“Sometimes, reaching out and taking someone’s hand is the beginning of a journey. At other times, it is allowing another to take yours.” – Vera Nazarian
I’ll admit I was skeptical too. A therapeutic relationship is essential to therapeutic effect and it seems counterintuitive that you’d be able to create and nurture this type of connection without being in the same room. However, what I’ve noticed, and what’s being supported by research, is that while there are certain elements that may be compromised by virtual meetings, there are a number of unique benefits that serve to significantly enhance both access to and quality of care.
With online sessions you are not restricted by geographical area to seek out support. Instead, you can be more particular with finding a counsellor whose areas of practice best aligns with your therapeutic goals, and with most counsellors making virtual options available, you have an extensive pool to select from. Counselling is an investment in your well-being, and this enables you to make best use of this investment.
Having counselling sessions online can also increase effectiveness and efficiency in therapy. Therapy has the potential to feel uncomfortable and vulnerable, but becoming vulnerable is fundamental in doing the work necessary to heal. Revealing and confronting the parts of yourself you’ve worked hard to ignore/hide can be easier to do when you are in your own space, surrounded by the things that give you comfort. This enhances your sense of safety and can thusly increase your willingness to address difficult topics or to process adverse experiences. Safety is also furthered by the sense of anonymity many individuals feel when communicating online allowing for increased authenticity. This combination of anonymity and safety within the context of a therapeutic connection can facilitate profound therapeutic effect.
The biggest, and most compelling, reason that I have become an advocate for virtual counselling is that reaching out for help is difficult. Particularly when suffering with symptoms associated with depression or anxiety, the thought of adding another obligation is daunting. Getting help requires a level of effort or time we may doubt that we have. This increases the appeal of online counselling as virtual sessions require minimal effort and can accommodate your schedule. Accessing help online provides ease and removes many of the barriers that keep individuals from getting help.
So grab a coffee, curl up in your favorite comfy spot, and start your healing journey. Accessing the help you need is just a click away.
“The most important trick to be happy is the realize that happiness is a choice that make and a skill that you develop. You choose to be happy, and then you work at it. It’s like building a muscle.” – Naval Ravikant