The Benefits of Online Therapy

The Benefits of Online Counselling: Accessible Therapy from Home

More people are choosing online therapy in the UK. Why? It's convenient, confidential, flexible, and accessible. You can fit it around your life without the added time it takes to travel to and from a session. Imagine squeezing in a session during your lunch break or adding it to your weekday schedule from wherever you are. Plus, it opens the door to many excellent professional therapists who may not be local but are available to meet with you each week.

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What is Online Therapy?

Online therapy typically involves video calls from wherever you are. You might use your phone, laptop, or desktop computer for these sessions. However, it’s crucial that these sessions take place in a secure and confidential space. You need a place where no one can interrupt you, allowing you to open up and talk freely about what you need. Your therapist should have a similar setup.

In a traditional therapy room, the door is shut, and it’s soundproof. You’re aware of this when you walk in for the first time. With online therapy, you must create this space yourself. You also need to trust that your therapist has done the same to adhere to their professional ethics.

With online therapy, you should expect the same level of professional care and treatment from your therapist as you would in person.

How Does Online Counselling Work?

The process of entering into online counselling is quite similar to in-person therapy. First, reach out to the therapist and share a bit about yourself and why you’re seeking therapy. If you have something specific on your mind, let them know. This helps the therapist determine if they can work with you effectively.

Once you’ve made contact and received a response, you can arrange a consultation. In my practice, I offer a free 20-minute consultation. This is a chance for you to open up a little more, get to know how I work, and ask any questions. If you’d like to continue, we can book your first session during the consultation, or you can take your time to decide and let me know later.

At the start of each week, I send all my clients a video link via email. Usually, the day before the session, I send out an invoice as a courtesy message for payment and for our records.

I currently use Google Meets as my video platform. I’ve not encountered any issues with clients accessing the link for sessions. This means it’s hassle-free; you don’t need to download any software. You can also be reassured that this call is encrypted, confidential, and secure.

The Benefits of Online Therapy

Accessibility and Convenience

We live in a fast-paced world. It can feel like we need to fit in as much as possible each day to be "productive." Online therapy acknowledges that we all have a lot going on. If you work full-time, have a family, or a busy social life, finding time for in-person therapy can feel overwhelming. Online therapy provides a convenient way to slot a session into your week, carving out time for yourself and your well-being, whether you’re at work or home.

Comfort and Familiar Environment

Wherever you choose to do online therapy, I hope it’s in an environment that feels comfortable for you. It should be confidential and secure. Maybe it’s a quiet room at work, or perhaps it’s your sofa at home, complete with a candle, a hot drink, and a cozy blanket. Online therapy makes the experience more tailored to your needs. Creating the best environment is crucial for a positive therapeutic experience.

Continuity of Care

Consistency is vital in any style of therapy. That’s why I schedule a rhythmic pattern of working with clients. If you’re unsure whether to have fortnightly or monthly sessions, I encourage starting with weekly sessions for the first few months. This helps establish a strong relational foundation and ensures you feel continuity and momentum in the work. After a review period, we can adjust to fortnightly or less frequent sessions.

Is Online Therapy Effective?

Research suggests, along with personal experience and extensive work with clients across the UK, that online therapy can be just as effective as face-to-face sessions. For all the reasons mentioned, online therapy ensures you have access to the right therapist for you, not just those who are local. It also allows you to create your own space for your session, helping you feel comfortable and relaxed in what can otherwise be an anxiety-inducing experience.

The effectiveness of the therapeutic work depends on the good facilitation, awareness, and experience of the practitioner, as well as the openness of the client to the work itself.

Online Therapy for Different Needs

Once you’ve finished reading this, check out my Therapy Services page. There, I outline all the different areas I commonly work with. These include life transitions, anxiety and depression, faith deconstruction, grief and loss, relationships and marriages, parenting, and overthinking. All these areas of pain and struggle can be addressed in online therapy. I have experience facilitating online sessions where these issues arise, helping clients explore their emotional and practical needs for the future.

Choosing the Right Online Therapist

I am an integrative therapist. This means I tailor the therapeutic experience to each client. I believe every client is unique, with their own lived experiences—even if many presenting issues are similar. It’s essential for you, the client, to find a therapist you connect with on a relational level.

How to Get Started with Online Therapy

I’d love to meet you to see if we could work well together. I want you to share what’s happening for you and why you’re considering therapy. Get in touch by clicking this button and sending me a message. I’m friendly, warm, and down to earth. I understand that starting therapy—especially for the first time—comes with a lot of unknowns and anxiety. But I assure you, if you want it to be, it can be a life-changing journey. I look forward to hearing from you!

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