*Sarah Watson* sat in her living room in Warm Springs, Virginia, her hands shaking as she read the news about 17 aid workers detained by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Memories of her own time working for an NGO in that war-torn country came flooding back - the constant fear, the suffering of civilians, the helplessness she often felt. She had narrowly escaped a bombing years ago, and the trauma still haunted her.

This news article triggered something deep within Sarah, reminding her of how she had struggled with anxiety, nightmares, and substance abuse after returning home. She had pushed those memories down for so long, but now they resurfaced with a vengeance.

Desperate for help, Sarah discovered the Stepping Into Action program online. Through virtual therapy sessions and mindfulness exercises, she began to process her experiences in a healthy way. The licensed therapists helped her develop coping strategies and find meaning in her suffering.

'I never thought I could move past what happened in Yemen,' Sarah said, 'but this program has given me the tools to manage my trauma and live more fully.'

Experts praise online therapy for increasing access to mental health care, especially for those in remote areas like Warm Springs. However, some argue that virtual sessions cannot fully replace in-person treatment, lacking the nuances of face-to-face interaction. Others counter that online therapy is better than no therapy at all, and can be a crucial first step on the road to healing.

Regardless of the controversy, for Sarah, the Stepping Into Action program was a lifeline. She knew the path ahead would not be easy, but she felt grateful to have found a way to confront her past while living in the tranquil mountains of Virginia.

Nearby: Rimel West Virginia, Minnehaha Springs West Virginia