Family Therapy Online: Is Counseling Remotely With Therapists Right For You?
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For those who can’t or don’t like to attend in-person therapy, online counseling is an effective alternative. While the benefits of online therapy were previously only recognized for individual therapy sessions, they’re now increasingly recognized for their application in couples and family therapy.
If you and your loved ones are curious about trying out family therapy sessions, you may need help deciding whether online or in-person therapy is right for you and your family members. If so, you can read over this guide before you make your final decision and learn about our therapy professionals at Regain.
The prevalence and effectiveness of online therapy
Previous studies looked into the effectiveness of online therapy services, finding cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and counseling, especially for conditions such as depression and anxiety, to be the most effective version of the treatment method. These results hint at one of the most significant benefits of online therapy.
Are you wondering if online therapy is right for you?
The advantages of online family therapy or family counseling
With the advent of telehealth, the possibility of offering effective, reliable mental health care from a distance has become a reality. Today, hundreds of individuals, couples, and families take advantage of the many benefits of getting counseling online. It's a new form of family therapy that makes access and attendance easier for many.
Here are six key advantages of online family therapy.
Convenience
With online therapy sessions, your family can choose a time that suits everyone’s busy schedule. There are thousands of counselors available, which means you don’t have to worry about competing for spots or making compromises. Plus, many online family therapists offer text and email therapy. That means your family doesn’t even have to live in the same area to get the help you need.
Keep in mind that some states require you to live in the same location as your certified therapist, so limitations do apply when it comes to pursuing online counseling services for families located across state lines.
Accessibility
It doesn’t matter how near or far away your closest therapist is when your family needs counseling.
You can get the help you need without having to leave your home. Plus, if you or one of your loved ones is disabled, you may appreciate not having to make the ordeal of every trip to therapy.
You can save countless hours without having to commute to your therapy sessions, and if there are no therapists with the expertise you need in your area, no problem.
Affordability
Did you know online therapists tend to be cheaper than traditional ones? In-person therapists have to pay for an office or building to host therapy sessions. With the lower operational costs of being an online-only mental health therapist, they can charge less to practice. Those savings transfer over to you, meaning you won’t have to pay an excessive amount for family counseling.
Discretion
Sadly, there tends to be a stigma on people who go to therapy. If you need help, you may avoid seeing a therapist in person for fear of someone seeing you attend. Or maybe the waiting room experience is just too awkward for you, as it is for many people.
The good news is you don’t have to go through that when you choose a licensed therapist online. Only your therapist will see your face or, if you prefer, you can keep sessions via text or email. That way, you can remain relatively innocent (however, you will have to provide emergency contact information in the event of an emergency).
For example, when you seek family therapy online from the professionals at Regain, we don’t ask for your full name. Your therapist only needs to know your first name.
Flexibility
Traditional therapists often have long waiting lists, which means you might have to wait for care. With online counseling, you can start immediately or wait for a time that better suits your schedule.
Most online counselors offer multiple ways to communicate. You can find licensed therapists who will hold sessions over text or email. If you prefer, you can also find marriage and family therapists who do sessions over the phone or via video chat platforms like Zoom or Doxy.me.
Comfort
When you take advantage of a marriage and family therapist online, you don’t have to leave your home. Many people feel more comfortable at home. That level of comfort influences how safe you and your family feel being vulnerable, which is vital for true healing.
Many people also appreciate that they can stick with the same counselor, regardless of whether they move or go out of town. You don’t have to worry about getting comfortable with your online marriage and family therapy or couples therapist only to have to start all over again when you relocate.
Why family online therapy may not be right for you
Despite all its incredible benefits, online therapy can have some cons. Here’s what you need to know.
Insurance may not cover the cost of family counseling or family therapy online
Unfortunately, with the relative newness of online therapy, many insurers won’t cover the cost of online sessions.
As we’ve mentioned, though, online marriage and family therapy can be considerably less expensive than traditional counseling. Insurance may not pay for it, but you may not find yourself paying as much for a session out of pocket.
