The COVID-19 crisis and the strict government guidance that ensued, changed how we would go on to interact and connect as individuals. New hosting platforms like Zoom, Skype & Microsoft Teams with simple, user-friendly interfaces emerged and quickly grew in popularity. Suddenly the online world wasn’t solely reserved for tech savvy youngsters connecting over Tik-Tok. There became new ways for us all to easily connect with loved ones, colleagues, or health care professionals in a highly normalised fashion.
Notably, many psychologists and clients alike, who would not have considered using virtual mediums for psychological therapy, were forced to go online: myself included! You’d be forgiven for thinking that online therapy might be a poor substitute for face-to-face interventions. There is increasing evidence to suggest that this is not the case, with online therapy yielding outcomes that are just as effective. Read that again! Yes, I said JUST as effective. I was not knocked sideways too.
In fact, studies suggest that for some individuals, online work is not only as effective but it can hold particular advantages over face-to-face therapy:
Online advantages
More choice
Choosing a therapist can be difficult, especially if there aren’t many in your local area to begin with. Therapy is extremely personal, and you don’t want to be forced into going with the only one that has availability. You want to find someone that you feel comfortable with and that has the expertise to help you. Working online gives clients more choice regarding who they select, the mode of therapy obtained and where and when they are seen. This can only be a good thing.
No travel
Clients engaging in face-to-face therapy usually commute to see their therapist, often at busy times of the day (like after work), which can feel stressful. There is nothing more frustrating than being held up in a meeting, caught in a traffic jam, or missing the bus, on a day where you really need to get somewhere on time. Especially, when therapists are renowned for hold strong boundaries around lateness and session slots are usually not extended because of it. Online therapy gets round any commute hassles. It’s also much greener.
Reduced interruptions to treatment
Generating enough momentum by attending appointments regularly and consistently is often seen as the key to achieving positive outcomes. Otherwise, large chunks of sessions can be eaten up re-learning strategies or filling in your therapist on what they’ve missed in the gap. When you’re working online, a week away from home on a business trip, a holiday, or a visit to extended family, doesn’t have to mean a week away from treatment. Equally if you find yourself sick on the day of your appointment but still want to show up to your session, you can and without any worry about making your therapist sick too. The less interruptions your therapy has the better and online mediums can be a real help here.
Reduced costs
Most therapists conducting face to face therapy, rent a room in which to see clients. This cost is passed back to the consumer. As a result, online therapists are usually able to offer the same meaningful intervention at a reduced rate. This can only be a good thing for both parties.
Accessible
Clients who live very rurally, do not have regular access to transport, or are housebound, may have a strong desire to obtain therapeutic support but lack the means. Equally, some individuals relocate frequently and delay pursuing therapy for this reason. Historically if a client who was engaging in face-to-face work relocated, or indeed their therapist did, the psychological intervention would often be brought to a premature end. This need not happen with online therapy. Without question, online therapy can support a much wider cross section of people. I worked for a long-time in the field of chronic pain and know the immense physical toll attending appointments can have on individuals. Online mediums offer new avenues of support when face-to-face work simply isn’t feasible.
Whilst there are clear benefits to working online, it is not free from drawbacks and it is important to spend some time reviewing these.
Online drawbacks
Firstly, online therapy is likely to be less suitable for those struggling to find a quite space at home, free from disruptions and interruptions. If you live in a busy and chaotic household, don’t panic. It can be worth considering if there are times of day where your home is calmer, or if there is scope to leave your home and go somewhere else, like your car.
Online work may also be less appropriate for those who are hearing impaired, and lip read, or those who struggle to interpret non-verbal communication. This is because subtle visual cues, such as body language aren’t always easy to see on a video call. There are strategies and work arounds to minimise the impact this can have on therapy but it is an important consideration, nonetheless.
Finally, there may also be technological glitches from either the therapist or client which could disrupt the flow and feel of therapy sessions. Ideally your therapist will be an experienced online user and be able to rectify most problems their end and support you to do the same, so these issues should be infrequent and short-lived.
Whilst you will hopefully be concluding that there are pros and cons to online work, it will be important to take the time to ask yourself ‘What medium of therapy feels right to me’? Your preferences matter – always listen to your gut.
If you do decide to pursue obtaining online therapy, here are my top tips for giving yourself the best possible chance of having a successful experience:
“If online working is right for you….”
Optimise your technology set-up
- Ensure you have an appropriate electronic device for therapy sessions and make sure the device it is well charged. I recommend using a computer or tablet rather than a mobile phone for video calling, as this will replicate face to face more closely and thus feel more familiar.
- Ensure that you have a good internet connection to minimise connection difficulties and check that your camera and audio work ahead of the meeting.
- Download software such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams ahead of the meeting and familiarise yourself a little with the programme. If you decided to join the Holding Hope Therapies Practice, you will be provided with a handy How to Guide, before your first session.
Consider how to best support yourself
- Consider where the best place is to conduct the therapeutic conversation. Is there a part of your house which is quieter and more private?
- Consider how you want to arrive in the space. Can you take a few minutes before the session to get yourself comfortable, fix yourself a glass of water and take a few deep breaths before logging on?
- During the session, it will be important to tell your therapists if you do not hear or understand something that they have said. It is particularly important as some of the usual visual cues that exist in face-to-face work to help suggest that something has been missed, may not be so available.
- Where possible, try to minimise external distractions. This may mean turning off or silencing mobile phones and computer alerts, so that you can fully attend to the conversation in front of you.
- Lastly upon the session ending, do take some time for yourself to process what has been said, before launching straight back into your day-to-day life.
I hope this article has been useful, whoever you choose to be your therapist and whichever mode of therapy you select.
