What is it? Will it help?
In these troubling times, the importance of online therapy has become more apparent than ever. With the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak forcing many people to stay indoors, it might seem like there’s nowhere to turn for help in times of distress. What’s more, studies have shown that staying indoors can amplify the negative effects of mental health problems, particularly if those affected feel that they are trapped and have little avenue of escape.
For people seeking help or suffering from mental health problems, the ability to reach out to a professional online offers a solution. Many therapists have now made online counselling services a big part of their practice.
Online therapy can help you if family and friends aren’t close to hand or if you need professional help when face-to-face options aren’t possible. Speaking to someone via a phone call or online – for example, through a video conferencing platform or smartphone app – can help you explore your feelings and make positive steps without having to leave your comfort zone.
Laptop, tablet and phone for online therapy
Below are reasons why now more than ever would be a good time to give online therapy a go.
It is accessible
During this period of national (and international) quarantine and the requirement to stay at home, one of the best things about online therapy is how accessible it is. As long as you have a stable internet connection, you can contact someone no matter where you are. Often online therapists can have greater flexibility on appointments, and you’ll be able to book appointments at a time that suits your schedule.
COVID-19 has highlighted the issue but for some people, face-to-face appointments are simply not possible. For example, you may suffer from a disability that prevents you from leaving the house or live in rural or remote areas. You might suffer from social phobia (e.g. agoraphobia) or be in an unstable or dangerous family situation that might make it harder to venture out.
It is effective
There is evidence that online therapy can be as effective – if not more effective in some cases – than face-to-face therapy. A study published in 2018 declared that computer therapy for anxiety and depression disorders is ‘effective, acceptable and practical health care’.
The implication is that both online and physical therapy can offer good results and – depending on your preference and circumstances – may be the right option for you.
Tech solutions
There is now an abundance of ways to talk to people online which faciliate online counselling or therapy. Platforms such as Skype and Zoom (and many others) are good for one-to-one conversations and ideal for online therapy.
Because online therapy can be carried out alone, without some of the usual social interactions that might otherwise be involved (getting someone to drive you to an appointment, for example), it can help foster a feeling of independence, as well as help you open up more about certain topics.
Privacy and anonymity
Communicating via methods that don’t require face-to-face contact (i.e. a telephone call, or a Skype meeting with video turned off) could help unconsciously or consciously held biases about various facets of a person – such as race or gender – from affecting the conversation or your therapist’s diagnosis.
Online therapy can feel like a more private affair, making the whole process less intense and formal-feeling than a one-to-one meeting, and allow people to dip their toe into the water. It might help you feel that you can give a more comprehensive picture of yourself when speaking from the comfort of your own home.
Our online and telephone therapy includes most services we would normally offer face to face including Counselling, CBT, Psychotherapy, Child and Adolescent Therapy.
You can contact the therapists direct from their profile pages, call us on the number above or click here to send an enquiry.