These days, many aspects of our life flow between pixels and bytes, and psychology is no exception. Now it takes just a few clicks to access a psychotherapist who can help us deal with anxiety or depression, advise us in a difficult situation or accompany us in achieving our goals. Without a doubt, it is very convenient to have the therapist just a click away. However, does online psychotherapy work for everyone?
The advantages of online psychotherapy
Today, psychology has also adapted to the virtual world, experimenting with different formats, in such a way that distance therapy has now conquered a prominent position. Undoubtedly, the multiple benefits of online psychotherapy support this model:
1. Goodbye to geographical barriers
One of the biggest benefits of online psychotherapy is that it eliminates geographic barriers. It doesn't matter where we are as long as there is an internet connection. As a result, it makes psychological services more accessible, both for people living in rural areas and for expatriates or for those who have difficulty getting around, such as those with chronic illnesses or a disability that impairs their mobility. Thanks to online psychotherapy we can find a specialist who can offer us the best treatment, even thousands of kilometers away.
2. Time savings
Attending a session of presidential psychology takes time. Not only the duration of the session must be calculated, but also the journey, the wait and any traffic jams. When it is difficult for us to find a free hole in the agenda, going to the psychologist can become a problem. In these cases, one of the advantages of online psychotherapy is that it allows you to save the extra time to add to the presidential sessions, without having to worry about traffic or travel.
3. Like home, nowhere
Another huge advantage of online psychotherapy is convenience. We can speak to our therapist from the comfort and privacy of our home. The possibility of doing therapy from home, in fact, can help to overcome the reluctance to go to the psychologist and reduces the social stigma, which unfortunately still exists, associated with mental disorders. Some people also find it easier to open up because they are in an environment where they feel safe. This allows you to avoid initial blockages, establish trust and accelerate the progress of therapy.
4. Uninterrupted therapy
Another advantage of online psychotherapy is that it allows you to continue treatment without interruption, which is particularly useful for people who travel a lot. In case of sudden illness or travel, we will not have to cancel the session, but we can continue with the therapy normally. This continuity is very positive for the psychologist-patient relationship and for the therapy itself, since it allows to consolidate the results avoiding setbacks. In fact, it also allows you to make appointments in potentially destabilizing situations that can occur off-site, while still guaranteeing the support of the psychologist.
5. Same services, low costs
The cost of psychological therapy is one of the main obstacles to accessing it. As with presidential therapy, the cost of online psychotherapy varies depending on the service and level of attention required. There are psychologists who offer both modalities for the same price because patients receive the same services, time and attention. However, it is easy to access cheaper services if certain platforms are used because they allow psychologists to reduce costs, especially if you sign up for a subscription.
Does online psychotherapy really work?
The effectiveness of psychotherapy depends on numerous factors, from the type of psychological orientation to the patient's therapeutic adherence, to the type of disorder and its severity, as well as to the psychologist's experience. The same goes for online psychotherapy.
Indeed, know how to choose the best online psychologist is critical. The right psychotherapist must not only have experience in treating the disorder, but must also be an empathic professional who transmits trust, so that the patient feels comfortable enough to share their most intimate experiences. A psychotherapist with these characteristics will be able to offer good treatment, both online and face-to-face.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the perception of online psychotherapy is very positive. A study published in the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare revealed that 93% of patients receiving online psychotherapy felt they could face the same problems virtually as they could in person. 96% were satisfied with the online sessions and 85% felt comfortable with communication.
Following the same line, theanalysis of Unobravo reviews, the online psychology service that provides you with a team of experienced therapists, reveals an important common aspect: most patients recognize that psychologists are capable of transmitting confidence and positivity and making them feel comfortable.
The truth is that as long as communication flows and the patient feels comfortable, psychotherapy advances. Indeed, another study conducted at the Jacobs University of Bremen indicated that "There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of dropout rates" and that adherence to the online group's treatment even exceeded the presidential sessions.
On the other hand, a study conducted at the University of Linköping found that online psychotherapy is as effective as presidential therapy in the treatment of depression. Researchers from the Leuphana University of Lüneburg also found that this type of therapy is effective in treating juvenile anxiety.
In general, most studies confirm that online psychotherapy works. Combined with presidential therapy, it also leads to lower dropout rates and higher abstinence rates in patients suffering from addictions. Furthermore, it is a particularly useful tool for maintaining the changes initially achieved in the context of long-term psychotherapy.
However, it is also true that some people may feel less supported and motivated in online psychotherapy than in presence therapy, so it is important to determine if it is the most appropriate model for receiving psychological attention.
Online therapy: who is it good for and who is not?
Despite all the advantages of online psychotherapy, it is not always the best solution for everyone, the general rule is: the more serious the problem, the better it is to seek attendance assistance.
Due to limited introspective abilities or the severe nature of certain psychopathological conditions, such as suicidal ideation, personality disorders, chronic syndromes, or psychotic disorders, it is best to seek presidential help. In these cases, psychologists can react to emergency situations, such as an acute psychotic episode.
Traditional therapeutic settings can help patients with self-reflection, especially if they are new to expressing their emotions and thoughts. Those who prefer face-to-face dialogue and are not comfortable using digital tools will certainly benefit more from presence therapy, because online sessions could even increase the level of anxiety or inhibit it.
On the other hand, people who feel more comfortable interacting via a screen could greatly benefit from online psychotherapy. This type of therapy is used to treat a variety of problems, from anxiety and depression to TOC, relationship difficulties, adjustment disorders or body image disorders. In fact, it is also very effective in combination with presidential therapy for follow-up sessions, even in psychiatric disorders.
In any case, the most important thing for online psychotherapy to work is that the patient feels comfortable, motivated and supported.
Sources:
Urness, D. et. Al. (2006) Client acceptability and quality of life - telepsychiatry compared to in-person consultation. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare; 12 (5): 251-254.
Lippke, S. et. Al. (2021) Adherence With Online Therapy vs Face-to-Face Therapy and With Online Therapy vs Care as Usual: Secondary Analysis of Two Randomized Controlled Trials. J Med Internet Res; 23 (11): e31274.
Andersson, G. et. Al. (2016) Internet-supported versus face-to-face cognitive behavior therapy for depression. Expert Rev Neurother; 16 (1): 55-60.
Ebert, DD et. Al (2015) Internet and computer-based cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and depression in youth: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled outcome trials. PLoS One; 10 (3): e0119895.
Admission Online psychotherapy: does it really work? was published first in Corner of Psychology.
