Online Therapy is The #1 Tool for Single Moms

I was going to have my dream wedding, marry my dream man, and live happily ever after. Unfortunately adult reality does not always align with childhood dreams. My own parents divorced when I was 11. I remember how difficult it was for me to understand that they didn’t love one another any more, that my love for them both wasn’t enough. I was powerless to bring them back together. Those feelings haunted me far into my teens.

In the US, 83% of single parents are mothers. For us single mothers, solo parenting can often be joyous, but it also brings tremendous stress and anxiety.

You’d think there’d be more support for such a common experience, but unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Statistically, we face a number of scary statistics:

• More than half live below the poverty line
• 28.7% face severe mental disability
• Twice as high an incidence of anxiety disorders as single fathers

Single parenthood is still in many ways stigmatized in our society. Not every single mother imagined parenting by herself, but even those of us who did, didn’t necessarily think of how to protect our mental health. While there are some resources for us, groups focused on providing emotional support and community, many still suffer in silence. Many are afraid to ask for help.

Though women are more likely to reach out to their support network, or just to talk about their struggles, we often face more difficult challenges than those of single fathers. Two-thirds of divorces are initiated by women, and we’re also more likely to be raising the children. That means increased responsibility and financial burden.

Women deserve non-judgemental help when we’re struggling and overwhelmed. There’s a new tool that helps us work through emotional challenges, reclaim our mental health, and live more fulfilled lives with our children.

The #1 Tool for Single Mom’s is Online Therapy

One of the reasons that we don’t seek help is due to the stigma surrounding mental illness. It’s time for that to change. When you’re dealing with the chronic stresses of being the primary caregiver — making every parenting decision, facing self-doubt, and exhaustion — there will be mental health repercussions. You might cry. You might feel depressed. You might feel anxious, alone, or panicked. Your therapist will be there for you in those moments.

Online therapy is for the way we live today — that is, for every kind of life. Even, and especially, when our lives are complicated.

Online Therapy is Affordable

For many of us, parenting solo represents a significant financial burden. The median income for single mothers is $34,000, while the median income for married couples is $84,000. Only about 1/3rd of us receive any child support and the average amount of support is a mere $430/month. For women going through a divorce, a therapist’s bill would likely be the last thing that we’d look to add to our budget.

Luckily online therapy is significantly less expensive than brick-and-mortar therapy. When you’re the sole provider, that’s something to be excited about.

Online Therapy is Convenient

As single mothers our schedules may be tight and unpredictable. Between working to provide for our children and getting kids to athletics or clubs, commuting further from home to make ends meet, dropping them off with their noncustodial parent, we don’t need another weekly appointment to add to our schedule.

With online therapy you’ll never miss an appointment because there aren’t appointments. You can message your therapist on your schedule, 24/7. Anxious over a child’s disciplinary issue at school or lonely after not getting enough adult social time? Just message your therapist. Worried about the impact of growing up in a single parent home on your children? Message your therapist. Your therapist will get back to you twice a day with helpful tactics and strategies on navigating these difficult emotional waters. There’s also the option for video chat, if you prefer a more personal interaction with your therapist.

Online Therapy Is Confidential

For many of us the stigma of mental health issues already feels overwhelming. Add the increased societal scrutiny and judgment of single mothers to the mix and you can understand the hesitancy to announce our mental health struggles to the world. Many of us worry about our mental health status being used against us.

Online therapy allows us confidential access to therapy. You’ll never get caught unexpectedly in a parking lot or in a waiting room. You can even use a pseudonym with your therapist.

Online Therapy Is Going to Help

Psychotherapy has been shown to be effective by countless studies and in certain cases online therapy is more effective, than traditional therapy.

Single motherhood is sure to bring us moments of unspeakable joy, but it’s also hard. It impacts us more significantly than is acknowledged by our culture. But just because you run into difficulties doesn’t mean your life comes to a stop. It’s important to utilize the tools at our disposal to ease our suffering, help us live happier, more productive lives, lives open to new possibilities for connection. Do it to have a better relationship with your children and more fulfilling romantic partnerships. Your online therapist will help get you back to on track and living the life you want. Online therapy is the #1 tool for single mothers to be our best selves.