Never before have we communicated online so much. During the pandemic, In the therapy world, many therapists had to move their practices online. This felt like a big transition for those who hadn’t worked online before. It also raises lots of questions around the effectiveness and impact of providing therapy in this way. So, what is online video therapy and is it as effective as face to face therapy? 

Can online therapy have the same impact as face to face?

During my time as a Clinical Psychologist in private practice, i’ve always delivered approximately half of my clinical therapy was being online. In fact, I’ve been offering online therapy to clients across the world for nearly 4 years now. Online video therapy isn’t a new thing. Many people have been accessing this type of therapy for a number of years because it brings with it a lot of advantages. However I am still commonly asked by both clients and therapist alike “but is online therapy as effective as face to face?!” I hope this article can help answer that question.

Why choose online therapy?

You can be anywhere in the world and still have a therapy session. This is especially helpful if you travel a lot or have moved aboard. You may want to see a UK qualified therapist, or you move around a lot with work. Furthermore, it can fit in with your working day. You don’t need to leave extra time to commute to your appointment. It’s convenient. Many of my clients love the flexibility that online therapy brings them. Some have told me, the act of actually going to a physical appointment felt too embarrassing, daunting or scary. So much so, that this prevented them accessing support. Online therapy takes this hurdle away.

Online video therapy provides accessibility to people are housebound, or may face physical barriers to accessing therapy due to disability or illness. It is discreet. Being in the comfort of one’s own home often allows my clients to feel safe and at ease. This is just what I want my clients to feel when we begin the therapy process. Therapy can be hard, it can often mean that we feel emotions that are difficult to feel. Feeling safe in the setting and with the therapist, are absolutely key to the process and to gaining positive outcomes for the client.

Another bonus of having online therapy is that there are geographical location restrictions. You can see the therapist who you feel can best help you, rather than have a choose a therapist because they are local to you. It’s always really lovely when a previous client recommends me as a therapist and that person can access me for support, regardless of where they live.

Being in the comfort of our own home can allow clients to feel safe and at ease

 Oten,iWhat’s the evidence?

But the question I often get asked is “but is online therapy as effective as face to face therapy?” Before I started working online, I was unsure. My biggest concern was whether I would be able to access the same emotional connection with my clients that happens in the room with them. I questioned whether this was possible over a screen. However, over the past few years I can absolutely say that this is not the case. I truly believe I can connect with my clients just as well online, as I can in a room with them.

Yes it’s different, but it’s still effective. I help my clients achieve the outcomes they want from online therapy. It’s a privilege to share this journey with them. If I didn’t think online therapy was helpful or effective, I absolutely wouldn’t be delivering it.  It has to be delivered in an authentic and comfortable manner for it to be useful to my clients. My belief in the process allows me to do this.

A snapshot of the evidence base

From a evidenced-based perspective, more and more studies are being published which highlight the effectiveness of online video therapy. A study published in 2018 in the Journal of Psychological Disorders found that online cognitive behavioural therapy was just as effective as face to face treatment for depression, social anxiety and generalised anxiety disorder. In addition to this,  online video therapy was described as “effective, acceptable and practical health care”.  

A 2014 study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that online treatment was just as effective as face-to-face treatment for depression. Another study published in Behaviour Research and Therapy (2004) found that online cognitive behavioural therapy was effective in treating anxiety disorders with positive improvement being sustained one year later.

For some people, online therapy isn’t for them. I have to say though that for the majority of people I work with, they’ve been surprised at how positive an experience it has been for them. They feel that the pros of online therapy outweigh any cons they might have. If you follow this link you can read some lovely testimonials from clients I have worked with-many of whom were online.

What does online therapy look like and what should I expect?

Online therapy is just that….therapy but done online! Not much changes other than the physical space we are in. I use the same knowledge, skills, tools experience that I would do face to face. The same high standards and therapeutic models are adhered to, as they would be face to face. I am bound by the same standards of professional conduct and confidentiality as per my HCPC regulatory body. This is no different whether the therapy is provided online or face to face.

I generally use the GDPR compliant Zoom video platform for online therapy. I’m also happy to use Skype if that is your preference. You can find helpful instructions on how to set up and use Zoom here.

A full and thorough assessment of your needs is done before we decide together what the most appropriate and helpful form of therapy might be for you. All therapies that I am trained in can be delivered online. Some people are often put off at the thought of receiving online therapy as they can’t imagine it would work. This is why I offer all prospective clients the opportunity to meet me online for a free initial 15 minute video call. They can get a feel for whether I’m the right therapist for them, and how online therapy might feel for them.

A good quality internet or WIFI signal, and privacy is important so that the sessions flow easily. Another thing I ask of my clients is to make sure the computer/laptop is resting on a steady surface. It’s also important that the sessions take place in a room free from distraction, just like it would if it were face to face. That’s all really! 

Do I have to commit straight away?

There is absolutely no obligation to commit to therapy after the initial call. It has to feel right for the client. This initial call allows you to make sure all the technology is working and that the sound and lighting is OK. From here, if you wanted to try out a couple of sessions online to see how it feels for you this is absolutely fine. We would always review to see if it was feeling comfortable for you. 

How to get help and support

So if you’ve been considering accessing therapy but have been put off by most of the provision being online, I do hope this article has given you a sense of what online therapy may look like. I hope it has given you some reassurance that positive changes really can be made via this approach. In addition, most of the insurance providers I’m registered with are happy to fund therapy delivered online so if you have access to private health you’re likely to be covered. If you are struggling with your emotional wellbeing, what matters most is that you know there is help out there that you can access.

There are some great, free online self-help courses available (here). If you are looking for therapy, you can access therapy from the NHS (who are providing online therapy). More often than not, you can self-refer to your local IAPT NHS service. If you have health insurance or can self-fund you can contact me for an initial conversation about how I can help and support you. You can find out more about me and the services I offer by following this link. Please contact me here if you have any questions.

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