Online Counselling – Is It For Me?

Finding a therapist you trust is critical.

Every client needs to feel safe, supported and connected with their therapist. Experts call it the “therapeutic alliance”, and research confirms it is the strongest predictor of positive outcomes in therapy. * I like to call it finding someone you ‘click with’.

So, what does this mean for online counselling?

During the COVID-19 pandemic online support was our only option. But now we have a choice between in-person counselling (sometimes called face-to-face counselling), online counselling (also sometimes called face-to-face counselling, only it is virtual and BYO tissues) or a mix of the two.

Benefits of in-person counselling

There are many reasons people want to be in the same physical space as their therapist: It might feel more private and distraction-free, offer more body language cues for your therapist to read and respond to, can help build trust between you and your therapist, and it avoids any potential IT issues.

However, not everyone has the time, transport, comfort, or inclination for in-person therapy. If you are curious about whether online counselling might work for you, here are some reasons it might appeal.

Why choose online counselling?

Comfort: You can choose your location for the session. Being in a familiar and comfortable space may help you open up to your therapist. And when the session is over, you can stay in that safe, familiar space if that is what you need.

Flexibility: Online counselling works around busy schedules and diverse routines. When you remove the need to travel to your therapist’s office, it may be easier to find a suitable session time.

Convenience: There are no commute or travel costs. This is particularly helpful if you live in remote, rural, or regional areas.

Accessibility: Access the support you need and deserve regardless of your location or mobility needs. Online therapy also can be particularly helpful if you manage unpredictable health concerns such as panic attacks or anxiety.

More choice: Online counselling means you’re not limited to therapists in your local area, giving you a much bigger pool of qualified therapists to choose from.

Private and discreet: With online counselling there is no risk of bumping into people you know on the way to or from your session. This can be especially important to people living in small towns or who experience social anxiety.

Backed by research: Multiple studies show that online therapy is an effective alternative to in-person therapy for many people. ** Clients report feeling just as satisfied with the therapy they received online and with the therapeutic alliance with their therapists as they do in face-to-face counselling.

I have worked online as a counsellor for several years with individuals living with eating disorders, a history of adverse or traumatic experiences, and anxiety, among other concerns. Online counselling can be very helpful for people who find it uncomfortable or distracting to be in close physical proximity to others.

For example, if you live with an eating disorder and you constantly feel your body is being judged (even if it is not, certainly not by your therapist), online counselling removes that barrier and offers you a safe space to start the slow process of trusting your therapist and exploring what recovery and a fuller life looks like for you.

Of course, online counselling is not for everyone. And that is absolutely ok. What matters most is that you find a therapist and a time of therapy that works for you, feels right for you, and helps you take the next step toward feeling better.

* https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101921

** https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8956990/

Written By: Leanne Storey

Reviewed By: Chantelle Gagachis