While there’s undoubtedly been a major cultural shift in the collective perception of mental health and treatment for psychiatric disorders, finding a therapist that you click with—whether you’re looking for cognitive behavioral therapy or emotion-focused therapy still isn’t exactly a seamless or judgment-proof process. As the growing effort to remove the stigma that’s shadowed the discourse surrounding mental and psychological health for ages continues to widen, teletherapy (therapy sessions conducted via phone calls, video conferences, and chat) has become increasingly available and desirable, thanks in part to more convenience and flexibility with appointments, along with the current social distancing measures in place due to the pandemic.

Aside from that, many patients simply feel more comfortable and relaxed during sessions when they’re in the comfort of their own home rather than a potentially intimidating clinical setting. As a side note, even if you don’t have a mental health diagnosis under your belt, we have our ups and downs, and frankly, it’s just nice to have an outsider’s prescriptive—yes, your friends and family are not only trained professionals, but they can also be (lovingly) biased.

Even when you’ve finally taken the plunge and decided to give therapy a shot, finding the right therapist or mental health care provider can be a struggle—whether you’re looking for in-person or virtual care. Often times, it’s a grueling process of trial and error, and the first one or two candidates don’t quite feel like the best fit. This process can be pretty discouraging, and can often leave those in need exhausted (because no one wants to re-hash their life story again and again to new people before meeting “the one”) resulting in giving up in therapy altogether. In fact, it’s kind of like using dating apps—you give your new date the same “best version of yourself” shpeal as if you’re on a job interview, only to discover the chemistry is off, or you get ghosted and have to move onto the next match.

Fortunately, just like dating apps (and first-time dates held over a Zoom call), most online therapy platforms make choosing the right therapist for you, your lifestyle and concerns pretty easy by asking you a series of questions and taking intel on your personal preferences (i.e. which gender you prefer and what type of symptoms or experiences you’re looking to work on). Sure, it’s not a foolproof process, but you are able to choose between a few recommended professionals that meet your criteria. In my experience, there is absolutely nothing more isolating than suffering from a mental health episode and feeling as though you’re alone in the harrowing journey to simply feel like yourself again — let alone feel happy.

While medication is often a necessary part of treatment, talk therapy has really helped me identify common thought patterns (for me, they’re anxiety-fueled cognitive distortions) which has helped me become more self-aware and able to distinguish when it’s my anxiety (I like to think of “her” a separate entity rather than an imbalance of mood-modulating neurotransmitters in my brain) talking versus my logical mind. Of course, one common critique of telemental health is that the therapeutic benefits will be lesser than face-to-face sessions. While this will vary for each person, some studies have indicated that virtual therapy can be just as effective as in-person care.

Finally, although it sucks to say it, therapy can be downright expensive—especially if you don’t have insurance or government health care assistance. Ahead, we’ve outlined some online therapy resources for a variety of different budgets to help you get the care you need (and 100 percent deserve) without having to step foot in a daunting medical office.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Courtesy of Talkspace.

Talkspace

Talkspace gives you access to thousands of licensed and background-checked professionals without having to leave the comfort of your own home. Depending on which medium you choose to use for your sessions (video, cat. call, etc) will dictate the pricing, but it starts at just $69 per month (prices vary depending on the service you select) if you want to give it a risk-free shot. The one advantage I found with TalkSpace is that I could vent via chat whether it was early morning or late night when a situation arose, rather than having to wait around to see my therapist at our set appointments on Friday. The ability to just type out the situation that had occurred and how I felt about it immediately (although you can’t expect an immediate response at midnight) was also helpful in and of itself.

Amwell.

Amwell

Regardless of whether you’re dealing with symptoms related to hormones (i.e. postpartum depression) or a lifelong battle with Bipolar disorder, Amwell is here to help. They have a huge network of licensed and experienced professionals trained to deal with not only hormonal-based “phases,” but also OCD, life transitions, PTSD, chronic insomnia, and even couple’s therapy.

Pride.

Pride Counseling

Specializing in specific LGBTQ+ concerns, Pride Counseling gives you access to trained doctors, therapists, and psychiatrists to talk to remotely. Whether you’re struggling with the idea of coming out to your family or simply having relationship issues, Pride Counselling offers a forum of non-judgemental professionals to help you get through, and learn better coping mechanisms and communication skills along the way.

