Therapy 101: Online Therapy For Depression & Others

I tried affordable online therapy once. I’ll share with you in this particular article how that therapy online treatment goes. Continue reading

I'll share with you in this particular article how that therapy online treatment goes.
Source: lovepanky.com

“People often don’t realize that depression isn’t just one thing. It can have different causes and presentations. Some people look sad, others are more irritable, some withdraw, and others seem restless.” —Lisa Moses, PsyD.

The Therapizing Online Therapy – My Experience

There were many times in my life when I felt lost and confused. Everything around me was becoming unbearable. On some mornings, I would wake up feeling heavy emotions inside me. I felt that my close friends and family members were starting to keep themselves away from me.

I needed therapy online as I experienced withdrawal from my relationships with other people. I already tried traditional therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy with various mental health counselors, but it didn’t work. Behavioral therapy and medication management weren’t helping. Even the best traditional therapists didn’t do much for my mental health. To be honest, I thought that I would not be able to survive those difficult days. That’s when I thought to use online cognitive behavioral therapy CBT.

“The depressed person, due to the way the brain operates in depression, becomes unable to see new solutions to problems, and they focus overly on negatives. They tend to ruminate on what is wrong in their lives, and such brooding increases mental stuckness,” according to Margaret Wehrenberg, PsyD.

Research Shows

“Research consistently shows that online therapy services can be very effective for many mental health crises. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that this was just as effective as a face-to-face treatment for depression,” according to Amy Morin LCSW.

At first, I was hesitant to try therapy online, especially when the therapy sessions were only available online. I believed that my interaction with a mental health professional through the virtual environment would just be useless. I had to talk to actual licensed therapists so that I could process all my thoughts and emotions correctly. Well, I thought wrong. The truth is that I became better when I started considering the benefits of wellness therapy online.

Research consistently shows that online therapy services can be very effective for many mental health crises.
Source: dz9yg0snnohlc.cloudfront.net

Opening Up During Online Therapy

Online therapy costs a little, and it is a good option for mental health care. There are many providers to choose from, including online counseling platforms staffed by clinical social workers, family therapists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners.

While in-office therapy sessions can be effective, online therapy sessions offer the flexibility to access therapy from anywhere with an internet connection. It can also be a valuable resource for individuals who may be hesitant to seek in-person therapy due to stigmas associated with mental health issues or eating disorders.

There was no tension between my therapist and me during virtual therapy sessions. The best online therapist would make you feel relaxed. Because of the remote environment, it became easier on my part to share my problems and concerns. With e-therapy conducted by an online therapist, I no longer need to concern myself about the facial expressions of the professional I’m talking to.

The Comfort And Convenience

As such, I had an opportunity to be honest about what I felt. I believe that it helped me become more aware of the current state of my mind.

The best thing about getting therapy online is that I can get my sessions at any time of the day. Since I do not need to go to the office of a therapist, I can save more time to do better things. Online therapy lets me talk to my professional therapist even at the convenience of my own home. As long as there is a stable Internet connection, everything will go smoothly.

The best thing about it is that I can get sessions any time.

Lower Rates In Online Therapy

Surprisingly, the rates for the sessions are affordable online. This means that getting a therapist for me has not become a burden. Since the rates are affordable, I can schedule many meetings per week, depending on my preferences. It may make it easier to get covered by health insurance as well.

Doing cognitive behavioral therapy has helped me a lot to get over the depression that I was feeling back then and greatly improved my health. I can say that

…money spent on it was somehow worth it.

Money spent on online therapy is worth it. The best thing about it is that I can get online sessions any time.
Source: dz9yg0snnohlc.cloudfront.net

Online Therapy

Online therapy as part of mental health services is an increasingly popular option for individuals with mental health diagnoses, as it offers greater therapist availability and often accepts insurance. Pursue it because it’ll be helpful for individuals like you with conditions such as borderline personality disorder, which may require psychodynamic therapy that can be difficult to find in person. This can also be a more affordable option than traditional in-person therapy, making it accessible to those who want online therapy.

