Online counselling has become popular in recent years. Rather than going into an office to meet with a therapist face-to-face, you can now communicate with them remotely using video chat, phone calls, or messaging. Such convenience and accessibility make it an appealing option over traditional in-person sessions.
If you are considering booking an online counselling session, understanding the specific benefits of this option can help you decide if it’s right for you. Here are some of the main benefits:
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1. Convenience
As mentioned earlier, the main thing that makes online counselling more appealing than its traditional alternative is convenience. It’s arguably the service’s biggest selling point that attracts many people, especially those with tight daily schedules.
But what makes it convenient?
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Flexible Scheduling
With the traditional route, you may need to contact or visit your counselling office during normal business hours to book or reschedule an appointment. This may mean that having sessions or getting in touch with your clinic outside of normal business hours may not be possible.
On the flip side, online counsellors typically offer more flexible scheduling. You can often find a virtual therapist who offers sessions at a time that fits your unique schedule. This means that you can attend therapy without compromising your other important plans.
Many experts provide online therapy sessions during early morning, evening, or weekend hours. As such, they can accommodate clients that are available outside standard work schedules.
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Accessibility
If your location is making it challenging for you to access therapy services, then online counselling maybe the right option for you. With this approach, location ceases to be a barrier to mental healthcare.
You can be on vacation, a work trip, or out-of-town and still attend your sessions. All you need is a smartphone or laptop with webcam capabilities and access to a reliable internet connection, and you’re good to go.
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Saved Commuting Time
How many hours do you spend on the road going to work and coming back home? Now, imagine spending more hours driving to your counsellors office. With online therapy services, you can save time and channel it to other important tasks. Once you have your smartphone or computer, you can immediately transfer from a home or work environment into counselling sessions.
2. Anonymity
Anonymity is a hugely important factor for anyone seeking therapy. Many people are reluctant and struggle with fear and stigma when starting counselling for mental, emotional or psychological issues. The anonymity afforded through online channels can make taking that first step easier. Here is how:
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Privacy around Attending Sessions
If someone opts for in-office counselling at a clinic near their home or workplace, they may feel concerned about being spotted entering the therapy office by someone they know. The questions and assumptions that could be raised may feel uncomfortable for them. But by attending remote video or phone sessions from home, there is complete privacy. No one even has to know they are in counselling unless they choose to share that info. This makes moving forward feel safer.
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Encourages More Open Sharing and Emotional Safety
It’s common to hold back details when first establishing a therapeutic relationship with a counsellor. However, sharing is fundamental for identifying issues and making progress. Working with a virtual therapist means that you will be able to attend session from the comforts of your home. This typically allows some clients to feel a greater sense of emotional safety when sharing deeper issues like trauma, grief, difficult relationships, abuse issues, etc. When clients feel safe in their environment, this often supports more openness to share difficult and painful emotions, which are ultimately an important part of the healing process. Online counselling leverages anonymity in ways that can give power back to the patient – the choice to privately attend sessions anywhere without being identified. This empowers people to access help by eliminating fear-related barriers. More openness then aids counselling progress so patients feel supported. For certain individuals, that anonymity makes all the difference in taking those first steps.
3. Variety
There are tons of licensed counsellors offering online services. This gives you more options to find the best therapist to match your personality, issues, background, and age group. It allows you to connect with counsellors specializing in specific or rare issues. For instance, you may be able to connect more easily with therapists who specialized in working with atypical diagnoses and specific therapeutic modalities such as cognitive behavioural therapy.
Also, with this variety, marginalized demographics can find counsellors who share lived experiences around their racial background, nationality, gender identity, or culture, for example. This representation can assist in building the trust, relatability and insight essential for progress.
Wrapping Up
Online counselling offers numerous benefits that make mental health support more accessible and convenient. The flexibility to attend sessions remotely anytime from anywhere can be extremely appealing to busy people or those with mobility challenges. Anonymity also encourages more people to pursue counselling by eliminating fear or stigma. And with the variety of specialized providers available online, you can find the right therapist to address your unique situation or background.