While there’s undoubtedly been a major cultural shift in the collective perception of mental health and treatment for psychiatric disorders, finding a therapist that you click with—whether you’re looking for cognitive behavioral therapy or emotion-focused therapy still isn’t exactly a seamless or judgment-proof process. As the growing effort to remove the stigma that’s shadowed the discourse surrounding mental and psychological health for ages continues to widen, teletherapy (therapy sessions conducted via phone calls, video conferences, and chat) has become increasingly available and desirable, thanks in part to more convenience and flexibility with appointments, along with the current social distancing measures in place due to the pandemic.

Aside from that, many patients simply feel more comfortable and relaxed during sessions when they’re in the comfort of their own home rather than a potentially intimidating clinical setting. As a side note, even if you don’t have a mental health diagnosis under your belt, we have our ups and downs, and frankly, it’s just nice to have an outsider’s prescriptive—yes, your friends and family are not only trained professionals, but they can also be (lovingly) biased.

Even when you’ve finally taken the plunge and decided to give therapy a shot, finding the right therapist or mental health care provider can be a struggle—whether you’re looking for in-person or virtual care. Often times, it’s a grueling process of trial and error, and the first one or two candidates don’t quite feel like the best fit. This process can be pretty discouraging, and can often leave those in need exhausted (because no one wants to re-hash their life story again and again to new people before meeting “the one”) resulting in giving up in therapy altogether. In fact, it’s kind of like using dating apps—you give your new date the same “best version of yourself” shpeal as if you’re on a job interview, only to discover the chemistry is off, or you get ghosted and have to move onto the next match.

Fortunately, just like dating apps (and first-time dates held over a Zoom call), most online therapy platforms make choosing the right therapist for you, your lifestyle and concerns pretty easy by asking you a series of questions and taking intel on your personal preferences (i.e. which gender you prefer and what type of symptoms or experiences you’re looking to work on). Sure, it’s not a foolproof process, but you are able to choose between a few recommended professionals that meet your criteria. In my experience, there is absolutely nothing more isolating than suffering from a mental health episode and feeling as though you’re alone in the harrowing journey to simply feel like yourself again — let alone feel happy.

While medication is often a necessary part of treatment, talk therapy has really helped me identify common thought patterns (for me, they’re anxiety-fueled cognitive distortions) which has helped me become more self-aware and able to distinguish when it’s my anxiety (I like to think of “her” a separate entity rather than an imbalance of mood-modulating neurotransmitters in my brain) talking versus my logical mind. Of course, one common critique of telemental health is that the therapeutic benefits will be lesser than face-to-face sessions. While this will vary for each person, some studies have indicated that virtual therapy can be just as effective as in-person care.

Finally, although it sucks to say it, therapy can be downright expensive—especially if you don’t have insurance or government health care assistance. Ahead, we’ve outlined some online therapy resources for a variety of different budgets to help you get the care you need (and 100 percent deserve) without having to step foot in a daunting medical office.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Courtesy of Talkspace.

Talkspace

Talkspace gives you access to thousands of licensed and background-checked professionals without having to leave the comfort of your own home. Depending on which medium you choose to use for your sessions (video, cat. call, etc) will dictate the pricing, but it starts at just $69 per month (prices vary depending on the service you select) if you want to give it a risk-free shot. The one advantage I found with TalkSpace is that I could vent via chat whether it was early morning or late night when a situation arose, rather than having to wait around to see my therapist at our set appointments on Friday. The ability to just type out the situation that had occurred and how I felt about it immediately (although you can’t expect an immediate response at midnight) was also helpful in and of itself.

Amwell.

Amwell

Regardless of whether you’re dealing with symptoms related to hormones (i.e. postpartum depression) or a lifelong battle with Bipolar disorder, Amwell is here to help. They have a huge network of licensed and experienced professionals trained to deal with not only hormonal-based “phases,” but also OCD, life transitions, PTSD, chronic insomnia, and even couple’s therapy.

Pride.

Pride Counseling

Specializing in specific LGBTQ+ concerns, Pride Counseling gives you access to trained doctors, therapists, and psychiatrists to talk to remotely. Whether you’re struggling with the idea of coming out to your family or simply having relationship issues, Pride Counselling offers a forum of non-judgemental professionals to help you get through, and learn better coping mechanisms and communication skills along the way.

