Online therapy, e-therapy, distance therapy, webtherapy, teletherapy
Online psychotherapy (otherwise known as online therapy, e-therapy, distance therapy, web therapy or tele-therapy) describes the form of psychotherapy that is conducted over video conferencing platforms such as Zoom.
During the online session you will experience the same therapeutic setting, techniques, and process that you would have in an office.
However, because online therapy uses the virtual medium of the internet, there are some aspects that make it a slightly different experience than what you would have in a traditional office-based session.
Who benefits from an online therapy process?
Almost everyone who needs this kind of flexibility.
- limiting face-to-face interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic
- experiencing extreme cases of anxiety or other mental disorders that make it difficult to leave the house
- managing an extremely busy schedule
- identified as digital nomads
- frequent travellers
- living in a city/country where psychotherapy services are not easily available
- are seriously depressed or experiencing psychotic symptoms
- have serious substance dependence
- are experiencing intense suicidal or homicidal thoughts
Consenting to an online session
Due to the utilisation of technology, online therapy requires its own consent form prior to the session in which you acknowledge that you’ve now ventured into digital territory.
Using this medium, having a stable internet connection on a trustworthy device are imperative. The default camera and microphone you have on your computer or a tablet are usually good enough.
A digital world with a virtual waiting room and office
Usually, when you go to a physical office you would be there a few minutes before your scheduled time, and the therapist would invite you in for your session. With online therapy, you as a client login to the virtual meeting room and at the scheduled time your therapist comes in to welcome you.
The most noticeable difference in moving online is the session itself. In an office you get to see each other in person - the whole person. In an online meeting, usually the waist-up frame is only seen. You need a stable connection to be able to have a high-quality audio and video image.
Motivation and Commitment
Research shows that the most important aspect of therapy and its effectiveness is the client’s motivation and the therapeutic relationship between the client and the therapist.
Taking that into account, whether you see each other in person or on the screen, the rapport between you and your therapist is the most impactful factor. It is a matter of personal preference more than it is a matter of effectiveness.
https://www.inc.com/amy-morin/does-online-therapy-work-heres-what-science-says.html
https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/two-studies-explore-effectiveness-of-online-therapy-1106152
https://psychotherapy-on-line.com/files/2011/05/On-line-psychotherapy-MetaAnalysisInterventionsBarak1.pdf
