Online & Telephone Therapy
Online Therapy is fast becoming a present-day alternative for therapeutic support. Online/Telephone therapy refers to therapy conducted via the internet or telephone. Some people may prefer to use video conferencing so that they can see each other as they speak, and some may prefer to use just audio. Online Therapy is not a replacement for traditional face to face therapy, nor is it suited to all, but it can be an additional space in which to explore the issues and dilemmas that life throws at us with greater convenience and ease.
Benefits and Challenges of online/telephone therapy
Some things you may enjoy about therapy online/via telephone are:
You can create a comfortable and private space in your own home from which to attend therapy.
You may find it easy to talk, focus and express yourself. One advantage of online therapy is the dis-inhibition effect, where some people feel more comfortable opening up and discussing problems when they are online.
You may enjoy wearing comfortable clothes, and avoiding a commute before and after a therapy session.
If you are unable to travel to see a therapist due to physical hurdles, phobias, or other mental health issues that may prevent you from travelling or spending time in new environment.
We may be able to be more flexible about scheduling.
While some experts believe the efficacy of online therapy is not as strong as face to face, there is mounting evidence to suggest that the outcome of these methods is at least equal to the effects of traditional therapy. It is just a different way of providing therapy.
Remember to give your telephone and online sessions time. Like face-to-face counselling, it can take a while to adapt to the process and for us to develop a rapport with each other. The most important thing is that you have reached out for help, and are giving yourself access to resources that can help you to achieve the changes you are looking for.
How Online/Telephone Therapy works
Your session will still be arranged in advance at a time to suit you and you can decide whether you'd like to communicate via video conferencing or telephone. As your therapist I will work in a private, quiet and uninterrupted space which is confidential, and will request that you can offer the same. I will ensure to keep up to date all platforms, operating systems and ask you to do the same. This ensures that security measures are up to date.
For online video conferencing sessions, you can use a desktop computer, tablet or smartphone wherever you are and I use a platform called Zoom, which is an easy-to-use and secure in order to protect our privacy and confidentiality. I will send you an email prior to each arranged session including a zoom link to join your session, which will be password-protected. When your session time starts, all you need to do is click on the zoom link and enter the password provided.
For telephone sessions you will decide on whether you’d prefer me to call your preferred telephone number, or if you’d feel more comfortable calling my mobile number.
Please note that whilst all reasonable steps are taken to protect client data, digital services (including and not limited to phone, email and web-conferencing) supplied by third party providers, are not wholly within the therapist’s control. The therapist cannot be held liable, responsible or accountable for data breaches attributable to third party providers.
