Is it possible to have a therapeutic relationship online, without any face-to-face interaction?”

Without doubt face-to-face psychotherapeutic services are unique because they offer the ideal structure for a clinician and a client, as whole human beings to work on developing a clinical relationship, a therapeutic alliance and to take into account physical, verbal and emotional channels of interaction, in order to work exploring, ventilating and processing the client’s psychoemotional material.

Nonetheless, traditional therapy has its own limitations and challenges typical of any other human interaction, plus the additional tension created by the nature of phychotherapy itself, which requires the person to allow her/himself to be vulnerable, and even more challenging, with a complete stranger, which could be the most threatening experience for many people, especially those who have undergone abandonment, neglect, abuse or any form of manipulation.

These are some of the advantages online counseling/psycotherapy could have in comparison to traditional sessions:

• The client feels less intimidated and inhibited by the clinical setting being more open to expose personal issues and to be vulnerable, because of the sense of anonymity not having to be seen by strangers like when attending a regular appointment at a local clinic.
• The client decides if wants to be seen through a picture, webcam or not at all, thus you decide the level of exposure. Most of the time clients who choose not to be seen report feeling they would not been judged but really heard, significantly reducing the impact stereotypes and prejudices around physical appearances use to impose.
• The client does regulate the depth and length of the session without feeling pressured by a rigid structure.
• Clients do not need to spend time commuting, waiting for their session or looking for a professional far enough from their residence or workplace in order to avoid relatives, friends or coworkers to know about it, since being aware of the ignorance and stereotypes most of the time deeply undermining the understanding and use of mental health services, essential for every person’s well-being.
• Client and clinician could focus more on the content of the session and much less on physical appearances and specific environment, with all their distractive stimuli.
• Client’s tendency to be more open and honest allows deeper and faster exploration and processing of core issues, which usually take much longer in a traditional setting.
• Online psychotherapy allows the client to focus on expressing feelings and thoughts in a verbal way through written language, promoting insight, which is essential in every rehabilitation-self-development process.
• Online psychotherapy allows people who cannot access traditional professional services because of absence of local providers, of a specialist on specific therapies, because of a medical condition making it not practical, or just because of the impossibility to get an appointment when it’s the right time for you due to a busy schedule to receive the support you need when you need it.  Regardless of your location and time, you would always be able to keep in touch with your therapist and receive the support that you need.
• New technologies are becoming more appealing and useful due to the benefits they offer, not just in the scientific and financial fields but also promoting communication, health and social services. People learn to appreciate and take advantage of online resources and services, feeling many times more comfortable and willing to explore and be themselves through these means than through traditional ones. Children, adolescents and adults taking advantage of technology report their satisfaction with etherapy as an alternative to receive support or complement traditional services according to their concrete needs, resources and expectations.

E-Psychotherapy as a Useful Tool

Online psychotherapy may not be the best option for some people. Most of the time people report feeling a unique, new experience and needing guidelines on what to do in the beginning of a first session, and often are able to feel comfortable and share their concerns and expectations.My suggestion is for you to consider trying it in order to realize how well it works for you.Obviously both, traditional psychotherapy and its virtual version depend on both, clinician and client to be useful and beneficial in supporting and promoting the client’s wellbeing.

If in Crisis

However, whenever the person is in severe crisis, suicidal or under the risk or harming self    or others, calling 911 or a local hotline is the responsible way to cope with it. If you are experiencing any of previous symptoms, immediately look for local professional support.