Trauma is defined as a deeply disturbing or distressing experience. Seventy percent of adults in the United States have encountered some kind of traumatic event at least once in their lives. The consequences of unresolved trauma can be disastrous and can affect life course. Unresolved trauma can lead to nightmares, panic attacks, excessive guilt, eating disorders, suicide, depression, anxiety, addictions, physical pain, self-destructive behaviors, and disease.
Trauma can affect relationships and family life. Because trauma can affect the majority of the population and can cause many issues, many people will need help with healing and processing their traumatic experience and will be in need of counseling. During trauma many stumbling blocks can make it difficult to get to a counseling office.
In addition, some people may not want to leave their home or “safe” environment after experiencing trauma. Online therapy has been proven to be as effective as in-person therapy, and can benefit a client who cannot make it into a counseling office.
Here are 3 benefits of online trauma counseling that can help a person to determine if it is right for them:
1. Online therapy can be less intimidating than in-person therapy.
Feeling safe is very important after trauma. Online therapy is an easy process and can be done from where a person feels most comfortable and safe. Also, some people have a perceived idea of social stigma when they consider going to mental health counseling center. There can be psychological comfort of having an online session because of the anonymity and it can help to decrease any shame. In addition, it cuts out the waiting room experience, which can lessen anxiety. After trauma, a waiting room may feel scary or intimidating, especially if a person has experienced any medical traumas, death or illnesses.
2. Online therapy can be less time consuming than in-person therapy.
Driving to and from a therapy appointment can be time consuming. Online therapy can fit into a busy schedule, especially during the hecticness of picking up the pieces during hurt. Many times, people have already taken off of work, rearranged their lives, or have already attended numerous appointments when the traumatic event occurred. Doing online sessions, takes significant time out of a burdened schedule. Online sessions give better access to therapists who specialize in trauma, who might not be available near the client, and are very experienced.
3. Online therapy can offer more consistent therapy than in-person therapy.
Online therapy can decrease absences to appointments. Not only do some clients have a hard time getting to the appointment due to illness, poor weather conditions, lack of transportation, or work schedules, the trauma can prevent them from leaving their “safe” place.
When there is consistent therapy, there is more intense therapy. When there is intense therapy, the person can learn methods to help them heal, change, and grow. Online therapy can be scheduled more frequently, which leads to helping clients resolve their trauma.
Consistent and frequent online counseling can help a traumatized client eliminate nightmares, manage panic attacks, forgive themselves and others, make better choices, have better relationships, and most importantly heal.
Lisa Nail – Counselor/Author
If you need more help with your relationship and want to develop further skills to have a successful marriage call Sheltering Oaks Counseling Center in Wesley Chapel, Florida at 813-982-4230 to set up an appointment.
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Other Mental Health Services at Sheltering Oaks Counseling
Your family may need help in more than one way. At Sheltering Oaks Counseling, we want to meet the mental health needs of every member of your family. Therefore, we offer a number of mental health services at our Wesley Chapel, FL based therapy clinic. For example, our therapists offer Christian counseling, counseling for young adults, therapy for cancer survivors and trauma therapy. We also have marriage counseling, family therapy, play therapy, and counseling for ministers. Not only can we help you in our Tampa area counseling offices, but we can also work with you anywhere in the state with online therapy in Florida.
Additionally, we offer several types of testing services, including neuropsychological testing, ADHD testing, psychoeducational evaluation, Gifted testing, and more. Finally, our specialty services for veterans and parents as IEP advocates can help you too! We would love to connect when you are ready to reach out.