What is known about the advantages of online psychological therapy?

Online psychotherapy is still a novelty, but aspects of its benefits are already becoming known.

A long time ago, getting therapy off the couch was a bit of a revolution, with its detractors and convincers. And a few years ago, coaching began to leave the office with the practices of walking therapy, therapeutic walks, therapeutic travel....

Today, our hyper-connected world is trying to take psychotherapy services out of the take the psychotherapy service out of the face-to-face with the therapist and bring it to you, wherever you are, with the only requirement being an internet connection.

Some have already taken the plunge, others probably never will. It's a matter of sensitivity, of course, but.... is it as effective as face-to-face therapy?

In this time of COVID-19, it is more necessary than ever to take stock of this technology that all professional associations suggest should be used massively.

Understanding telepsychology

Telepsychology is the name we psychologists give to any therapy or accompaniment provided by telecommunication instruments or devices.. There are other more common names such as online therapy, e-therapy, virtual therapy....

Every time you interact with a therapist using a telecommunication service (email, telephone, chat...), you are doing telepsychology. Therefore, you have already used this type of service, at least to make your first appointment.

A number of researchers are also very interested in telepsychology and telehealth, and are trying to evaluate their effectiveness, particularly in relation to face-to-face and office-based psychotherapy sessions. But like the technology, research on it is still new, and there is much that is not yet known..

What patients say about online therapy:

• It's convenient. Online therapy allows you to spend less time away from the office or your home without worrying about traffic. You don't have to travel miles, and you don't have to plan a time before and after you travel to meet with your therapist. Dial a number or log on to a site and the session can take place wherever you are.
• Online communication is very convenient for many people, especially young adults or those who often use new technologies. More and more people are using email, webinars and chat rooms to communicate, and it may seem more convenient or easier than talking to someone in person, especially when it comes to disclosing personal or private information.
• There are extensive services available to everyone. In some rural communities, the nearest psychologist's office may be more than an hour's drive away with no guarantee that the professional is truly competent for your difficulties. Some people with chronic illnesses or disabilities cannot drive or cannot easily leave their homes. In these situations, teleconsultation may be their only option for help.

The quest for efficiency in online therapy

Generally speaking, teleconsultation is just as effective as traditional therapy.. And certain therapeutic practices are better suited to online consultation, such as behavioral therapies.

The field of pathologies revolving around anxiety (agoraphobia, stress, PTSD...) is performed with similar effectiveness both through online and face-to-face therapy.

It is easier for a person with anxiety to confide in a screen.. And it is easier to find a therapist who is available to a person with severe agoraphobia who consults via online than a therapist who comes to the home.

Current research is increasingly specific and evaluates the effect of teleconsultation in different pathologies and increasingly we get results quite similar to traditional face-to-face therapy.

Online psychological therapy is as effective a form of support as traditional face-to-face counseling for the vast majority of psychological difficulties encountered in consultation. And, like everything else, it has its advantages, its specificities, its disadvantages and its limits. However, remains an alternative solution to traditional face-to-face counseling, being no less effective for most psychological problems.It is no less effective for most psychological problems.