Resorting to e-therapy has also been beneficial for me in the sense that it allowed me to learn more about psychological or virtual mental health medication management services. There are many exercises or online activities that can help a patient determine the specific kind of problem that he is going through. In my case, the test results allowed my therapist to think of better strategies on how to approach my issues, especially since I don’t need a licensed mental health professional to prescribe medication to me. In less than one month, I was able to get over depression.

Therapy Online Final Thoughts

Online therapy, also known as online counseling or talk therapy, is a convenient and accessible way to connect with licensed mental health professionals through an online platform. With many insurance providers now covering online therapy options, individuals have more flexibility in choosing online therapy as a viable option for their mental health needs.

Online therapy websites offer a range of options, including video therapy with licensed clinical social workers and other mental health professionals, making it easier to find the best online therapy options for individual needs. When choosing online therapy, it is important to ensure that the provider is reputable and that their services are tailored to meet individual mental health needs.

The best thing to do is to try it out with various best online therapy platforms and see how it would help you. Nothing beats experience in determining whether the virtual therapy sessions are practical for your mental health conditions or not. It may even be beneficial as a form of couples therapy.

Try it now.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can You Talk To An Online Therapist For Free?

  • Is Virtual Mental Health Services Just As Effective?

  • What is the cheapest online therapy service?
  • Is Talkspace or Betterhelp cheaper?
  • Is 7 Cups of therapy free?
  • Is Talkspace online therapy real?
  • Who is not suitable for online therapy or traditional therapy?
  • Can an online licensed therapist diagnose you?
  • What are the disadvantages of online counselling?
  • Can health insurance cover online therapy sosts?
  • What are the risks of this type of method?
  • Are virtual therapists safe?
  • Is it as good as face-to-face?
  • What are the negatives of this method?
  • What happens during an online therapy session?

Dealing With In-Laws: Marriage Counseling And Resolving Conflicts Peacefully

Marriage is the union of two people, their children, and laws that govern family dynamics, We may not be vocal about it, but getting the approval of extended relatives, specifically your in-laws, is a big thing for most people who are trying to connect with united family members. It is believed to create a healthy familial relationship to create significance in moments of marriage. Truth be told, many people have issues with the parents of both sites despite being perfect as a couple. Parents of couples will have varying opinions about their marriage, including the traits, character, and other what nots with the married couple. In this article, we have listed the different scenarios that lead to conflicts among extended families. We’ve also listed the different ways in which marriage counseling can help resolve your issues.

In-law problems are common ground in marriages, and usually, it involves crazy specific in-law issues. These can include warning signs of interference, clashing of values, or conflict of interest. It cannot help to participate in handling decisions by the couple.

Sometimes, these people don’t realize they are already overstepping the boundaries that affect well-being and mental health, for example, when they point to decide on the little things for their daughter or son-in-law and treat them as kids.

“[M]ost people struggle with in-law issues or in-law relationships on some level,” said Meredith Hansen, Psy.D, and if you are experiencing these challenges, know that you’re not alone.

There is always that wanting of approval of extended relatives because most people who are trying to connect within the circle of the family while dealing with extended family - People in the dining table having dinner
Source: commons.wikimedia.org

The Role of In-Laws In A Marriage

Effectively managing mother-in-law relationships with toxic in-laws, especially with mothers-in-law, and tips for dealing with their behavior as a daughter-in-law have a profound impact on a marriage. This fact is backed up by research that states that close relationships with in-laws are detrimental to a couple’s happiness and peace. Conflict with in-laws may lead to marital problems. Therefore, immediate family members should establish boundaries.

A mother or father-in-law may disapprove of several things in how your deal with your marriage, such as your united front family life, your job, or the way you raise your children. However, their unsolicited parenting advice will depend on the married couple if the views of the in-laws will have a significant effect on their complicated relationship.

