Jamie’s Journey: Finding Mental Health Through Online Therapy
I’ve Never Felt Better, And I Know Exactly Why: Jamie On Self-Care
This article highlights Jamie’s journey with online therapy and how therapy helped her implement self-care that led to improvement in a number of ways. It’s a story that many individuals might relate to: Jamie had considered speaking with a licensed clinical social worker on several occasions and looked into it frequently, but money, time, and accessibility kept getting in the way.
After Jamie’s doctor suggested telehealth therapy, she connected with a licensed clinical social worker through ReachLink and began making progress with her mental health.
Below is Jamie’s story, which has been lightly edited for clarity and grammar.
Jamie’s story
Jamie’s experiences before therapy
“I always knew that I could benefit from speaking to a licensed clinical social worker, but I always had a reason not to, even though I would look into it frequently,” Jamie began. “Either money, transportation, or scheduling issues always stopped me. I was open to counseling but was never truly motivated to take any action on finding a method that would work best for me.
Doctor’s suggestion for telehealth therapy
“When my doctor suggested I look into telehealth therapy, she mentioned she had a patient who communicated online with their therapist through video sessions. I was intrigued by that since my schedule is so erratic, I didn’t see how making traditional in-person appointments would work for either of us. The idea of being able to connect with my therapist through secure video sessions held great appeal for me.
The choice of a video-based platform
“I don’t mind face-to-face interaction, and the video sessions actually help me express my thoughts in a way that makes sense so that I’m being as honest and open as possible to get the best feedback. The telehealth platform allows me to schedule sessions that fit my life without having to worry about commute time or sitting in waiting rooms.”
How Jamie found ReachLink
Searching telehealth counseling options
“So, I did a Google search and read the reviews on several telehealth counseling options, but ReachLink had the best reviews, and I immediately liked the feel of the website and platform. It just felt right.
Signing up for ReachLink
“When I signed up for ReachLink, I was mainly looking to handle my depression and anxiety but also tackle issues related to stress, sleeping issues, family issues, relationship issues, and childhood trauma. I felt that I had so much to talk about that it was difficult for me to even find where to start. I was struggling to handle my depression and anxiety in a healthy way. I was doing okay, but I knew I could be doing better.”
If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see resources for crisis support and immediate help.
Changes Jamie experienced after starting counseling with ReachLink
“I’ve been working with Sarah, my ReachLink licensed clinical social worker, since I signed up last December,” Jamie continued.
“After our initial conversation, she mentioned how she was familiar with holistic approaches to wellness such as mindfulness, meditation, and energy work. Since that’s something that had started to heavily influence my life, I felt relaxed and comfortable speaking about those things to someone who could fully relate and understand what I meant.
“I find that I’ve come to truly value her responses, advice, and input to help me. Knowing I can speak openly during our sessions without judgment is incredibly freeing. Having that unbiased professional to listen to me and provide advice and feedback is so refreshing for me.
“I think I would have put myself at 5/10 when I first signed up, but at the time, I probably thought I was more of a 7.5/10. However, now I feel confident saying that I feel like I’m truly at 7.5-8/10 most days,” reported Jamie.
Exercise and other self-care habits to improve mental health
“I’ve managed to implement healthier habits into my daily life with Sarah’s help, suggestions, resources, etc. I feel less guilty for my feelings, and I’m improving on how best to handle my sensitivity and emotions and how to communicate them.
“We started with just me sharing all of my thoughts in our first few sessions. Once we worked through everything and started getting to the root of the issues, Sarah was better able to provide more specific guidance. She gave me tips like exercise to manage my stress and sleeping habits. She provided positive affirmations that I reviewed daily to help keep my mind positive and prevent downward spirals, and she made suggestions on how to implement healthier self-care habits for myself.
Someone to talk to
“I think one of her greatest attributes is her way of knowing when I need someone to listen and when I need actual advice. Sometimes we just talk through a situation because she seems to know that’s what I need most at that moment.”
Jamie’s experiences with self-care
“Self-care and self-love are the most important things I’ve learned from Sarah. I’ve always been a loving person to others but not so much to myself. And I wasn’t aware of that. Sarah has helped me realize that I was forgetting about myself, that it’s okay to put myself first, and that doing so doesn’t automatically make me selfish or a bad person.
“For example, saying no to things I don’t truly want to do is not a bad thing. In the past, I would find myself doing things I didn’t want to because I knew that the other party wanted to do it. But now I can confidently turn down a night out for dinner and not feel bad because I need to be at home alone in my own space.
“I still struggle with my sensitivity not only to my own emotions but to others as well. However, with Sarah’s help and guidance, I’ve been able to start implementing ways to shield myself from being drained by those around me,” Jamie explained.
“Sarah understands that how I’m feeling isn’t me being overemotional or ‘out of control.’ It’s a result of my being so sensitive that I can feel others’ moods and energies, and if I don’t do something, those feelings and energies can drain me. It happens slowly sometimes, and I don’t even realize it until Sarah asks how I’ve been doing with it. She basically calls me out in the kindest way.
“I’m not sure if she actually knows I’ve been lacking or if it’s a feeling or what, but every time she’s asked me, I’ve realized that while I’m not feeling horrible, I’ve felt better, and I know exactly why: self-care. Maybe I slacked, and now I’m grouchy or touchy. But simple reminders to continue doing things for myself have truly helped me get through most of my difficult days.”
Telehealth therapy may help
If you are experiencing challenges similar to Jamie’s, you may benefit from speaking to a licensed clinical social worker. If you feel hesitant to sign up for traditional in-person therapy, you may benefit from telehealth therapy. Research shows that online therapy is effective for a variety of mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression.
Benefits of telehealth therapy services
Telehealth therapy services tend to offer easier scheduling, more affordable prices, and eliminate transportation barriers that might prevent you from accessing care. Jamie was also excited about the convenience of video sessions that fit into her busy schedule. With ReachLink, you can schedule sessions at times that work best for you and access additional resources between appointments.
Takeaway
While Jamie had looked into starting therapy several times, she didn’t find a method that worked until she tried telehealth therapy at ReachLink. By making treatment more accessible and allowing her to work around a busy schedule, ReachLink made it possible for her to finally prioritize her mental health and commit to a path of healing and self-discovery. The flexibility, professionalism, and holistic approach offered by the platform allowed Jamie to address multiple aspects of her well-being in a way that felt manageable and supportive.
Her story is a powerful reminder that seeking help doesn’t have to be a daunting or inaccessible process. With telehealth therapy, individuals facing barriers such as time constraints, financial concerns, and transportation challenges can find a viable solution that fits their lifestyle. Jamie’s experience highlights the importance of finding the right therapeutic approach and provider, especially one that integrates practical self-care strategies alongside traditional counseling.
If you find yourself struggling with similar issues, remember that reaching out is the first step toward feeling better. Whether it’s through telehealth services like ReachLink or another trusted resource, support is available, and you don’t have to navigate your challenges alone. With the right help, you too can discover the benefits of self-care, improved mental health, and a renewed sense of well-being.
