Online therapy, often known as teletherapy or telehealth counselling, is the delivery of mental health and emotional support services via digital communication channels.
It entails communicating with a professional therapist or counsellor through the Internet. It is generally carried out through video chats, text messages, or phone conversations, instead of meeting in person at a conventional therapy office.
In recent times, this type of treatment has become more popular. It provides those in need of assistance with their mental health with greater accessibility, comfort, and flexibility.
Online therapy has grown to be a significant and changing component of the field of mental health care, with new opportunities and difficulties for both therapists and patients.
Advantages of Online Therapy
- Accessibility: People who reside in distant places with physical limitations, or encounter transportation challenges have easier access to online therapy.
- Convenience: You don’t need to leave the comfort of your home or space to get a therapy. Clients can incorporate therapy into their everyday routines by scheduling and reaching out to the therapist digitally.
- Privacy: Physical meeting with a therapist could get the attention of people around you. However, having an online session with a therapist gives you more privacy as the conversation is held through your device. It’s just between you and the therapist.
- Reduced travel time: You don’t have to spend hours on the road before you can access a therapist, as you can get an immediate response via your phone, laptop, etc.
- Cost-effective: You don’t have to spend money commuting to and from the therapist’s office. Online therapy is more affordable than the traditional way of therapy. It is more affordable as you can choose from the different subscriptions to fit into your budget.
Challenges of Online Therapy
While online therapy offers many benefits, it also comes with several challenges and concerns that individuals should be aware of:
- Technical issues and Internet connectivity: Online therapy requires good Internet and devices. Not knowing how to use this technology can make online therapy harder for some people. Having a poor network will also mar the session.
- Lack of physical presence: The traditional way of therapy breeds a deeper connection. However, if you thrive on a face-to-face interpersonal connection, online therapy may not be the right one for you.
- Miscommunication: Communication includes body language, physical gestures, and subtle verbal cues.
- Digital literacy: If a client isn’t technology or digital literate, then such a person will not be able to utilise online therapy.
- Therapist competence: You might not be able to validate or confirm the qualifications of a therapist, especially when starting a new session. The confidentiality agreement might be broken as you won’t know whether they are alone in the room.
Taking care of your mental health is more crucial than ever in the hectic world of today. However getting the help you need can be difficult due to a hectic schedule, geographic limitations, and the rising demands of daily life.
Fortunately, online therapy gives a novel viewpoint on mental health care. It also opens up a world of opportunities for people looking for support and recovery.
Researched By: Olamide Opebiyi
