Why Online Therapy Doesn’t Work: Get the Scoop From a Florida Therapist

I wasn’t sure what to write about next. Yep. True story. We already talked about how to prepare yourself and your space for online therapy. You’ve got a list of questions to ask your online therapist. You’ve even got my list of the benefits of online therapy! So, where do we go from here?

What do people want to know about online therapy?

Yes. I typed that into the search! And, what did I learn? They, you, we, want to know all the reasons why online therapy is bad. Why online therapy doesn’t work. Wow. That caught me off guard! I guess it’s probably not surprising to you because you found this. But, it was a bit surprising to me as an online therapist in Florida who is absolutely loving the connection I get with my clients. In fact, these past few months, while stressful, have been filled with incredible “wins” through online, or video therapy. So, I was super surprised by these search results. And, they got me thinking. Why WOULD online therapy be bad? What might make it a bad fit for someone?

Of course, I think you should consider online therapy. Specifically, online therapy in Florida. Better yet, right here with me. Otherwise, why would you be reading this? Oh, yes…the list of reasons why online therapy is bad. Well, don’t worry. Today, I’m diving right in.

6 Reasons Why Online Therapy Doesn’t Work

1. You don’t think therapy can work.

Skeptical? Sure. Fair enough. How can someone who has never met you, help you? Is it even possible to get to the deep stuff through a computer screen? Well, yes. It is. I think sometimes people have a preconceived notion of what therapy actually is. And, that there is some sort of magical spell we put on you in our office. Sorry to burst a bubble here, but there’s no magic potion or spell. Just relationship building and years of skill and experience getting to the heart of what is really going on. I suppose if you want to consider that magic, please feel free! Either way, a skilled, licensed therapist can do just as well via video as we can in person. For most people, online therapy is just as effective as in-person. For some women with anxiety, online therapy can actually be even more productive!

2. You won’t give yourself the dedicated time and space for therapy.

We covered a lot of this in the “preparing for online therapy” post, but it’s important to revisit. When you are already a busy, high-performing, high-achieving perfectionist, you are probably always on the go. Some of my friends jam so much into their schedule that there is no breathing room in between. This might work for most things, but not when you’ve got something as intense as a therapy session to do. Something that needs you to focus on it. So, give yourself this gift. Treat it like the important time it is. Build-in some buffer time around your sessions so you’re not just rushing from one thing to another. You’ll get more out of your online therapy that way.

3. It’s not safe for you to do online therapy right now.

You may already know about my clients, but if not, most of them are women. It would be irresponsible of me to neglect to tell you about this part of doing remote and video therapy. If there are serious or severe reasons you need therapy, you might be better suited to in-person treatment. The bottom line: online therapy does have limitations. One of those is that if you really need more intensive addiction treatment or treatment for a more severe mental health concern, this is probably not a good fit. If you are currently in a home where violence is present, if your life would be threatened, or if you are actively trying to kill yourself, online therapy with a private practice might not be the best fit. In fact, please consider talking with someone about your safety right now.

• The Hotline for Victims/Survivors of Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence
• The National Suicide Prevention Hotline

4. You are expecting a “quick fix” or magical solution.

Remember what I said about magic? Still true. But, it’s also important to know that all therapy is a process. A relationship. A journey. It’s not something to try once or twice and give up. It’s a commitment and should be approached with patience. Just like a diet, a “quick fix” or “miracle cure” simply won’t fit. You may feel okay for a while, but it takes time to make and maintain change. We’re in this together.

5. Your spouse/partner/friends/family/kids are unsupportive, to the point of keeping you from truly trying.

This is pretty self-explanatory, I think! But, if your people aren’t supportive of you starting therapy, you probably won’t stick with it. Or, you’ll feel bogged down in shame and won’t be fully present. I’m not saying you have to shout about your therapy from the rooftops, but you also shouldn’t have to hide it. So, perhaps your “people” need to better understand the point of online therapy. You could suggest that they have a consult with an online therapist in their area. Or, that they read up on what online therapy is really all about. If the people who claim to be your people can’t either support you or educate themselves, then maybe they aren’t your people.

6. Someone told you it was okay to get “free online therapy” or “free counseling online”.

Y’all. The number of people who search for “free online therapy” is very high. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with searching for this. But, let’s be honest about what you are going to get here. It’s not going to be the best possible care for your needs. It’s just not. You want your therapist to be there for you. Not stressed about how they are going to get their basic needs met. I understand that not everyone can afford full-fee therapy. But, it is important to acknowledge that the free and discount therapy that might be advertised might not be the best thing for you. If it works for you, great. But, perhaps consider speaking with a couple of online therapists before committing.

If any of these sounds like you, online therapy might not be the best fit right now. But, you can still check it out! Talk it out with a potential online therapist or three. Use my list of questions, and add your own. Weigh the benefits of online therapy against this list. Then, when and if you feel ready to commit to the process with a licensed professional, take the time to be totally prepared to start online therapy in Florida. I never said that starting online therapy is going to be easy, but I truly believe it will absolutely be worth it.

Begin Online Therapy in Florida

If you are looking for a therapist who specializes in helping women, look no further. I am here to support you in your mental health journey. I want to help you feel peaceful and confident in your life. To begin online therapy for women in Florida, follow these three steps:

1. Contact Counseling Solutions of Boward to schedule your free 20-minute consultation on a video platform,

2. Meet with Enid and get to know her! 

3. Begin online therapy in Florida and find peace from the things that are bothering you!