This post is also available in: enfr

Online therapy/ counselling

In recent years technology has changed the way in which health professionals deliver their services. Telehealth is defined as the use of electronic and communications technology to accomplish health care over distance.

The growing body of research into online therapy/counselling have established the efficacy of online therapy with treatment outcomes at least equal to traditional in-office settings. Online therapy has additional benefits unrealised by office-based treatments as it allows the patient to attend sessions at a higher rate than traditional sessions. The number of missed appointments is much less than with in-person therapy. There is some research to suggest that online counselling is more effective because a client is at greater ease and feels less intimidated than he would in traditional settings. This makes clients more likely to be honest and thus allow the counsellor to provide better treatment.

Online therapy/counselling or Telehealth are also filling the unmet need for clients located in areas traditionally under-served by traditional practitioners. Rural residents and expats along with under-served minorities often have an easier time finding a suitable therapist/counsellor online than in their local communities.

Online therapy/counselling has also been shown to be effective for clients who may have difficulty reaching appointments during normal business hours. Additionally, research is demonstrating that online counselling/therapist may be useful for disabled and rural people that traditionally under-utilise clinical services.
Online therapy/counselling means you meet with a counsellor/therapist from the privacy and comfort of your own home or office. You attend sessions by instant message, webcam (video optional), email exchange or telephone. Payment is made through Paypal by bank transfer or credit card. You can choose to remain anonymous.