When we think of counseling, many of us will have an image that comes to your mind: a smoky and somewhat clinical office and a therapist who is middle-aged looking into your experiences in the past. Although it’s an image that is popular on the internet, this is only one kind of therapy. Face-to-face counseling isn’t the only alternative.
Online counselling is growing rapidly in popularity because of shorter time to wait, and convenience, and, often less expensive than face-toface therapy. It is known by a variety of names, ranging from e-counselling to e-therapy, to email or phone counseling, and Telepsychology or digital therapy There are also apps and web-based alternatives to meet your requirements.
How can you use online therapy?
Online counselling is a broad variety of media, from instant messaging or video calls. It offers the same assistance and security as face-to-face sessions with trained counsellors or therapists It’s been around for quite a while and has seen a rapid increase in popularity over the last few years.
Access to expert-level experts who might be than you, usually at times that accommodate your timetable, online therapy can be conducted anywhere that has an internet connection. Different therapists offer online counseling via various channels that include:
email
instant messaging (IM)
phone calls
Video calls
in-app messaging
What is online therapy? and what can I anticipate from it?
Every type of online counseling operates in a different way. It is important to verify the site or service you’re using to ensure the counsellors and psychotherapists they employ are qualified professionals who are part of a reputable organization. This will ensure that you receive advice and support from skilled and experienced professionals.
If you are beginning with a new counsellor, you will typically have a consult session prior to beginning. This allows you to meet the counselor more thoroughly as well as ask questions and discuss any concerns you might have. The typical therapist will ask you what you would like to achieve from the therapy or the reason why you’re seeking to speak with the counsellor. You can also inquire about some basic questions about you.
In this period there will be guidelines and expectations to be established for the frequency of communications, response time (if using a text-based solution) and fees as well as privacy and security.
Email counseling – sending emails with a therapist provides you the opportunity to record any issues or issues. The therapist will respond with a thoughtful and therapeutic answer within a duration of time that can range from a few hours to a few days.
Writing down your issues can, by itself, be a powerful method to process any negative feelings you be experiencing. People who are uneasy speaking about their concerns publicly may discover this to be an extremely effective technique because it relieves the stress of expressing yourself at the time and allows you to think about what you’d like to say (and the best way to express it).
Since mail can be written anytime at any point Some people feel it less stressful to feel anxious about having to express their concerns or worries within a time frame. It also allows you the opportunity to record what’s in your head in the moment instead of waiting for the next time you meet face-to-face.
Telephone counselling takes place via your telephone Some counsellors provide this service alongside face-toface sessions, while others provide the option of calling it’s own. Similar to a regular counselling sessions, appointments are scheduled at specific times during which you or your therapist contact you for a specified amount of duration.
Video chat counselling offers some of the benefits of face-to–face counselling, but along with the added benefit of online therapy Video chat sessions tend to utilize an app or platform that is secure that is selected by your counselor. Incorporating audio and visual feedback, many feel that conversations run more naturally via video chat sessions as opposed to email or instant messaging sessions.
Instant message counselling is similar to email counseling or instant message (IM) counselling permits users to write down their thoughts without needing to speak your thoughts. The counsellors can differ, and this might take an IM-based live text-based dialogue over a certain time period, or be more similar to email counselling with your therapist responding promptly to your messages within a specified duration of time.
What are the advantages and disadvantages for online therapy?
Although the advantages and disadvantages of online counseling can differ among individuals but there are several things to consider if you want to locate a counselor or attempt online therapy.
The reasons people seek online therapy be:
Accessibility – appointment times that are popular (evenings or weekends) are often booked up quickly with certain counsellors, since these times are very popular. Online counseling may provide greater flexibility and shorter wait times for a consultation with a certified counsellor, which makes it easier for you to get help whenever you require it.
If you have disabilities or mobility issues which make it difficult or difficult to travel to the therapist’s office, online counseling can help you overcome these obstacles. People who suffer from social phobias, anxieties, and agoraphobia could be able to find online counselling more accessible.
Access support at the convenience at house (or wherever you happen to be) with no hassle of having to travel to meet with your counsellor. This not only helps reduce time and cost however, it can also allow people living in remote areas get access to experts who are further away. Additionally some therapists also offer extended hours of office for online sessions. Likewise, forms like email therapy permit you to communicate your thoughts when it is most effectively for you.
Some people are more comfortable sharing their thoughts and discussing sensitive issues via the buffer of phones or screens. For those who feel more anxious or nervous when they attend face-to-face counselling sessions online therapy could be another option for assistance.
Accessibility – by providing distance therapy sessions, this could reduce the cost for both clients and counsellors. Counsellors can pass on savings resulting from not having to hire private counseling spaces and cover the overheads associated with it which is evident in a lower hourly fee for online or phone sessions.
Privacy If you are concerned about other people finding the details of their treatment Online counseling can seem as if it provides a greater degree of security. Integrating seamlessly into your routine without having to make time to meet with a therapist. Some enjoy the feeling of privacy that they can experience by talking on screens.
The disadvantages of online therapy include:
Lack of non-verbal feedback that can help build the same type of rapport that is gained from face-to-face counseling can be a challenge for certain people. In the absence of immediate feedback through facial expressions and even verbal cues like the hm’ing sound, conversations can seem a bit more formal or the tone you want to convey can be lost.
Verification – Not all websites and apps employ therapists who are verified. Prior to signing up, or making your first contact ensure that you’re talking to an insured, qualified counsellor.
There are a variety of opinions about the effectiveness of online therapy. experts’ opinions are split and many of them agree that it is necessary to conduct more studies on the effectiveness of online therapy as compared to face-toface counselling. Certain experts believe that it’s best to use it as an adjunct, not being the sole therapy method and others think it works equally well. It is important to keep in mind that the different approaches can be effective with different individuals and circumstances it’s all about being sure you find the method that works for you.
Security and confidentiality – though counsellors are using encrypted or secure email as well as chat The character of the online therapeutic has more risk of being hacked. Counsellors are still held to the same ethical obligation to safeguard and protect your confidentiality as well as the security of your personal information.
Technology issues – a variety of issues that are unique to online therapy may cause interruptions to sessions. Internet connectivity issues and service outages computer glitches and server failures or network connectivity, as well as dropping calls could all interrupt how you go about your therapy and result in feelings of frustration.
It is also possible that you require basic computer knowledge, and a reliable internet connection in order to get maximum benefit from your chat sessions. Although counselors will often guide you through the fundamentals of using untested software or video chats however, you must make sure that your device and connection are stable.
Is online therapy the right option for me?
If you’re considering consulting with a counsellor or therapist, it’s important to consider the various possibilities available. It’s worth looking at your individual situation and the outcomes you want to gain from counselling.
If there are any specific obstacles that make face-to-face counselling more difficult, overwhelming or difficult to obtain, consider alternative alternatives like video or email counselling could be a good alternative.
It is important to establish your own personal zone of comfort. There’s no one right or wrong method to approach it. It’s okay to start with one approach or therapist and then move to another when you aren’t feeling at ease or feel like things are going according to plan for you. It’s about making sure you discover the method that is most effective for you.