Pros and cons of online therapy sessions
In recent years, digital technology has revolutionized various aspects of daily life, including healthcare. The emergence of online therapy sessions offers convenience to individuals by allowing them to seek support from the comfort of their homes. While in-person therapy remains an important aspect of healthcare, online therapy sessions come with various advantages and disadvantages. Individuals must carefully consider both the pros and cons of online therapy to make an informed decision regarding their mental health.
Pros
- Easy access
One of the biggest benefits of online therapy sessions is that anyone can access it. Going to a therapist or a clinic in person may not be possible for everyone. For instance, it is hard for people to opt for traditional in-person therapy if they live in remote areas where there is limited access to healthcare professionals. Similarly, visiting therapists in person is difficult for people with mobility issues. Online therapy sessions eliminate these challenges and make it easy for almost everyone to consult a therapist. However, it is important to note that a stable internet connection is necessary to attend an online session without hassle.
- Comfort
Some people may not prefer a clinical setting as they may experience anxiety or discomfort in such a space. Since online therapy allows people to attend sessions from the comforts of their homes, this will help such individuals access therapeutic support while remaining in a space where they feel safe and comfortable.
- Convenience
Online therapy sessions offer the benefit of convenience, eliminating the need to spend extra time traveling to the clinic. Individuals can schedule a session at a time they prefer without disrupting their routine too much. This makes it easy for working professionals to consult their therapist without skipping a work day. Online therapy also makes it convenient for parents to attend sessions from home, removing their worries about arranging a sitter to care for the child while they are away.
Cons
- Technology can be very unreliable
A major risk factor with online therapy sessions is their reliance on technology. One must have a stable internet connection, a charged laptop or phone, and headphones or earphones to stay connected. If either of these devices has any issues, it will interrupt the session, necessitating rescheduling. Moreover, if anything happens in the middle of the session, like the internet disconnecting or the laptop shutting down, one could lose the remaining session time.
- The therapist may miss out on certain things
A mental health therapist examines a patient in multiple ways. Besides the patient’s verbal communication, the therapist observes their body language and other non-verbal cues for an accurate diagnosis. With an online mental health therapy session, this may not be possible for the therapist, as they would only be able to see the patient’s face. It may lead to them missing important signs from the patient’s body language. Plus, if the online sessions are text-based, the conversation becomes even more limited. In that case, the therapist can not pick up on the patient’s tone and facial expressions when discussing their issues.
