There’s no doubt that attending therapy can work wonders when it comes to your mental health and overall enjoyment of life. As stated by The American Psychiatry Association, “about 75 percent of people who enter psychotherapy show some benefit from it.”

Although 3/4ths of all people who receive psychotherapy report positive changes, some would receive even better results if they took a more proactive approach to their own mental wellbeing. You see, many people waste valuable time by not realizing that quality therapy requires a bit more than just talking to your psychiatrist about your feelings.

In fact, therapy can look quite different for everyone depending on a variety of factors, including your upbringing, life events, physical health, and more! We’ve done the research, so you don’t have to. Here are the best ways to ensure you get the most out of your online therapy session!

Choose the Right Psychiatrist

Picking the right person to open up to is essential to the success of your healing process. Most online psychiatrists do all they can to put their clients at ease and to make them feel comfortable. However, there’s quite a bit that factors into a person actually being able to fully open up to another individual.

During the initial consultation with your psychiatrist, pay attention to how you feel when you’re speaking with this person. While they may not always agree with you or say what you want to hear, they should make an effort to establish a judgment-free environment.

Although it is well worth the effort, therapy can be difficult to work through. Having a virtual psychiatrist that you feel comfortable with is pivotal to you achieving the level of comfort and happiness you deserve. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and search for the right psychiatrist for your needs.

Take Ownership of Your Healing

As mentioned above, effective virtual therapy is a bit more than having a weekly or monthly discussion about your feelings with your psychiatrist. Although this is a major part of therapy, it must be paired with action and inner work on your part.

Take ownership of your healing by asking your psychiatrist questions, clarifying the points they make, and being proactive about asking what you can do to help yourself. While the psychiatrist can provide insight and valuable resources, it is everyone’s responsibility to take action toward mental wellness.

Consider All Provided Advice

Have you ever heard of the saying, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make the horse drink”? Well, that phrase can be applied to therapy. Although a psychiatrist can provide insight, resources, and even medication (if needed), it is up to you to apply those tools to improve your mental health.

Taking a passive approach to your healing will only extend the process or end in disappointment. While talk therapy can definitely make you feel a bit better in the moment, it is your proactive approach that will give you more positive and long-term results.

What Are You Waiting For?

If you feel as though you are in need of help from a virtual psychiatrist, we invite you to Contact our HOPE Psychiatric Consultants team at any time! We will walk you through a free mental health evaluation and determine a plan of action to help you achieve mental wellness.

We understand the importance of mental health regarding your quality of life and sense of fulfillment. As such, we provide regular educational opportunities for your reading pleasure! For more ongoing advice about working with a psychiatrist or mental health, follow our HOPE Blog!