What is online therapy?

Online therapy is also known as eTherapy. It includes psychological support, online counselling and other help provided online. You can get online therapy using your smartphone, computer or tablet.

Talk to your doctor, if you have one, to see if online mental health treatment is right for you. If you need more intensive support, you might need to see a mental health professional.

There are many different types of online therapy. You might find:

• Screening tools and checklists to help you decide if you want to seek help.
• Education videos.
• Structured online programs.
• A counsellor who you can chat to online.
• A psychologist who can do appointments via video call.

Many people find online therapy is an effective way to get help.

Online therapy can be useful if you have conditions such as:

• depression
• postnatal depression
• anxiety
• panic disorder
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

If you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide and are in immediate danger, call triple zero (000). For help and support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

What are the benefits and disadvantages of online therapy?

Benefits of choosing online therapy can be:

• Flexibility — You can go online when you are emotionally ready and when it suits you. This could be after work or late at night, when children are asleep, and at weekends.
• Accessibility — This is helpful if you cannot easily travel to treatment sessions because of time or distance.
• Greater comfort — Some people find online therapy less confronting than speaking directly to a counsellor or psychologist face-to-face.
• Education — You can learn about mental health topics and terms that might be used by your healthcare team.

However, online therapy isn't for everyone. If you're in crisis and needing urgent help it may be better to call a helpline or go to the hospital.

eTherapy might not suit you if you're not confident with technology.

Not all online therapy services are covered by a Medicare rebate or private health insurance.

Cost and safety

Costs of online therapy

Some online therapy programs and services are available for free. Sometimes there will be a fee for online services.

Remember to consider the cost of your device and internet connection too.

Quality standards

Your safety and privacy are important. The quality of online therapy services available can vary.

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has created the National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards. These standards exist to make sure online services give you accurate, safe and good quality therapy.

If you choose to talk with a psychologist or counsellor, check their qualifications before you agree to treatment.

In Australia, psychologists must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia. They also must be listed with the Australian Practitioner Regulation Agency. You can look up their qualifications online.

Anybody can call themselves a counsellor. There is no specific training required. Counsellors can choose to register themselves with the Australian Counselling Association on the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists.

Read about different types of mental health professionals.

Is AI therapy safe?

Some people have started to use artificial intelligence (AI) technology such as chatbots for counselling and support. This type of technology is very new. It may be able to provide low-cost personalised conversation and companionship. However, it has not yet been fully tested for safety and accuracy of information given. AI should not replace getting therapy from a mental health professional.

Some possible downsides are:

• AI chatbots do not provide human connection like face to face or video call support.
• AI technology may provide incorrect information (misinformation).
• The advice you get from a chatbot has not been checked by a qualified mental health professional.
• You might have concerns about how the AI platform is saving and using the information you give.
• There is no legal framework for approval of AI therapy platforms.

Read more about AI and mental health at Beyond Blue.

Where do I start if I want to try eTherapy?

Speak with your doctor to discuss if online therapy could suit you.

Take a test such as the Medicare Mental Health quiz to help you understand what you are feeling.

Find out more about eTherapy at Mental Health Online.

Online therapy resources

• ReachOut.com has reviewed mobile tools and apps that help you look after your wellbeing.
• Beyond Blue provides information about anxiety, depression and suicide, including online counselling and mental health screening tests.
• MindSpot has a national online assessment and treatment service for adults with stress, anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and chronic pain.
• eCentreClinic has free online treatment courses for people with symptoms of worry, anxiety, stress, depression, low mood and more.
• e-couch is a self-help interactive program covering depression, generalised anxiety and worry, social anxiety, relationship breakdown, and loss and grief.
• Headspace has a range of ways to support you online, including interactive tools and the opportunity to chat with a mental health professional.
• MumMoodBooster can help with postnatal depression and provides online sessions.
• The BRAVE Program is an interactive, free online program for the prevention and treatment of childhood and adolescent anxiety.

Counselling for men:

• MensLine Australia provides a free online counselling service for Australian men specialising in family and relationship issues.

Some online therapy programs are more interactive:

• moodgym provides interactive self-help. It helps you to learn skills to prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.
• The Black Dog Institute myCompass tool provides a self-help guide to good mental health.
• Mental Health Online offers a range of programs to help you understand and address your mental health needs. It has self-assessment, self-help and options for online professional support.
• This Way Up has online programs to tackle feelings of stress, anxiety and low mood.

Resources and support:

• For advice and to get connected to local mental health services, call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212. Check the operating times.
• Visit the ReachOut Online Community to share your experiences, learn from others and support each other.
• Find out about Mental health helplines.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.