Loss and depression often go hand-in-hand, and you may have experienced both over the last year. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, they have been two terms that have been brought to light more than ever. 

So many people have experienced a loss because of this pandemic. Maybe you had to deal with the death of someone you loved. Maybe your loss resulted from being let go from your job or watching your children miss out on things like sports and extracurricular activities. 

You might even be struggling with the loss of normalcy. 

Whatever the case, any kind of loss can make you feel alone and trigger symptoms of depression. That can be made worse when you feel as though you don’t have an outlet to find help. 

Thankfully, online therapy is one of the best ways to ease the pain of loss and depression. 

How Does Online Therapy Work? 

Online therapy or “teletherapy” isn’t necessarily new. It’s been growing in popularity over the last several years. But, it has certainly seen a surge in light of the pandemic. 

Online therapy works by making a virtual appointment with your therapist. It’s typically done via video chat over your computer or phone, but it can also be a regular telephone conversation, as well. 

In some cases, you can email your therapist or use a specific platform to bring up discussion points or questions before your session. It can even be easier to contact them for “little things” when you need some extra help because everything is done virtually. 

What Are the Benefits? 

There are countless benefits to working with a therapist online. The biggest one, however, is accessibility. 

Whether you’re social distancing, you don’t feel comfortable leaving the house, or you live in an area where there isn’t a therapist nearby, online therapy allows you to work with a licensed therapist from anywhere. You can find the right match for you, and it doesn’t matter where they’re located. 

Another benefit is that you can schedule your sessions on your own time. You’ll be going through them from the comfort of your own home. If you’re struggling with depression, that can be an important factor. When you’re more comfortable with your surroundings, you might be more likely to open up and show your vulnerability. The more open you are with your therapist, the better. 

How Can it Help? 

Feelings of loss can make you feel alone. Combined with everything else surrounding this pandemic, that loneliness can be debilitating. 

Online therapy helps you realize that you’re not alone, no matter where you are. Being able to actually see a licensed therapist on a screen and interact with them can make a big difference in how connected you feel. You’ll know you have someone to talk to, no matter what. 

Additionally, online therapy can help you get to the root of the problem(s). 

You might recognize some of the signs of depression, but do you really know why you’re struggling? It’s not always easy to admit the truth to yourself, even if the loss you have experienced is an obvious trigger. 

A therapist can help you get to those underlying issues and bring them forward. The more you’re willing to open up and talk about them, the more you can start to heal from them. Online therapy can help give you the tools and skills you need to manage your symptoms on your own so you can move forward with your life. 

If you’re struggling with loss and depression, you don’t have to keep living with the pain. 

Consider online therapy to help you work through that loss. Feel free to contact me for more information or if you’re interested in setting up an appointment. Doing so could be the first step on a journey toward healing.