What is Online Therapy?
You may be familiar with the conventional way of meeting a therapist in their office to discuss matters of personal concerns. The physical presence of the therapist and private allocated room can be a reassuring aspect to some people. However, speaking with a professional for the first time, in an unfamiliar setting and sharing your personal experiences can be daunting for many that can result in a delay in reaching out or "putting off" seeking support when you feel its needed. Online therapy allows you to connect through the internet, through a computer, tablet or mobile device, with a professional, from the safety, comfort and privacy of your own home.
Why Online Therapy?
When you enter therapy, you will be embarking on a therapeutic journey. With in-person therapy, you also need to consider your travel journey to and from the practice, as well as, adapting and adjusting to the environmental setting. Online therapy provides a space in which you can create your own level of comfort and safety to receive therapy. This may be particularly beneficial if you experience some level of anxiety around social or environmental aspects, if you are a parent and lack of childcare or, if you are home bound due to illness or disability.
For those whom are trying to balance personal, professional or study life it may feel like 'time is of the essence'. Without the travel constraints present in online therapy, this makes engagement more feasible to those with busy schedules - fitting therapy into your lifestyle rather than the other way around. Online therapy also ensures that those whom live in rural areas with little or no support available in their region can be easily reached, with choice, through the distance. .
Online therapy also provides various communication methods that gives you further choice over your therapy. As a Certified Cyber Facilitator, I am trained to work safely and ethically with you through video, audio chat, IM (Instant Message) and through email therapy, depending on your preference for our communication and how you would like to take in and receive your therapy.
Limitations to Online Therapy
As with all therapy communications, confidentiality is paramount and there is no exception to online therapy. However, the additional layer of disclosure through the internet does not come without concerns around hack attacks and privacy leaks. As a certified online therapist, I aim to work safely and ethically with you and in accordance with the online therapy ethical framework (ACTO) and GDPR legislation (ICO). I will also discuss safety measures and privacy protocols, with the aim to minimise these risks.
As Online therapy involves connecting through the distance, the lack of physical presence makes it challenging to attend to an immediate crisis, if there are aspects of suicidal or homicidal tendencies. Therefore, online therapy should not be used as a crisis intervention, nor, should it replace the support or treatment provided by your primary care team.
Although, we have come far from the "dialing" into the internet era, there may be times when technological issues occur such as, lag or technological breakdown that may interrupt our communications. I will aim to discuss protocols beforehand with you, to reduce these interruptions, so that you can have a pleasant therapy experience.
If you would like to book a 15 minute consultation, an in-depth initial session or view times, methods and fees, please visit the booking page below:
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