Moreover, it will also depend on how the couple reacts to the views, ideas, and opinions given by the spouse’s family. Both should focus on marriage and family relationships and setting boundaries to get along, whether it’s with a father-in-law, a toxic in-law, or even with a sister-in-law.

Marriage Problems Caused By In-Laws And Its Effect On Your Marital Situation

“Healthy couples separate their own relationship from their in-laws,” according to Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S.

“They remember that no matter how complicated or difficult their in-laws may be, they are not married to them, and time and again, they must set boundaries to maintain a healthy relationship” F. Diane Barth, LCSW, said.

dealing in-laws - A photo of two beautiful women together. No matter how complicated or difficult the situation is, they still love each other.
Source: Pixabay.com

Solving Conflicts With In-Laws

There are various ways of dealing with in-laws and even your own parents. One way to rule it and have a healthy relationship, or law relationships, is to try to focus and communicate to them appropriately to setting boundaries. Some couples initiate by gently confronting them about their issues regarding the extended family’s involvement in the family.

Through this, one partner or both were able to protect, establish authority, and limitations, especially with parenting in their family’s system. It will help them get along and strengthen their family relationship.

However, if matters between you and your spouse or husband are not going well due to the consistent interference and control of in-laws, the situation has to be dealt with in the house differently. You might spend unnecessary physical and emotional energy dealing with this. And that is not helpful.

The Importance Of Seeking Marriage Counseling When Resolving Conflicts Between Married Couple And In-Laws

Couples or partners who seek marriage counseling due to problems caused by their relationship with extended family are not a new concept. Seeking guidance from a family therapist can be a valuable step in addressing issues related to toxic in-laws and improving family relationships. It is, in fact, being their own family is a common problem between a married couple and in-laws.

Another way to solve this issue is for the couple to undergo online marriage counseling. The eye-to-eye treatment will help couples maintain a healthy relationship and decide based on the specific advice of a professional.

Marital Issues – You Should Try Online Marriage Counseling To Resolve Conflicts In The Family

Nowadays, a lot of married couples choose to undergo online marriage counseling instead of having face-to-face interactions with a therapist. Most of them are not comfortable meeting a therapist traditionally. Some couples prefer to do online therapy and counseling because of the benefits it can provide.

A woman seeking help through online counseling. One benefit of online marriage counseling is its accessibility.
Source: pixabay.com

What Are The Benefits Of Online Marriage Counseling For Married Couples?

One benefit of online marriage and family counseling is its accessibility. With only a laptop and a stable internet connection, you can start your online counseling session anytime, even at night, and anywhere you feel comfortable, enhancing your married life. It is also relatively cheaper than face-to-face meetings with wellness therapy experts. The following are just some of the benefits of online marriage counseling:

  1. Convenience and accessibility: Online marriage counseling allows couples to receive professional help from the comfort of their own homes. They can schedule sessions at a time that works best for both of them without the need to travel to a physical location.
  2. Greater privacy: Some couples may feel more comfortable discussing personal and sensitive issues in the privacy of their own space. Online counseling offers a level of confidentiality and anonymity that can encourage open and honest communication.
  3. Wide range of options: Online marriage counseling provides access to a larger pool of therapists and counselors compared to traditional in-person counseling. This means couples have more choices to find a professional who best suits their needs and preferences.
  4. Flexible communication channels: Online counseling platforms offer various communication options, such as video calls, voice calls, instant messaging, and email. This flexibility allows couples to communicate in the way they feel most comfortable, ensuring effective and meaningful discussions.
  5. Cost-effective: Online marriage counseling is often more affordable than in-person counseling. Couples can save money on transportation costs and may have access to lower-priced counseling packages or sliding-scale fees.

Online Marriage Counseling Provides Group Sessions – All You Need To Know

Online marriage counseling also provides group sessions. Your online therapist may connect you with couples experiencing the same dilemma, and you can exchange stories or a hypothetical situation that might happen, and you’re afraid of and pointers with them. With this, you will be able to understand better that you are not the only wife or husband experiencing the difficult situation you are in.

