The Rise of Online Therapy: A New Way of Treating Your OCD, Anxiety and Other Mental Health Difficulties

Online therapy has really become a crucial element of mental health care, especially since the COVID pandemic, as it offers an accessible and effective treatment for various psychological issues. Studies have confirmed the effectiveness of remote therapy for difficulties that include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders and many other difficulties. This article will investigate the world of online based therapies and the role of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), whilst considering the significance of online and telephone counselling in successfully addressing mental health difficulties.

​The Rise of Online Therapy

The internet has implemented new ways of doing things for many aspects of our lives. Mental health care is no exception. Online therapy, which is in many way synonymous with telephone therapy or teletherapy, makes use of remote communication platforms in order to connect patients with therapists through video calls, the phone, chat and email. These mediums of communication have gained substantial traction, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The perceived necessity of social distancing and limited in-person interactions greatly increased the demand for remote based therapy.
​
The major selling point for conducting remote based psychotherapy lies in its accessibility. It can be beneficial for individuals who live in remote areas, have mobility issues, or face time constraints. The most important point is that it is not less effective compared to face to face therapy. In addition, remote communication software is commonly encrypted, which allows for greater confidentiality compared to even in-person therapy.

​Managing OCD Remotely

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic condition that entails the experiencing of recurring thoughts and urges (obsessions) and associated behaviours (compulsions) that the individual feels compelled to repeat. Traditionally speaking, in-person therapy has been the main medium through which OCD is treated. Therapy done online is proving to be just as effective.
​
The most effective treatment for OCD is cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). A must is the inclusion of a treatment approach called exposure and response prevention (ERP). ERP entails the gradual exposure towards feared objects or ideas while preventing compulsive (rewarding) behaviours that typically follow. 

​Combating Anxiety with Teletherapy

Some of the most common mental health conditions worldwide are anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders can expressed themselves under the guise of various disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, panic disorder and many more ways that don’t always fit neatly into a diagnostic category. Like OCD, anxiety disorders can be treated with the use of CBT.
​
Making use of online therapy offers several advantages for the treatment of anxiety. The convenience of accessing therapy from home can reduce the distress associated with attending in-person sessions. Online based therapy can also incorporate various therapeutic techniques that are associated with CBT. These include mindfulness and relaxation exercises, which patients can subsequently practice at home.

The Role of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) represents a set of structured therapies that focus on addressing thought patterns, behaviours and other sensations. CBT is highly effective for a range of mental health issues which include depression, OCD and much more.
​
Online CBT sessions are structured the same as in-person ones. Therapists make use of video or telephone calls to engage with patients, whilst acting as a catalyst to help clients make helpful decisions and changes in their lives.

​Online and Telephone Counselling

In addition to CBT, talking therapies such as counselling can be done through video-based mediums. Online counselling can also be pursued as text-based therapy and telephone counselling. Each way of doing it is equally effective and applies to varying preferences and needs.

• Text-Based Therapy: Platforms like Seekapsych and Talkspace offer text-based therapy, which allows patients to communicate with therapists via different chat platforms. This mode is particularly useful for clients that prefer writing than speaking. Writing occupies a different part of the brain than speaking. This allows for greater processing of personal difficulties.
• Telephone Counselling: Telephone counselling represents an in-between of video and text-based therapy. It is accessible for individuals who prefer the anonymity of a phone call. Telephone therapy is effective for various issues, which include crisis intervention and ongoing, longer term therapy.

​Effectiveness and Considerations

Studies have indicated the effectiveness of online therapy. Research published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders found that online CBT was as effective as face-to-face therapy for treating anxiety and depression. Further more, a major study in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that high patient satisfaction with teletherapy was reported.
​
Nevertheless it should be stated that online psychotherapy may not be suitable for everyone. Severe mental health conditions may require intensive treatment by psychologists, social workers and psychiatrists. Some patients of course require hospitalisation and are thus better managed with in-person care. Individuals with limited internet access or those uncomfortable with digital communication might find online therapy challenging.

​Privacy and Confidentiality

Confidentiality has to represent a paramount element in a therapeutic setting. Many online therapy platforms adhere to enhanced encryption measures. In order to fall in compliance with regulations like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), specially encrypted communication channels helps ensure that data remains confidential.

​Conclusion

Online therapy has greatly aided the world of psychotherapy. It makes treatment more accessible and adaptable towards varying circumstances. For those grappling with OCD, anxiety and other mental health challenges, online and telephone counselling can be very beneficial. The scope of remote therapy is likely to expand which offers hope to those in need.