May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness

May is Mental Health Awareness Month…but what does that mean? Mental health can affect everyone in different ways including how we proactively treat and work on maintaining our overall well-being. For some, utilizing outpatient therapy is essential in their mental health wellness plan. Interestingly, one of the key questions I am often asked is “should I see a therapist online or in-person?” There is no right answer to this, however, it’s really about what is best for you!

One of the key commonalities between online or “telehealth” and in-person counseling is that they are both therapeutic! Either way, both are set up to provide support and allow you to receive the help and assistance you are seeking for whatever you are going through in your life. Some of the differences are more personal preferences and what I have noticed over my years in practice. I have listed a few below:

Telehealth

Pros: able to connect from anywhere your provider practices, reduction of drive time, scheduling flexibility

Cons: internet reliability, personal preference (for some issues), overall personal preference (for you)

In-person

Pros: Personal preference (for you), able to pick up on nonverbal communication from client and therapist, helpful to get out of your typical environment for sessions

Cons: drive time, scheduling flexibility, therapist availability

Taking the time for your mental health needs is important to improving and maintaining your overall wellness. We, at Tandem Behavioral Health, look forward to meeting with you and helping you manage life’s stressors in a healthy manner, either online or in-person!

-Brittany Shaffer, MA, Resident in Counseling