If just thinking of the holidays brings with it stress and anxiety, you’re not alone. Many people struggle during this time, whether they are pursuing therapy or not.
However, this season can often be the worst time of year to either get started with therapy or to even just book an appointment for your standard therapy time. Schedules get thrown out of whack and attention shifts towards purchasing gifts and preparing holiday meals. Plus, you have to make time for parties, school events for the kids, and so much more.
That’s why you might want to consider online therapy this year. It’s a useful tool that can help provide the support you need during the holiday season.
Here are five reasons why you may want to give it some thought.
1. Staying Connected While Away
If your holiday plans include travel away from home, then an online therapy appointment might help. This way, you still stay connected with your therapist and continue your scheduled meeting time instead of having to skip a week or two.
For some, a break in therapy sessions can cause problems to build up, creating more stress. Instead, you can maintain your flow, so-to-speak, and stay on track with your therapeutic progress.
2. Not Having to Sacrifice a Big Part of Your Day
Granted, an in-person therapy appointment doesn’t take long—perhaps between 45 minutes to an hour. However, it’s the time getting to and back home from the appointment that can add up.
During the holidays time is precious. Many things are competing for your attention. Unfortunately, not all of these are beneficial for your mental health. In fact, the demands placed on you might even be too much. This added pressure may cause you to sacrifice your regular therapy appointment because you believe you don’t have the time.
With online therapy, you can have your appointment in the comfort of your home. Or you could get your appointment in during your lunch break. That way you don’t feel like you have to give up more time in your already busy schedule.
3. Getting Support When You Need It
Online therapy is useful in that you can benefit from therapy when you need it most. For instance, if you are struggling with anxiety, most likely the holidays can be a stressful time for you.
However, if you are participating in an online therapy program that offers real-time connection, this could be really useful. When you start to feel the anxiety build, you can start contacting the online service and get the support you need. Having that professional support at the right moment could mean the difference between keeping anxiety in check or letting it overwhelm you.
4. Not Having to Explain Yourself
Even if you are staying at home for the holidays, explaining to others that you need to step out for therapy can be embarrassing. You don’t want to have to face lots of questions from visiting family members.
With online therapy, you don’t have to explain yourself at all. You can even be messaging with the therapist with others present. However, it would be best if you could find some seclusion to have more privacy. And if the service you are working with offers 24-hour support, you could do your messaging early in the morning or late in the evening when it’s quieter.
5. Using Your Preferred Way to Communicate
For many, including younger generations, communicating by using online tools has become the norm. It makes sense that they would use online therapy as well.
If you feel more comfortable participating in online therapy, by all means, go for it! As long as you are getting your needs met, therapy online can be a great way to get the support you need during the holidays.
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Whether you are worried about the effects of the holidays on your mental health or just want to maintain consistency for your treatment schedule, online therapy might be a good option. Remember that your mental health should take priority, no matter what time of year it is.
Please, contact us if you’d like more information about my online therapy services.