An online therapist or therapists may not treat severe mental health conditions
Depending on the degree of your needs, even the best online therapist may not be able to treat you. For example, an online family therapist cannot diagnose mental health conditions or prescribe medication. Also, if you need to see a therapist based on a court order, an online therapist may not be the right counseling professional for you.
Limitations of the online therapy medium
There are some limitations to the online therapy medium. Unlike in-person therapy, your counselor won’t be able to pick up body language or facial expressions over the phone. They won’t be able to hear vocal inflections or hesitations during email or text sessions, either. Family therapy online provided by companies like Regain offers video and audio sessions to reduce some of these limitations.
Another limitation of the online medium is that glitches do happen. Calls may echo, videos may have low resolutions, and calls might drop or freeze, especially if you live rurally.
Some therapy with a therapist is not meant to be online
If you want animal-assisted therapy, art therapy, drama therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), music therapy, or play therapy, online therapy is not the appropriate platform for you. These therapies require in-person participation that cannot currently be substituted digitally.
Online therapy also isn’t right as a solo option for you if:
- You’re currently experiencing thoughts of harming yourself
- You’re currently experiencing thoughts of harming others
- You’re currently experiencing physical or mental abuse
- You need emergency care
- You need therapy for a severe mental health condition that requires medication
- You’re otherwise concerned about your safety at home
If you’re experiencing one of these health crises, head to your local emergency room, or please call the national suicide prevention helpline or the National Domestic Violence hotline immediately.
Takeaway
Online family therapy sessions can be more convenient, cost-effective, and comfortable than in-person sessions. But there are some restrictions that should be considered when making your decision. As long as you choose a reputable counselor or online platform, you can be set up to find the help you need.
The therapy professionals at Regain are waiting to connect with you. Get started with Regain to find the relief your family has been searching for.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about family therapy online.
What are the four types of family online therapy a therapist might practice?
There are different approaches and strategies that professional therapists utilize in conducting family counseling and therapy. However, there are four most common types of family therapy that mental health professionals usually use. These are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Systemic Family Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, and Narrative Therapy.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on how thoughts and behaviors impact relationships within the family. This approach helps family members address negative patterns and develop healthier interactions.
Systemic Family Therapy looks at the family as a whole, examining how each person’s actions influence others, making it a great way to help improve communication and resolve conflict.
Structural Family Therapy emphasizes reorganizing roles and boundaries to strengthen connections, especially between parents, children, and even couples therapy participants.
Narrative Therapy empowers clients to rewrite the stories they tell about their family life, creating space for healing and growth.
These methods have been proven effective in helping families navigate challenges like marriage issues, parenting struggles, or finding better mental health together.
What are the five stages of family therapy that therapists usually implement in family therapy online?
When a mental health professional conducts family counseling and therapy, the best approach usually is implementing different psychotherapy techniques that are proven effective. This strategy has five key stages: social, problem, interactional, goal-setting, and task-setting.
In the social stage, the therapist creates a safe space for family members to talk openly about their experiences and concerns. This initial stage is crucial for setting the tone and ensuring everyone feels heard. The problem stage involves identifying specific issues that the family wants to address, such as conflict in relationships, parenting difficulties with children, or stress related to marriage.
The interactional stage helps families understand how their actions affect one another, often revealing patterns that other families experience in similar ways. This stage often involves practicing new strategies to develop healthier habits. In the goal-setting stage, families work together to identify shared objectives, whether it’s improving marriage dynamics, strengthening relationships, or learning how to resolve disputes in the same way for consistency.
Finally, the task-setting stage focuses on actionable steps to achieve these goals. Families may be given exercises or tasks to practice between sessions, whether it’s spending time together in the same place, engaging in individual counseling, or participating in services like parent-child activities. These stages are designed to guide clients through their difficulties and help them develop lasting solutions that improve their ability to talk openly and work toward harmony.
What is the best online counseling platform?
