The Benefits Of Online Therapy

In the digital era, the way we seek and receive healthcare services has undergone a significant transformation. Online psychological therapy, also known as e-therapy or teletherapy, has emerged as a revolutionary approach to mental health support, transcending geographical barriers and empowering individuals to prioritise their wellbeing.

With the advent of secure and accessible online platforms, the benefits of virtual therapy have become increasingly evident, redefining the way we approach mental healthcare.

This article explores some of the advantages of online psychological therapy and its transformative impact on both therapists and clients. From the convenience of scheduling sessions from the comfort of one's own home to the ability to connect with specialised therapists regardless of location, online therapy offers a wealth of benefits that are revolutionising the field of mental health support.

What Is Online Therapy?

Online therapy usually means having a video call over the Internet with a therapist.

Online therapy helps therapists work with clients who can’t meet in person: either temporarily or for the duration of the therapy:

• Online therapy can be a temporary measure when a client is unable to attend, for example because of work or ill health.
• Sometimes, therapists and clients commit to working online through the therapy in order to make the most of their work together.

Online therapy is also a positive choice for clients looking for greater flexibility and access to specialists.

Online Therapy vs Remote Therapy vs Teletherapy

The terms ‘remote therapy’ and ‘teletherapy’ are often used interchangeably with online therapy. If in doubt, check with the therapist using the term about how they prefer to work.

Benefits Of Online Therapy

Flexibility

Working online means that the therapist and the client can work together whatever their circumstances. For clients with unpredictable work schedules such as those who work unsocial hours or who travel for work, having a regular online therapy appointment can provide some much-needed stability in a busy routine. (Find out more about therapy can support clients with stressful jobs).

With online therapy, individuals can schedule sessions that fit seamlessly into their daily routines, eliminating the need for time-consuming commutes and allowing for more efficient use of time.

Online therapy also helps people with chronic health conditions that can affect their mobility: for example, people with autoimmune conditions, long Covid or chronic fatigue may find it difficult to attend in-person during a flare-up.

Access To Specialists

By leveraging technology, individuals can connect with qualified therapists regardless of their physical location. If a client is looking for a therapist with a specialism, it can be helpful to look beyond locations they can attend in person. For example, if a client is looking for a therapist who practises a specific modality, such as compassion-focused therapy, they may need to look beyond the local area.

This is particularly significant for those residing in remote areas or regions lacking sufficient mental health resources. The ability to access therapy remotely empowers individuals to overcome logistical obstacles and ensures that mental health support is available to a wider population.

Online therapy can also help clients avoid waiting lists for local therapists. For example, if a client is looking for an EMDR therapist who can start right away, it may be faster to search for both in-person and online EMDR therapists.

Cost

For those on tight budgets, weekly therapy may feel like quite a financial commitment already. Saving money on travel and childcare costs can make the commitment easier for the client and help them make the most of the process by reducing the impact on their budgets.

Is Online Therapy Effective?

Yes, online therapy is effective and has been shown to help. New research, such as this 2022 study, is emerging regularly.

How To Do Online Therapy

Use our simple four-step guide to prepare for a session.

1. Plan When And Where To Meet

Once you know what time and date your session will take place, it may help to check what platform your therapist wants to meet on – Telehealth is preferred by some providers. Whatever platform it is, you can save time and stress on the day by checking that you have downloaded the platform, installed the latest updates, and know how to log in and join the session.

2. Find Some Privacy

One of the challenges of online therapy is that you usually participate in the session from home. But if you live with friends, family or flatmates, they may worry about being overheard.

The easiest way to deal with this worry, if you can, is to be open and honest about your therapy session with the people you live with, and ask them to help you find privacy. They may offer to stay in another part of the home where they can’t overhear you, or even leave the house during the session.

If you’re not comfortable asking the people you live with for privacy, find the place that feels the most private and participate from there, such as in a bedroom behind a closed door. It might be a good idea to let your therapist know if you’re worried about being overheard, as it may affect what you discuss (or avoid) during the session.

3. Make Time Around The Session

Therapy can be upsetting, frustrating and tiring, so make time to manage transitions before and after a session. Creating ‘time padding’ around the session can help manage the change.

If you can, find 15 minutes before a session to set up your space, have a drink of water and use the bathroom. If 15 minutes is too long, try to settle in 10 or even five minutes before the session starts.

After therapy some people like to sit quietly or journal, so if you have time try each of these things and see how they feel.

If you can’t schedule time for yourself after therapy, you might still appreciate having a short window of time to collect yourself. Most therapy sessions are 50 minutes long, so it might help to use the last 10 minutes of the hour like you did beforehand, to have a drink of water or use the bathroom before starting your next activity.

4. Prepare For Technical Problems

One of the main downsides of online therapy is that sessions might be affected by technical problems but preparing well for a session, and anticipating technical problems, can go a long way to helping you cope with disruption if (or when) it happens.

It helps to know how to contact your therapist in the event you can’t log on, or get disconnected: most therapists use email but others may want you to text or call. If you can, ask your therapist before the session what to do.

Contact Resilient Wellbeing Clinic to find out more or schedule an appointment.