And aren’t these stressful times? Nearly two-thirds of American adults say their lives have been forever changed post-pandemic. Stress about money is at its highest since 2015, and 73 percent of Americans say they’re overwhelmed by the smorgasbord of global crises. On top of our collective dilemmas, we each have our own personal stressors, too—and don’t I know it. Between moving homes, picking up a side gig again, and the normal bouts of relationship stress—I’ve recently felt the kind of overwhelm that might be too much for one person to handle (but you know I’ll try). For me, emotional overwhelm is a red alert: time to reach out for help. What intrigued me even more was that, once paired with my therapist, I’d have the choice to communicate via phone, video, or live chat. As a person who likes to do most things à la sweats and a messy bun, the convenience was undeniable. But I also had my concerns. Online therapy is up to 50 percent more affordable than in-person therapy, but was it as effective? The only way to find out was to try it for myself. I matched with my therapist and had my first appointment scheduled in under 48 hours. In transparency, I was nervous. Because I need to see someone to really feel connected, I opted for a video call. But I was worried: Would it feel awkward? Would I feel comfortable sharing intimate details about my life with a stranger on a screen? Save 20% (up to $60) on your first month of membership to BetterHelp with code MBG. Devon’s first book, Earth Women, is coming soon. To learn more, join the mailing list, and receive updates, head to www.devonbarrowwriting.com.
