On-Line Therapy & Counseling For Filipino Women: Is it Effective?

Filipino Women are slowly understanding the value of wellness-care.

On-line Counseling is speaking with your therapist via your tablet, phone, laptop and working on your goals, for example, to feel better, so that you don’t have to grab your purse & your car keys just to get the help you need. 

I am a believer that you shouldn’t wait to feel better. Feeling better is not a privilege. It is your divine right to feel great at least on most days.

Some people have valid concerns that on-line counseling is impersonal & that organic connection between the therapist & the client is scarce in this virtual space.  It’s true that some non-verbal cues & mannerism may be lost in between screens. If you’re scratching your leg as you speak, I totally will miss that on screen. My bad!

on-line Therapy /Counseling wherever you are.

But, I find that the comfort of being in your home, in your car, your place allows less stress for you to have to show up in a certain way. You can be in your pajamas or under your blanket, it doesn’t really matter. What matters in therapy is that you show up, consistently. Show up for yourself and not for your therapist. This is about you, and healing/support should be sustainable to your lifestyle.

There a few studies that have taken a closer look on the effectiveness of on-line therapy, let’s see what they have to say-

In 2014 study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders report that for people with depression, on-line therapy is as effective as face-to-face therapy.

A 2018 study published in the Journal of Psychological Disorders report that for people with  major depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, cognitive behavioral therapy on-line proves as effective as seeing your therapist in their office.

A 2014 study published in Behaviour Research and Therapy found that on-line counseling is not only effective in treating anxiety but had the added benefits of being cost-effective.

Yup, you don’t have to spend a dime on gas, fear stashing a parking ticket or arrange babysitting for your toddler. 

Do I Need Therapy/Counseling?

Filipino women are slowly starting to take their wellness-care more seriously through therapy or On-Line counseling. If you’re on the edge, listen carefully to the whispers of your soul & seek it. 

During this corona virus pandemic, triggers of the past may intensify to some people (not all). Feelings of being stuck, being out of control, & being told what to do may recount painful memories. It’s true that you have lost a degree of your physical freedom (for public safety) but it doesn’t mean you have to lose your mind with it. In this time of social distancing, emotional connection is possible through virtual support groups or On-Line Counseling.

You are only as alone as you think you are.

It is important that you actively seek support no matter what that looks like for you. 

So, if you’re not feeling like yourself these days & finding ways to cope with it, it’s possible that you just need to beef up (sorry to my vegan friends 🙂 ) your self-care & chat with someone who understands.

If you feel lost, grieving parts of yourself you can’t recognize because you’re off your game or your mood takes over the calm in your life or household, please take time to nurture yourself. 

I promise you it will be worth your time. Seek out a therapist that is a good match to your personality & style.

Corona Virus & the Gift of Time

It used to be that going to Walmart to get just a carton of milk takes more time than gulping down it’s entire content (+ digestion time). 

It used to be that you hurried in the morning half-asleep while we dropped off our kids to day-care or school so that tip-toeing around the boss’ desk wouldn’t be a daily occurrence. Touchdown, I always say to myself when I finally land my behind on my work chair. Getting to work feels like the break I needed because the cardio hiit workout that just happened before work can take your breath away.

It used to be that time is a lost commodity, escaping you  like a breeze. Many of us wished we had more down time to enjoy a hobby, cuddle more with kids, or even talk nonsense with “the hubby.”

The time that you’ve always been chasing is now available to you. 

Circumstances are not ideal. There is no pretending that this is so.

But the TIME you have on your hands now doesn’t know the difference between a normal day in the park & a temporary time of a pandemic. Your mind does. The beauty of it all? You can always change your mind.

Some people may need a little bit of support to pivot their mind-set because we all have varied experiences in life. Find your stride, the path to get to this freedom may be rocky & Topsy-turfy for some or just straight smooth to others.

Nevertheless, it is available to you.

Filipino Women are slowly understanding the value of wellness-care.

Filipino Women’s Therapy Experience

One type of support that can get you to this type of freedom is through therapy/On-Line Counseling. There are many other forms of alternative-healing like Yoga, Reiki, and the like. Try out different things. You are in control. You cannot go wrong or make a mistake in searching for your highest self. 

Many Filipino Women I see in my practice started nervous & unsure about the process of therapy. This makes sense because in our culture, speaking to someone outside the familial circle can be viewed as a disrespect or un-loyalty to the tradition of closeness & of sticking together no matter what.

There is nothing more rewarding than to hear the same nervous Filipino clients turn into mental health advocates, breaking the stigma by bravely sharing their stories of challenges & triumphs. They are my inspiration, my teacher & the reason for this platform.

Get the feel of what on-line counseling/therapy is about by watching the video below.

How Long Does Therapy Takes?

Every therapist has a different response to this question. This is mine. I am a therapist that believes in providing the most effective approach to therapy in the shortest possible time. With consent, I usually incorporate hypnotherapy in my sessions. On an average, I see clients from 9-16 sessions. Therapy is not a process to be hurried but it’s not also a process to drag. Longer-term therapy is always available to those who need it especially those with complex trauma. But relief on the symptoms of trauma, in my opinion, should be seen as an urgent focal point of treatment.

Clients who are the right candidate for Hypnotherapy for issues like losing weight, public speaking, boosting self-esteem, phobias, anxiety, infertility can expect to be in session from 3-6 sessions only. This includes a recorded audio from me. You can consult with me FREE if you’re a good candidate for hypnotherapy here.

Choose the Right Type of Healing/Support for You

Naturally, I am a Psychotherapist who has seen how life-changing the process of therapy can be & would encourage the use of Therapy/Counseling as a modality for healing.

You don’t have to take this path at all or yet. I encourage you to explore, research, and ask questions so you will be an informed consumer. 

Whatever you chose, don’t wait to get the support you need. Support may not come to you, seek it.

Can you imagine how dynamic your life could be had you taken the time to address issues within you that’s keeping you from love, creation, & abundance?

Can you imagine how your loved ones would benefit from this version of you, only if you were willing to take a quick break to nurture the parched part of your soul?

You have the answer. All that you need is available to you.

If you’re interested in on-line counseling or have a question, email me here.

Sa uulitin,

Roanne