I am writing this on the first day of 2021. I spent the last day of the year on my own, as I have been since March 11th and the arrival of this pandemic. Dramatically different to my usual holidays when I am visited by my children, their families, and a parade of friends and relatives.

We normally indulge in all things festive, making the holiday season fun, chaotic, busy, boisterous, loving – and even feuding on occasion. There would be some beach time and dinners with a household of loved ones who are happy to be here and together. This year, for obvious reasons, it has been very different.

I was alone.

I live in Miami, where Covid is fiercely raging, and I am over 70 years old. Like many people my age, I have what is now called “underlying health issues” which make me vulnerable to contracting the virus.

I lived on my own before the pandemic, but it is quite different now when I am unable to do all of the things that kept me active and engaged, including traveling, welcoming, and entertaining friends. Pandemic isolation is very different from just simply living alone.

I am well aware of the fact that I am very lucky to have a home in which to isolate and that provides me with shelter and nurturing. It is my place in the world as I put my own life on hold until it is safe to get back to some sort of “normal,” whatever that may mean for all of us.

My Covid Bubble

I am the only human in my house, my dog and two cats are my companions. I consider them my “entourage” since they follow me from room to room and are always ready for a cuddle or a belly rub. We take care of each other.

They welcome the occasional appearance of another human – be they grocery delivery people, the gardener, or a handyperson who’s come by to fix something in the house – with lavish displays of affection, much tail wagging and leg rubbing, and hopes for extra devotion by someone other than me.

Poor guys, they are rather needy.

Self-Imposed Isolation Demands Self-Reflection

Being so self-involved for so long has been enlightening in the simplest as well as the most complex of ways. I have had, and continue to have, ample time to get to know a lot about myself, and it has enabled me to look back on my life and also to dare to look forward.

To question, to explore, to plough through and re-invent another day. To enjoy a good cry when I look at my old photo albums or my computer photographs which give me immense pleasure in spite of the tears.

To breathe in and bring in light into my heart and to exhale and get rid of as many negative thoughts which are always ready to challenge me. I meditate, and it certainly helps me to breathe deeper and clear my mind.

I’ve read a million articles on how people have been coping with this year of aloneness. I compare them with my own situation and realize that while I have not done anything earth shattering – like writing “the great American novel” or next year’s multimillion dollar hit TV screenplay – I have had small breakthroughs and sporadic philosophical musings.

Each of them has led me to discover the many things which have aided me through difficult times in the past. They have now come back in full force to allow me to cope with my experience of this pandemic.

My Own Inventory of Stored Skills

I Am Brave

Going through this unexpected turn of events on my own and away from my family and friends has only served to remind me of my mettle and that it has always been part of who I am. This is not new. It makes me feel strong. It makes me proud.

I Am Resilient

I never would have imagined a time in my life when I would be so utterly alone and yet, here I am, strong and determined.

I’m a Good Lemonade Maker

Most of the time I am able to make lemonade out of the bitter lemons that life dishes out. Sometimes it’s hard, but I persist.

I Heed Scientific Advice

I stay away from conspiracy theories which unfortunately abound at the moment. I want to be part of the solution. Listening and trusting scientific advice has been a crucial part of my life this year.

I Draw from My Years as a Birth Educator and Doula

Even the births of my own children help me to remember to take things one day at a time. Like I repeated as a mantra in my classes, “one contraction at a time” is what labor is all about. Keep yourself open to dealing with what you need in the here and now.

I Connect with Others

Whether it’s a telephone call to or from a friend or family member, I make myself available for a Zoom rendezvous or some extra FaceTime with another human being who needs virtual cheering up or a vent session. I have instilled in my kids the habit of phoning people rather than texting.

They have actually thanked me. Even if it has taken a pandemic for them to appreciate my archaic ways, I am grateful that they finally understand. There is room for all sorts of communication, but few things beat the warmth of a human voice.

I Continue to Teach My Writing Classes on Zoom

My personal “lockdown” made me change gears very quickly and offer my “Writing Out Loud” classes virtually from the beginning. My students appreciate our meetings every week, and we are able to continue our classes as usual and enjoy each other’s friendly faces and creativity.

I Treat Myself Like a VIP

I have weekly and self-inflicted mani-pedis, and often treat myself to a spa night. My face turns bright green as I apply a cooling cucumber peeling mask and tweeze those insane little hairs that pop up on my ever receding eyebrows.

