As we approach the holiday season, the days become shorter, temperatures drop, and the whirlwind of emotions starts to pick up. For many seniors, the holiday season can be stressful and gloomy. This season can bring about feelings of loneliness, loss, and anxiety — all of which may require counseling and therapy. However, visiting a therapist’s office or meeting a counselor in person may seem daunting for some seniors. Thankfully, technology has made it possible for counseling to be more accessible and convenient through online therapy.
Understanding Online Therapy and its Benefits for Seniors
Also known as online therapy or teletherapy, e-therapy is online mental health treatment. The therapist and patient can contact each other via video, phone, messaging, or e-mail. It’s a type of work that is convenient and accessible. This may be done at the client’s home. Online therapy occurs in a safe, private space.
You’ll need to find a licensed therapist or counselor who provides these services to start online therapy. Once you’ve identified a provider, you’ll choose a platform to communicate with them, such as a secure messaging app or video conferencing tool. Then, you’ll schedule an appointment and use the preferred platform to connect with your therapist. Treatment modalities vary based on the provider, but virtual therapists typically use the same techniques as traditional in-person therapists. Online therapy has numerous benefits for seniors. Here are a few:
Comfortable and Safe Environment
With online therapy, seniors can participate in counseling sessions in their homes. There is no need to travel to a therapist’s office or interact with strangers on the way. The accessibility of online therapy is especially important during the current pandemic, where contact with others can be risky. Your home environment puts you at ease and allows you to concentrate on the therapy sessions without distractions.
Flexible Scheduling
Often, seniors have other responsibilities like doctor’s appointments, shopping, or volunteering during the holiday season. With online therapy, seniors can schedule sessions around their availability. Depending on personal needs, these sessions can be scheduled during the day or evening. Online therapy has made it easier to receive the therapy you need without interfering with other responsibilities.
Avoid the Stigma of Traditional Therapy
Many seniors may view therapy as a negative experience because of the stereotypes associated with it. The traditional view of lying on a couch and discussing personal problems with a stranger can seem too daunting for some seniors. However, online therapy offers a more relaxed and welcoming approach to seniors who may feel uncomfortable with the traditional therapy method. This way of counseling creates a digital environment where seniors can feel safe to discuss their issues, free of judgment.
Increased Confidentiality and Privacy
Online therapy offers seniors confidential and private therapy sessions. Seniors may be hesitant to receive therapy because of the possibility of others knowing and sharing their problems. The internet provides privacy and confidentiality that traditional therapy does not. Seniors can feel comfortable discussing their mental health struggles without the fear of their privacy being breached.
Access to a Wide Range of Therapists
Not all therapists are created equal, and seniors may be embarrassed to seek therapy in their local community. With online therapy, there are no limitations to the options available. Seniors have access to various therapists who specialize in various fields. This way, you can find a therapist that aligns with your beliefs, values, and preferences.
Limitations of Online Therapy
There are limitations to online therapy that must be taken into consideration. Online therapy has confidentiality and privacy issues, as sessions are conducted from a personal computer or phone. There is also uncertainty regarding technological issues, such as poor connection or equipment failure, which may disrupt sessions. The lack of physical presence poses an issue, as non-verbal cues and body language are essential to communication and therapeutic practice. Online therapy may also be unsuitable for those experiencing severe mental health issues that require hospitalization or more immediate interventions.
Staying Connected with Family During the Holidays – How Online Therapy Can Help
Although it is hard to maintain close ties with family during the holidays, do not despair; various doors remain open. Online therapy can help keep seniors connected with their loved ones during this time, especially if they are away from home or living in a different state.
Helps Cultivate Better Communication with Family Members
One of the most challenging aspects of holidays is communication breakdowns with family members. Online therapy provides a safe, judgment-free zone where individuals can improve their communication skills. Therapists can offer strategies and tools to enhance communication and manage conflicts effectively. Through online therapy, individuals can learn how to express themselves healthily and constructively.
Online Therapy Can Help Create Meaningful and Intentional Holiday Traditions
The holiday season is synonymous with creating cherished traditions. With online therapy, individuals can intentionally design and create meaningful and exciting new traditions, even when physically apart from loved ones. A licensed therapist can help brainstorm innovative ideas for celebrating the holidays while prioritizing mental health and safety. The possibilities are endless, from virtual family game nights, holiday movie nights, and cooking together to virtual gift exchanges.
Online Therapy Helps Bridge the Gap of Physical Distance
With the current pandemic, many people are forced to forgo in-person family gatherings, leading to loneliness or sadness. Online therapy provides a much-needed social connection, helping bridge the physical distance gap. Through online therapy sessions scheduled in at-home environments, individuals can have personal and authentic interactions with their loved ones. Furthermore, online therapy expands an individual’s access to support, which can be a significant source of comfort during these extraordinary and often challenging times.
Online Therapy Helps Build Resilience
The holiday season can sometimes trigger past traumas or bring awareness of unresolved issues such as grief and loss. Online therapy can equip you with coping skills to navigate challenging emotions while providing a compassionate space to process and heal. Developing such resilience can help individuals remain strong even when physically apart from loved ones.
Assessing Your Mental Health Needs – When It’s Time to Seek Professional Help
Mental health is essential to our overall well-being, yet it’s often the most neglected. It’s not uncommon for people to go through phases of feeling down or anxious. Still, suppose these emotions persist over time and start interfering with daily life. In that case, it’s time to assess your mental health needs and seek professional help. Assessing your mental health needs can be challenging, but it’s not something to rush through either. Here are a few pointers to determine if it’s time to seek professional help:
Difficulty managing relationships: When your relationships with friends, family members, co-workers, or love interests are tense and competitive, perhaps you can discuss these things in therapy.
Changes in sleep patterns or appetite: These include changes in sleep or appetite, which are early symptoms of everything from depression and anxiety to post-traumatic stress disorder. If you can’t sleep, eat, or do anything else, something about your physical condition worries you. Therefore, when this happens, it would be a good idea to see a medical practitioner and be sure that no physical disorder is causing the problem.
Persistent and intense emotions: Prolonged and excessive emotions, for example, as seen in people who are angry or sad all the time, also benefit from therapy. Therapy can give a way to understand where these emotions are coming from. Once these issues have been identified, methods can be devised to cope.
Substance abuse: If you have turned to substances such as drugs or alcohol as a way to deal with your feelings, it’s an indication that you need help from a professional. It’s an alarming call if substance use is interfering with your daily life. Nevertheless, a mental health professional will help you detoxify your body, get off substances, and offer support to create healthier coping mechanisms.
Prioritizing Your Mental Health
The holiday season can be a time of high emotional pressure. Understanding that anyone can suffer profoundly during this period is essential. Online therapy can lead to peace of mind this holiday season while enhancing access to therapy. By exploring reliable platforms and obtaining professional emotional support, seniors can make the most of their holiday seasons and feel content knowing they are not alone.
Total Life is here with you every step of the way. Our online therapy platform offers individual and group counseling sessions tailored to support seniors’ mental health journeys. Our team of licensed therapists specializes in working with older adults. It is dedicated to providing a safe, confidential, and comfortable space to explore your emotions.
Call us at 1 800 567 5433 or visit our website at https://totallife.com/ to learn how we can support you during the holiday season and beyond. Remember, prioritizing your mental health is a sign of strength and self-care. You deserve to feel happy, healthy, and fulfilled in all aspects of your life. Let’s embrace the comfort of online therapy this holiday season and take care of our minds and hearts. So why wait? Take the first step towards a happier, healthier you today. We’re here for you when you need us most.
