Why Online Counselling?
Did you even know that this form of help existed? Online counselling offers you an alternative approach to the same professional advice you would receive from a traditional face to face counselling session.
Online counselling is the interaction between two or more people using a communication medium. The approach to online counselling is a relatively modern solution to reaching people who have never had the opportunity to visit a counsellor.
Advantages of Online Counselling:
- The service is convenient as you are able to benefit from the system any time and any place you happen to be.
- Able to select from a wide variety of specialised therapists without having to search your local business directory.
- Gives access to mental health information to people in rural or remote areas.
- Offer accessibility to individuals who are disabled or housebound.
- The system is flexible – You control what service you wish to use and how you do it.
- You can seek consultation with a therapist online if you’re unwilling or unable to see anyone face to face.
- The Internet makes mental health information more accessible.
- Online therapy can be an important tool to help people learn more about psychological health.
- Online therapy is a cost effective alternative.
Disadvantages of Online Counselling:
- Online Counselling raises a number of ethical issues, many of which still have not been resolved. Prime Counselling, follows the guidelines outlined by the International Society of Mental Health Online (ISMHO).
- Concerns about confidentiality, privacy, and unreliable technology.
- Therapists cannot respond to crisis situations.
- Online therapy is not appropriate for those with serious psychiatric illnesses.
- Online therapy eliminates geographic restraints, making the enforcement of legal and ethical codes difficult. Therapists can treat clients from anywhere in the world, and many states have differing licensure requirements and treatment guidelines.
- In some online services, therapists cannot see facial expression, vocal signals, or body language.
- Most insurance companies do not cover online therapy.
What Online Counselling cannot do:
Online counselling is flexible enough to deal with many difficulties you may have. However, some certain issues cannot be resolved or discussed using an online method. If you’re in a situation where the counsellor in his/her professional opinion, deems that you would benefit better from a face to face appointment, they will attempt to assist you in searching for a therapist in your country / area.
If you feel you would benefit from online counselling, we are here to help.
