- Published on 4 February 2025
Do you know that over 6 in 10 adults would talk to an online Therapist for mental wellness?
Online therapy in Australia has become an integral part of the mental health industry – and for a good reason.
If your daily schedule is packed with work and family commitments, you know how hard it is to find some alone time. Online therapy is a great avenue exactly for people like you – it’s convenient, accessible, and you don’t have to think about the billion things you need to do before you leave the house.
In this article, we’ll explain how online therapy differs from other forms of treatment and explore the three benefits of talking to an online Therapist in Australia.
This Article Contains:
Who Is an Online Therapist?
You may hear terms like online therapy, web therapy, or phone therapy, but all of them mean the same thing: talking to a mental health therapist via telecommunication tools or devices.
An online therapist may use a website, phone, or any other device to provide high-quality and affordable therapy.
Australian therapists who provide services over the Internet have diverse qualifications and specialisations, just like professionals in any other medium.
For example, if you struggle with overthinking, you may find an online therapist skilled in tools like cognitive behavioural therapy, which is one of the most common approaches to address anxiety-related symptoms.
And How Is Online Therapy Different From Other Mediums?
Online therapy in Australia is similar to in-person therapy in many ways. For example, the session starts with a check-in and later branches out into specific issues the client may be facing.
However, the difference in mediums depends on the client’s reaction.
If you’re wondering this question yourself, think about this:
Do you feel most vulnerable and honest over a computer, where you can see the therapist, but something makes you feel more comfortable about not existing in the same physical space as them?
If yes, then great! The therapist can help you work on your personal development through online therapy.
The difference is that in-person therapy may not have the same impact on you, as you may feel more vulnerable talking through the screen.
Now, think about this:
Do you need that emotional and personal connection that comes with talking to a therapist face-to-face?
If yes, then also great! However, the difference here is the fact that online therapy may make you feel like you don’t share an emotional bond with your therapist, and in-person sessions may work better for you.
3 Benefits of Consulting An Online Therapist
If you’re stretched thin with personal commitments, you already know that the strongest benefit of consulting an online therapist is convenience.
You can book an online session in the morning, evening, after hours, or at the weekend.
But, what other aspects can we benefit from? Let’s explore 3 of them in this section.
1. Accessibility for Everyone
Online therapy in Australia can be helpful for people who are disabled or unable to leave the household.
While awareness and high-quality support are key aspects of making mental health support accessible – mobility is still a significant barrier for many who are unable to physically meet with a therapist.
On a broader scale, sometimes, those with chronic issues or mental illness may also find it hard to step out of the house.
Another example is people living in rural areas or those who cannot find any professional within a reasonable travel distance.
Hence, traditional therapy can be restrictive for a selective group of people.
However, anyone can access online therapy, and all you need for the session are:
- A stable internet connection
- Any device – including mobile phones
- A room or space you find safe
2. Cost-Effectiveness & Convenience
As we’ve already discussed, online therapy is very convenient in that you can book sessions from anywhere with an internet connection.
Along with this, we automatically benefit from another key aspect: cost-effectiveness.
Online therapists in Australia who provide therapy over the phone may have fewer overhead costs (eg renting a private space).
At TYHO, we also offer discounts if you order session packages! So, not only can you save costs on therapy sessions, but you can also avoid other personal expenses related to travel or stacking up on food for an in-person visit.
In fact, recent research in Australia shows that online therapy was cost-saving compared to traditional care in almost 53% of cost-minimalisation studies.
3. Diverse Choice of Therapists
Recent research shows that distance to services is a common barrier to in-person therapy.
However, online therapy in Australia solves this issue for many people by providing a diverse choice of mental health therapists.
More choice = More chance to find the right online therapist
At TYHO, you can filter therapists by:
- Issues
- Specialisations
- Gender
- Language
- Service Type
The variety of filters, in addition to the therapist’s introductory videos and comprehensive profile, can help you find someone who truly understands you.
The Three Stages of Online Therapy (And Tips to Make the Most of It)
1) The Beginning Stage
When therapy first starts, the professional may do the important preparatory work.
Preparation could involve building rapport, getting to know each other, and the online therapist briefing their clients about their working style and approach. Think of it as an orientation.
Tip: During this stage, try to be as open and honest as possible about your presenting problems, feedback on the therapeutic style, and your therapy goals.
Your therapist in Australia will not judge you and may proceed with the therapeutic plan only when both of you are aligned. If you struggle to ask for what you want, remember that talking to an online therapist is beneficial because you can manage the jitters much more efficiently than when you meet them face-to-face.
2) The Middle Stage
After the ‘orientation’, the therapy work begins.
Therapy involves addressing issues, processing thoughts, managing bodily reactions, and learning to be proactive and solution-focused.
The real emotional work happens in the middle stage, but do not forget that the beginning stage is just as important. Only after the preparatory work can you truly focus on being open in therapy.
Tip: You may have to discuss and choose what type of therapeutic tools are efficient for you and what you are personally interested in.
Do you like art? Are you more interested in introspection through journaling? Do you meditate every day? Talk about your interests in-depth and explain why you like them. Your insight helps the therapist create practical tools—like mindfulness exercises or thought dairies—to align you with your therapy goals.
3) The Final Stage
In the final stage, you may talk to the therapist about continuing life without or after therapy. This is when the termination work happens.
Note: Even if you’ve found a solution or overcome your presenting problems, you can still continue therapy in Australia by reducing the frequency of your sessions and addressing other aspects of life, such as self-care, community-building, or goal-setting.
Tip: This stage usually occurs after 20-30 sessions and only if you wish to stop therapy. At this time, reflect on how you’ve changed and talk to the therapist about equipping yourself with tools to handle the re-occurrence of symptoms in the future.
Conclusion
The right online therapist in Australia can help you achieve your goals no matter where you are.
The most important benefits of seeing online therapy are accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and diverse choice of therapists.
At TYHO, you can find a mental health professional uniquely experienced in the specific issues you may be facing.
Help is just one click away. You are not alone. 💜
