Online therapy has transformed mental health access in this digital age. You may now easily connect with a therapist online, saving you from having to go to their office. People are using networks like Skype for psychoanalysis even in nations like China.
Online therapy has various names, including e-therapy or cybertherapy. The main aim of online counsellors these days is to provide counselling remotely. This way they not only reach a wider population but can also make mental health resources easily accessible to people. This article will investigate the efficacy of online therapy, exploring its effectiveness and implications for the traditional therapy landscape.
Online Counselling: What Is It?
Online Counselling, also referred to as e-therapy, involves delivering counselling services remotely using Internet technologies. This includes email, text messages, phone calls, or video conferences. A more general term for this practice is "tele-psychotherapy," which refers to utilizing digital communication channels to provide therapy or counselling sessions from a distance.
How are online counselors different from in-person counselors?
Online counsellors are similar to in-person counsellors since they hold the same certifications and undergo similar training. The main difference is that online therapists provide support remotely using a virtual setting. They still utilize effective therapy techniques to assist individuals with their mental health concerns. Like online psychologists, online counsellors prioritize providing high-quality care. They play an important role in addressing mental health issues in the digital space
Understanding Online Counselling Effectiveness
A 2020 study in the European Journal of Educational Research showed that online counselling through video, voice, or text is just as effective as in-person counselling. While the study focused on young adults, it revealed that participants were already familiar with online platforms, which made them more at ease discussing personal matters with a counsellor virtually. The online experience closely resembles face-to-face interactions. This helps build trust and connection. The important parts of counselling like empathy and openness can happen just as effectively online.
Even students who didn't receive counselling but were attending lectures and knew they could get counselling later still felt better over time. Some students stopped participating, but those who stayed might have wanted to be there, which could have affected the results.
Why Did Some People Drop Out?
Some students were too busy with school or didn't believe counselling would help them. Those who stuck around might have been more convinced of the benefits. People who met with a counsellor in person felt better emotionally and mentally over time. However technical issues, led to people dropping out leading to online counselling not being as long-lasting as offline sessions.
Factors That Make Online Counselling Effective:
When looking for mental health help, online therapy has become a popular choice since it offers several advantages that traditional in-person treatment might not always give. Here are a few reasons why online counselling sessions have worked well:
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Enhanced Accessibility: Research conducted in 2004 by Sussman and in 2008 by Maples & Han demonstrated that online therapy provides mental health services to those who encounter obstacles such as residing in isolated locations or finding it challenging to leave their homes because of illness or familial obligations.
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Suitable for Clients with Social Anxiety: Research conducted in 2003 by Lange et al. and 2005 by Barnett demonstrates that online counselling offers a comfortable choice for clients who are socially phobic and may be concerned about in-person treatment.
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Affordability and Convenience: Studies conducted in 2001 by Griffiths and in 2002 by Bailey and collaborators revealed that online counselling sessions are more convenient and affordable because this way clients can connect with their counselor from any convenient place as long as they have a stable internet connection.
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Flexible Scheduling: Online counselling offers flexibility in scheduling sessions in terms of slot timings and the type of sessions you want to book, like video, call or chat-based sessions. One can always opt for a call session instead of a video session if their circumstances do not permit video sessions. Let’s say a client does not have the privacy to talk to a counsellor. In this case, they can schedule a chat-based session with the counselor.
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Enhanced Self-Disclosure: Walker (2007) highlighted the therapeutic effects of writing. It's said to be a beneficial method for people to express their emotions, externalize their issues, and let go of bottled-up sentiments. Furthermore, writing can help people become more self-aware and experience less emotional strain by giving them a platform to express themselves freely (Barak, 1999; Yager, 2001). In contrast to in-person counselling sessions, some people believe that writing allows them to be more open and honest.
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Extended Assistance to Conventional Treatment: By offering more assistance, follow-up, and longer counselling sessions, online counselling may assist conventional treatment.
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Better Access for Isolated Populations: Video call technology holds promise in addressing the healthcare needs of individuals who face barriers to accessing mental health services due to factors such as remoteness, disability, or marginalized status. Some studies support this idea as well.
Online counselling gives you a user-friendly option for taking up online counseling sessions. It helps to lower costs, has 24/7 availability, and allows you to have a customizable schedule, making it more accessible to everyone. This makes it possible to overcome barriers in mental healthcare by making support widely available, regardless of location or specific needs.
How You Can Know If Online Counseling Is the Best Fit For You
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Preferring Different Forms of Communication
If you favour virtual communication methods such as email, chat, video calls, and phone calls you are more likely to find online counselling a suitable therapy option.
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Strong Writing or Communication Skills
You may realize that online therapy is more advantageous for you because it provides chat possibilities. You can go ahead and set up an online counselling session if these alternatives feel comfortable to you.
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Preference Towards Self-Help Materials
Online counselling can be enhanced by incorporating digital resources such as self-help books, online forums, and educational websites. By using these resources, individuals can explore additional support and guidance outside of their counselling sessions. If you value accessing these resources, online counselling may be a suitable option for your therapy needs.
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Physical or Severe Mental Health Challenges
Think about how health conditions, physical limitations, or medications might affect your therapy options. For example, severe mental health issues like depression can make in-person appointments challenging. In such situations, online therapy can provide a more accessible way to receive support.
These are some pointers that you can keep in mind while choosing how you would like to go about your therapy journey. Remember, online therapy sessions are all about improving your mental health. When making decisions about this journey, choose what works best for you. The crucial step is taking action to enhance your well-being, regardless of whether you prefer online or in-person therapy.
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