I want to sit on my therapist’s couch… Or do I? In Defense of Online therapy in Michigan
Ahhh, Ann Arbor…home of the Maize and Blue, a year-round farmers market, and Art Fair, the largest juried art fair in the nation. It’s also a therapy-friendly city, hop on google and there is no shortage of options for you to choose from.
This is why it can be helpful to ask yourself these five questions before selecting a therapist to roll your sleeves up and get to work with. Here’s one of those five questions. Do you prefer in-person appointments or online therapy?
ONLINE THERAPY IN ANN ARBOR AND ACROSS MICHIGAN
Until 2020 and the pandemic, I was a die-hard in-the-office-therapist. No joke, I scoffed at the idea of virtual counseling and online therapy! It couldn’t possibly be as effective as in-office appointments!
And to be fair, therapy can be easier to conduct face-to-face (attuning to another emotions), and there’s no replacement for being physically present to bear witness to someone else’s pain.
But! Little did I know at the time that there was a growing body of research comparing outcomes of in-office therapy vs. online therapy. Guess what the research has proven time and again? That there are no differences in outcomes between the two.
And the benefits of online therapy don’t stop there. Online therapy can offer more flexibility, especially if you found a therapist who you think is a good fit but they’re on the other side of Michigan, or if you travel often for work often and can’t commit to in-office appointments.
Are you looking for office-based practice or online appointments? If you’re looking for a local therapist because you prefer in-office appointments, you might search for “anxiety therapist in Ann Arbor” or “[issue you’re seeking therapy for] therapist in [your area].” I’m sure there are great options in your area!
Or, perhaps you want to expand your reach for the right fit by searching for “online therapy in Michigan” or “online therapy across [insert your state].”
What’s better is that you can meet with your therapist in the comfort, privacy, and security of your own home. You don’t have to worry about traffic, feeling rushed and afraid of being late (no one wants to be more frazzled before their weekly therapy appointment), and you don’t have to cancel in the event of contagious illness, unless you’re feeling poorly.
LET ME HELP YOU FIND A Psychologist, THERAPIST, or Counselor IN ANN ARBOR, MI
I wrote another post recently about finding a therapist in the Ann Arbor area, read it here. Or, here’s the highlight reel:
What are you looking to work on? Getting clear on what you’re looking for support around can help you narrow down what to put in the good old google search bar.
Tap your network. Has a friend or family member ever shared with you that they saw a therapist? Did they have a good experience? Perhaps they can refer you.
What about your primary care provider or other specialist? Medical practices often have vetted therapist referral lists for their patients.
Ask your attorney (if you have one). Going through a divorce or some family-related probate matter? Chances are they have a therapist referral list.
Check out an online therapist directory. If none of the previous options work for you, for whatever reason, there is an abundance of therapy directories to check out. Here’s a few to get your started: Therapy Den, Good Therapy, or Psychology Today.
Looking for THERAPY IN ANN ARBOR, MI?
Hi, I’m Nikki. A graduate of the University of Michigan School of Social Work and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 17+ years of experience. In my online therapy practice, I support adults through life’s tough transitions, traumas, losses, and other adversities.
I hope these tips and strategies help you find the right therapist in Ann Arbor or across Michigan. Feeling stuck? Reach out to me to schedule your FREE 15-minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening in your life and see if we’d be a good fit together.