Online Counseling and Psychotherapy
Nils-Günter Schultze explains many benefits to online therapy where the patient does not see the counselor/therapist. Counseling and Psychotherapy is superior
in many ways including anonymity, easy access, and the real luxury of converting
the client's bedroom into a therapy room. Above all, Schultze brings out the
following mental processes that are happening during the counseling/psychotherapy
process.
Psychological anonymity
There are clients who do not prefer to meet the therapist face to face for the lack
of confidence, their negative self image, feeling of embarrassment or guilt, etc.
Even in the common parlence, real anonymity is difficult to achieve nowadays, yet online patients are afforded
this benefit, having the ability to receive treatment in the comfort of their own
homes. Many of them even choose e-therapy for this very reason. The anonymity that
e-therapy affords enables them to talk about their most intimate personal matters
with a total stranger, much easier than if they had to do so in traditional face-to-face
therapy. Hence, they become
more confident,
which helps them to feel better in many ways. This anonymity also allows them to decide when they would like to end sessions,
a benefit not found in traditional therapy.
Protection of self assurance
Since most online sessions do not involve seeing the other person, patients do not
have to experience the common humiliation that accompanies the discussion of sensitive
topics. This is very important for patients suffering from negative self image,
guilt, and even to patients suffering from PTSD, depression, etc. Some clients who
seek help on relationship and marriage issues find online therapy much superior
to face-to-face counseling. Empowered to speak freely, the anonymity minimizes the patients' helplessness
during the process.
Projection
Online counseling lacks the formality, objectively experienced distance, and insecurity
triggered often during the first few sessions in traditional face-to-face therapy.
Therefore, often, the patient's image of the therapist takes on traits of projection
where a patient's inner image of the counselor is most likely to match some imagined
character of an ideal counsel.
Willingness to change
The unique setting of online treatment encourages patients to feel increased inner
confidence and openness. These feelings of empowerment facilitate greater acceptance
of the counselor's intervention, and thus makes the treatment even more effective.
Over time, and in the context of one-time counseling, it means that counselors have
the opportunity to make more of an impact.
Accessibility
Due to the fact that all treatment materials are permanently documented, patients
and counselors both have the ability to re-read session transcripts. This kind of
access is a benefit not found in traditional therapy, and it allows patients the
ability to literally track their progress, over time.
Based on: Schultze, N.G. (2006). Success Factors in Internet-Based Psychological
Counseling. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 9 (5), 623-626.
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