The benefits of online therapy.
Shifting mindsets to an online world
For years, many therapists have been reluctant to embrace online (video-based) counselling, believing that it represents the poorer cousin of face-to-face support. However, a shift to this way of working has been one of the very few positives to come out of the pandemic. Covid-19 has been the catalyst that has propelled online counselling into the mainstream. It’s a method of therapy for which I have long been an advocate. Indeed, if you’re anything like me, finding the time to attend face-to-face therapy is incredibly challenging, particularly if you have childcare responsibilities, long commutes or even longer hours. Not only that, but, again, like me, if you live in a rural location, it can be difficult to find the right therapist – one that you feel connected to, that is affordable, and who has worked with the problems you’re experiencing.
Increasing access to mental health support
Increased accessibility is one of the major advantages of digital therapy. Particularly for those who might otherwise be prevented from engaging in counselling. It opens doors for clients who otherwise may find it difficult to access therapy, including those with disability or accessibility issues, those suffering from depression, agoraphobia, panic attacks, anxiety or social anxiety, who are finding it difficult to leave the house, those with caring or childcare responsibilities, older people and those with limited mobility, those living in rural populations or those who may be too ill to leave the house. It also works well for those who can't or don't wish to travel, who have no access to public transport, who have limited availability or who may want to access a wider choice of therapists on a national level. And, for those who live in small communities and who are concerned about being seen, it can feel more convenient and less stigmatising (1, 2). The accessibility provided by video-based therapy can afford a client greater flexibility and, in some instances, a greater feeling of safety.
Making it easier to share challenging emotions
Indeed, many clients feel that the distance provided by a computer screen acts as a protective barrier. The very fact that we are not in each others’ physical presence can allow clients to open up about their more difficult emotions in a way that they may not feel comfortable doing if we were in a room together (1). Although, it’s important to remember that there are always exceptions to this rule. Some may not feel safe in their own home or may find it difficult to share personal information for fear of being overheard. Similarly, some things may get lost in translation because, as a therapist, I can’t see the non-verbal, visual and physical cues that may give me a greater indication of how you are feeling (3).
Finding comfort in your own surroundings
Unlike in-person therapy which will typically take place in a counsellor’s professional office (1), the benefits of online therapy are that you can dial into the video call from a place that feels comfortable for you. For some, the physical presence of someone in an unfamiliar room can feel challenging and, in some clients, can be triggering (1). Indeed, I have a heightened sensitivity to noise, light and temperature, so if I can overhear voices, the ticking of a clock, if the lighting flickers or it is particularly bright, or if I am too cold, it can sometimes become uncomfortable and I find it difficult to focus.
Although, it's also important to remember that, for some, the mere physical presence of another person in face-to-face counselling provides protection and a calming presence that can help a client to regulate how they’re feeling (4).
Levelling out the power dynamic
Another advantage of online psychological support is the way that it can level out the power dynamic in the room. Because both the therapist and client are in their familiar surroundings, these contexts can provide an extra insight into their lives that perhaps you would not get had you met in an office (1). In therapy sessions, clients can show me photos, mementoes, drawings or poems that are meaningful to them. I’ve often had clients introduce their beloved pets, which, at times, have acted as a comfort when exploring difficult emotions. This can add an extra dimension to the therapy sessions and allows me to explore my client’s choice of surroundings with them.
Building a force for good in the online space
What is particularly important to me in offering digital therapy is that we start to change the narrative in a space that has been overshadowed by negativity and pain. While not its original intention, in recent years, social media and the internet have become a space for bullying, racism, hate speech and general nastiness. I’m passionate about embracing technology and commandeering the online space for good: to provide a compassionate, caring and supportive environment that enables meaningful change for the better.
If you feel ready to take the next step or have any additional questions about online therapy, why not drop me a message.
References
Chen, C. K., Nehrig, N., Wash, L., Schneider, J. A., Ashkenazi, S., Cairo, E., Guyton, A. F., & Palfrey, A. (2020). When distance brings us closer: leveraging tele-psychotherapy to build deeper connection. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 00(00), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070.2020.1779031
Smith, K., Moller, N., Cooper, M., Gabriel, L., Roddy, J., & Sheehy, R. (2021). Video counselling and psychotherapy: A critical commentary on the evidence base. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, June, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12436
Jerome, L. W., & Zaylor, C. (2000). Cyberspace: Creating a therapeutic environment for telehealth applications. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 31(5), 478-483.
Geller, S. M., and Porges, S. W. (2014). Therapeutic presence : Neurophysiological mechanisms mediating feeling safe in therapeutic relationships. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 24(3), 178.