I treat my feet with vaseline and wear socks to bed. Imagine the feeling when I wake up the next day to baby soft tootsies that seem to yell “thank you” for the care. I hate to wear socks in bed but like my mother used to say, “beauty has its price!” Once in a while it doesn’t hurt.

I Have Developed an Organic Schedule

I don’t need to plan my days. Each one follows my own patterns of day-to-day living. Very early in the morning, I go out to the patio to gather positivity, then enter my studio. This is a new day.

I Make Art

With a mug of fresh coffee, and my furry friends sleeping nearby, I start with a small project, a little doodling perhaps. I enjoy tutorials from teachers I love or look up some YouTube videos to get inspiration. I paint, write in my art journal, and in general, let the space work it’s magic.

I Write

In addition to the writing classes that I teach and the articles that I write, I have my journal which is always at the ready to “hear me out.” Writing journals has been a staple coping mechanism in my life.

I Exercise

Long walks are not in the books for me and my pooch since he’s very opinionated about when and if he wants to accompany me.

Hence, I take a wonderful exercise class with Hillary, my Canadian teacher who enters my computer at 11:50 three times a week and makes me and many other people zoom around our living rooms like mad women. I adore her. She helps keep me fit. At least we both try. It seems to be working.

I Take Care of My Home

Like most quarantined souls around the world, I’ve been given to sorting out and “Marie Kondoing” my environment. In addition to normal routine cleaning and tidying up, I try to make my space more manageable and certainly more enjoyable – and I would venture to say, more efficient.

The two places that feel most challenging are my studio which needs periodic sprucing up and the kitchen. If you are a cook, the kitchen will always get messed up again in a jiffy.

I Cook for Myself

After spending years of my life cooking for my family and small armies of friends and relatives, I have now become much better at cooking just for me. I treat myself to delicious and nutritious fare a few times a week and also occasionally order in from my favorite local eateries.

I set a nice little table in my den in front of the TV; sometimes candles to set the mood. Food not only feeds our bodies; it also feeds our souls, and besides, as L’oreal reminds me, “I’m worth it.”

My kids and friends inspire me with new recipes to try. I also visit food blogs and websites which are often entertaining and always inspiring.

I Watch Movies and Read

Days can seem longer than usual sometimes, and a fun movie can always do the trick of keeping me entertained. I’ve always been a movie buff so since I can’t go to my local theaters, I enjoy new ones on Netflix or Amazon and also revisit old favorites.

I listen to music and read. At times I’ve had trouble concentrating on long books, so I have been getting “Audible” books where amazing authors or actors read to me while I cook or knit. The last one I “read” was The Dutch House by Anne Patchett, read by Tom Hanks.

I Dance as If Nobody’s Watching

Well, quite frankly, nobody is! I am often inspired by one of my favorite videos which is of families dancing together to a famous Earth, Wind, and Fire song. If this does not inspire you to dance like crazy, I can’t imagine what will. A little Flamenco? Check out this lovely lady dancing in the street. You’ll be glad you did.

I Seek Professional Help When I Need It

While talking to a good friend can help me solve some of my concerns, I find the assistance of a therapist invaluable when my issues would only help to burden the people I love and mostly not provide me with the answers I need for myself. A virtual chat with a professional can help me rethink and reframe. I truly appreciate that assistance.

My Computer Is Essential

Like a good friend, my computer connects me with the people that matter in my life. It entertains me, it teaches me, it helps me to stay in touch with the world that I can’t travel to at the moment. It often amuses me, distracts me, and yes, even inspires me.

It can make me happy or sad or furious depending on what I allow it to do. I can always turn it off and I do. Above all, I’m glad I have it.

A New Year, A New Page, A New Vision

I’m certain that you too will find many things that helped you cope last year. Things that you already knew about yourself and that you put to good use. Now we all need to make a new plan.

One that will include all of the things that have proven successful tools and activities for us and try new activities that we can add to our repertoire of coping skills. There is much hope for this brand new year. Seize the moment to reflect, to pat yourself on the back, and certainly to dance as if nobody’s looking.

Happy New Year my friends and stay strong.

What did the year of Covid teach you? Did you learn more about yourself? What skills did you discover that you never (or rarely) made use of before? Please share some of your inner reflections in the comments below!

