5 Effective Benefits of Online Counselling

Have you heard of terms like e-therapy, tele-counselling or cyperspacecounselling? Web counselling is an increasingly popular concept today. Web, Online or SKYPE counsellingis simply normal counselling services provided via the internet.

There has been a lot of debate regarding the effectiveness of Online Counselling as opposed to the traditional counselling services. Here, we have put together some of the benefits of e-counselling.

Take A Look

Accessible

Online therapy is easily accessible to everybody. It is especially so for those people in remote areas that cannot easily access face-to-face therapy. People who are physically challenged or have difficulty in leaving homes can also utilise online services.

Evidence exists to show that young people are especially open to using online counselling services due to their general familiarity with technology.

Also, some people who have particular phobias such as agoraphobia would benefit from using online counselling.

Convenience

For online based therapy, clients are will be free from worrying about getting to an appointment or transport concerns. The therapist and the client can correspond at any time of the day, depending on their individual schedules. Many busy office workers sometimes utilise a meeting room to seek online counselling support during the lunch break or after work.

Cost-Effective

Online counselling is usually more cost effective than face-to-face counselling. Not only for the cost of the sessions. Also, the cost of lost time in organising appointments and arranging transport is also removed.

Stigmatisation

Some clients impacted by psychological issue or social issues may feel a social stigma associated with them. This can be especially so for those clients from ethnic backgrounds and minority groups. This can impact their decision to seek face-to-face therapy or counselling. E-counselling, online counselling or web therapies allow such people to seek help in private without having to feel stigmatised or embarrassed in any way. In fact, online counselling has been shown to be an important factor in people seeking support when then may not have due to anxiety over stigma or other concerns around face-to-face counselling.

Anonymity

Research has shown that in some cases with online counselling, clients feel they can be more open about their issues. There is often an increased level of honesty in communication and confidence in the therapist. The level of anonymity is often considered to be non-threatening and quite comforting for some clients.

Matthew Reynolds is a director of Counselling Services Online and here, he writes on several benefits of Online Counselling.