Is Online Therapy Right for You? What to Expect When You Start Mental Health Counseling
- Basilis Kolymenos
- 20 Οκτ
- διαβάστηκε 6 λεπτά
Maybe you've been thinking about therapy for weeks. Or months. You wake up Sunday night with anxiety for the next days. You scroll endlessly before bed, unable to quiet your mind. You feel stuck in patterns you know aren't serving you, but you're not sure how to break free.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. And more importantly, you don't have to navigate these feelings by yourself. Therapy isn't about being "broken enough" to deserve help. It's about becoming more whole, more present, and more yourself. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, relationship challenges, life transitions, or simply feeling disconnected from who you want to be, therapy can offer a safe space to explore, understand, and grow.
I'm Vasilis, a mental health counselor practicing online across Greece. I work with young adults navigating the unique pressures of modern life—career uncertainty, relationship dynamics, identity questions, and the quiet exhaustion that comes from trying to meet everyone's expectations except your own. My approach is person-centered and integrative, which means I adapt to your needs rather than fitting you into a rigid framework.
Let me share with you what therapy can offer and what to expect when you take this step.
Why Therapy Works: The Science Behind Connection
You might wonder: does therapy actually work? The answer, backed by decades of research, is yes—but not for the reasons you might think.
Research shows that one of the strongest predictors of therapy success isn't the specific technique used, but the quality of the therapeutic relationship between you and your therapist (Horvath & Bedi, 2002; Martin et al., 2000). When you feel genuinely heard, understood, and respected, change becomes possible. This relationship—called the therapeutic alliance—accounts for a significant portion of positive outcomes across different therapy approaches.
What this means for you: Finding a therapist you feel comfortable with matters more than finding someone with a specific certification or technique. Trust your instincts.
Modern research also confirms that online therapy is just as effective as in-person sessions (Cavarretta et al., 2025). In fact, some people feel more at ease opening up from the comfort of their own space. If you're in Athens, Thessaloniki, or anywhere in Greece, you can access quality mental health support without commuting or waiting rooms.
Therapy offers more than symptom relief—it's a space for deeper understanding and lasting change. Here's what clients often experience:
Emotional Clarity and Regulation
You learn to recognize what you're actually feeling beneath the surface. Instead of being overwhelmed by emotions or numbing them entirely, you develop skills to process them. For example, if you often feel anxious at work but can't pinpoint why, therapy helps you explore the underlying patterns—maybe perfectionism, fear of judgment, or unmet needs—and develop healthier responses.
Improved Relationships
When you understand yourself better, your relationships transform. You communicate more clearly, set boundaries without guilt, and choose connections that truly nourish you. Therapy can help if you find yourself repeating the same relationship patterns or struggling to express your needs.
Breaking Free from Old Patterns
Maybe you procrastinate despite knowing better. Maybe you people-please until you're exhausted. Therapy helps you see the patterns that no longer serve you and experiment with new ways of being. This isn't about willpower—it's about understanding the deeper reasons these patterns exist and gently shifting them.
Support During Life Transitions
Starting a new job, ending a relationship, losing someone you love, becoming a parent—these moments require us to rebuild our sense of self. Therapy provides steady support as you navigate uncertainty and rediscover your footing.
Personal Growth Beyond "Problems"
You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Many people seek therapy simply to know themselves better, clarify their values, or feel more alive and present in their lives. This kind of growth work can be profoundly meaningful.
Research across multiple studies shows therapy effectiveness with effect sizes ranging from moderate to large, meaning real, measurable improvements in wellbeing (Elliott et al., 2021; Flückiger et al., 2018).
Is Online Therapy Really as Effective?
Yes. Recent large-scale studies confirm that online therapy produces outcomes equivalent to face-to-face sessions (Cavarretta et al., 2025). The key is the quality of the connection, not whether you're in the same room.
