WORKING ON YOUR MIND... ONLINE? What comes to mind when you think of Instagram? Food recipes and sports reels? Memes? Sugar Bear Hair vitamin ads? How about a safe space to work on yourself?
“We do not control the quality of the Counselor Services and we do not determine whether any Counselor is qualified to provide any specific service as well as whether a Counselor is categorized correctly or matched correctly to you.”
Additionally, how might we know that we need extra help, such as in-person individual or group therapy? “A good indicator that we may need help is if we struggle in this process and/or avoid it,” Eletto says. Tory Eletto, licensed marriage and family therapist “If we have interest in learning about ourselves, if (LMFT), turns Instagram into a calm haven for So, BetterHelp, and potentially services alike, do not we are repeating unhealthy patterns, struggling self-growth. She is @nytherapist with nearly 80,000 fully ensure that their counselors are trained, qualified with our emotions or just want someone to talk to Instagram followers, providing information and or even licensed. and have a space, it is a great time to find help.” advice on self-love, self-growth, parenting, dating, As a college graduate, mother, wife and person relationships and more. Through her posts of insight- The American Psychological Association (APA) who has cultivated her own mentally and emotionful quotes about human behaviors and emotions concludes, “For now, with the current research and ally healing journey for years, Eletto has a message paired with a detailed, explanatory caption, her with the current technology, mobile apps and text for college students. compassion, intelligence and excellence as a LMFT messaging are best used as complementary to in-peris clear. son psychotherapy.” “Remind yourself that a lot of what you are going through, others are as well,” Eletto says. “We “I hope for my Instagram page to serve as a space While the conclusion may feel grim to those who often think we are the only ones struggling with to pause, reflect and take in information that adds seeked out telepsychology services as a comprehenrelationships, self esteem, friendships, when really depth to our growth journey,” Eletto says. “My hope sive, professional mental health resource, the APA this is a normal, but challenging phase in life. This is that it encourages people to embrace therapy to still highlights the bright underbelly of the situation. is often a time we begin to build a relationship with further explore any information that feels reverent An Instagram page like @nytherapist, although not ourselves, so pay attention to what that relationship to them.” a replacement to in-person therapy, proves to be a looks like, and prioritize it as much as any other.” wonderful supplement in your journey of self-growth Going to therapy is absolutely nothing to be Online therapy, or telepsychology, has exploded in and healing. The more competent resources and ashamed of; in fact, quite the opposite. Those who popularity in recent years.You may have heard of opportunities for learning about and flourishing in our have been to therapy are tough enough to face services like Talkspace or BetterHelp. Betterhelp mental health, the better. their struggles, modest enough to admit they need has even had popular YouTubers, like Shane Dawson help, and resilient enough to work on themselves and Heath Hussar, advertising their platform. These “I believe that our field is trying to give options to session in and session out. Therapy can work as a services bring therapy to you through text messagmake therapy more accessible,” Eletto says. “The thera- life-changing tool for everyone, not just those who ing, live chats, phone calls and video conferencing. peutic connection is the most vital part of therapy, and struggle with mental illness. Whether it is utilizing While telepsychology platforms can sound like an we just have to make sure that technology isn’t hinder- the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) enticing and accessible option, further research and ing that connection. I do virtual sessions, and I will say, at Penn State, seeking therapy at a private medical advice from experts may paint a different picture. for most clients it seems to be just as effective as in practice or calling a crisis hotline, please reach out BetterHelp states that their counseling is not person. But not every therapist feels this way, or every if you need help. suitable to treat people with a severe mental illness client, so trust yourself if it is not working for you.” PENN STATE COUNSELING AND (such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia) or those It can be challenging to even know where to start PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES: who have thoughts of hurting themselves or others. when wondering how to take care of ourselves 814-863-0395 BetterHelp providers also cannot make any official mentally. diagnosis, nor can they prescribe medication. 24/7 PENN STATE CRISIS LINE: “A basic plan is to carve out time to get to know 1-877-229-6400 Furthermore, BetterHelp’s FAQ section of their ourselves without our phones distracting us,” Eletto website ensures that their counselors are licensed, says. “Sometimes it can feel intimidating to purposetrained, experienced and accredited psychologists, fully choose time to be alone, but like any relationship, NATIONAL SUICIDE marriage and family therapists, clinical social workwe have to give it our presence to thrive. Notice how PREVENTION HOTLINE: 800-273-8255 ers or licensed professional counselors with at least you feel, write and journal, spend time in nature, 3 years and 1,000 hours of hands-on experience. But, meditate.” TORY ELETTO’S WEBSITE: their terms and conditions make these reassurances www.emotionpsychotherapy.com questionable: 31
