What Is The Effectiveness Of Online Psychological Therapy?
As the Internet expands to respond to all types of human needs, so do the variants of psychological therapy.
That is why although about 15 years ago the idea of ”going to the psychologist” through the Internet was considered a rarity, today it is part of normality. In fact, it is one of the services most requested by patients, and it is becoming more and more so.
None of this is a coincidence: remote psychological intervention combines a series of very significant advantages, on the one hand, with a characteristic to take into account, and that is that in most cases, its effects are just as intense and long-lasting as those of face-to-face therapy, that which takes place while being in the same room as the psychotherapist. Along the next lines We will explore precisely this topic: the effectiveness of online psychotherapy
Let’s start with the fundamentals: what is online therapy? It is, basically, the psychological intervention in patients carried out by psychology professionals and that It is carried out using the Internet as a communication channel This means that, in practice, patient and therapist can communicate in real time despite being miles away from each other.
Currently, more and more psychotherapy centers and psychologists offer online therapy given that it is a highly demanded option due to the advantages it offers and its potential to access a wide variety of patients.
The effectiveness of online psychotherapy: 4 reasons why it is very helpful
Although the differences between online therapy and the “classic” one that is carried out face to face are evident, this does not translate into differences in its effectiveness The research carried out in this regard shows that, in general, both the intensity of the changes produced in patients’ lives and their duration are practically the same.
Now this is not surprising; There are several reasons why interacting with the psychotherapist through the Internet does not cause a significant part of the effects of the psychological intervention to be lost. Let’s see what they are.
1. Video call option captures non-verbal language
Currently, the technology used for video call connections makes communication fluid and in real time both in terms of sound and image. This means that, unless the Internet connection is very bad, talking via video call with the psychologist is very similar to being in front of him.
This fact helps establish the therapeutic bond necessary for patients to connect emotionally with the therapeutic process, express themselves openly and honestly in front of the professional and, ultimately, for them to commit to the therapeutic process.
2. Helps patients feel calmer
Since we do not need to travel to the psychologist’s office, online therapy offers the possibility of having professional support without leaving home, in an environment that is familiar to us
Furthermore, the possibility of avoiding exposing ourselves to sources of stress and fatigue during the journey (for example, due to bus delays, fear of someone seeing us entering the doctor’s office, etc.) is, for some people, something that is also important. Mark the difference.
3. Much of the work is done between sessions
Psychotherapy is much more than what happens during sessions with the psychologist.
We must not forget that going through psychological therapy to overcome a problem or satisfy a need It’s more like receiving training than participating in a normal conversation and that the most important advances occur not while speaking with the professional, but on a day-to-day basis, by following the guidelines learned in those sessions and applying them in our lives and the contexts to which we usually expose ourselves.
And, of course, what happens between each of these “meetings” is the same regardless of whether we use online or in-person therapy.
4. Gives access to more tools
Something as simple as having immediate access to a computer helps to have more support resources throughout the sessions This can be very useful in certain treatments.
Are you looking for online psychotherapy services from experts?
If you are interested in having the support of psychology professionals with many years of experience and who offer online therapy with all the guarantees, we invite you to contact us. In Psychology For We have a track record of more than 20 years helping people of all ages and our team of psychologists provides care both in our center located in Madrid and via the Internet.
