You may be seeking therapy for your anxiety or depression, but feel like you cannot make the time or have the money to do it. Luckily, a lot of therapists are starting to offer text therapy services to make it less stressful to interact. Since text therapy is not for everyone, it is important to know what you are getting into before trying this mode of therapy.

What are the Advantages of Text Therapy?

One of the benefits of text therapy is that you do not have to remember what you said in your last session. You can just look back at the previous texts you sent to your therapist and you will remember. Text therapy also does not require any traveling. You can be anywhere and speak to your therapist. Texting is also considered very casual, so you do not have to worry about getting an immediate response from your therapist. Your therapist will answer you whenever they feel it is convenient for them. Keep in mind that not all insurance providers will cover out-of-office therapy, so communicate with your therapist’s office about what their policies are for text therapy.

What are the Disadvantages of Text Therapy?

The disadvantages of text therapy are that the person you may be speaking to may not be a licensed therapist. If you are receiving text therapy through an app, the app may not be secure. One of the benefits of traditional office therapy is that everything you say to your therapist is by law confidential. The app is not secure, that means that your text messages are equally not secure. Another disadvantage is that in text therapy, your therapist will not be able to see or hear your voice. That is very important because your facial expressions and your tone of voice will communicate with your therapist what is going on inside of your head. 

When all is said and done, text therapy may be all that you can handle right now depending on your schedule and finances. It is better than receiving no help at all. Maybe text therapy can be the starting off point to receiving conventional in office therapy. When you feel like you are ready for a deeper level of help, it is important to remember that there are a number of therapists who are willing to help you with any mental health issues you are going through.

At Alta Loma Transformational Living, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that understand addiction in all its forms.  Alta Loma uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all, where you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan.  We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit, so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us at 866-457-3843.