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Understanding the Implications of Online Therapy

For a significant amount of time, people believed that mental disorders were related to a supernatural occurrence. Spirits and demons were included in the discussion of abnormal behavior. And methods such as trephination were used to treat them. We have come a long way since then.

 


Today, mental disorders are widely studied. Scientists now attribute these mental disorders to physiological and social factors that can be easily observed and measured. And many forms of treatments are now used to alleviate the experience of those who suffer from these disorders.

 

Of course, many people obtain a BA in Psychology degree in an attempt to contribute to the cause. The state of mental health in this modern world is not perfect. But it is on the right path towards recognition.

 

People now go to psychotherapy sessions to treat mental issues. These various treatments are now seen as a necessity when going through difficult, mentally strenuous situations. Going to psychotherapy sessions is received with mixed emotions from the public, but many people find it beneficial for their mental health.

The Power of Conversation

 

Much of these therapy sessions may seem like normal conversations between two people. But it can touch difficult and uncomfortable subjects. Clients and therapists need to go through these hard conversations to attain progress. Therapists also try to uphold comfort, consent, and confidentiality when dealing with clients.

Online Therapy: A Change of Landscape?

 

The rise of technology has made great changes in the way we live. Modern technology has progressed to a point where people do not need to be physically present to communicate with one another. Psychotherapy has benefited from these advancements. Because of its conversational nature, some practitioners now offer therapy sessions over the internet.

 

It has been exceptionally displayed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. People are doing everything inside their homes. This includes therapy sessions.

 

Of course, it's not the same as on-site therapy sessions. These differences may affect the quality of the session. Let's look into several factors that may affect one's therapy session online.

Technical Issues

 

Online interactions, including online therapy sessions, greatly rely on the tools and technology used for the session. This includes computers, phones, the internet, and computer programs used for communications. Of course, these tools are never perfect.

 

Technical issues may arise amid therapy sessions. This can be caused by several reasons, including damaged equipment, outdated applications, malfunctioning computer systems, and poor internet connection. Some of these issues can be easily addressed.

 

But it does affect how well a session goes. These issues may lead to delays, wrong information relays, and, sometimes, complete stoppages of sessions. Clients may not get their money's worth. And practitioners may not help their clients as well as they can.

Privacy and Confidentiality Concerns

 

Privacy and confidentiality concerns also affect the overall session. Practitioners are bound by their ethical standards to ensure that the information they collect remains confidential. This is to protect the privacy of clients.

 

This can also help clients open up and share deeper thoughts that may have caused their mental ailments. Also, practitioners should ask for consent every time they collect information and should respect the decisions made by clients. These standards can be difficult to uphold during online sessions.

 

That is because online sessions do not ensure the full privacy of a person. Some may not have the choice of being fully isolated from other people. Housemates, office mates, and other people may hear ongoing sessions.

 

This makes it hard to keep things private between the two parties involved. Apart from that, this compromised privacy can hinder clients to fully express their thoughts and emotions. This taints the information being shared and can affect how well they respond to the therapy.

Lack of Human Interaction

 

A major factor in these therapy sessions is the physical presence of both parties. Human interaction is powerful, especially during difficult conversations about one's life. There is very little human presence during online sessions. This can make it difficult for clients to get accustomed to the entire process.

 

This lack of personal interaction also affects how practitioners analyze their clients. They can miss non-verbal cues that are relevant to the session at hand. Of course, this can affect the entire direction of the whole therapy session.

 

This is not to discount the fact that online sessions have made therapy widely available to many people. Online therapy is far more convenient than in-person sessions. Clients can now reach their therapists faster. People who need help can get it with more ease.

 

But people deserve to have a glimpse of the experience before they decide to do it. Some people may find in-person sessions more productive. Others who cannot travel may prefer online sessions. At the end of the day, it is about getting the help needed to live a better, healthier life.

 

 

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