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ADVANTAGES OF ONLINE COUNSELING

 

 

 

 

By: Michele Qunitin, LCSW

COVID-19 has changed all of our lives. Social distancing and staying home have become our new norm for now, and with that said, options are available to us virtually to still speak to a qualified therapist. You’ve heard about online counseling (sometimes called ​teletherapy​) and you’re curious if it might work for you. Here are just a few of the advantages of online counseling and how it may actually work better for you at this time of being in your home.

  •  Improved Anonymity/Avoiding Dual Relationships – ​In counseling, a “dual relationship” refers to having any other relationship (personal, business, etc.) with your therapist outside of your therapeutic relationship, or your therapist having close relationships with your immediate family members. Naturally, this is problematic and to be avoided if possible. Teletherapy can eliminate these concerns.
  • Ability to Participate in Couples/Family Counseling across Distances; Trying to schedule couples or family counseling can be so challenging, especially if one or more people in the group travel. Online counseling is a great option to bridge distances and help maintain regular therapeutic sessions.
  • Other Factors to Consider: ​While online counseling can be a wonderful option, for all the reasons listed above, there are some necessary elements in order for teletherapy to work well. Here is a list of some prerequisites.
  • A quiet place to talk, free from distractions. ​You still want confidentiality and dedicated time and space to meet, so trying to chase after a toddler or connecting in a public space isn’t going to work, especially now with the social distancing policies. Consider using headphones to improve both confidentiality and sound quality.
  • Hi Speed Internet connection on a computer. ​Many of us are used to using Skype or FaceTime for video chat, but online counseling requires using a secure platform. These platforms are free for you as the client, but you will need to install/connect to them from your computer. Your potential therapist should be able to give you more information on the platform they use.
  • Alternative Plan in Case of Technical Difficulties- ​Even the most reliable internet service may fail occasionally, and it’s never convenient when it does. Discuss the alternative plan ahead of time with your therapist so you’re not left stranded.

Conclusion

Under the right circumstances, online counseling can be just as effective as the traditional in person therapy model, or sometimes even better. Knowing what factors to be aware of from the beginning can help you find the best online therapist for you.

For More information about online counseling with Dr. April Brown, please contact directly:

239-565-6921 or email info@draprilbrown.com

 

 




Cape Coral Office:
290 Nicholas Parkway Ste 2
Cape Coral, FL 33991

Sarasota Offices:
1487 2nd Street Suite C-4
Sarasota, FL 34236

info@draprilbrown.com
(239) 565-6921

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