This mode is here to stay. And it is that it offers interesting advantages for both the professional and the patient.
Online therapy is a very useful resource that has been incorporated into psychological intervention services for a few years.
In fact, it is currently one of the most demanded formats of psychotherapy , and that is why psychology cabinets and clinics that offer mental health care are quickly incorporating it into their repertoire of services.
It is not for less: this type of professional support allows you to attend psychotherapy saving time and effort in travel, as well as being accessible also for people who live in poorly communicated areas or cannot move much for health reasons. Now, how exactly does this form of therapy work? Let’s see it below.
This is how online psychotherapy works
Online therapy bases its main added value on the simplicity of its approach ; Basically, it is like online psychological therapy, but replacing the communication channel. This means that instead of interacting with the psychotherapist face-to-face, all information exchange takes place over the Internet, in real time.
In short, the video call is the main platform on which it is based, and that makes it possible for both the patient and the professional to emit and interpret elements of non-verbal communication, in addition to those of verbal communication. Nowadays, the development of new technologies allows a video call session to be an experience very similar to being in front of a psychologist, in the same room; Unlike some fifteen years ago, the image quality is good and the data transmission too, without the need to spend a lot of money on a good computer or a very expensive Internet connection.
Here we will see the most important aspects about how online therapy works , in case you are considering resorting to this type of service but you do not know very well what to do.
1. Ask for information in a normal way
As much as it is about online therapy through electronic devices, behind this service there are real people of flesh and blood, so do not hesitate and ask for information as you would if you were going to attend face-to-face therapy sessions . Of course, keep in mind that the moment in which you must explain in detail what your problem is is the first therapy session; The first contact prior to this, either by email or phone call, is to explain in a summarized way what is the reason why you seek psychological help and what your doubts are, as well as your availability.
The objective here is to make sure that the place where you are calling can help you with what is happening to you (not all psychotherapy centers offer all kinds of mental health or emotional well-being services), and to ask for an appointment. .
2. Book an appointment
Online psychological therapy, like face-to-face therapy, is carried out by prior agreement of day and time . Keep in mind that psychotherapists need to be able to balance their schedules in order to dedicate the time and dedication they need to each patient. For this reason, go with the mentality that the teams of psychologists are probably not going to be able to assist you the same day that you ask for information and propose to hold a first session.
3. If you have doubts about the video call platform to be used, raise them
The psychologists will inform you about which digital platform they are going to use to carry out the video call sessions, but if you are not a person familiar with them, do not hesitate and ask any technical questions you have. Keep in mind that many video call platforms require you to install software on your computer, but don’t panic because this process is usually very easy and it already comes with very well indicated instructions.
4. Prioritize comfort when connecting for therapy session
In psychotherapy it is very important that as patients we feel comfortable , because that way it is easier to open up and honestly explain what is worrying us and what we want to solve with the support of the therapist.
Therefore, if you do not feel like it, you do not have to pretend that you have left home and are in the psychologist’s office, you do not need to dress up or sit in a chair as if you were on the other side of a table in a meeting. If you feel that this way you will be able to relax more, put on comfortable clothes and sit on the sofa, or in a corner of your house where you feel comfortable and safe. The most important thing is that you have privacy and calm, a place with very little noise so as not to distract you.
5. Connect to the first session at the agreed time and let yourself go
Only worry about being on time for the appointment, and little else . It is not essential that you have a very prepared speech about what is happening to you and what you need; He thinks that the therapeutic process is based on dialogue, not on issuing information unilaterally as if it were a university master class. Let yourself be guided by the psychotherapist and do not be afraid of not knowing how to answer some questions.
Are you looking for psychological support online?
You can find more information on our website, or visit us at our center located in Madrid, located in the central neighborhood of Argüelles.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.