For many people, therapy is a safe and supportive space to work through mental health challenges. Depression, anxiety and more can be managed with regular therapy sessions. However, a traditional in-person approach to therapy might not work for everyone. If you have agoraphobia, just the idea of leaving home to see a therapist might fill you with a feeling of dread or panic.

Agoraphobia is a kind of anxiety disorder. It is characterized by fear and avoidance of places and situations that could trigger anxiety. If you have agoraphobia, you may fear going into open spaces or using public transportation, for example. In general, you will likely fear and avoid situations that might make you feel trapped or exposed. For some people, agoraphobia can lead to panic attacks. The fears associated with this condition can be frustrating, especially when you want to get treatment. Studies conclude that cognitive behavioral therapy effectively targets and alleviates primary symptoms of agoraphobia. It also reduces other anxiety symptoms and improves quality of life. However, this treatment may not seem accessible. You may feel like your fear is stopping you from getting the support that could help you overcome your fears.

Fortunately, with online mental health treatment, you don’t need to leave your physical comfort zone to get help. Virtual programs can offer the same professional care as in-person therapy, along with many added benefits.

4 benefits of comprehensive online therapy services for people with agoraphobia

• At-home treatment

One of the biggest challenges of agoraphobia is feeling anxious or afraid in places you don’t know. Even thinking about driving to a therapist’s office, sitting in a waiting room or talking to people you don’t know might make you uncomfortable.

With online therapy, you don’t have to worry about any of that. Instead, you can get help while staying in the comfort of your home. You can avoid the stress of going places with lots of people. When talking about your fears in therapy, you can gradually work on going to new places at your own pace instead of being pushed into uncomfortable situations right away. By making it so you don’t have to go somewhere new for therapy, it may become easier and less scary to get help.

• Travel anxiety prevention

For many people with agoraphobia, travel can feel overwhelming. Whether you need to drive, take public transportation or even walk, commuting can be a stressful experience for people with agoraphobia. Some may avoid therapy altogether because getting there feels too difficult.

With online therapy, there’s zero travel required. That means no dealing with traffic, unexpected delays or fears associated with traveling. Instead of spending time and energy trying to get to therapy, you can focus on the actual session, which is what really matters.

• Access to specialists

When you’re looking for a therapist who truly understands agoraphobia, finding the right fit can be tough. Finding the specialist help you need may be especially difficult if you live in a smaller town or an area with limited mental health resources. Some comprehensive in-person mental health providers may offer specialist treatment. However, these providers might not have locations near you.

When looking into treatment options, you may be concerned that online therapy won’t provide the specialist support you need. The good news is that, while not every online therapy provider offers specialist services, comprehensive options like Virtual Partial Hospitalization Programs (vPHPs) will typically provide access to experienced specialists. Virtual PHP also incorporates a range of treatment methods to help ensure that you get the right support.

• Gradual exposure

Therapy is often used to help people with agoraphobia face their fears in small, manageable steps. With traditional in-person therapy, though, you may be expected to immediately leave home to attend sessions. This can feel overwhelming.

With online therapy, you can expect a gradual, tailored approach from your very first appointment. Any exposure activities can be conducted in steps. For example, your therapist may help you practice stepping outside of your home while on a call. Instead of being thrown into stressful situations too quickly, you can progress at a speed that feels right for you.

If you’ve been avoiding therapy because of your agoraphobia, online therapy could be an ideal solution.

With the ability to attend sessions from home, avoid travel stress, work with specialists and make progress at your own pace, online therapy can make mental health care more accessible and less stressful.

At Lightfully, we’re committed to providing the compassionate support each person needs. Our virtual treatment options include a Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (vIOP) and Virtual PHP. All of our levels of care center around our unique approach to treatment called Precision Care Model (PCM). PCM is a compassionate and fully personalized treatment plan designed to deliver whole-person-centered care. It uses the most effective aspects of evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy to target the drivers behind mental health disorders and symptoms.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to seek virtual treatment, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.