Therapy and Counseling Online

What is Online Therapy?

Therapy online is also known as cyber counseling, online counseling, e-therapy, e-counseling, email therapy or internet counseling. It refers to a variety of ways that individuals can obtain counseling over the internet. It can be in the form of e-mail, chats, blogs and can include webcams to include visuals if done in synchronous chats.

Therapy via chats means that the therapist and the client have to synchronize the therapy to be online at the same time, so this takes more planning and is less flexible than counseling through e-mail. E-mail therapy is referred to as asynchronous as the therapist and the client can communicate at different times.

Benefits of Online Therapy:

Therapy via email or conversations via internet chats with a therapist, have many benefits for clients. They are convenient as they can be accessed anywhere with computer access. This is especially useful for individuals who travel a lot or have busy lifestyles where finding time to fit into the schedule of a therapist can be difficult. Therapy over the internet also allows individuals access to professional help even if they are house bound or live in rural communities without the array of specialized services that might be available in a larger center. Therapy online is less expensive than face-to-face therapy and is usually about half the cost.

The written word is a powerful mechanism for change. It provides a written account of the therapist's comments and questions and allows for a record of process and progress for the client and the therapist. Writing about problems allows for critical thinking and sometimes just the process of writing brings increased awareness about the challenges individuals are facing and expands potential solutions.

Writing has been a therapeutic too therapists have utilized as a strategy in face-to-face therapy and self-help with encouraging journaling. Narrative therapists have utilized letters to patients following therapy to add richness beyond the session itself. It is an opportunity to emphasize part of the session and raise future thinking questions looking at change. The power of the written word has been something that has been around long before writing became a predominant mode of communication with the advent of the internet.

E-therapy has limitations. It is not useful for crises such as child protection, domestic violence, abuse, post-traumatic stress, suicidal thoughts, or severe mental health problems. For those types of problems people need more in-depth assessments with teams and professionals who can ensure the safety of the individual and provide multidisciplinary care.

E-counseling has developed in response to client needs for quick accessibility and as a result of increased comfort with the internet. It is a mode of counseling that appeals to individuals who enjoy writing as a means of expression. Counseling online is most suitable for people dealing with life problems such as: grief, separation, family communication and conflict, transitions, changes, problem solving, relationship dilemmas, multiple stresses, anxieties, adoption issues, parenting challenges, and difficult decisions. It is not a modality that fits for everyone, but is now available and accessible for those who want to find help in this manner.