Online therapy, also known as online counseling, online psychologist or online psychotherapy, is the provision of professional mental health services via the internet.
Online therapy has become an essential tool in the field of mental health, offering a convenient, accessible and effective way to establish an effective psychotherapeutic relationship. By embracing the power of technology, we can continue to break down the barriers of distance and provide support to people in need even though we are far away
Online psychotherapy can be done in combination with our in-office session or exclusively. Especially after the advent of the pandemic, both psychologists and clients have largely discovered the online experience and the majority found the experience very positive. As a result, a large part of the sessions have been received, even in treatments with relative proximity (especially within Attica).
Below you will find some information about the process, the historical path of distance healing, and an evaluation of its benefits and weaknesses.
The idea of providing therapy from a distance dates back to the early 20th century. In the 1920s, Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, began correspondence with patients, a form of early distance therapy. This practice continued throughout the century, especially for people in remote areas or with mobility limitations.
The advent of the telephone in the mid-20th century further expanded the possibilities of distance therapy. Telephone counseling offered a more immediate form of support and became a valuable tool for crisis intervention and ongoing therapy.
With the advent of the Internet in the 1990s, online therapy took a major leap forward. Early forms of online therapy included text chat and email communication. As technology has evolved, video conferencing has become a popular means of delivering therapy sessions, allowing for real-time interaction and visual cues.
More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of online therapy, making it a common option for many people. This global health crisis has highlighted the flexibility and effectiveness of online therapy, especially for people with mobility limitations, busy schedules, or those living in remote areas.
Online therapy offers many advantages for both therapists and clients:
Geographical reach: It removes geographical barriers, making therapy accessible to individuals in rural or underserved areas.
Flexibility: It accommodates busy schedules and allows for flexible session times, even while working in professional settings.
Convenience and privacy: Clients can participate in therapy sessions from the comfort of their own home, reducing the stress and stigma associated with seeking mental health services.
Cost: Online therapy is less expensive than traditional in-person therapy, making it more affordable for many individuals.
Fewer barriers: It can help overcome barriers such as transportation difficulties, childcare obligations, or other physical limitations.
While online therapy offers many benefits, it is important to be aware of its potential drawbacks. The main ones are the technical difficulties that may exist (e.g. poor internet connection) and the reduced non-verbal cues. These concern what we also call “body language”, with remote communication not giving us the opportunity to fully perceive the image of the treated and our own respectively towards them.
Also, some mental health conditions or certain medical conditions may require a higher level of personal care or specialized treatments that are difficult to provide online.
Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of online therapy in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues.
For example, a meta-analysis conducted by Richards, Richardson, Roth, & Greenberg (2010) found that online cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) was as effective as in-person CBT in treating anxiety and depression. Similarly, a study by Titov, Andrews, Cuijpers, & Hollon (2016) reported that online therapy was comparable to in-person therapy in reducing symptoms for a variety of mental health disorders.
As technology continues to evolve, the future of online therapy holds great potential. Emerging technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence, can further enhance the online therapy experience. Furthermore, the integration of mobile applications and wearable devices can provide (more) easily personalized support and monitoring of the patient's progress.
At Mindtalk we offer you online therapy sessions with experienced and specialized therapists.
Richards, K. C., Richardson, K. A., Roth, D. M., & Greenberg, B. A. (2010). A meta-analysis of the efficacy of internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and depressive disorders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(2), 224-234.
Titov, N., Andrews, G., Cuijpers, P., & Hollon, S. D. (2016). A meta-analysis of psychotherapy for adult depression: A focus on comparative efficacy and moderators. Clinical Psychology Review, 43, 29-46.
Barak, A., Hen, L., Bonczkowski, C., & Shapira, I. (2008). Internet-based psychological treatments: A meta-analysis of comparative outcome studies. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(5), 753-769.
