As Long as You Have an Amazing Therapist!
It’s not about the modality of therapy, but the therapist and the relationship you co-create with them that will provide the life-changing therapy you seek.
Understandably, some people are sceptical about online counselling. They want the gentlest, easiest, and most effective counselling journey possible. After all, it’s hard enough to confront life’s challenges without adding further discomfort. Many wonder, “Can a counsellor truly catch my body language and nuances through a screen?”
Do You Really Need to Be in the Same Room?
This is a common concern, and I secretly chuckle when I hear it. Why? Because I know that even in a 15-minute Zoom chat, I can demonstrate my ability to read body language, unmask relational dynamics, and provide valuable insights.
My ability to observe and understand clients’ verbal and non-verbal cues is a skill honed over decades. It’s a combination of my upbringing, lived experiences, and years of working with clients. This finely tuned observation is pivotal to successful therapy, whether online or in person.
Why Online Counselling Works
Online counselling offers the same therapeutic benefits as face-to-face sessions, with added flexibility and accessibility. It allows me to connect with clients across Australia and the world, ensuring that quality therapy is not limited to metropolitan areas.
Here’s why online counselling is a game-changer:
1. Accessibility for Rural and Remote Areas : Many rural Australians lack access to mental health services. Online counselling bridges this gap, providing support where it’s needed most.
2. Support for Busy Professionals : Frequent travellers or those with demanding schedules can continue therapy uninterrupted, no matter where they are.
3. Convenience for Families and Individuals : Parents juggling young children, people with mobility challenges, or those housebound due to illness can access therapy without logistical hurdles.
4. Safety for Couples in Recovery : Couples beginning therapy after domestic violence or toxic behaviours can start sessions from separate locations, ensuring physical and emotional safety.
5. Connection for Far-Flung Families : Families living in different cities, states, or countries can engage in therapy together, fostering understanding and connection.
The Unique Benefits of Online Counselling
Online therapy offers unique advantages that traditional face-to-face sessions cannot:
– Time Efficiency : No commuting, no parking hassles, and no additional babysitting fees.
– Comfort of Your Environment : Clients are often more relaxed and authentic when in their own space, whether it’s their home, garden, or even a park seat.
– Enhanced Retention : Skills and insights gained during sessions are more likely to be retained when learned in the client’s lived environment. This is especially beneficial for individuals with Adult ADHD, as visual cues in their surroundings can aid memory and practice.
– Walk-and-Talk Therapy : Imagine having a therapy session while walking in your favourite location, anywhere in the world!
Client Satisfaction and Effectiveness
Client satisfaction with online therapy is remarkably high. A study published in the “Journal of Psychological Disorders” (2018) found that 91% of participants who used online therapy were satisfied with the experience and would recommend it to others.
Moreover, research from the “Journal of Affective Disorders” (2020) revealed that online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy for treating anxiety and depression, with 70-80% of clients reporting significant improvement. These findings underscore the potential of online counselling to deliver meaningful, life-changing results.
It’s About the Therapist, Not the Modality
Many believe they need to be in the physical presence of a therapist to experience quality therapy. Quite the opposite is true. Online therapy can provide greater opportunities for the therapist to understand the client’s lived experience and for the client to retain therapeutic knowledge and skills.
Great therapy comes from great therapists, regardless of the modality. So, choose a therapist who resonates with you, not just the method they use.
Take the First Step
I dare you to put my therapeutic insight to the test with a free 15-minute Zoom chat. If nothing else, we’ll share a good therapeutic belly laugh, and that alone will make us both feel better.
Because that’s what good therapy does.
Ready to experience the benefits of online counselling? Book your free 15-minute consultation with me, Tess Reilly-Browne, today and discover how therapy can transform your life.
With appreciation to the photographers (in order) …
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