Why should someone choose COPE Today for their online counseling needs?
We love answering that question. But first, let's start with another good question:
"Why counseling?"
Our answer is "why NOT counseling?" You are here. You must have something troubling
you or weighing heavily on your mind. Maybe something is stopping you from enjoying
life to its fullest. Or maybe you have a special relationship that has hit a hurdle.
The pace of this modern world is fast and demanding. It's difficult to come through
each day unscathed. Everyone has some wounds. But some wounds don't heal as quickly
as we would like. If you had a cut on your skin that didn't heal, chances are you
would see a doctor. Why should emotional wounds be any different?
Some people feel that seeking help for emotional issues is a sign of weakness. In
fact, it is a sign of strength. It shows that you are proactive and that you value
your life and well-being. Many people who receive therapy report feeling better
after their first session! Obviously, some issues take days, weeks or months to
completely "work through". But feeling better could be minutes away. Why not take
that first step?
Why Counseling Online?
Why seek treatment online? (Online counseling is also referred
to as eTherapy.) Isn't it better to see someone face-to-face? It depends on your
particular situation and how severe your problems are. If you are simply hitting
a road block, then online counseling can work for you. However, an overwhelming
amount of people who need mental health treatment do NOT seek help. The most commons
reasons people don't get help and the reasons why e-therapy may be a better solution
are outlined in the chart below:
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Barriers to Seeking Traditional Treatment
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Why E-therapy May be the Solution
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Scheduling: They can't miss work or can't keep a weekly appointment
due to a hectic schedule.
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Online therapy is 24hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need to talk at 2:00pm or
2:00am, someone will be available.
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Access: People in larger metropolitan areas have many choices in
therapy, but more rural areas are limited in the number of qualified counselors
or psychiatrists available.
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Online therapy offers clients thousands of choices in counselors over many internet
sites.
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Stigma: They are afraid others will know they are seeing a therapist
and they don't want people to know about their issue or personal problems. They
are afraid of what people will think.
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No one, except for client and the therapist, will know an individual is receiving
help for emotional issues. Any perceived stigmas are eliminated by virtue of privacy.
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Hard to take the first step: Even when there are many therapists
in an area to choose from, it can be hard to narrow it down. Taking the time to
call several therapists and wait for a call back, make an appointment, and start
treatment can take a week or longer!
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Online therapy can begin NOW. We have already researched the therapists for you.
You can browse by specialty, price or availability. PLUS, at COPE Today, the sessions
are FREE until the client finds a counselor that they feel comfortable working with.
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Privacy: Like the stigma concern, individuals feel like their decision
to seek treatment will become known to an employer, neighbor, or even someone else
at a therapist's office.
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Online therapy is usually done in the privacy of your own home or office.
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Logisitics: Getting to a recurring appointment every week or two
can be hard for a disabled or housebound individual.
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Etherapy can be conducted with or without a computer. This makes it easier for disabled
or housebound individuals to get the help they need.
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Now, we are ready for the last question: Why COPE Today?
You may have noticed that there are a plethora of online counseling sites popping
up. We know why - online counseling is growing in popularity because of the benefits
listed above. So with all these choices, why should you choose COPE Today? Simple.
We C.A.R.E.
C - Convenience. COPE Today is currently the only eTherapy site
offering four methods of communication for your convenience.
- Video-conference. Sometimes, this is the BEST way to begin therapy. Therapist are
trained in body-language and facial expression and this can help create a more intimate
treatment environment.
- Live Chat. Perfect for someone who does not need or want the face-to-face interaction,
but needs immediate feedback.
- Telephone (coming soon!). The best option for people who are not in front of a computer.
- Email. This method is a good choice for busy people who need more flexibility with
their schedule. It's not meant to be used for complicated issues, but a practical
way to ask quick questions between sessions.
A - Acceptance. COPE Today's credentialed counselors are ready
to help in a non-judgmental and accepting environment. We know that life gets hard
and everyone gets off track. We strive to make you feel comfortable, relaxed and
accepted.
R - Resolute. COPE Today is dedicated to our mission of offering
the best online mental health services on the internet. Having the best site is
not just about a web presence and counselors - it's about the highest level of security
and having the BEST counselors.
First, let's take a look at COPE Today's security. We take your privacy seriously.
We have invested heavily in a communication environment where each Member and Counselor
must create a secure account with their email and a self-selected password. All
communication between you and your Counselor occurs between two secure portals via
an encrypted internet connection. We do not use a standard email system or a publicly
accessible chat environment.
Our Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) software is the industry standard and among the best
software available today for secure online commerce transactions. All financial
information is strictly used for counseling services. Under no circumstance will
we share this information with any third parties. Your data is stored in a facility
that requires biometric scans and several layers of authentication to enter. Additionally,
the data is encrypted and the files where the data resides are encrypted to prevent
any unauthorized access to your data.
Next, we would like to explain how we find and select our therapists. Our therapists
are either recruited by COPE Today via professional journals, or they contact us
directly. Anyone can apply to be a counselor, but the selection process is rigid.
Each applicant must complete a questionnaire and submit all licensure information
and documentation. If a therapist completes this first phase to our satisfaction,
we then use a third-party to do a more extensive check of their professional history.
Lastly, we examine the therapist's specialties. We are not looking for 100 therapists
who only treat depression, we are looking for a small group of therapists who offer
expertise in an array of specialties. If the therapist is a good fit for COPE Today,
they are accepted and allowed to treat online. However, we monitor feedback and
reviews carefully and always ensure our therapists are following our guidelines.
Lastly, COPE Today is dedicated to ONLY mental health issues. Unlike other sites,
we do not offer help with fixing your computer. We don't sell self-hypnosis DVDs.
We bring the finest therapists in the United States and people who need help together
in a highly secure and confidential environment.
E - Ethical. COPE Today puts ethics above all else. Ethics in online
therapy include confidentiality and boundaries, but also competencies. Online counseling
is different than face-to-face counseling. We strive to support our online therapists
with continuing education and training in their fields with an emphasis on eTherapy.
COPE Today only seeks highly-qualified and extensively- trained counselors. When
we focus on ethics and quality of care first, we naturally attract the highest level
of professionals in the mental health field.
We are glad you found COPE Today. We strive to offer the most professional, secure
and effective online treatment for emotional health and well-being. To browse our
counselors, click here.