While there’s undoubtedly been a major cultural shift in the collective perception of mental health and treatment for psychiatric disorders, finding a therapist that you click with—whether you’re looking for cognitive behavioral therapy or emotion-focused therapy still isn’t exactly a seamless or judgment-proof process. As the growing effort to remove the stigma that’s shadowed the discourse surrounding mental and psychological health for ages continues to widen, teletherapy (therapy sessions conducted via phone calls, video conferences, and chat) has become increasingly available and desirable, thanks in part to more convenience and flexibility with appointments, along with the current social distancing measures in place due to the pandemic.

Aside from that, many patients simply feel more comfortable and relaxed during sessions when they’re in the comfort of their own home rather than a potentially intimidating clinical setting. As a side note, even if you don’t have a mental health diagnosis under your belt, we have our ups and downs, and frankly, it’s just nice to have an outsider’s prescriptive—yes, your friends and family are not only trained professionals, but they can also be (lovingly) biased.

Even when you’ve finally taken the plunge and decided to give therapy a shot, finding the right therapist or mental health care provider can be a struggle—whether you’re looking for in-person or virtual care. Often times, it’s a grueling process of trial and error, and the first one or two candidates don’t quite feel like the best fit. This process can be pretty discouraging, and can often leave those in need exhausted (because no one wants to re-hash their life story again and again to new people before meeting “the one”) resulting in giving up in therapy altogether. In fact, it’s kind of like using dating apps—you give your new date the same “best version of yourself” shpeal as if you’re on a job interview, only to discover the chemistry is off, or you get ghosted and have to move onto the next match.

Fortunately, just like dating apps (and first-time dates held over a Zoom call), most online therapy platforms make choosing the right therapist for you, your lifestyle and concerns pretty easy by asking you a series of questions and taking intel on your personal preferences (i.e. which gender you prefer and what type of symptoms or experiences you’re looking to work on). Sure, it’s not a foolproof process, but you are able to choose between a few recommended professionals that meet your criteria. In my experience, there is absolutely nothing more isolating than suffering from a mental health episode and feeling as though you’re alone in the harrowing journey to simply feel like yourself again — let alone feel happy.

While medication is often a necessary part of treatment, talk therapy has really helped me identify common thought patterns (for me, they’re anxiety-fueled cognitive distortions) which has helped me become more self-aware and able to distinguish when it’s my anxiety (I like to think of “her” a separate entity rather than an imbalance of mood-modulating neurotransmitters in my brain) talking versus my logical mind. Of course, one common critique of telemental health is that the therapeutic benefits will be lesser than face-to-face sessions. While this will vary for each person, some studies have indicated that virtual therapy can be just as effective as in-person care.

Finally, although it sucks to say it, therapy can be downright expensive—especially if you don’t have insurance or government health care assistance. Ahead, we’ve outlined some online therapy resources for a variety of different budgets to help you get the care you need (and 100 percent deserve) without having to step foot in a daunting medical office.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Courtesy of Talkspace.

Talkspace

Talkspace gives you access to thousands of licensed and background-checked professionals without having to leave the comfort of your own home. Depending on which medium you choose to use for your sessions (video, cat. call, etc) will dictate the pricing, but it starts at just $69 per month (prices vary depending on the service you select) if you want to give it a risk-free shot. The one advantage I found with TalkSpace is that I could vent via chat whether it was early morning or late night when a situation arose, rather than having to wait around to see my therapist at our set appointments on Friday. The ability to just type out the situation that had occurred and how I felt about it immediately (although you can’t expect an immediate response at midnight) was also helpful in and of itself.

Amwell.

Amwell

Regardless of whether you’re dealing with symptoms related to hormones (i.e. postpartum depression) or a lifelong battle with Bipolar disorder, Amwell is here to help. They have a huge network of licensed and experienced professionals trained to deal with not only hormonal-based “phases,” but also OCD, life transitions, PTSD, chronic insomnia, and even couple’s therapy.

Pride.

Pride Counseling

Specializing in specific LGBTQ+ concerns, Pride Counseling gives you access to trained doctors, therapists, and psychiatrists to talk to remotely. Whether you’re struggling with the idea of coming out to your family or simply having relationship issues, Pride Counselling offers a forum of non-judgemental professionals to help you get through, and learn better coping mechanisms and communication skills along the way.