Online Marriage Counseling Provides Anonymity And Privacy

Among other things, anonymity and privacy are also significant benefits that a couple can gain from a visit to online marriage counseling treatment. It is not for everyone, so to speak, but it is definitely worth the try as it can help lives. If you still want to know more about the benefits of online marriage counseling, you can quickly check this link:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What To Do When You Don’t Like Your Spouse’s Parents?

It’s essential to address this situation with open communication. First, consider talking to your spouse about your feelings, expressing your concerns calmly and honestly. Seek compromise and find ways to navigate interactions with your spouse’s parents, focusing on mutual respect and understanding. If necessary, consider seeking guidance from a family therapist to help improve the family relationships.

How Do You Handle The Difficult Parent Of Your Spouse?

Handling a difficult father-in-law or mother-in-law can be challenging. Start by maintaining your composure and not reacting emotionally. Engage in conversations with your spouse to develop a united front. Additionally, you can set healthy boundaries to manage their behavior while prioritizing your married life.

How Do You Handle Your Spouse’s Parents That Disrespect You?

Dealing with toxic in-laws who disrespect you requires assertiveness and clear communication. Speak to your spouse about your feelings and ask for their support in addressing the issue together. Consider involving a family therapist if necessary to mediate and improve the family relationships.

What will you do if the parents of your spouse are nagging you?

When facing nagging from your spouse’s parents, it’s crucial to stay patient and composed. Discuss your concerns with your spouse, emphasizing the impact of the constant nagging on your married life. Together, explore ways to address the issue and, if needed, establish healthy boundaries with their parents.

When your spouse’s parents are toxic?

If your spouse’s parents exhibit toxic behavior, it’s vital to prioritize your well-being and your family relationships. Engage in open conversations with your spouse about the toxic behavior and its effects on your relationship. Seek support from a family therapist to find constructive ways to handle the situation.

Is it normal not to like your mother-in-law?

It’s relatively common for individuals to have differences or conflicts with their mother-in-law. These feelings can arise due to various factors, but it’s crucial to work towards understanding and improved communication for the sake of marriage and family harmony.

How do you tell if your spouse’s parents don’t like you?

Signs that your spouse’s parents may not like you can include cold or distant behavior, frequent criticism, or exclusion from family gatherings. In such cases, communication with your spouse is key to understanding their parents’ feelings and working together to address any issues.

How do you set healthy boundaries with the parents of your spouse?

Establishing healthy boundaries with your spouse’s parents is essential for a harmonious married life. Communicate your boundaries clearly and respectfully with your spouse, and together, decide how to communicate these boundaries to their parents while maintaining respect and understanding.

Why are mother-in-laws so difficult?

Mother-in-laws may be perceived as difficult due to various factors, including differences in personalities, expectations, and cultural backgrounds. It’s essential to engage in open dialogue and find common ground to improve your relationship and family relationships.

Do people divorce because of in-laws?

While in-laws can contribute to marital conflicts, divorce is typically a result of various factors. Issues with in-laws can strain a marriage, but the decision to divorce usually involves a combination of factors, including communication problems, compatibility issues, and more.

What Is The Relationship Of Grief And Food

Are food, sorrow, and distress related? We all agree that eating is nourishing to the body and soothing to the soul.  It is said to make us feel better, especially when we are quite struggling mentally and emotionally. However, we do not know if it can really help when overcoming loss, breakup, or other depressing events in life. Let’s find out more about it here in this article.

the connection of food and grief. Delicious comfort foods that you can take when you are sad or feeling uncomfortable
Source: Pexels.com

“When something is ego-dystonic, this means that a person is experiencing thoughts, emotions, behaviors, or desires that are uncomfortable, unacceptable, distressing, and more precisely inconsistent with their self-concept,” says Elyssa Barbash Ph.D. Experiencing grief due to a broken heart is applicable to this. Continue reading to know the relationship between distress, food and grief.

