eTopical Precious Finds
Online therapy (also known as teletherapy) offers many benefits. However, certain types of mental health conditions are better treated in person.
Apps and text-based services are less effective, as therapists can pick up on facial expressions and tone of voice. It’s also difficult to build a connection over email or text.
Convenience
The convenience of online therapy is a big advantage. Meeting with your therapist from the comfort of your home or private space can be helpful for people who might otherwise be hesitant to open up and talk to someone in person. This can also benefit those with mobility or other issues that make traveling long distances impractical.
Moreover, you can connect with your therapist at times that fit your busy schedule. This flexibility can be useful for parents with children or nurses on the frontlines of the pandemic, among others.
When choosing an online therapist, finding someone who makes you feel understood and supported is important. Consider reading reviews and giving introductory sessions to see if you can bond with your therapist. It’s also important to look for a platform that offers weekly live video sessions instead of text or messaging, which can be less effective at building the necessary connection. It’s also important to choose a therapist who is licensed and certified. For example, you should seek a therapist with special training in cross-cultural or indigenous issues.
Accessibility
Online therapy allows people to receive mental health care without having to commute or worry about finding a safe, private session space. The convenience of video conferencing also means that sessions can be held at times when it is most convenient for clients, such as after school or during lunch breaks.
Many therapists have begun offering online services through private practices or third-party online therapy directories. These services range from weekly live video chats to texting and messaging between clients and therapists. Regardless of the format, most online therapies provide a similar experience to in-person treatment.
However, the convenience of online therapy can lead to increased distraction, as therapists and patients may find it easier to get distracted by other tasks, such as work or chores at home. It can also be more difficult to connect emotionally, as body language can be hard to read via video. And, if internet service is lost during a session, reconnecting can be more challenging. In addition, research shows that if a therapeutic relationship is not sufficiently genuine online, it may be less effective than in-person sessions.
Ease of scheduling
Getting help means something other than fighting traffic, dealing with public transportation, sitting in a waiting room, paying for child care or taking time off work. With online therapy, you can schedule a video session or use asynchronous messaging to connect with your counselor when convenient.
However, it’s important to be clear on why you want to use online therapy before you begin sessions. For example, people with more serious mental health conditions may need more treatment than online therapy can provide. Also, if you have a severe addiction or an eating disorder, it’s not always effective to connect with your therapist via text or email.
Another drawback is that video conferencing sessions can be interrupted by internet outages, noises from pets or children, and unintentional disclosure of personal information like where you live. These challenges could affect the therapeutic relationship and how you feel about online therapy. Fortunately, these issues are solvable by choosing a trusted online therapy platform with easy-to-use software.
Confidentiality
The confidentiality of a therapy session is the principle that prevents private information from being shared outside the relationship. This is especially important in mental health care, where patients often feel uncomfortable discussing their feelings with friends or family members. This stigma can be overcome by online therapy, which allows individuals to connect with therapists without the worry of others knowing about their sessions.
Confidentiality is the property of a dataset or document that preserves authorized restrictions on access or disclosure, including means for protecting personal privacy and proprietary information. It can be achieved by either a unilateral confidentiality agreement restricting only one party or a bilateral confidentiality agreement between two parties. The term may also be applied to the general principle of not divulging confidential information, even to a trusted colleague.
Although several issues can arise from maintaining confidentiality, it generally encourages more people to seek treatment and allow them to be honest about their symptoms. There are some exceptions, however, such as in cases of sexual offenses and a duty to disclose where someone’s life is at risk.
Flexibility
Online therapy (teletherapy and e-therapy) allows people who may have trouble getting into a therapist’s office because of work, home, or mobility issues to access the mental health care they need. It is also an excellent option for people far away from a mental health provider or living in rural areas.
You typically have multiple formats when you receive services online, including messaging, chat rooms, and telephone calls. Many therapists offer weekly video call sessions as part of their virtual offerings, and other therapists have platforms that allow clients to schedule text-based, private sessions with them at any time of the week.
One downside of online therapy is that you and your therapist rely on an internet connection. This can cause issues if your internet service is interrupted or you can’t connect to the service due to other factors like weather or an emergency. In these situations, discussing with your therapist your options for canceling or rescheduling your appointment is important.
