When some people think of a psychotherapy or counselling setting, they conjure up images of a couch in a room with soft lighting and an attentive, serious looking professional listening intently. If influenced more by the traditional psychoanalytic set up, you might even imagine yourself lying on the couch staring at the ceiling, while the therapist sits in a chair nearby, out of sight. While this could be true for the classical psychoanalytic type of therapy, with more of the world moving to online interactions, the benefits of in-person sessions are now being weighed out against online alternatives. In a traditional sense, it was believed that there was a value in face-to-face connection and the therapist paying close attention to their clients’ body language. The dedicated, neutral space of a therapist's office provided the safe confidential space for emotional breakthroughs, as well as a well-placed box of tissues. While Freud may raise an eyebrow at the idea that the traditional therapy set up may not work for modern lifestyles, many clients of psychotherapy have already found that some advantages of online therapy are what allowed them to access therapy in the first place. Let’s look at some of these advantages:
Unparalleled Flexibility and Convenience
While grappling with an issue that leads someone to therapy, finding the time every week requires commitment, which in the case of in-person sessions is then multiplied by the time needed to get to the counselling room – not to mention the stress of travel (and the return journey after the session, while processing what was discussed). Online sessions effectively eliminate client commute time, allowing therapy to be accessed from a location of the client’s preference that has a suitably quiet confidential space. Some therapists also offer evening sessions, which would not be possible to attend if clients find it mentally taxing to travel home late after a session.
Enhanced Privacy and Discretion
Given that the space in which an online session is accessed in is of the client’s choosing, it is a good solution for those who are concerned about being seen entering a therapist’s office. Further, online sessions offered by reputed therapists will only use an encrypted online medium for the sessions, thereby assuring a high level of confidentiality. Other prerequisites such as client contracting and boundary setting remain the same regardless of how or where a session is held.
Broader Access to Specialised Care
One of the greatest advantages of online therapy is the ability to choose a particular therapist based on expertise and style, not just location. This means that it is possible for a client in another location - sometimes miles away from where the therapist is - to access therapy. This can be a massive factor, as it is possible to connect with niche specialists, or a specific therapist selected by the client, regardless of their physical location, for the best possible fit. Furthermore, through online sessions, clients can benefit from consistent sessions in the case of therapists who travel or practice from different locations, regardless of whether the therapist and client have ever met in person.
Comfort and Familiarity of Your Own Environment
Some people might feel that having the ability to select the space they access therapy from encourages a sense of safety and facilitates an openness that would be less possible to achieve in an unfamiliar counselling room. It also allows the possibility of bringing an element of the real world into the therapeutic process. As opposed to the traditional therapy office that is designed to be a neutral, distraction-free space, online therapy – as an extension of the client’s own environment - can make the therapeutic process feel like an ongoing, integrated part of your life, not a separate, contained event.
The ability to be in a space where you feel at ease and avoid the need to travel back after the session (especially the case if the session has been heavy and you need to put in an effort to compose yourself for the return journey) can provide reassurance for those who are concerned about how they might feel being in public directly after a session.
Would Online Therapy Suit My Lifestyle Better?
While in-person therapy maybe preferred by those who have expectations of a classical therapeutic set up, the unique benefits of online therapy can make it a superior choice for certain demographics. These include those with busy lifestyles, especially those with travel commitments who need to be able to access therapy on a weekly basis from different locations, and those juggling multiple commitments who prioritise convenience, privacy, and access to top-tier expertise.
The indications are that online psychotherapy will increase in time to come, broadening accessibility and reaching people who may have otherwise hesitated turning up in a traditional therapy room. Online therapy is now widely accepted by both professionals and clients as a legitimate, equally effective option. Ready to explore a more convenient and private path to mental health? Online sessions might be the perfect place to start.