Comfort Food – How It Can Help Alleviate Emotional Pain and Deep Sorrow

Usually, once the news of your breakup reaches your friends’ ears, they will hurriedly come to visit your home to try to support you during this time of loss, showing their care for your well-being and understanding the challenges of grief and loss.  And of course, they will bring in meals with them in case you cannot afford yet to prepare one. They will even sometimes cook and do grocery shopping for you.

Yes, it is common for the community of people who are grieving to stay still, thinking, mourning, not wanting to move around, waste tears, and just lie down. You just can’t control your emotions. So making a meal is a bit of a struggle. Unhealthy eating habits become haywire, and it’s difficult to get a full meal in.

During the loss of a relationship, it’s challenging to eat even favorites like a simple fried chicken or trusty hard-boiled eggs or to even drink coffee. Food plays an important role in providing comfort during times of stress and anxiety. Seeking caregiver support from friends and family can also make a significant difference in coping with emotional challenges.

I used to love cooking for my boyfriend and it has been part of my ritual. However, when we broke up it was not just preparing meals that I find hard to do. I lose interest in creating my own dish, and even funeral potatoes don’t feel good anymore. Even my system is unable to connect and accept any kind of food recipes due to grief. I am also having a hard time preparing my favorite dish to eat with deceased love ones.  It felt like my love for food just died.

It is as if my brain is telling my taste buds that all the food does not taste good. I can’t seem to find the appetite to eat whatever my friends are giving me. I don’t strive to eat anything, and I start to hate cooking.

(But, according to Deborah Serani PsyD, “A recent study in the journal of Psychological Science reports that turning to comfort foods can improve your mood.

As I speak with my experience, data from this research showed that consuming edibles that are associated with good thoughts and warm feelings not only support and improves a sense of well-being, they also decrease loneliness.”)

The Purpose Of Food During Grief

Friends dining out, sharing comfort snacks such as burgers & fries
Source: Pixabay.com

It Can Be An Act Of Love

I can’t find the strength to even look at the food due to despair. My suffering is eating me up. I cannot feel any craving for anything.  I cannot even feed myself. But because love comes with the warm meals served in front of me, which my friends bring untiringly, I have to at least take a bite from the food.

The taste of love they have for me brings me back to the reality that I am single again, and accepting it can be hard, but I have to do something to survive and not drown in my sadness during this difficult time.

The fresh, flavorful taste of soup, sweet cookies and chocolates, and cheesy pizza find their way again into my life, giving energy for my physicality and soul to be alive again, a comforting reminder of the meals I shared with loved ones. Food has fixed my broken heart, the meal prepared by my friends and certain families who truly love and treasure me.

Delicious pizza
Source: pexels.com

It Can Be A Girl’s Best Friend

While there are people like me who can’t seem to have the energy to eat, there are those who can’t think of anything but to eat as if food is the best friend they have during their days of grieving because of heartache.  For them, it is the only one who understands what they are feeling.

As a broken-hearted girl eats, she pours out her emotions and cries her pain out loud. Almost losing her mind. Food is truly her comfort, consoling her soul through the grieving process.

It Can Be A Way For Diet Change

Try on a new diet. It can be a way for diet change, offering ways to give your mind a break from the loss of a loved one. Re-focusing your attention on planning new menus will somehow make you forget the pain.  Why not plan on trying a vegetarian diet?  Exploring dietary services grief might provide you with a sense of purpose during this challenging time.  After dinner, you can hit the gym not just to clear your head but to look and feel better about yourself. Find ways to cope.

You can bring fruit and vegetables and mix them together. Don’t worry about too much science. Just focus on the enjoyment of preparing meals and feeding yourself to your desire.

healthy vegetable salad, very delicious and perfect for the sad soul. Why don't you try this delicacy?
Source: pexels.com 

Sadness & Loneliness

Nighttime brings much sadness and reminds you that you are hurting.  By inviting friends or family over and preparing a meal for them, you’re doing yourself a favor, as their company can help ease your sadness. They can keep you company, and you can talk about something else rather than thinking of your loss.

