The recent COVID-19 pandemic has forced all of us to completely change the way we live in just the course of a few weeks.
As a result, many counselling services have moved to offering online therapy and counselling using services such as Skype, Zoom, and Facetime.
An important question remains, however, is online counselling as effective as face to face sessions?
What are Online Counselling and Online Therapy?
Online Counselling and online therapy are methods of providing talking therapy using computers, tablets or mobile phones.
It is most commonly delivered using programs or apps such as Skype, Facetime, or Zoom, all of which allow you and your therapist to see each other whilst talking in real time.
Most of these programs or apps are free of charge and as such provide a way of being in touch with people (including friends and family) when physical distance is a factor.
With the recent social distancing measures, Psychologists, Counsellors and Therapists are able to use this technology to offer counselling and therapy, including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), to people in their own home during lock-down.
What Happens During Online Counselling and Online Therapy?
During online therapy your counsellor or psychologist works with you to assess the problem and help you overcome your difficulty, just as they would in-person.
Some therapists (such as myself) are able to use screen sharing to draw on the screen in real time to map out your problem, enabling even greater interaction between us.
Sessions are generally the same length, and are similarly arranged as appointments. The content and structure of the online session is often the same as when working with you face to face.
What Problems Can Online Counselling and Therapy Help With?
Much like when working face to face, different psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists differ in the range of problems they work with.
Our team specialise in a range of problems and are able to use online therapy to you with:
- Depression
- Anxiety (including health anxiety, panic attacks and worry)
- Sleep problems (insomnia, nightmares and waking)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Trauma
- Relationship Difficulties
- Family Problems
- Bereavement, Loss & Grief
- Stress, Tension & Pain
- Addictions
- Child Counselling & Child Psychology
How Effective is Online Counselling Compared with Face to Face?
Our clients’ experiences with online counselling and online therapy over Skype, Facetime and Zoom has been incredibly positive, with clients reporting huge benefit from our online counselling services.
Here are some comments we have received about our online therapy sessions:
• “Online counselling has helped me to manage stress effectively and stay motivated to take part in healthy daily practices…” (JM, 27)
• “It [online therapy] has helped me to appreciate and feel good about the things I can do, rather than dwell on those things I can’t…” (HF, 32)
• “I didn’t think that online [therapy] would be anywhere near as good as in person but I’m glad I contacted you – I feel much better through your service.” (LJ, 41)
Our Associate Specialist Therapists (who each provide online couples counselling, child counselling and addictions counselling) and their clients also described online counselling to be helpful in enabling them to overcome their problems.
Overall, it seems that online counselling (or at least, with us) is effective in being able to help people like you overcome their difficulties.
Contact Us About Our Online Counselling and Online Therapy Services
Managing stress, depression, anxiety and your overall mental health is more important during this time than ever. Working with us online can help you overcome your difficulties during this unprecedented time.
To find out more about whether our online therapy sessions can help you, contact us today using the box below or call 07966645198.
Best wishes,
Dr Stuart Sadler
Lead Clinical Psychologist
