The debate was born about whether offline therapy is comparable to online therapy. The majority assured that, of course not. How can you compare “live” presence with “stripped down” digital? Not on your nelly! Is it possible to compare a live theater with a television performance? And with the radio show? This is different! Of course, it’s different. Both online and offline therapy.
Of course, if you try to copy your offline work online, the comparison will not be in favor of the latter. But if we proceed from the fact that online is just a different means of implementing therapeutic tasks , a different genre, a different format, then the attitude towards online therapy will be very different.
You just need to learn how to properly prepare this dish. And if you decide to take the path of working online, then it is important to know and own the features, capabilities and advantages of this format .
Here are some of the benefits and jobs I’ve discovered online:
- Territorial independence: you can work from anywhere in the world without interruption due to departures or business trips. The client can also always take therapy with him wherever he goes.
- The client on his territory: this increases his sense of security, helps him to relax and not be distracted by unfamiliar surroundings.
- Close therapeutic contact: less information noise. Many channels of perception (hearing, vision) are involved in a limited way, which means that the resource of attention is greater.
- Confidentiality: in small towns it is difficult to keep a visit to a psychologist secret. This problem is easily solved by online sessions.
- Minimum costs of organizing activities: participants do not have to spend money on travel to the office, the therapist does not need to pay for its rent, buy tea and coffee.
I rarely get to see a good show. But seeing a good film is easier, more accessible. For many people, getting to a good specialist offline is an almost impossible task. And online makes good specialists more accessible. This means that online helps improve the quality of psychological services.
What are the advantages of online therapy
Over the past two months, we have all been forced to change our habits and literally start living “online”. And it seems that in the near future we have to stay there. While every step outside is stressful and risky, online therapy at home and at a convenient time seems like the safest way to get support. In addition:
1) It is cheaper than traditional therapy and will help keep the budget in times of crisis. The cost of an in-person appointment with a specialist in Moscow starts from 3000 rubles / hour, and, for example, our “Correspondence” tariff costs 2500 rubles for a whole week of communication with a psychologist.
2) Many people do not want to wait a week until the next visit, and online therapy allows you to receive support every day.
3) Those who have been to a psychologist’s appointment know that sometimes you need to prepare for him – think over the topic, do not forget to ask all the questions. The ability to pick up the phone and write a familiar message requires less effort and allows many to start therapy they have been putting off for a long time.
4) Plus, sometimes during a session we feel uncomfortable, we don’t want to cry in front of a stranger, but there is no way to get up and leave. This also scares many away and is excluded in online therapy.
5) Sometimes it is difficult to express your thought only verbally – and in an online service it can be a text, audio or video call.
6) Finding a psychologist who suits your needs is also easier online. Many people, after several visits to different specialists who did not fit them, refuse therapy, because everything is “too complicated.”
7) Online therapy can be anonymous.
8) Online therapy is a chance to get help for people with social anxiety and introversion.
9) And just very busy people with a difficult schedule.
