Online Counselling vs. Face-to-Face Counselling

When you think of a counsellor or therapist, some people often picture sitting or laying on a couch in an office. However, with today’s technology some people are now turning to online counselling or Skype counselling.

No matter which type of counselling you seek, you should feel confident speaking with your therapist. The therapist should provide you with the support you need to get through or cope with the problem you are facing.

During online counselling a person will meet with a therapist through the power of the Internet. Sometimes a patient may not want to participate in video or voice calls. They might prefer to remain private and confidential by using instant message through Skype. If the patient is more comfortable talking, they may just talk on the telephone or through a Skype voice call. However, once they feel confident in the online counsellor, they can choose to do a video call. By doing a video call, your session can be completed from your couch, office, or any place your are comfortable.

So, what is the difference between online counselling and meeting with a therapist face to face and, which one is best for you?

Convenience

When you meet with a counsellor face-to-face you must schedule an appointment and set aside time to travel to and from that appointment. During online counselling, you must still make an appointment, but the times are much more flexible as you are not meeting an counsellor in the office. You also don’t need to travel anywhere as you can meet wherever your computer is located, so you save precious time.

Body Language

Often times a therapist likes to observe body language, therefore they like to meet with a person face to face. However, some therapists do not need to pay close attention to body language, and online therapists may find that during Skype counselling they can observe a person’s body through the video chat.

Comfort

When meeting a therapist for the first time, no matter what issues you are facing it may be difficult to open up in a strange office or with a person you just met. Through online counselling you can be in the most comfortable place for you. You can choose to do a voice call or video call when you are ready. If you choose to chat via instant message, you can go back and read the transcript of your session with an online therapist. This has been said to make therapy sessions much more effective.

Meeting with a counsellor is not always easy and many people might prefer face-to-face counselling over online counselling or vice versa. However, it is all about personal preference and what you are most comfortable doing. No matter what type of counselling you seek, you should be sure that you are comfortable with your therapist and that you trust him or her. If you are experiencing any type of emotional problems such as depression, addictions, family or relationship problems, you should seek the help of a therapist today.
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