For those who have never heard of what that is, allow me to explain.
And for those who want a link to the site I've been using :
---
It has been two years since the pandemic started.
And it's quite clear to see that prevalence of mental health problems had skyrocketed in these times.
While a simple solution would be to seek therapy, what if we can't afford a therapist?
What if we can't go outside because we don't feel safe?
What if our parents don't allow us to get therapy because we don't have enough time?
This is where online therapy comes into play.
---
I first signed up to be a listener in 7cups (an online therapy program) in August 2021 after my account on a separate platform completely malfunctioned.
I remember feeling frustrated that my progress was lost, and checked for online therapy programs that have strong reputations.
And 7cups of tea was recommended by a lot of people.
The goal of 7cups is to create an authentic, safe and compassionate space for those who seek emotional support.
Did they achieve it?
For the most part, yes - but certain steps could have been taken to make this a safer place.
(Ex - I have to rely on going by "they/them" pronouns online so people wouldn't send creepy messages or ask for inappropriate content (as implied from accounts of other people))
To be fair, it is a free therapy service, meaning anyone can sign up and talk to people - which opens the floodgates to cases of harassment.
When creating an account on that platform, you have two options : be a member, or a listener.
Members are people who seek emotional support.
And listeners are people who provide it.
If you sign up to be a listener, you're expected to pass a quiz on active listening in order to continue (however, the correct answers can be easily identified if you know what you're doing).
For listeners who want to prove their worth, there is a certification exam that requires them to fulfill certain requirements (ex - have a certain amount of reviews, ratings, training guides, etc.). After that, they will be graded by an examiner via a mock chat to see if they perform up to the examiner's standards of providing online therapy - which determines if they become a "verified listener" or not.
Other functions of 7cups include :
- Subcommunities that touch on different topics of mental health (ex - mindfulness, depression, teenagers, etc.)
- Therapy from a professional psychologist (though it costs money)
- A multitude of listeners (and you can browse their qualifications or search for specific people based on the languages they speak / topics they specialize in / country they're from / if they're a verified listener or not, etc.)
---
Anyone over the age of 13 can create an account on 7cups, but you have to be 15+ years old in order to apply to be a listener.
However, listeners aren't trained to deal with crisis support (especially persistent suicide ideation). And because you can be matched with random listeners (unless you browse and request for a specific one), the quality of the emotional support you receive can vastly differ.
I've even heard of accounts where people had experienced sexual harassment when they just want to be listened to.
I guess that's a downside of it being a free service where anyone can sign up as long as they have an email address.
---
7cups is a great option for mental help if you experience mild symptoms, need anonymous support, want to vent, or want advice from someone who has experienced something similar.
Typically online therapy with volunteers can't replace in-person therapy with a licensed psychologist. It is true that online therapy is great, but only if you want your support to be short-term.
---
As I mentioned previously, I did pass my certification exam last month - so if you're ever feeling the need to rant, don't be afraid to reach out to your loved ones or contact me.
I'll try my best to respond as soon as possible.
It's what I'm supposed to do after all, as an online therapist.
コメント