Being busy taking care of your guests or washing the dishes will exhaust you and help you fall asleep easier.

Most people deal with their heartaches in an unhealthy way.  Food is a much better way to indulge yourself in. You can even buy your comfort food from your favorite restaurant. If you can’t eat full meals, you can pick certain food that is to your taste. For example, if you miss bread, just toast some and maybe spread sour cream on it.

It can also help you meet the creative stranger in you. Discovering that new you who is good and happier in the kitchen can make you feel better and boosts your confidence.  You may not realize it, but you are already making it through the heartache and unwanted memories and are ready to reveal a better version of yourself. Your mission is to focus on joy with your friends and family and not on the bereavement of a failed relationship.

If you find it hard to get over the despair caused by a relationship breakup or the death of a loved one, consider trying bereavement services such as grief counseling to help you cope. These services often include support groups where you can share your feelings and find solace in others who have experienced similar losses. “If you think your self-esteem is shattered, work with a therapist to build it back up. It’s never too late to feel good about yourself,” Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., stated.

Get over the pain, unload the burden, and be more confident in yourself because everybody deserves better than the pain you went through.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What should you eat when grieving?

When grieving, it’s important to focus on nourishing foods that provide comfort and support during times of stress and anxiety. Comfort foods like soups, stews, and easy-to-digest meals can be helpful. Incorporating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can also provide essential nutrients to your body. It’s essential to maintain a balanced diet even when grieving.

Do people eat more when grieving?

People’s eating habits can vary when grieving. Some individuals may find solace in food and eat more, while others may experience a loss of appetite. Emotional eating can be a coping mechanism for some, leading to increased food consumption during times of grief.

Why does grief make you not eat?

Grief can affect your appetite due to the emotional and psychological stress it places on your body. The intense emotions and feelings of sadness, loss, and anxiety can suppress your appetite and make it challenging to eat. Additionally, grief can impact your digestive system, leading to physical symptoms like nausea and a loss of interest in food.

Can all the stages of grief make it hard to eat?

Yes, all the stages of grief, including denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, can make it hard to eat. Each stage can bring its own emotional challenges that may affect your appetite and eating habits. Seeking support, including caregiver support and services grief, can be essential during these difficult times.

What is the hardest stage of grief?

The experience of grief is highly individual, and what may be the hardest stage can vary from person to person. Some individuals find the stage of acceptance the most challenging, as it involves coming to terms with the reality of the loss. Others may struggle more with the intense emotions of anger or depression. Grief counseling and services grief can provide valuable assistance during any stage.

Does grief make you gain weight?

Grief can impact weight in different ways. Some people may experience weight loss due to a loss of appetite and the physical toll of grief. Others may turn to emotional eating as a coping mechanism, leading to weight gain. The impact on weight can vary greatly depending on the individual and their eating habits during grief.

What does grief do to your body?

Grief can have various physical effects on the body. It can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, sleep disturbances, digestive issues, and changes in appetite. The body’s stress response during grief can also affect the immune system and increase the risk of illness. Seeking caregiver support and services grief can help manage these physical effects.

How long does intense grief last?

The duration of intense grief varies from person to person. It can last for weeks, months, or even years, depending on the individual and the nature of the loss. Grief counseling and services grief can help individuals navigate this challenging period and find ways to cope.

What happens to your brain when you grieve?

Grief can affect the brain’s chemistry and functioning. It can lead to changes in neurotransmitters and hormones, contributing to feelings of sadness and anxiety. The brain’s stress response is activated during grief, which can result in cognitive changes, such as difficulty concentrating and making decisions. Seeking professional support during grief can be crucial for managing these neurological effects.

Why is grieving so hard?

Grieving can be exceptionally challenging because it involves coping with complex and intense emotions. It requires individuals to process the loss of a loved one or a significant life change, which can be emotionally overwhelming. Additionally, the physical and psychological toll of grief can make it a difficult journey. Seeking caregiver support and services grief can provide valuable assistance in navigating these challenges.