Let’s face it, technology is taking over every aspect of our lives, or at least the vast majority of it, thanks to the convenience of being online all day, anywhere. We look for advice on the web, we read stories, we shop online, we meet people, we do illustrations, we prepare ourselves academically and why not? We also attend psychological therapy online.
Having discovered the versatility that the Internet offers, managing certain aspects of our routine has become much easier, offering unique opportunities for work, personal development, and saving time that many value. And it is precisely these elements that led some to lean towards this trend of online therapies, which, although not recent, have not yet been fully explored or exploited. But in this article we ask ourselves, do they really work?
What is online psychological therapy?
- Online therapy essentially maintains the same process of therapeutic intervention as face-to-face psychotherapy, including the tasks that the therapist assigns, the review of progress, and the application of coping strategies. It maintains a similar duration of 45 minutes, divided into the beginning, development and closing of the session.
- The only difference is that it is done through video calls, through web tools such as: Google Hangout, WhatsApp, Facebook or the classic Skype. You only need to have a computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone and of course, an Internet connection.
- So, as you can see, it is not a new type of psychological therapy, but a new method to carry it out.
But if the therapy is not face-to-face, can it really help me?
- This is a great question that many ask themselves and, unfortunately, it becomes an excuse for not being encouraged to do therapy or for not fully committing to it. But it is just that, the key to knowing if it works or not: the degree of commitment that is placed in the therapy. That is, if it is an excellent opportunity, literally within reach or a click to improve, why waste it?
- Although face-to-face contact is fundamental in therapy, since through non-verbal language we can know much more about the person than through their speech, therapeutic empathy can be freely given virtually and there are even those who affirm that it is generated from faster and stronger because patients don’t feel under as much pressure.
- In addition, the psychologist maintains his professional ethics and his responsibility to direct the therapy in favor of the patient’s need and the resolution he hopes to achieve. So, in short, yes, online therapy works in the same way as face-to-face as long as there is that commitment from both parties.
What you should know before opting for online psychological therapy
If you want to dare to carry out this modality of virtual therapy, it is important that you take into account some points that will help you certify its functionality:
Patient profile
As in any web service, online psychological therapy is not for everyone, in fact, it was created for a certain type of population, which was advancing and evolving. Therefore, to find out if online therapy is your thing, you should review these “user profiles”.
People with little time
Initially, online psychotherapy was designed for people with little time available, who are overwhelmed with work or academic load, but still want to take care of their mental health.
Little provision of transport
This occurs when people cannot travel to the office all the time, for financial or professional reasons. It is preferable that they take care of their mental health from home, rather than be discouraged by not being able to attend a consultation.
Quick resolutions
Many people attend therapy to solve specific problems or difficulties, such as panic attacks or vocational guidance. Therefore, this modality is ideal for addressing these more specific cases.
Ideal psychologist
Not all psychology professionals agree with the virtual modality, because non-verbal communication between the latter and the patient is essential to learn more about their reality and, above all, their progress. However, those who are in favor argue that they are not only supported through video calls, but that they sharpen their senses more and pay attention to other details.
You also have to be careful with the professional you go to. There are thousands of web pages where virtual therapy services are offered with ridiculously incredible promises or costs. My recommendation is that you investigate a little more about this professional and contact him to resolve any questions before attending online therapy.
Problem severity
As I mentioned before, virtual psychotherapy was designed to resolve specific difficulties or as an accompaniment to normalize your rhythm of life in different areas of development. However, major traumas or disorders are more recommended to be treated in face-to-face sessions.
Therapy type
Online interventions, despite being the same as in face-to-face sessions, not all of them are as flexible to adapt to the online modality. For example, the most ideal for this are cognitive-behavioral therapies because they focus on solving specific problems. But psychoanalytic treatments are more difficult due to their therapeutic setting, where you need to create an environment for each patient.
There are also other alternatives such as postmodern therapies that can be coupled to the virtual modality, depending on the case presented by the patient.
Privacy Terms and Conditions
As it is an online modality, that is, provided by the Internet, we must keep a watchful eye on the treatment that the psychologist will give to our information. Therefore, you must ask him (if he does not tell you at first) a contract with data privacy terms to know what he will do with them, how long he will retain them and what you need to know if you want to end the sessions.
Also, you should make sure that you have a good firewall and antivirus system to avoid any kind of electronic malware. To do this, try to use only your devices and not go to a public cyber.
Commitment equals results
The most important factor in ensuring the effectiveness of online therapy is the commitment of both the psychologist and the patient. Unfortunately, many use this modality as an excuse for not doing the assignments, talking about sensitive topics or doing the approach correctly, due to problems or connection drops that may not be true.
However, many others take advantage of this advantage to facilitate psychological treatment, as they feel more comfortable and confident to speak freely, not having to directly face the pressure of the therapeutic environment, which can become very intimidating.
Perceived benefits of online psychological therapy
Those who have attended online psychotherapy have observed favorable changes in their behavior and perception of the world, just as in a face-to-face session. But you should also be aware if this is your case or if, on the contrary, you do not observe any favorable result or change. If so, then online therapy is probably not for you. Remember that the ultimate goal is your improvement to avoid future permanent stagnation.
Final conclusions about online therapy
In short, online therapy is an alternative that can bring many benefits for those people who have the minutes calculated in their daily routine or who feel very introverted and insecure at the idea of facing a professional who delves into their conflicts. But, if this is the path you want to follow, please be mindful and commit to your own cause.
Take care of the data provided on the web, use a good antivirus, contact a professional with verifiable online experience, forget the excuses and go for it!