Many clients actually prefer online therapy because:
You can attend sessions from a space where you feel safest
No commute means more flexibility in scheduling
It's easier to maintain consistency, even with a busy schedule
You have immediate access to your own comfort resources afterward (your bed, your tea, your space)
I offer sessions via Zoom or Google Meet in Greek or English, making it accessible whether you're in a Greek city or living abroad and wanting culturally relevant support.
What to Expect in Your First Sessions
Starting therapy can feel intimidating. Here's what typically happens:
The First Session: Getting to Know Each Other
This is a conversation, not an interrogation. I'll ask about what brought you here, what you're hoping for, and a bit about your life. You'll get a sense of whether we're a good fit. It's okay to feel nervous. It's also okay to say "I don't know" to questions. We'll figure it out together.
The First Few Months: Building Trust
Therapy isn't a quick fix. Research suggests that many people start noticing meaningful change after about three months of consistent work (around 10-12 sessions). Why does it take time?
Trust builds gradually. Opening up about vulnerable topics requires safety, and that develops over weeks, not minutes.
New patterns need practice. Learning healthier ways of thinking and behaving takes repetition.
Deeper issues emerge slowly. What you think therapy is about in session one might shift as you explore further.
This doesn't mean you won't feel any relief sooner—many clients feel lighter even after a single session. But lasting change is a process, and that's okay.
Ongoing Work: Noticing Shifts
Over time, you'll start recognizing patterns faster. You'll catch yourself in old habits and choose differently. You'll feel more grounded. Therapy becomes less about crisis management and more about deepening self-awareness and living intentionally.
Common Questions I Hear
"Am I 'sick enough' for therapy?"
Therapy isn't only for people in crisis. If something in your life doesn't feel right, that's reason enough. You don't need to justify your struggles.
"What if I don't know what to talk about?"
That's completely normal. Many sessions begin with "I don't know where to start." We'll find our way together. Sometimes the most important insights come from the moments of silence or uncertainty.
"How much does it cost?"
My standard rate is 50€ per session (50 minutes). I currently offer sessions on a pay-per-session basis, with potential package options available. If finances are a genuine concern, we can discuss options during our initial conversation.
"Will you judge me?"
No. My role is to understand, not to judge. Whatever you're experiencing, whatever you've done or haven't done—you won't surprise me, and you won't be judged. Therapy is one of the few spaces where you can be completely honest without fear.
"What if it doesn't work?"
Therapy works differently for everyone, and sometimes it takes a few tries to find the right fit. If after a few sessions you're not feeling like we're a good match, that's valuable information, and I can help connect you with other resources. The therapeutic relationship matters more than any technique.
"Is online therapy secure and confidential?"
Absolutely. I use secure, encrypted platforms and follow ethical guidelines for confidentiality. What you share stays between us, except in rare situations where there's risk of harm.
How to Get Started
If you're curious about therapy, here's how to take the first step:
Acknowledge what you're feeling. You don't need perfect clarity—just a willingness to explore.
Reach out. Visit vasiliskolymenos.com to learn more about my approach or book an initial session. You can also find me on booking platforms like Doctor Anytime, Wellapy, and It's Complicated.
Be patient with the process. Therapy isn't linear. Some weeks you'll feel breakthrough clarity; other weeks might feel slow. Both are part of the journey.
Practice between sessions. The real work happens in your daily life. Therapy gives you insights and tools, but you bring them to life through practice.
A Final Word
Choosing therapy is an act of self-respect. It's saying: I matter. My wellbeing matters. I deserve support.
You don't have to have everything figured out before you start. You don't have to wait until things are unbearable. You can begin right where you are.
If you're in Greece and looking for online therapy that's warm, evidence-based, and tailored to your unique experience, I'd be honored to walk alongside you. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, navigating relationships, or simply seeking more clarity and presence in your life, there's space for you here.
Ready to explore how therapy can support you? Book a session or send me a message at vasiliskolymenos.com. Let's talk.