Sarah’s Journey: How Virtual Therapy Transformed Her Life

Finding My Path to Wellness: Sarah’s Journey with Virtual Therapy

This article highlights Sarah’s journey with telehealth therapy and how counseling helped her implement self-care that led to improvement in numerous aspects of her life. It’s a story that many individuals might relate to: Sarah had considered speaking with a therapist on several occasions and researched it frequently, but financial constraints, scheduling conflicts, and insurance complications kept getting in the way.

After Sarah’s physician recommended telehealth therapy, she connected with a mental health professional and began making meaningful progress with her mental health.

Below is Sarah’s story, which has been lightly edited for clarity.

Sarah’s Story

Sarah’s experiences before therapy

“I always knew that I could benefit from speaking to a therapist, but I always had a reason not to, even though I would look into it frequently,” Sarah began. “Either money, insurance, or timing 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.

Physician’s recommendation for therapy

“When my doctor suggested I look into virtual therapy, she mentioned she had a patient who communicated online with their therapist regularly. I was intrigued by that since my schedule is so erratic, I didn’t see how making scheduled appointments would work for either of us. The idea of being able to connect with my therapist through different communication methods held great appeal for me.

The advantage of multiple communication options

“I don’t mind video sessions, but having messaging options helps me organize my thoughts in a way that makes sense so that I’m being as honest and open as possible to get the best feedback. It allows me to process at my own pace without feeling rushed if I’m struggling to articulate my feelings or get interrupted by work.”

How Sarah found ReachLink

Researching telehealth therapy options

“So, I did a thorough online search and read reviews on several telehealth therapy platforms, but ReachLink had the most compelling testimonials, and I immediately connected with their approach to mental wellness. It just felt like the right fit.

Signing up for telehealth therapy

“When I signed up for therapy through ReachLink, I was primarily looking to address my depression and anxiety but also wanted to work through issues related to stress, sleep difficulties, family dynamics, relationship challenges, and childhood trauma. I felt that I had so much to process that it was difficult for me to even identify where to begin. Even with medication, I was struggling to manage my depression and anxiety effectively. I was functioning, but I knew I could be thriving.”

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available through various crisis resources and hotlines.

Changes Sarah experienced after starting therapy

“I’ve been working with Michael, my ReachLink therapist, since I started in late December 2021,” Sarah continued.

“After our initial consultation, he mentioned his interest in holistic approaches such as mindfulness, meditation, and energy work. Since those practices had begun to significantly influence my personal journey, I felt immediately comfortable discussing these aspects with someone who could genuinely understand and appreciate my perspective.

“I’ve come to value his responses, guidance, and insights tremendously. Having the freedom to express myself anytime without fear of judgment is incredibly liberating. Having that unbiased perspective to listen and provide thoughtful feedback has been transformative for me.

“Looking back, I would have rated my mental wellbeing at about 5/10 when I first started therapy, although at the time, I probably thought I was closer to a 7.5/10. Now, I can honestly say I consistently feel like I’m at a 7.5-8/10 most days,” reported Sarah.

Implementing wellness practices to improve mental health

“With Michael’s guidance, I’ve successfully incorporated healthier habits into my daily routine. He’s provided practical suggestions, helpful resources, and evidence-based techniques. I feel less guilt about my emotions, and I’m learning better ways to manage my sensitivity and communicate my needs effectively.

“We began with me simply sharing all of my thoughts in what felt like an overwhelming jumble of concerns and feelings. Once we worked through that initial phase and identified core issues, Michael was able to provide more targeted guidance. He suggested exercise routines to help manage my stress and improve sleep quality. He shared affirmations that I reviewed daily to maintain a positive mindset, and he helped me develop personalized self-care practices.

A responsive therapeutic relationship

“One of Michael’s greatest strengths is his ability to recognize when I need someone to listen versus when I need concrete advice. Sometimes we simply process a situation together because he intuitively understands that’s what would benefit me most in that moment.”

Sarah’s experiences with self-care

“Self-care and self-love are the most valuable concepts I’ve learned through therapy. I’ve always been generous with my care for others but neglected myself in the process. I wasn’t even aware of this pattern. Michael has helped me recognize that I was overlooking my own needs, that prioritizing myself is essential, and that self-care isn’t selfish or inconsiderate.

“For example, declining invitations to events I don’t genuinely want to attend is perfectly acceptable. Previously, I would participate in activities out of obligation because I knew others wanted me there. Now I can confidently choose a quiet evening at home when I need personal space, without feeling guilty.

“I still find myself challenged by my heightened sensitivity to both my own emotions and those of others. However, with Michael’s support and strategies, I’ve begun implementing techniques to protect myself from becoming emotionally depleted by those around me,” Sarah explained.

“Michael understands that my emotional responses aren’t exaggerated or ‘too much.’ They stem from my natural sensitivity that allows me to perceive others’ moods and energies, and without proper boundaries, those external influences can drain me. This depletion happens gradually sometimes, and I don’t always notice until Michael checks in about it. He gently brings my attention to these patterns in the most supportive way.

“I’m not certain how he identifies when I’ve been neglecting self-care—whether through subtle changes in my communication or his professional intuition—but whenever he brings it up, I realize that while I’m not at my lowest, I’ve definitely felt better, and the reason is clear: I’ve let my self-care practices slip. Perhaps I’ve become less consistent, and consequently, I’m more irritable or sensitive. These simple reminders to maintain my personal wellness routines have truly helped me navigate through my most challenging days.”

Telehealth therapy can help

If you’re facing challenges similar to Sarah’s, connecting with a therapist could be beneficial. If traditional in-person therapy seems daunting, telehealth therapy might be an excellent alternative. Research shows that online therapy is effective for various mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression.

Benefits of telehealth therapy services

Telehealth therapy services typically offer more flexible scheduling, competitive pricing, and access to a wider selection of professionals than might be available locally. Sarah particularly valued being able to communicate with her therapist through multiple channels. With telehealth platforms, you can often reach out to your therapist between scheduled sessions, and they’ll respond during their available hours.

Takeaway

Although Sarah had researched therapy options multiple times, she didn’t find an approach that accommodated her needs until she tried telehealth therapy. By providing affordable treatment options and flexible communication methods that worked with her busy schedule, telehealth therapy created the supportive environment Sarah needed to begin her mental health journey.

If you’re interested in therapy but life’s demands keep creating obstacles, telehealth therapy might be the solution. Through platforms like ReachLink, you can be matched with a licensed therapist experienced in your specific concerns, with licensed professionals who understand your unique needs. This personalized approach, combined with the flexibility of telehealth, can make all the difference in helping you begin or continue your journey toward improved mental health and wellbeing.

Sarah’s experience is a testament to the power of finding the right therapeutic fit and the benefits of accessible mental health care. Her story highlights how overcoming common barriers with supportive technology and empathetic professionals can lead to meaningful change. Whether you’re managing anxiety, depression, stress, or other mental health challenges, telehealth therapy may offer a viable and effective solution tailored to your lifestyle.

Remember, taking the first step toward therapy is an act of courage and self-compassion. If traditional therapy options have felt out of reach, consider exploring telehealth platforms like ReachLink. Your path to wellness is unique, and with the right support, you can build a healthier, more fulfilling life—just like Sarah.