Online therapy, email therapy, virtual therapy, cyber-counseling, e-therapy: they all refer to therapy or counseling using the internet, most often by email. Online counseling is a powerful tool for helping people to gain insight and resolve the problems that interfere with the quality of their lives. Therapists typically use email exchanges in online counseling work, and may supplement them with phone sessions (if necessary or requested) at appropriate points in the process.
Pros: Online counseling has a liberating effect. People feel safer, and can write about their thoughts, feelings and issues freely. This often allows them to get to the root of problems more quickly than in traditional face-to-face therapy.
The exchange of emails gives clients time to reflect on what they've written, and what the therapist has said in reply. This inherent time delay can be of great benefit in working through thoughts, feelings, decisions and beliefs.
The convenience of virtual therapy is no match for traditional face-to-face therapy. It is the first therapy that actually encourages clients to send messages to their counselors at any time of the day or night while writing as much or as little as they wish.
Virtual therapy eliminates the need for traveling to a traditional office. Parents needn't struggle with day care. People with physical or emotional conditions that make travel challenging can receive help in the comfort of their homes, and excellent therapists can be found online even if there aren't any qualified counselors near the client's home.
The e-mail exchanges in cyber-counseling give both counselor and client a tremendously useful record of their interactions. This naturally encourages a review of their work together to see the progress that has been made.
Online counseling is less expensive than traditional alternatives. There is no need for gas or travel, and people only pay for the time it takes their therapist to read their communications and write replies.
Cons: In online therapy or phone sessions, therapists cannot watch facial expressions and other behaviors to better understand what a client is feeling. It is possible to have misunderstandings. Because of this, online counseling is NOT easy for the therapist, despite the fact that it costs the client far less than traditional therapy.
Online counseling clients must be willing and able to write out their thoughts and feelings with a considerable amount of clarity.
There are some people who are not good candidates for online therapy. Anyone who is suicidal, who has severe emotional problems, who is currently in crisis or who is under 18 years of age should seek face to face help.
Online therapists cannot yet provide their clients with a formal diagnosis.
Cyber-counseling is relatively new, and naturally experimental.
Online counseling should not be embraced because of its pioneering nature any more than it should be avoided because it strays from the traditional path. Today's technological leaps can empower people with access to therapy that is cost-effective, convenient and competent. It is well worth exploring to discover if this therapy may be a good choice for you or someone you love.
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