The Benefits of Online Therapy

After a successful and hugely rewarding career to date as a therapist working in
England, France and Bulgaria, I have come to realise that flexibility and accessibility
as a therapist are key to providing the best support and treatment options for my
clients.

By offering both face-to-face and online sessions, I am helping my clients break
down barriers that may hinder them from seeking help and accessing therapy.
These barriers may be lack of transport, the constraints of a busy schedule or home
life demands, mobility issues or lack of appropriate and accessible services in the
area in which they live.

Online therapy, or E-Therapy as it is also known, is not the same as telephone-
based therapy. This is because it enables me, as the therapist, to offer a convenient,
accessible, and comfortable way for my clients to connect with me, face to face,
regardless of where they are geographically. I believe this approach of being able to
work online whilst being able to see your clients, not only meets the demands of
modern life but also ensures that more people have the opportunity to prioritise their
mental health and well-being in a manner that is informed and meets their individual
needs. It’s quite simply, a seamless way to stay connected to your physical,
emotional and mental health journey, no matter where the client’s life takes them.

One of the standout benefits of online therapy is of course, convenience. This is
because online therapy offers our clients accessibility, which in itself, is a powerful
advantage. Whether you, or you client, live in a bustling city or a remote rural village,
online therapy bridges the gap, ensuring that quality mental and emotional health
care is available no matter the clients or therapists location. Geographic or physical
limitations no longer hinder an individual’s access to the support you offer.

There is also a higher level of anonymity and privacy when a client has therapy
session in their own space, which can be incredibly empowering for them. For those
who feel anxious about sitting in a waiting room or worry about bumping into
someone they know. This has particularly been evident in my therapy clinic in
Bulgaria. Where the small towns such as Pavlikeni and villages have communities
where everyone seems to know everyone else and the gossip mill can sometimes
run on overdrive. Online therapy offers you clients a discreet alternative should they
chose to use it. Sessions can be conducted in a setting where they feel most at
ease, enhancing their comfort level and potentially making it easier to open up.

Online therapy offers people options, because they are not confined to the therapists
within their immediate geographical vicinity. Instead, clients have the luxury to
choose from a global pool of professionals, finding the one that best matches their
individual needs and preferences. This is especially the case if they are seeking a
therapist with a specific specialism such as, PTSD, ADHD or neuro divergence. This
level of choice with regard to specialisms can greatly enhance the effectiveness of
the therapy, as this approach aligns more with the clients personal therapeutic goals.

Lastly, let’s talk about continuity. Life can be busy and even unpredictable, filled with
work trips, holidays, unexpected events can all disrupt what is regarded as the
traditional therapy schedules. Online therapy ensures that the clients sessions and
support remains intact, even when they are on the go or away with work. With the
therapy session just a video call away, you as the therapist are able to maintain the
consistency of your clients sessions, which is crucial for steady progress. Online
therapy is also adaptable and can be intertwined with face to face traditional
sessions and online when the client needs it to be so.

‘Cost’ is also a considerable benefit with online therapy. As a therapist, if you do not
run your practice from home, you will probably rent therapy space either at a centre
or your own office. This has a cost that is usually an hourly rate if you are working
within a therapy centre, or a monthly rental agreement if you rent and office. If you
offer online therapy sessions this cost, along with additional costs such as business
rates and business utilities, are no longer applicable because you can work from
home. Those rental costs stay within you own bank account. Also, there are costs
involved in commuting to your office and as in my case when I used to work in
Guilford England, daily packing charges. All of these costs are removed with online
therapy, and you actually get the travel time back.

In essence, online therapy is revolutionising the way we, as therapists, approach
psychotherapeutic care and the therapeutic relationship. It offers you, the therapy
business owner, unparalleled ways to grow your therapy practice whilst also keeping
operational costs to a minimum. It is breaking down barriers whilst also offering
clients choice, flexibility and making it easier for people to prioritise their mental and
emotional well-being along with enabling therapists to manage their therapy practice
and become more flexible in meeting their client’s needs.