Online Counseling or Face to Face Therapy: Which Is Best?

While some people prefer to meet with their therapists in person, others prefer online counseling. I have found that both online and in-person counseling are equally effective. Each therapy approach has its advantages and disadvantages.

The Therapy is the focus when there is no 'Body Language'

Many people believe that online counselors won't be able to see body language and therefore are less effective than face-to-face counsellors. How important is "body language" when compared to what is being said? Online therapeutic conversations can be more focused than sessions between client and therapist in the same room. Online appointments are free from distractions like where someone is sitting, their clothes and other room activity.

Although 'Body Language' can give counselors a better understanding of a person's situation, it can also be affected by the environment. It is possible for a person to feel more uncomfortable meeting with a therapist when they are in an unfamiliar setting than if it were online.

There are obvious differences between meeting online with therapists and being in the same room. These limitations must be balanced with the attention words and language get when conveyed from a place of comfort and familiarity, such as home. Mental Health Therapist

Online Counseling: There are many options for different people

Online counseling is more than one way to get help. Online counseling encompasses many options, each with its own benefits.

Webcam: Face-to-face Counseling via the Internet

Webcam counseling is the most popular method of talking therapy via the Internet. Webcam counseling allows you to see your therapist face-to-face, much like you would in a room together. Instead of referring to online counseling or 'face to face' counseling, I prefer to use the terms "online counseling" and "in-person counseling", because webcam counseling IS face-to-face.

Many people love the convenience and comfort of communicating with therapists via webcam. It's easy to forget about traffic, transport and what you are wearing. It saves time and you don't have to go anywhere. You only need a computer that can connect to the internet, a webcam and somewhere quiet. Talking to your therapist can be done in confidence, in your own private space. You can opt to not have your therapist see you. This is similar to telephone counseling.

Instant Messenger Counseling

Different people enjoy the idea of online therapy for different reasons. While the convenience of not needing to travel can be appealing, many people also enjoy the privacy and confidentiality offered by online communication.

Skype and Windows Messenger allow you to communicate with your therapist via instant messaging software. It can be refreshing to write down your problems and have your therapist reply with questions or reflections. For someone who is shy or has difficulty speaking to strangers, this might be a great option. The software also keeps a copy of the conversation on your computer, which you can delete at any point. This allows you to review the transcript and refresh your memory. You can also refer back to it at your next appointment to answer any questions. Studies have shown that therapy sessions can be made more effective by recording what happened.

Email counseling

Email counseling is a well-known method of communicating with clients. Email counseling is convenient because you don't have to leave your home and can communicate with others in privacy.

When they're in a room together with a therapist, some people feel pressured by the time. Email counseling can make this pressure go away. Email counseling allows you to communicate with your therapist in a way that you can think about what you want, take your time writing it, and then receive a response from the practitioner. You can then review it at your leisure. Email counseling removes the pressure from therapy. You can also be assured that everything said by your therapist is recorded.