There are already many studies that support the effectiveness of online therapy. In fact, it has been shown that online therapy is at least as effective as therapy carried out in person, as long as it is carried out under a series of parameters.
Nowadays we have access to many ways to contact a psychologist online (chat, email, phone call, video conference…) but not all means are equally effective. In this article we will expose the most important factors that must be taken into account for online therapy to be effective.
Factors that contribute to online therapy being effective
Next we are going to differentiate those issues that have to do with the professional, with the policy of the website or psychological office and with the patient.
Important factors about the professional
There are two fundamental factors that have to do exclusively with the professional. The first is the level of experience he has with the technology and the second is his attitude towards this medium.
1. Experience of the psychologist
For a therapy to be effective, the psychologist must have good management of the videoconferencing program, the patient discharge process, monitoring, payments or the different platforms used to give the patient enough confidence to feel safe in this environment. Security is perceived and contagious.
2. Attitude of the psychologist
Due to the COVID pandemic and patients’ fear of returning to in-person settings, there are many professionals who have been forced to use the online modality. Some of these psychologists see it as something provisional that they do not like and that they perceive as ineffective.
Is the medium ineffective or is it the distrust of the professionals themselves that causes this? Luckily it is a matter of accepting reality and getting used to it, and many of them have changed this negative attitude.
Important factors of the web
The task of choosing between one platform or another can become an arduous task if you do not have the appropriate keys for it. That is why here we highlight different factors to take into account that have to do with the policy of the professional or the office.
3. Means of contact with the psychologist
In order to qualify as therapy, the sessions must be carried out by videoconference. Two fundamental keys are included in a videoconference: the simultaneity of communication and non-verbal language.
Today there is no consensus among scientists on the weight that non-verbal language has in communication. What we do know is that this type of communication accounts for at least 55% of the weight (Mehrabian A. 1972) although there are some authors who even speak of 90%.
Whether it is 55 or 90%, the important thing is that if the patient’s face is not seen, 55% of the information is lost: everything that is said with gestures or movements.
4. Duration of sessions
This is another very important factor since the most effective sessions are those that last between 50 and 60 minutes. Nowadays there are many platforms that, in order to lower the price, cut minutes and therefore level of effectiveness.
5. Frequency of sessions
A weekly frequency is one that offers faster and more effective results.. This planning is therefore usually used in psychotherapies. Once the patient begins to experience improvement, the sessions are spaced every 15 days (or three weeks on some occasions) and finally the follow-up phase is entered.
6. Autonomy of the professional to choose the frequency in each case
When choosing online therapy, It is vital to ensure that the psychologist has the power to decide on this.
There are some platforms that offer monthly, quarterly or even semi-annual subscription programs offering great discounts with the dangers that this entails. Not only the fact that the psychologist cannot space out the sessions as is natural, but also that the patient contracts plans superior to what he needs and a dependency on the process is generated.
Important factors about the patient
Finally, for the therapy to be more effective there are factors that depend on the patient and that must be taken into account.
7. Have the right technology and connection
Today, practically everyone meets the requirements to access this modality. On the one hand, it is necessary to have a computer, phone or tablet and a good internet connection (enough to not suffer constant cuts that prevent communication). On the other hand, basic computer science notionssuch as managing email, messaging applications and Internet payment.
8. Lighting and framing
Choose a place to connect that is well lit. Place the light points in front or to the side (never behind) to avoid backlight and so that the face can be seen. The best framing is the medium shot, that is, one that allows the patient to be seen from the head to below the chest. Lighting and framing are important to have non-verbal information.
9. Suitable place
One of the advantages of doing online therapy is that the patient can connect from wherever they want, whether at home, work, a park or the car. But it is vital that these places have something in common: that they are places that are as quiet as possible, so that allow concentration in the conversation, feeling comfortable speaking and without interruptions.
10. Positive attitude
The attitude of both the patient and the psychologist can determine the course of therapy. It is normal to feel a little uncomfortable at the beginning of the first session due to the novelty of engaging in these types of conversations (so deep) through this means. But it must be taken into account that, If there is a predisposition, human beings have an extremely rapid capacity to adapt.. After the first sessions, patients comment that sometimes they even forget that it is a video call.
Before finishing, we are going to explain the difference between advice, guidance or emotional support, which is what can be done through these means.
Through chat or email, what is carried out is a process of orientation or psychological advice. A process in which the patient presents his problem in a more or less detailed way and the psychologist gives him guidance on that specific topic. This medium is asynchronous, and therefore communication occurs at different times, so non-verbal language and tone of voice are lost. According to the Mehrabian Rule 55/38/7, these two components account for 93% of communication. 93% that is lost in written communications.
For the same reason, Phone calls are not an effective means of therapy either. since 55% of the non-verbal information would be lost. This medium would be left to the psychological and emotional support of patients, which involves supporting the person in difficult times.
Are you looking for online psychological therapy?
This article has exposed 10 fundamental factors for online therapy to be as effective as possible. These keys can be taken into account when choosing the appropriate professional and therapy.
If you are going through bad times and/or need professional psychological support, I invite you to contact me.