Choosing the best online counseling platform really depends on what your family needs. Are you looking for family counseling services that address specific issues or something that your health insurance provider will cover? Popular platforms like BetterHelp and Talkspace have been great for families seeking online family counseling. They connect you with licensed healthcare professionals who can help with things like mental health issues, behavioral issues, or even improving relationship dynamics. Just make sure you have a good Internet connection so your sessions go smoothly. Also, look for a platform that allows you to work with the same therapist each time, especially if you're tackling long-term treatment goals. These platforms are a lifeline when families are experiencing major life transitions or just need to work on communication together.
What is the best therapy for family therapy?
The "best" therapy really depends on what's happening in your family. For example, structural family therapy can be helpful if your family struggles with a family dynamic that needs reorganizing. Narrative therapy might work better if you or your loved ones—whether parents, children, or adults—want to address common reasons for conflict by rewriting unhelpful stories you tell yourselves. For situations involving behavioral issues with children or relationship issues, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can provide practical solutions. The most important thing is that therapy should feel like it's helping your family improve communication and resolve conflicts in a way that fits your unique specific needs.
What is the difference between family counseling and family therapy?
While family counseling and family therapy have similar goals, they're not exactly the same thing. Think of family counseling as more short-term. It's perfect for working through specific problems, like dealing with divorce, improving communication, or tackling immediate relationship issues. On the other hand, family therapy digs deeper into the underlying causes of problems like mental health issues, major life transitions, or deeply rooted relationship dynamics. Both approaches aim to boost your family's well-being, help resolve conflicts, and guide you toward healthier patterns. The difference comes down to the depth and focus of the work you're ready to do.
What is the most popular family therapy model?
Structural family therapy is one of the most popular therapy models therapists use. It's all about improving family dynamics by identifying unhealthy patterns and helping parents and children adopt better roles within the family. If your family is dealing with behavioral issues in children or tension in relationships, this approach provides clear ways to address those problems. Other popular models include Bowenian family therapy, which dives into how your family's emotional connections have developed over generations, and solution-focused therapy, which zeroes in on creating practical steps to meet your goals.
How do you start family therapy?
Starting family therapy might feel like a big step, but it's simpler than you think. First, look for a therapist who specializes in family counseling services. You can start by asking for recommendations, searching online, or checking with your health insurance provider to see what's covered. Before your first session, talk as a family about your goals—maybe you want to work on communication or tackle some specific relationship dynamics. During that session, your therapist will ask questions about your family's history and the problems you're facing. It's also your chance to see if they're the right fit for your family.
What are the disadvantages of family therapy?
While family therapy has a lot to offer, it's not without its challenges. For one, it can be tough to get all family members on board and find a time for regular sessions that fit everyone's schedule. Some people may feel uncomfortable opening up about personal issues, especially in front of others. If you're doing online family counseling, you'll also need a solid Internet connection—technical glitches can interrupt the flow. And let's be real: therapy takes time and effort. If your family has deeply rooted relationship dynamics, progress might feel slow at first. But with patience and commitment, the work often pays off, leaving everyone in a better place emotionally.
How many sessions for family therapy?
The number of family therapy sessions really depends on what's going on in your family. For something straightforward, like dealing with divorce or improving communication, 8 to 12 sessions might do the trick. If you're addressing more complex issues like behavioral issues, mental health issues, or long-standing relationship dynamics, you may need a longer commitment. Your therapist will likely check in with you along the way to see how things are going and adjust as needed. What really matters is that everyone in the family commits to the process to make each session as productive as possible.
What is the major focus of family therapy?
At its core, family therapy is about strengthening family dynamics, relationships, and communication. Therapists work with families to identify patterns that aren't working and help them find better ways to connect. Whether you're trying to resolve conflicts, address behavioral issues, or navigate major life transitions, therapy is there to create a safe space for everyone to be heard. The focus is on helping family members grow together and support each other, fostering long-term well-being. Sometimes, small changes—like tackling issues the same way with the same therapist—can make a huge difference in how your family interacts and thrives.
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