According to a report in 'Mental Health' (Surgeon General 1999), the traditional forms of therapy, namely - face 2 face or often inaccessible to many of us due to the associated stigma. This report also suggest that online therapy can overcome this due to it's non-visual environment. Thus people feel free and secure to reveal their innermost feelings and concerns without embarrassment and with complete anonymity.
To date online therapy has served a broad spectrum of people who are unable to receive face 2 face therapy, including: teenagers, people living in remote rural areas, people with physical disabilities who are housebound and generally those who chose not to (for various reasons) seek traditional therapies.
Online therapy on this site utilises various interventions from different theories and orientations as appropriate for the client, this is known as eclectic therapy. A client's treatment plan is tailored specifically for the chosen method of communication, be it for, email, instant chat or telephone.
Therapeutic benefits attributed to online therapy
- You may feel you can self-disclose more rapidly than with face 2 face therapy.
- You will have greater opportunities for reflection from your own and the therapists perspective.
- It will enable you to be more succinct in your expression of feelings and concerns.
- If you are normally uncomfortable with talking about your concerns/ feelings, writing them down will be easier for you. Writing becomes an easier tool to uncover deep emotions and truths that many find difficult to express, when face 2 face with someone.
- Generally you may feel less inhibited and ready to move toward solutions at a quicker pace than with traditional therapy.
- Online therapy allows the individual to be able to reflect on their feelings and thoughts without the intrusion of any non-verbal signals from the therapist and vise versa.
- It allows the client a greater variety of ways to express themselves, they are able to choice whether to disclose or not different aspects of their identity, emotions and issues.
Convience for the client
- The use of real time and text based chat enables therapy to be in the here and now.
- Clients who find it difficult to schedule for weekly face 2 face sessions will be accommodated.
- There are no time zone barriers or restrictions for the client.
- There is 24 hour availability for convenience to allow for personal commitments and convenience.
- Online therapy may accommodate clients problems/ illnesses as there is no need for travel.
- Clients with disabilities may find online therapy more accessible, i.e. hearing impaired clients.
- Online therapy allows you to fit the therapy around your life rather then fitting your life around it. You are in control.
Online therapy is a vey effective medium with proven results for a diverse cross section of people. Furthermore online therapy delivers a service where face 2 face therapy is not accessible or desirable to you. It is the most uncomplicated and practical method of providing 24/7 psychological help. Some clients may be better suited to email therapy, telephone therapy or instant chat therapy or a combination of all three, which will be advised and reviewed by cafe therapy dependent on your needs. It is therefore essential that you are open and honest with your expectations and needs from therapy.
For further information about the ethos of the therapy offered or the theory behind the therapy approaches please follow the links. Some common misconceptions about online therapy.
- For Counselling face to face - private clinic, please follow this link.
Online therapy is not for people needing urgent help. For further information and help outside this site...
