Overview
Online counselling is found as an effective means of dealing with mental health concerns, which also increases access to support and is adaptable to the person’s needs. With regards to
treating depression as well, online counselling is found to be as effective as in-person counselling. Online counselling, according to one research study, has been found to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms in the long term, when a follow up was done 3 months after the sessions ended.
There are various advantages and disadvantages to considering online counselling. The advantages include –
Online counselling is more accessible for people living in geographically distant locations, and can reduce the time needed to be scheduled for travel,
It helps bring therapy in the comfort of one’s own home, which may be comfortable for some individuals,
It helps maintain greater confidentiality as a person would be less likely to run into a familiar person at the clinic.
The disadvantages include –
Due to technical difficulties such as internet connectivity, the therapeutic process can be disrupted,
There is limited communication as the therapist may be unable to observe the client’s body language and other non-verbal cues that can help recognize the client’s distressed and other emotional states.