You want to see a therapist, but you are too busy to commute to counseling.
Maybe you’re unable to make it out of your home to take care of your mental health, but you know how important it is to talk to a counselor.
You want to be the best version of yourself and find healing so you can feel hopeful about the future.
Sometimes, it is hard to get out of your home or office to see a therapist where you live. Or, you’re a busy working professional who can’t commit to a weekly appointment time. Maybe, you’re concerned about maintaining your privacy and are nervous about being seen going to counseling. We understand. And our therapists want to give you a way to take care of yourself while acknowledging that right now, it’s not practical for you to make it to our DC counseling office right now.
Online Therapy/Telehealth is Effective in Treating Many Mental Health Concerns
Did you know that research shows that online therapy is sometimes as effective as in-person therapy? Additionally, for some conditions, virtual therapy can have important benefits. For example, for clients with extreme social anxiety or phobias, leaving their home to go to counseling is extremely painful. So, being able to log on to a secure online platform allows them to work on these issues in a place they feel comfortable. But, for others, it may be just about taking good care of your mental health during a time when it’s difficult for you to leave the house.
Online Therapy/Telehealth Helps You Maintain Your Privacy
We understand that you may have concerns about being seen at a therapist’s office. You may worry about running into a co-worker or family friend. If this sounds like you, then online therapy may be a great fit for you. Monarch Wellness and Psychotherapy offers online therapy services through a HIPAA-encrypted and secure platform so that you can know that your information stays private. Online therapy offers the ability to connect with your psychotherapist without leaving your home.
Online Counseling for COVID-19 Stress
The COVID-19 pandemic has made this an uncertain and scary time for everyone. Isolation makes almost every mental health condition worse, especially eating disorders, depression, and anxiety. It also causes many healthy people an overwhelming amount of stress and strain. On top of that, there are so many uncertainties surrounding the well-being of yourself and loved ones and a negative economic response to the virus. So, it is almost impossible to feel completely calm during this time. Therefore, taking care of your mental health is more important than ever. Regular psychotherapy should be part of a larger picture. Our online therapists also encourage you to get a moderate amount of physical exercise, appropriate sleep, and maintain a daily routine, and finding connections with others if you are able.
Online Therapy for Eating Disorders and Compulsive Exercise
Online therapy for eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, is not ideal because it is difficult to have someone checking in your physical health. However, it is SO MUCH better than nothing. Long periods of isolation such as the one we are currently enduring are likely to make any compulsive behavior worse. You have lots of time on your hands, you are perhaps forced to take a break from things that you used to enjoy. For some tips on how to manage your eating disorder during the quarantine, please read my blog.
Online Therapy for Emotional Eating/Compulsive Overeating
Emotional eating is a form of disordered eating where a person frequently turns to food in order to meet emotional needs. People who engage in emotional eating, binge eating, or compulsive overeating may have a particularly difficult time during the COVID virus. If you are isolating, there is lots of time to fill. Also, it’s likely that you are experiencing more stress than usual. If this describes you, however, you can use this time to adjust your relationship with food by working closely with a therapist who is competent in this area.
Online Therapy for Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are likely to be heightened during this time. There are lots of uncertainties, you are much more isolated than usual. Additionally, you can’t engage in your previous routines. But a trained therapist can help you to learn to stay mindfully in the present. This keeps “what-if” thinking and chronic worry at bay. With help, this might actually become an opportunity for you to learn techniques to find peace and centeredness.
Online Counseling for Depression
Isolation and depression go hand in hand. When we can’t be social, our brain actually responds by lowering our energy and motivation levels. This is when a bad cycle of depression occurs. Because, when you have less energy it is harder to do the things that are likely to help you cope with depression. For example, when you’re depressed it is hard to be motivated to do things like stay in contact with loved ones or keep a reasonable sleep/wake schedule.
Online Therapy for Couples
This is likely to be a particularly trying time for couples. You are probably cooped up together trying to work and live in harmony without being able to leave their homes. If you are parents, the additional burden of childcare is likely placing a further strain on your relationship. Online therapy for couples can help correct issues in your relationship and also to proactively prevent small issues from turning into big ones in the future. Please reach out to connect with a competent couples therapist.
Please note that due to the laws that govern our licensure as mental health professionals, we are only able to serve clients who are physical located in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC.
Begin Online Therapy in Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland
If you are unable to get to counseling for any reason, we encourage you to consider Telehealth. Online therapy is successful in treating a variety of mental health concerns. To learn get started with online therapy at Monarch Wellness and Psychotherapy, please follow these steps:
- Contact our counseling clinic to learn more about online therapy in Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland,
- Meet with one of our compassionate online therapists
- Begin counseling and take care of your mental health from your home!