of pocket costs are more in-line with those stated by Turkish.  Fortunately where I am they do not shuffle us through group, but also, my diagnosis is considered to be significant (moderate PTSD).

Hope that helps.

[Woolspinner2000]

There are new billing codes this year for something called telemedicine, and they are approved for psychotherapy now too. Medical billing is in my line of work, and I sat in for an online class informing me of the updates for this. That may be why there's extra focus or opportunity for online T now.

Like Harri, I've found in person T to be a great help to me. We all process in different ways, and since I'm a verbal processor most of the time, speaking in person with a T has been quite good for me. I've been fortunate to have a great T from the start, a good match.

Is there a way you can check out whether the T you're considering has a good reputation or not before you invest?

 
Wools

[Feeling Better]

Hi HappyChappy

I am in UK and I had counselling on NHS earlier this year, I wouldn't say that I was in crisis but I was depressed and not coping very well with the fact that my son had gone NC with me. I went to my doctor and she suggested talking therapy. There was a waiting list but not too long. I found it very useful and I really benefited from it. Maybe I was lucky and got the right counsellor for me. It might depend where in the UK you are too but I would definitely recommend giving it a try