We shop online, bank, and read the news online but does counselling therapy work online?
Advances in technology have opened up a new range of opportunities for mental health treatment, including online therapy. So, what are some of the benefits of having counselling online and does it work?
As a counsellor I chose to take an additional qualification in online counselling to ensure I can work safely online, as from my perspective, one immediate benefit of being able to work online is that more people can access counselling. I can reach out to people that live in my area who are not able to travel, as well as people who live further afield in remote areas, and to those who simply like the convenience of online sessions. Counsellors working online create more choice for potential clients, particularly if you want to find a counsellor who specialises in working with a particular issue.
Online counselling is not much different from traditional counselling, the main difference being, that instead of going to a counsellor’s room, the session happens via an online video platform such as Zoom. For some clients this helps manage some of their anxiety about having therapy.
Common anxieties about therapy include struggling with meeting new people face to face and feeling anxious at the thought of going to a new place. People often worry about finding somewhere to park, or having to rely on public transport, or worry that they will be late for their appointment. Another concern can be about who they might bump into outside the counselling rooms. There can also be just a general feeling of pressure about coming to a counselling room, especially if it is your first visit, and that’s completely normal. You are in a new place, meeting a new person, which can affect your comfort levels. Online counselling can help manage these anxieties as it allows you to have sessions from the comfort of your own home, a familiar place, which can help you feel more comfortable.
When people feel comfortable and safe, it’s much easier for them to open up, especially if they are naturally shy. Face to face meetings, especially with a counsellor, can make some people feel unsettled. In contrast, the virtual barrier created in online sessions can allow some clients to feel calmer, making it easier for them to openly discuss their issues. If you are someone who finds it easier to express yourself without seeing the other person’s body language or facial expressions, then telephone counselling may be another option for you.
Scheduling a session is much more convenient when it’s online or over the telephone.
Perhaps you feel that counselling would help you, but you worry about having another thing to squeeze into your already busy, overloaded, and overwhelming week. Does your work timetable mean that you are never in the same place at the same time each week? With online counselling, you can attend sessions from wherever you may be. You can be at home, in the office, or even on a trip and you can still schedule an appointment with your counsellor. This allows for a more flexible schedule, making therapy much more convenient for your busy calendar. The most important thing to remember is that you will need to be in a confidential space where you feel safe. Using headphones with a microphone can also help to keep the conversation more private.
So does online counselling work? I believe that the power of counselling does not rely on whether its face to face, online or telephone. I believe that the power lies in the relationship between the client and counsellor. It’s about finding the right counsellor for you. For counselling to be effective the relationship between you and your counsellor needs to be a trusting and safe relationship so that you feel safe enough to be open and honest with your counsellor and feel able to disclose and discuss sensitive issues. It’s about your counsellor focusing on you and listening without judgement and about you, the client, being open and able to engage with the process when you are ready to do so.
I have worked face to face and online with my clients and have experienced moments of relational depth with clients in both types of counselling. What do I mean by relational depth? Those moments when two people experience a shared understanding and recognition, when there is a moment of deeper connection. Counselling can be transformative whether it is face to face or online or even over the telephone. It is the professional relationship between counsellor and client that encourages change while not forgetting that we are all human beings.
Please get in touch if you would like online or telephone counselling at joanne@joanneosheacounselling.co.uk or 07551 195435.
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