Things to Consider When Looking for Online Anxiety Therapy—Anxiety Therapy San Francisco
So you have decided to seek therapy for your anxiety and think that online therapy is the route you would like to take. There are many advantages to doing online anxiety therapy: the ease of scheduling, comfort of being in your home, and ability to choose from any provider in your state, to name a few. However, there are some important things to consider as you begin to search for a therapist.
1) How comfortable are you with the person who is going to be your therapist?
The strength of your connection with your therapist and your ability to open up to them will determine how successful your therapy will be. Nobody wants to work with a therapist who they don’t feel comfortable with and with whom they are unable to form a connection. Pay attention to how you feel in the therapy session, especially in the beginning sessions.
2) Is your therapist through an online platform or app (such as BetterHelp, etc.) or working independently?
Although it can be tempting to choose an online platform or app to help with cost, these platforms have been known to sell your data (Please read this article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawoollacott/2022/05/03/creepy-mental-health-and-prayer-apps-are-sharing-your-personal-data/?sh=462eb8564672) and often have less experienced therapists due to how poorly they pay their therapists. If you are divulging important and/or sensitive information, you should make sure that the therapists and platforms you are using are not selling it or using it to take advantage of you. . You can also asked what security precautions your therapist is taking to make sure your sessions are private and follow HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) guidelines.
3) Do you have a dedicated time and space for your therapy each week?
A dedicated time and space for therapy will set the tone for the work you do with your therapist. Privacy is necessary so you can feel free to share about your life and a dedicated time is the best way to make sure your therapy is free from distractions.
Hopefully these questions will allow you to get started on searching for online anxiety therapy options. If you have questions about where to start looking for an online anxiety therapist or finding an anxiety therapist in San Francisco or in general, feel free to contact me, Lisa Manca, LPCC, BC-DMT. I am happy to help you in whatever way I can so that you can receive quality mental health care and improve your life!