Currently, it is very common to shop, watch movies and do a lot of things online. New technologies have changed the way people relate, communicate and inform themselves. For this reason, it is now possible to carry out psychological therapy from anywhere with internet access.
Online therapy consists of consulting a psychologist online, as is done traditionally, using the means that technology offers. It is not a new type of therapy, but a channel, a way to make traditional therapy more accessible to everyone equally.Â
The main difference between classical psychological therapy and online therapy is that in the latter there is no need for the psychologist and the patient to be in the same room. Instead of sharing a common space, both use electronic devices to maintain a connection in real-time.
In this way, using tablets, PCs, or laptops, both parties transmit verbal and non-verbal information that the other person can see at the same time that those images and sounds are emitted.
Benefits of online therapy
Each and every reason that makes online therapy a better option than the traditional one will be described below:
Saving time
One of the advantages of consulting an online psychologist is saving time. This type of therapy requires less travel time and physical means to perform, being, therefore, cheaper than face-to-face therapy. In this sense, the patient will only need a computer or a phone and an internet connection.
AccessibilityÂ
Online therapy is an opportunity to receive psychological help for people with a physical limitation that prevents or hinders movement. It is also more accessible for people who, due to the place where they live, due to their schedules or vital circumstances, cannot travel in person to the consultation.
Anonymity
Although some people may find face-to-face therapy closer, others will find it easier to express themselves or talk about their concerns through online therapy, as is often seen that happens when people chat or talk on the phone.
Comfort
The possibility of receiving psychological attention being at home makes people feel more comfortable, avoiding the stress of moving from one place to another and then waiting to be served in a boring waiting room.
Adaptation
The appearance of this therapy is born from the need to adapt the psychologist’s work to new technologies and to the new rhythm of life. Innovation in the fields of healthcare and psychology makes it possible to democratize services and make them available to everyone.
To wrap it up
From what has been researched so far, online therapy seems to offer the same effectiveness as the classic sessions in which the therapist’s office visits: the differences are not significant. Patients react in a very similar way to techniques used by mental health professionals.
In short, if there are different aspects between online and face-to-face therapy, these are quantitative, not qualitative, since all the elements present in the face-to-face psychological intervention are also present in the online therapy.
Currently, on the web, there are many services that you can access, and for those who are interested in trying this excellent method, a good place to start research is at Healthcanal.com.
Now, there’s a nuance that is worth keeping in mind. Online therapy works well, among other things, because it allows patients to receive assistance while at home. This, for many people, is a very important advantage, since it isn’t the same to open up and be honest about any problem in an office than to do it in a family environment in which one feels safer.
