Digital therapy, also known as e-counseling, e-therapy, teletherapy, or cyber counseling, involves offering mental health support and counseling services via the internet. This can happen through video or online chat, email, text messaging, or over the phone. Digital therapy can happen in real-time such as through texting or in a delayed time like through email. All you need to participate in digital therapy is access to the internet.

The idea of distant communication between a client and a therapist is not a new concept. Sigmund Freud used to expansively write letters in order to communicate with his clients. Then, as early as the 1980s, self-help groups began developing on the Internet. In today’s society, there are countless sites, applications, and private therapy clinics offering mental health services known as digital therapy.

A lot of research suggests that digital therapy is an effective treatment for many different mental health issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse, and even relationship or marital problems. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is known to be a highly effective treatment and is often used in digital therapy. This is a form of psychotherapy that is meant to improve the quality of life for a person by changing their thinking patterns and gaining a better understanding of their behavior problems.

When getting into digital therapy, it is important to find a digital therapist that suits you. Just like therapists and counselors in face-to-face therapy, online therapists and counselors can differ considerably in credentials and training. It is also important to find a therapist that best suits your needs and makes you feel comfortable while also helping you achieve lasting results.

While some people may be concerned with digital therapy and what it has to offer, the good news is that digital therapy is just as effective as traditional in-office therapy and even has many benefits that face-to-face therapy does not offer including:

• Digital therapy makes therapy more inclusive because it is able to reach more people. Those in more rural or remote places may not have access to regular therapy. This gives them a new avenue to get the mental health services that people may need.
• For those with physical or mental limitations, going to face-to-face therapy may not be an option at all. This allows them to stay in the comfort of their own home and alleviates some of the stress or anxiety they may feel with going to an actual office.
• For people with busy schedules, they are able to work digital therapy into their schedule without any disruption.
• Digital therapy allows some to feel more at ease and comfortable with opening up to the therapist. Sometimes face to face can make it hard for people to fully open up.

With offering digital therapy, we can reach more people and they can get the help they need. Life can be very challenging and we all need support from time to time. For any mental health concerns, digital therapy may be the best approach for you. At the Counseling Center for Growth and Recovery, we offer a solution-motivated approach where we can explore, in a safe way, your challenges in life. We are ready to help you or a loved one overcome the pains and struggles in your life every step of the way. Now is the time to get the help you need. Let us help you do it.