What Is The Effectiveness Of Online Psychotherapy By Video Call?
If there is something that characterizes the world of the Internet and electronic devices linked to audiovisuals, it is that their functions have diversified greatly in recent decades. Who was going to tell us 30 years ago that a computer could be used to go to therapy? And yet this has been the case: currently, online therapy via video call is a reality.
However, this could attract the attention of those who view the psychotherapy process in a superficial way, since sitting in front of the computer offers a clearly different picture from sitting in front of a psychologist.
What happens is that the scientific research carried out on this topic shows that such a difference is only apparent: even if the communication channel changes, online psychotherapy has an effectiveness equivalent to face-to-face psychotherapy, and the fact that in many cases it is cheaper is mainly due to the fact that the professional must face fewer costs, not because it is less useful for the patient. In this article We will see what are the aspects that explain the high effectiveness of online therapy by video call.
Why is online psychotherapy via video call effective?
These are the main reasons why the effectiveness of online therapy via video call is equivalent to the “traditional” therapy carried out face to face with the psychologist.
1. It is a very adaptable mode of psychotherapy
Online psychotherapy by video call can be adapted to a large number of contexts ; For example, it makes it possible for sessions to be interrupted even if the patient goes on a trip for a week, or even if they have to leave the office later one day.
It is true that there are some material limitations, but these only arise in very specific cases in which it is necessary to use materials that the patient does not have and that are in the psychologist’s office; nothing that cannot be foreseen or corrected through other intervention methodologies that are compatible with the online format.
2. It makes it possible to take non-verbal language into account
Not so long ago, most homes did not have the possibility of having a video calling service in which data transmission was fluid and image quality was good.
Fortunately, today this has changed a lot, and that is why video call sessions without technical problems and in which you can see the other person with good image and sound quality and in real time they are totally normal, they do not surprise anyone. And this plays a role in the effectiveness of online therapy.
The fact of being able to see patients’ non-verbal language in real time makes it easy for psychologists to adapt their communication style to what they hear the other person say, correctly inferring the real meaning of the phrases beyond their literality, and knowing more about the emotional state of the interlocutor.
Taking into account that in psychotherapy it is essential to make patients feel comfortable so that they can express their fears and concerns openly and without reservations, it is normal that research reflects that online therapy by video call is effective: while sitting, the vast majority Most of the non-verbal information expressed by the other person is captured by the camera.
3. Allows the establishment of a good therapeutic alliance
The therapeutic alliance is the bond between therapist and patient that is established in the context of psychological intervention, both in the sessions and in the time that passes between them, and in which an agreement is generated on the objectives to be achieved and the means. to use to achieve it. So, is linked to mutual respect and a sense of identification with the other which, yes, always translates into professional treatment, not friendship.
Although it is appropriate for both to have treatment only in the moments for which there is a reserved time and it has been agreed in advance to work on the problem that affects the patient, the therapeutic alliance is also reflected when the latter is living his day to day without the direct supervision of the professional and without speaking with him at that moment.
And the therapeutic alliance It is a good part of what makes it possible for the patient to commit to the therapeutic process. , even knowing that this will require you to leave your comfort zone and make short-term efforts to benefit from it in the long term. This bond with the psychotherapist is the push that helps the patient progress and reach the goals of the therapy, that is, a source of self-motivation and trust in a professional trained precisely to help in these cases.
In online therapy by video call, it has been seen that The strength of the therapeutic alliance is comparable to that produced in face-to-face sessions ; In this sense, it has a fundamental advantage over other forms of remote psychological intervention, such as chat sessions with psychologists. In the latter, since there is no real-time audio and video exchange, it is more difficult to “connect” with the psychologists, as the treatment is perceived to be more impersonal and distant.
4. Provides extra discretion
For many people, it is a challenge to go to an unfamiliar place and start talking about their lives and the aspects of them that they would like to improve. Although psychology centers try to offer discretion and always offer the possibility of speaking with the psychologist in quiet rooms where there is privacy, the truth is that this cannot compete with what is offered by the online modality, given that in the latter You don’t even have to go to the health center or the psychology center or office.
That is why in some cases The patient is able to relax more, feeling like he is going to therapy without leaving a place he knows well. When patients’ attention can be focused solely on making sure that the therapy is going well, by not being “alert” by anxiety, the results obtained are better and the treatment is much more likely to flow well.
Are you looking for professional psychological support?
If you are going through a bad time and there are aspects of your way of thinking, feeling or behaving that you want to change, contact our team of professionals. In Advance Psychologists We have been working in the field of psychotherapy for more than 20 years, and we serve both in person at our center in Madrid and through online therapy by video call, if you prefer.
In addition to offering individualized psychotherapy for people of all ages, we also provide other types of related services: couples therapy, speech therapy, coaching, and psychiatric and neuropsychological assistance. You will find more information about the way we work (as well as our contact details) on this page.
