Common Misperceptions about Online Counseling Services Thanks to Commercials From Big Tech Companies Who Have Entered the Mental Health Space
When mental health became the next hot new topic, big tech companies suddenly took an interest. They entered into the mental health space, opened up their own mental health platforms, and gave the public plenty of misleading advertisements. This is what happens when mental health services are advertised by people who have received no formal training in providing therapy. These commercials have misinformed the public, leaving actual therapists to set the record straight. So, here are 3 misperceptions about online counseling created and reinforced by the commercials you’ve been seeing and our attempt to correct them!
Misperception #1
You can do online therapy from anywhere (i.e. it’s great for people who travel for work)
Despite the sponsored commercials you’ve been seeing on your favorite travel Youtubers’ channel telling you that you can access online therapy from anywhere, you CANNOT do online therapy from anywhere.
Why? Counselors and social workers are licensed by their state licensing boards. Counselors and social workers are allowed to work with clients who are physically located in the state where they are licensed at the time of the session. This means that a counselor who is licensed in the state of Maryland can only provide therapy to individuals who are physically located in the state of Maryland at the time of session. If you are located in another state at the time of your scheduled appointment, your therapist will likely not be able to meet with you. The only way they could is if they are licensed in that other state.
Misperception #2
You can do online therapy while multitasking
Have you seen the one commercial advertising online counseling services where the lady is in her kitchen chopping vegetables while talking to her therapist on her phone? Each time I see it, I’m annoyed by the unhelpful message it sends!
Why? People who are actually trained and licensed to provide therapy are not going to encourage you to multitask in session. We want you to be free from distractions and be fully present, so you can make the most of your therapy session. Therapy is YOUR time to focus on yourself. We have every other waking moment of the day to focus on work, kids, household chores, and other responsibilities. What we need is time to focus on ourselves. THAT is the message and expectation that someone who is TRULY trained to provide mental health counseling services will convey.
Misperception #3
You can do online therapy from anywhere (i.e. in public)
Have you seen the commercial where the woman is doing online therapy while in her pool? That’s not a thing that a REAL therapist is going to encourage. Everytime I see that commercial I think of Tim the Toolman Taylor’s neighbor’s eyes peeking through the fence while listening to this person’s conversation with her therapist.
Why? Unless you are completely sure that there is nobody else around you, doing therapy in a setting that is not secure or confidential is NOT something that a REAL therapist would recommend. A therapist who is trained to provide mental health therapy is going to encourage you to attend your sessions from a secure and confidential location. If a counselor suspects that others are in the room with you or that you are not in a secure setting, they are going to ask you about it and recommend that you secure the room, so your counseling session is in fact confidential. An actual therapist is going to protect your confidentiality.
Unless you’re trained as a counselor, social worker, psychiatrist, or psychologist yourself, you likely don’t know these things. After all, why would you? Unfortunately, some of these big tech companies have been able to put out a lot of misleading information in the form of their commercials. If you are seeking mental health services, consider working with a local counseling practice that is owned and operated by someone who is actually trained and licensed to provide counseling services. I trust, you’ll see a big difference!
At LifeSpring Counseling Services, we like to provide all of our new clients with a blog on how they can prepare for online counseling services. If you’ve never participated in online therapy before, it’s likely that you aren’t sure what to expect. Unlike the big tech companies who are now offering mental health services, we include a list of helpful information about how to prepare for your first online therapy session, following best practices.
If you’re a Marylander who is seeking counseling services, know that we’re happy to help. As mentioned, our therapists who are licensed in the state of Maryland are ONLY able to work with individuals who are located in Maryland at the time of their session. We can provide online counseling services to people who are located anywhere in Maryland or in-person counseling services to people who are in or near Baltimore County.
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The Pros and Cons of Using Health Insurance for Therapy
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When is it Time to Seek Counseling?
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Interested in Online or In-Person Counseling for Anxiety or Depression?
If you’re a Marylander who knows that counseling is the direction you need to take, the therapists at LifeSpring Counseling Services are here to help. We offer online counseling services for mindfulness, depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief and loss. We also offer Brainspotting as a specialized service, and Brainspotting can be done online, too!
Here’s how you can get started! Online and in-person counseling for anxiety and depression aren’t the only services offered at our Monkton, MD office.
The counselors and social workers at our Maryland office also offer counseling services for trauma, grief and loss, boundary setting, communication skills, and difficult life transitions. We also offer specialized counseling services including Brainspotting and spiritually-integrated counseling. Because we are located next to several local universities, we also work with college students and international students.
