How online therapy can be useful

Not so long ago I had an inquiry for online therapy from another state. Whilst there are therapists in the local vicinity of this individual I also am aware that some people feel that distance therapy offers additional privacy.

Pleased for a new client and grateful for the opportunity to make a difference, we had a wonderful session. This was the first time she had ever turned to therapy. She was curious and desperate.

Distress

What she brought with her was distress and a search for difference. The difference she searched for already lay within her. Her feelings and emotions had created changes in her behaviour and her thought process.

Reach out

Within a short amount of time of receiving distressing news, her world crumbled. She did the right thing by reaching out. I really admired this about her.

Rapport

In one session of therapy, she was able to build rapport, talk openly and honestly about her distress and the turning point for her was when asked: "How do you prefer to feel"?

Permission

This question led her to the permission to take the necessary steps toward change. She realised within herself that forgiveness was important for her personal situation.

Relationships

She also realised that in a short amount of time she created negative and unhelpful relationships with objects, different times of the day, different people, her appetite, sleep rituals, and more.

Taking charge

During this session, she realised that she can be in charge of getting her life back in shape and back the way she prefers.

Getting unstuck

Perhaps she needed some guidance. She got stuck. She reached out, and this session got her moving.

Let's be clear, whilst the therapist can be skilled, it's the client who does the main work, who makes the change.

Online can be so useful

This again was more evidence that online therapy can be just as useful as personal /physical face to face. Let's be honest, there may be clients who come into the clinic and bring a whole lot of resistance with them. So there are times that online can truly be just as effective. In fact, it is much more engaging, you are truly face to face online (on the big screen) and lots of work can get done.

Amanda Dounis | Psychotherapist