While there’s undoubtedly been a major cultural shift in the collective perception of mental health and treatment for psychiatric disorders, finding a therapist that you click with—whether you’re looking for cognitive behavioral therapy or emotion-focused therapy still isn’t exactly a seamless or judgment-proof process. As the growing effort to remove the stigma that’s shadowed the discourse surrounding mental and psychological health for ages continues to widen, teletherapy (therapy sessions conducted via phone calls, video conferences, and chat) has become increasingly available and desirable, thanks in part to more convenience and flexibility with appointments, along with the current social distancing measures in place due to the pandemic.

Aside from that, many patients simply feel more comfortable and relaxed during sessions when they’re in the comfort of their own home rather than a potentially intimidating clinical setting. As a side note, even if you don’t have a mental health diagnosis under your belt, we have our ups and downs, and frankly, it’s just nice to have an outsider’s prescriptive—yes, your friends and family are not only trained professionals, but they can also be (lovingly) biased.

Even when you’ve finally taken the plunge and decided to give therapy a shot, finding the right therapist or mental health care provider can be a struggle—whether you’re looking for in-person or virtual care. Often times, it’s a grueling process of trial and error, and the first one or two candidates don’t quite feel like the best fit. This process can be pretty discouraging, and can often leave those in need exhausted (because no one wants to re-hash their life story again and again to new people before meeting “the one”) resulting in giving up in therapy altogether. In fact, it’s kind of like using dating apps—you give your new date the same “best version of yourself” shpeal as if you’re on a job interview, only to discover the chemistry is off, or you get ghosted and have to move onto the next match.

Fortunately, just like dating apps (and first-time dates held over a Zoom call), most online therapy platforms make choosing the right therapist for you, your lifestyle and concerns pretty easy by asking you a series of questions and taking intel on your personal preferences (i.e. which gender you prefer and what type of symptoms or experiences you’re looking to work on). Sure, it’s not a foolproof process, but you are able to choose between a few recommended professionals that meet your criteria. In my experience, there is absolutely nothing more isolating than suffering from a mental health episode and feeling as though you’re alone in the harrowing journey to simply feel like yourself again — let alone feel happy.

While medication is often a necessary part of treatment, talk therapy has really helped me identify common thought patterns (for me, they’re anxiety-fueled cognitive distortions) which has helped me become more self-aware and able to distinguish when it’s my anxiety (I like to think of “her” a separate entity rather than an imbalance of mood-modulating neurotransmitters in my brain) talking versus my logical mind. Of course, one common critique of telemental health is that the therapeutic benefits will be lesser than face-to-face sessions. While this will vary for each person, some studies have indicated that virtual therapy can be just as effective as in-person care.

Finally, although it sucks to say it, therapy can be downright expensive—especially if you don’t have insurance or government health care assistance. Ahead, we’ve outlined some online therapy resources for a variety of different budgets to help you get the care you need (and 100 percent deserve) without having to step foot in a daunting medical office.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Courtesy of Talkspace.

Talkspace

Talkspace gives you access to thousands of licensed and background-checked professionals without having to leave the comfort of your own home. Depending on which medium you choose to use for your sessions (video, cat. call, etc) will dictate the pricing, but it starts at just $69 per month (prices vary depending on the service you select) if you want to give it a risk-free shot. The one advantage I found with TalkSpace is that I could vent via chat whether it was early morning or late night when a situation arose, rather than having to wait around to see my therapist at our set appointments on Friday. The ability to just type out the situation that had occurred and how I felt about it immediately (although you can’t expect an immediate response at midnight) was also helpful in and of itself.

Amwell.

Amwell

Regardless of whether you’re dealing with symptoms related to hormones (i.e. postpartum depression) or a lifelong battle with Bipolar disorder, Amwell is here to help. They have a huge network of licensed and experienced professionals trained to deal with not only hormonal-based “phases,” but also OCD, life transitions, PTSD, chronic insomnia, and even couple’s therapy.

Pride.

Pride Counseling

Specializing in specific LGBTQ+ concerns, Pride Counseling gives you access to trained doctors, therapists, and psychiatrists to talk to remotely. Whether you’re struggling with the idea of coming out to your family or simply having relationship issues, Pride Counselling offers a forum of non-judgemental professionals to help you get through, and learn better coping mechanisms and communication skills along the way.