Lavanya VallabhDo you need support from a mental health professional because you’re in distress? Is your treatment on hold because of the pandemic? Online Therapy, provided by some of India’s greatest online counselling platforms, is here to help. The pandemic has brought up new therapy options. This is what we refer to as the survival instinct. Not only can you get medical care online, but you can also get support with your mental health and overall well-being.
Many people who were receiving counselling, CBT, Psychotherapy, and treatment for their various Mental Health Conditions came to a halt as a result of the epidemic. In the last two years, there has been a significant increase in the number of cases of stress, anxiety, depression, suicide, domestic violence, divorce, burnout and other mental health disorders.
When treatment for a variety of health concerns can be accessed through Online Consultation platforms, why not take advantage of the services and continue treatment for one’s mental health via the Internet?
What is Online Mental Health Counselling?
Due to current market trends, Mental Health Counselling, also known as Psychological Counselling, which was previously only available on a 1-to-1 help basis, is now available online. That is, via the internet, also known as E-Counselling, Cyber Counselling, Tele Counselling, Web Counselling, Internet Counselling, and so on. This service is available via a variety of channels, including phone calls, emails, text messages, and voice or video calls. This is just as beneficial as one-on-one counselling, which is usually done in person. Many hospitals, foundations, and associations of Psychotherapists, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Counsellors, and other professionals in the field have been established. So much so, the Government of India announced the National Tele Mental Health Program in the Union Budget 20221.
“The pandemic has accentuated mental health problems in people of all ages. To better the access to quality mental health counseling and care services, a National Tele Mental Health program will be launched”
Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs of India
Services offered by Online Counselling Platforms
These Online Counselling Platforms provide a professional staff of top psychologists, top psychiatrists and other mental health experts who can help with a wide range of concerns. These therapists are sometimes known as online psychologists or web therapists. When treatment for a variety of health concerns can be obtained through online consultation platforms, why not take advantage of the services and continue treatment for one’s mental well-being in this manner?
Here is a list of services offered by Online Counselling Platforms;
- Depression counselling
- Anxiety counselling
- Stress counselling
- Couple counselling
- Marriage counselling
- Parenting counselling
- Family counselling or family therapy
- Sex counseling
- Counselling for various types of addictions like alcohol and smoking etc.
- Child counselling
- Anger management counselling
- Behaviour counselling
- Relationships and love counselling
- Divorce counselling
- Geriatric counselling
- Counselling for learning disabilities in children
- PTSD counselling
- OCD Counselling
- Bipolar counselling
- ADHD counselling
- Sleep issues counselling
- Counselling for phobias
- Counselling for students
- Exam stress counselling
- Work stress counselling
- Career counselling
And the list goes on…. Here, there are mental health experts who are adept in their respective fields and can guide one in the times of despair. One can visit the desired platform, choose the right expert for their issue and avail the Counselling Session as per the availability and convenience sitting in the comforts of the home.
The Advantages of Online Counselling
Wide choice of expert psychologists, therapists and psychiatrists
The nicest part about online psychological counselling is that it brings together psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, and other mental health specialists from all around the country/world on a single platform. Here, the entire world becomes your palate, allowing you to select from a wide range of psychologists from Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai and more.
Safe space, confidential and stigma-free
Availing therapy by visiting the therapist’s clinic can be daunting for many of us since we might not want to be seen by anyone going to seek therapy because of the fear what people might think. With e-counselling, mobile apps, website or online portal can be used to contact these specialists from comfort of our homes in a safe and stigma-free space. Utmost confidentiality and maintaining anonymity is a highly desirable feature of Online Counselling, as one need not visit the therapist in person.
Saves travel time
All of us are crunched for time in today’s busy world. With e-therapy options, the time spent in travelling to and from the Counsellor, Therapist, or Psychiatrist is eliminated. Just download the app and you are good to go.
Affordable
Not everyone can afford expensive in-person face-to-face counselling. The e-counselling option offer multiple choice with regards to affordability. One can pick up a package as per ones budget.
Helps maintain COVID social distancing
Telemedicine is the preferred choice in the post pandemic world. COVID has really altered the way we seek medical and mental health services. The online therapy options help us maintain social distancing and follow COVID protocol and guidelines. Even government has released India’s telemedicine guidelines1 and NIMHANS guidelines for tele-psychotherapy2 to encourage adoption of services online.
India’s Best Online Counselling Services
Choosing the proper platform judiciously from the profusion of Online Counselling Platforms is a difficult undertaking. This will save time, energy, and money when it comes to one’s Mental Health. Despite the fact that all of the platforms provide good services, some are well-known for their unique services and features and stand apart from the crowd.
| Long term connect Forcing counselling in just 45 min session can hurt. Long packages like 2 sessions in 7 days make sure therapy is successful | Starting price Affordability is important to sustain therapy. Just one expensive session can do more harm than good | Choice of therapists Wide choice helps you select the right counsellor for you. The fit is very important for therapy success. | Mobile app Mobile apps are critical for ease of use and access. Plus it offers chatting support which can make it easier to avail services when you are surrounded by other people who can over hear conversation | Self-help activities Self help activities like mindfulness and chatbot can help people who are highly motivated. The efficacy is limited though. | Assessments Mental health assessments help in diagnosing the problem and measuring efficacy of therapy. This ensures better clinical outcomes. | |
| TickTalkTo | Yes | INR 500 + | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Minderapy3 | No | INR 999 + | No | No | No | No |
| Manastha4 | No | INR 699 + | No | No | No | Yes |
| Betterlyf5 | No | INR 999 + | No | No | No | Yes |
| Innerhour6 | No | INR 1000 + | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Wysa7 | Yes | INR 1499 + | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| YourDost8 | No | INR 1299 + | Yes | No | No | No |
In addition to these platforms, there are also some NGO and government lead helplines8 which help people seeking help w.r.t. providing depression and distress counselling.
There has been a significant growth in public awareness regarding mental health issues. As a result, many are turning to Mental Health specialists or online counsellors to find solutions to their concerns. People are becoming more aware of their overall health and well-being, and as a result, they have begun to accept Mental Health as a crucial element of a healthy lifestyle. Choosing the proper platform judiciously from the profusion of Online Counseling Platforms is a difficult undertaking. Focus on your unique needs and reputation of the therapy platform to pick your preferred online counselling platform.
