Once upon a time, counselling and psychotherapy was purely and simply a face to face process. I for one, could not have ever foreseen a time when my clients and I weren't together in the same room. Then Covid struck and the world went into free fall for a period of time. None of us knew what was going on, or what was going to happen and so we had no choice other than to access therapy online. Fast forward to today and counselling has evolved far beyond the traditional therapy room.
Online counselling has become a powerful and accessible way for people to seek support. As a therapist, I have seen first-hand how this approach can make a real difference in people's lives.
One of the biggest barriers to starting therapy can be finding the time. A session is anywhere between 50 minutes to two hours, so trying to fit appointments into busy schedules, can make it impossible to commit to getting the support you want or need. Online counselling removes such barriers - all you need is a secure internet connection, a private space and your therapy is right there at your fingertips.
When we initially went into lockdown I worried that I couldn’t be there for my clients and being such an "old school" therapist, online therapy didn't initially even cross my mind, "it will never take on" I said to myself, and yet more and more clients made contact to request online sessions. From there, online sessions didn't slow down, they continued to be part of what clients wanted and therefore a service that made sense to offer. Clients with anxiety often say they feel more at ease when they access therapy from their own space. For some, familiarity can build a sense of safety which is crucial for the therapeutic process.
When counselling is online, clients have a far greater choice of therapists, they aren't limited to their immediate area. This means they can find someone who truly matches their needs, rather than someone who has free parking or is on convenient route home from work. The right fit is an essential part of successful therapy and the online platform widens that possibility.
Many of my clients have reconnected with me even though they now live abroad. This is something that would once have been impossible. Time zones are no longer a barrier to your therapist who can be way more flexible with appointment times online. The continuity of work with your therapist doesn't need to stop, which means you can maintain your therapeutic relationship wherever you are. Not breaking the momentum in your therapy makes a huge difference in client progress.
Something I had not thought about when I opened my physical practice many years ago, was the stigma that clients may feel about "needing" therapy. I remember one client in particular would ask me to text them "when the coast was clear". The worry about bumping into somebody they know from work or their social circle was a very real fear. Obviously, being a therapist, I believe we should all access therapy at points in our lives to talk through the overload we so often carry and bury. But not everyone feels that way. Online therapy completely eradicates this stigma and concern.
But is it as effective I hear you ask. Well, I remember accessing therapy for the very first time back in my early 20's. It was face-to-face and absolutely ineffectual. Not because my therapist wasn't any good, I'm sure she was, but because I did not engage fully with the process. I would cancel appointments, I would not do any of the between therapy work and in fact, I don't think I gave any thought to what we talked about in my sessions. Needless to say, there was zero change in my chaotic, disastrous life. Research shows that online counselling can be just as effective as in-person therapy. What matters most in counselling is the therapeutic relationship and the personal engagement and commitment of the client.
Long story short, online counselling, be it individual or couples, offers a flexible, accessible and highly effective way to receive professional support. Taking that first step to talk to a therapist about the things that are going on in your life, that you want to sort, change and/or heal from, is what matters most. If you have been considering counselling but felt that distance, time or other obstacles were holding you back, online therapy might be the bridge you need.
I used to be a diehard-in-person therapist. The very idea of online therapy perplexed me, but I am definitely a convert, now of the belief that, online counselling overcomes many of the barriers which previously prevented people seeking the help they wanted or needed.
Samantha De Bono
07588931401
