Whatever the reason you can’t attend in person, online counselling or Skype / Zoom therapy sessions are an alternative way to see your therapist and start or continue in therapy. Whether you need one to one or couples counselling, online therapy sessions give you flexibility.
Why choose Online therapy over face to face sessions?
There are many reasons why you may choose online therapy:
- While away from home: On a business trip or vacation
- Following illness or surgery: When you are temporarily unable to travel
- If you are housebound: For those who cannot easily leave home
- Managing childcare: After giving birth or with children you can’t leave
- When you’re a sole carer: Unable to leave someone, who needs you near
- Couples Counselling: When you and your partner are in different locations but available at the same time
Online therapy might also offer you a chance to continue seeing your therapist following a permanent move, within the UK or abroad, when you want to keep some continuity with your therapy whilst settling in your new location.
With improvements in technology, the therapeutic quality of an online therapy session is as good as one face to face.
Online Therapy during the Covid-19 outbreak:
At this challenging time, during the Covid-19 outbreak, we are seeing more clients choosing to work remotely with their therapist using Skype (or other platforms) to either start or continue their essential therapy work.
Starting your therapy online: You may be looking to start therapy. This could be because you are struggling with increased stresses and strains of having to adjust to the ever changing state of affairs, or you may have found that you now have more time on your hands, without the daily commute, and are able to commit to therapy.
Continuing your therapy online: You may find that during the Covid-19 outbreak, with travel restrictions and enforced isolation, you are unable to travel to see your therapist but are keen to continue your therapy work online, whilst you are unable to attend sessions in person.
Working with a therapist remotely is possible for both online couple therapy and online individual therapy. Our therapists are happy to take on new clients using Skype (or other platforms) at this time and many have more flexibility and availability than they would usually.
Some therapists may still be able to see you face to face, each therapist will be able to guide you on their face to face and online availability.
Online therapy can be carried out using Skype, Zoom, Doxy, facetime or you might choose to work purely by phone. Your therapist will talk you through the possible options.
What issues can we discuss using online therapy sessions?
Almost any issue can be discussed in an online therapy session. Some people even find that it is easier to discuss or handle certain emotional issues online.
Some of these are:
- Anxiety & Panic: Online therapy, especially online CBT can be very effective for treating anxiety.
- Agoraphobia or other phobias: Online therapy means the client does not need to leave their home.
- Depression: Online therapy can really help those finding depression is making it hard even to make the journey to the clinic.
- Health Anxiety: This often goes hand in hand with OCD and phobias, Online therapy means clients can remain in their own environment.
- Loneliness & Isolation: Online therapy reaches those who are isolated due to location or the ability to travel.
- Low self-esteem: Online therapy can help those who are suffering low self-confidence and find it hard to go out.
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD): Online therapy can help those with OCD, especially those with issues around ‘checking’, ‘cleanliness’.
- Stress: Online counselling and especially online CBT is very effective for treating stress.
- Online therapy for Couples Counselling: Is especially useful when the two parties are in different locations.
Are Online therapy sessions as good as in-person sessions?
Nothing can replace being in the same room face to face, and many clients and therapists prefer to work this way, however with faster broadband, 4G / 5G, improved video cameras and services like Skype, counselling and psychotherapy online has become much more effective and accessible to everyone.
Online therapy also opens up access to counselling or psychotherapy for you if you are disabled or housebound or perhaps caring for someone and unable to travel to the therapy rooms. It also allows you to continue your therapy at a regular time when you are unable to get to the therapy rooms, for example when travelling for work.
Perhaps surprisingly, some clients find it easier to connect with their feelings when they are in front of a screen than in front of a person.
How do Skype or Online therapy sessions work?
Essentially there is no difference in the quality and process of therapy between you and the therapist, whether face to face or online, the only change is in how the therapist meets with you.
You will agree your appointment time and day with your therapist, and they will send you an invite by email to confirm the appointment and what to do to ‘attend’ the online therapy session.
Many online therapy systems are as easy to use as clicking on the invite link, in an email, and starting the therapy session.
Your therapist will explain the steps to connecting with you during your initial telephone conversation.
Are online therapy sessions confidential?
You may be concerned that your therapy session is not as confidential as one held in the same room.
Encrypted connections: Your therapist will only use an online therapy system that is encrypted between your computer and theirs so that no one can eavesdrop on your conversation.
Confidential environment: Your therapist will always conduct your online appointments in a private, secure room maintaining the same standards of privacy and confidentiality as in personal face to face therapy. Your therapist will advise you about how to make sure that you are also able to talk openly and confidentially from where you are.
Can you still have couples counselling, online?
Couples counselling can work with the couple in the same room and also with each partner in different places, you will all need to dial in to the same platform together.
How do I find a couples therapist who works online?
Go to the City of London Therapists page and use the ‘Couples Therapy’ filter to find the therapists who work with couples online.
What do I need, to have an online therapy session?
For a successful and effective online therapy session you need:
A good strong internet connection – we recommend using a private wifi (not public) connection
A desktop, laptop, Ipad or mobile with a camera – think about where you will prop this so that you can see the screen and see your therapist and that they can see you. Holding a camera for 50 minutes is tiring so try to make sure you can sit comfortably.
A comfortable seat.
Somewhere with light in front of you, so that your face is clear in the picture. An angle poise lamp or desk lamp is useful.
Somewhere confidential and quiet – it is best to reduce any background noise, radio, TV, traffic noise so that you can be clearly heard by your therapist.
Somewhere where you won’t be interrupted by other people.
What issues can be discussed in an online therapy session?
You can bring the same issues to online therapy as you would to face to face therapy. Your therapist will work with whatever you need to work on.
Skype & Online Therapy at City Therapy Rooms
To find out more and to start working online with a therapist, take a look at the Our Therapists page and make contact with the therapist you would like to discuss therapy with.
All the therapists working from City Therapy Rooms offer online therapy and will be able to discuss your options.
© Brian Cotsen
