Online Therapy: A Creative Solution for the Depressed and Disconnected

As friends and regular readers are aware, my brother Ron is a professional psychologist in New Jersey. Over the past three decades he's introduced me to authors, insights and noteworthy research. One study that he shared two-to-three decades ago took place in England where the researchers striated patients into three groups, from mild to extreme. (A, B, C) What they attempted to prove was that mental health could be improved by simply having someone who loved them and listened to them. What they learned, and published in their report, was that both the mildly needy and very needy could be helped immensely simply by being loved and listened to. The latter group (C), they found, had more serious issues that required professional help.

This study, whose name I've forgotten for now, came immediately to mind when I read about an online mental health service called TalkSpace. The website/organization features over 2000 certified licensed therapists whose services can be utilized no matter where you live. Connecting to another human being who will listen can make a difference between making it through a rough patch and not making it.

There seem to be several benefits with the service, not least of which is the cost savings. A second benefit, it seems, is their effort to match patients with the right therapist. I'm guessing that this includes values that harmonize with the patient's core values, and possibly life experience. Another benefit for patients is that you can actually get 24/7 interactions with your chosen therapist if necessary.

It's also nice to know you're not working with rookies. Therapists are required to have 3000 hours hands-on experience to be part of this team. And, as with all approved contemporary medical care, TalkSpace is HIPAA compliant, using SSL encryption for protection.

I've not inquired but I'm guessing there may be benefits for the staff as well. Perhaps it is a way for some stay-at-home moms or dads to raise children or just let go of the expense of maintaining an office.

As a blogger who has been blogging daily for 11+ years I was impressed that the TalkSpace blog is similarly active, with daily contributions from both the doctors as well as their patients. Topics include addiction, anxiety, anger management, depression and practical tips for relationships, such as Five Ways to De-Escalate a Fight With Your Partner. The site addresses relevant issues with themes both useful and on target.

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Mental illness can be a devastating career impediment, not to mention the disruptions that occur in relationships. With next week being National Suicide Prevention Week I am reminded of numerous loved ones who are no longer with us or who attempted to end their lives in one way or another at one time. So many times we get so boxed in or burdened by our life load that we lose perspective. More than anything I'm convinced one of the great needs of our time is hope. It's probably cliche but I will say it anyways: suicide is a permanent response to a temporary problem.

A Newsweek columnist once wrote that suicide doesn't solve problems, it lays them on the broken wings of those left behind. It may be that the one most in need is a loved one and you need help to know what to do. Brian Wilson comes to mind. I think of another friend who retreated into his room and into himself and his parents didn't know what to do or where to turn. Perhaps they were ashamed. Or felt powerless. (He shared this with me after he recovered from nine months of remaining isolated upstairs in the house where he was raised.) Other stories come to mind where services like TalkSpace could help, or could have. The concept of online therapy is something that couldn't have been imagined 50 years ago, but I would imagine that it's been helping many people today.

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Related Links
Olympian Michael Phelps' Mental Health Story 
Dr. Ronald S. Newman  
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
Tina Mion’s New Year's Party In Purgatory For Suicides
TalkSpace Home Page

Disclaimer: This blog occasionally accepts forms of compensation for writing about certain topics. In all cases it is my intention to provide honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics, events, or products. The views and opinions expressed here are my own. The references to TalkSpace are "sponsored content" but I would not write about them if I were aware of any red flags.
EdNote: TalkSpace is not the sole online counseling service, though it is my understanding that they are the largest. This blog post is for awareness purposes and should not be construed to be a recommendation.