Psychology is not simply a science dedicated to studying the human mind in an abstract sense, for the simple fact of accumulating information. It also has the objective of applying this knowledge to all types of problems and specific needs, putting into practice what we know about human behavior.
This is how, for example, psychotherapy was born: it is what comes to mind when we think of a psychologist helping specific people who have real problems. However, applied psychology can take other forms that go beyond this working model.
In this article we will talk about one of those alternative ways of helping people: the online psychological counseling service
Online psychological counseling is a way through which psychologists offer help to people who may or may not be going through a difficult time in their lives and who need help to face specific, everyday and very diverse problems, all this without the need to meet in person with the professional
Normally, these sessions are carried out through video call platforms, which allows for fluid and real-time communication with the professional, while the ability to perceive non-verbal language is not lost. On the other hand, Information shared with psychologists is treated as confidential
Some examples of reasons that may lead to using these services are: seeking help to prepare for exams, needing support to manage the anxiety of always being at home due to a health emergency (such as the coronavirus pandemic), requiring the help of a professional to learn to meditate with Mindfulness exercises, have psychological guidance to raise a son or daughter, etc.
In short, the online advice that some psychology centers offer is a more flexible and open way of addressing people’s problems going practical and proposing solutions that can be applied in the short term, even on the same day.
Differences with online therapy
As we have seen, online psychological counseling has a series of characteristics based on professional help for people with certain needs. However, That does not mean that it is online psychotherapy; Technically, they are two different things
There are three main differences between online therapy and online psychological counseling.
The first is the type of problem to be treated: in psychotherapy, these are usually very implanted in the way people live, and have to do with their habits, in their way of managing emotions in a wide variety of situations, in the way of managing a relationship, in the way of living with an illness, etc. On the other hand, in online advice, the objective is usually to provide solutions to more specific and everyday problems: planning day-to-day time, tackling a new work project, etc.
The second difference is the duration of the sessions While online therapy sessions generally last between 50 and 60 minutes, online counseling sessions can be shorter, up to half an hour.
The third difference is continuity Psychotherapy is a series of sessions structured one after the other and organized into several clear phases of problem resolution, so that the patient progresses as he goes through them, and in the first hours with the psychologist he already considers in advance what it will be. the approximate number of sessions. On the other hand, psychological counseling is more flexible in this sense.
Advantages of the online advisory service
The main advantages of online advice are the following.
1. It allows us to ask for help for what worries us most
As we have seen, online advice proposes obtaining help with specific problems, typical of everyday life. In other words, helps focus on these problems so that time is not invested in working on other needs that the person feels are less of a priority.
2. Allows you to get help from experts
The number of problems that can lead us to resort to psychological counseling services are very varied, and for this reason it sometimes seems that no one has ever faced challenges of this type, but in all these cases There is an experienced professional capable of helping us know what to do and put our ideas in order
3. It is cheaper
Another important advantage of online psychological counseling is that it is cheaper than online therapy. This, together with the fact that it is not necessary to go to the psychotherapist’s office, makes this service very accessible
4. It’s easy to fit it into the schedule
The sessions are rather short, so it is easy to make the schedules fit and not miss the appointment.
Are you looking for help? Think about UPAD Psychology and Coaching
In UPAD Psychology and Coaching, a psychological assistance center located in Madrid, we offer an online counseling service with 30-minute sessions. We can help you deal with a wide variety of problems, whether emotional, relational or other types. On the other hand, we also provide psychotherapy services online and in person. To see our contact details, click here.
