Therapy has been available online for a long time however, since the pandemic hit the world, there has been an increase in organisations offering online therapy and psychotherapists venturing into online modes of providing their service. Online therapy is essentially the providing of therapy services using the internet. This may involve online therapy services mostly through audio or video sessions.
Online therapy or counselling is increasingly becoming popular in today’s world. Let’s review a few possible advantages of opting for online therapy or counselling.
Relative ease of online mode of therapy
Travel: Online therapy does not require any form of travel unlike offline mode of therapy where the client has to travel to the hospital or the clinic to meet the therapist. This could reduce the chances of either the client or the therapist being late due to traffic and thus missing the session.
Anonymity: Though the negative view of mental health concerns is being reduced, there still exists a stigma attached to mental health and mental health disorders. Thus, individuals when seeking therapy, might be hesitant due to the possibility of being seen by others and thus being judged. This issue is no longer a concern in online therapy as there is no need for the client to stay in a waiting room. Online therapy offers more anonymity than offline therapy in this regard.
Geography: Many have experienced geography and location to be an issue when considering therapy. It may be that there is a lack of mental health centers nearby. In online mode, virtually anyone in any corner of the world can attend therapy so long as they have access to a stable internet connection.
Openness: Some studies have found that individuals are more likely to converse without hesitation and disclose their issues sooner than when in a face-to-face offline session, as the online mode provides them with a secure environment.
Comfort: Even though psychologists’ offices or clinics are comfortable, it still is a foreign space and would require a bit of time for us to be completely at ease and home there. This concern is being rectified in online therapy as the client is able to go for therapy within the comforts of their own home.
Time to wind down: sometimes, therapy opens up many Pandora's boxes in our mind and we may require a few extra minutes after the session to wind down. This might be hard in an offline setting with other people present. However, in an online setting, once the session is over, the client can take as long as desired to take a breath and relax without having to worry about anyone else’ presence.
Reduced costs: With a clinic or office no longer required, zero travel costs, there may be a reduction in costs when considering an online mode of therapy than an offline mode.
Online mode of therapy comes with various benefits. However, it cannot be said that an online mode of therapy is superior to an offline mode. Both forms of therapy have benefits, some which the other may not offer. Online mode of therapy has definitely increased the availability to mental health professionals. Thus, aiding many in accessing much needed help with relative ease.
However, when opting for an online mode of therapy, care should be practiced as there may be individuals who are not qualified to provide therapy offering their services under the premise that they are professionals. There are many online motivational coaches that are not qualified to deal with mental health concerns and can do more damage than good, please confirm with your therapist about their qualifications.
Kaizen Wellbeing is an online therapy platform in Dubai, UAE that caters to South Asian community. There is a dearth of good therapy establishments that accommodate the mental health needs of the brown community. We aim to bridge that gap by providing you quality and affordable care by qualified and warm therapists. Reach out at hello@kaizenwb.com or +971 50 961 8796 and book your first session towards understanding yourself and other’s better.
If you have any queries please put them down in the comments section and we will try our best to answer them and help you out.
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