With the ongoing global pandemic, people are experiencing unprecedented stress levels while being forced to stay home. Given the current situation, online therapy is becoming more and more popular. If you consider seeing an online psychologist near you, you may have questions about how these sessions will differ from typical in-person sessions. Here is what you should know:
Communication Methods
The main difference between seeing a psychologist in person and choosing an online psychologist in Calgary is the method of communication. While in-person therapy allows you and the psychologist to see each other face-to-face helping them note non-verbal cues, online therapy does not always come with this advantage.
Online therapy sessions can be completed over a phone call, video chat, or text, depending on your preference and the technological capabilities of our psychologist near you. Unfortunately, this makes it more difficult for the psychologist to interpret body language.
Convenience
Most of the time, patients find online therapy much more convenient than in-person therapy. Instead of driving across town to see a psychologist near you, you can log on to a server from the comfort of your home. In addition, if you have a disability or lack transportation, online sessions make getting the help you need much easier.
Many online psychologists have flexible hours, making fitting a quick session into your schedule simple.
Privacy
Protecting your health information and other personal details you choose to divulge in your online therapy sessions remains in place. However, be careful about the provider you use to speak to your psychologist. If you are using video conferencing, ensure the platform has privacy clauses.
If you are using phone therapy, remember that not all phone service providers adequately protect your information, and it is always best to conduct sessions on a secure platform.
Licensing
Most regions have varied licensing requirements for psychologists. In most cases, a psychologist cannot practice in an area they are not licensed in, so you must choose a psychologist in your location, even if you are conducting online sessions.
It is also important to know that some online psychologists may not hold a license. Therefore, always verify that you are working with a licensed psychologist.
Effectiveness
Many of our clients at Prevail Psychology wonder how effective online therapy sessions are compared to in-person sessions. However, numerous studies have found that online sessions are as effective as in-person sessions for treating various mental health disorders, including generalized anxiety and depression.
After trying online therapy, you may find it isn’t right for you based on your needs. Whether you have a more severe mental health disorder or prefer in-person communication, online therapy isn’t right for everyone. Regardless, online therapy has many advantages. Perhaps most significantly, it helps decrease the stigma associated with mental health and counselling.
Additionally, having the option to attend therapy from home encourages people to reach out for help.
Interested in Online Therapy?
Your mental health is very important to us. Our trained and licensed mental health professionals are happy to work with you. If you want to learn more about online therapy or would like to book a session, contact our team at Prevail Psychology.