The 8 advantages of resorting to online psychology
A series of benefits of online psychology, a new form of psychological assistance.
In a matter of barely a decade, online psychology has become one of the most common ways of offering and receiving psychological assistance, a new way of establishing interaction between the psychologist and the patient or client.
But why has it become so popular? Basically, online psychology consists of the same services as always, but carried out through a different medium: the Internet, from which digital platforms can be used to communicate in real time. Is such a simple modification capable of making people start to use this option massively in a few years, and to see it as something normal?
In this article we will see what are the advantages of using online psychology?and how this new tool helps both clients and psychologists.
The advantages of using online psychology
As I said before, basically the only difference between conventional psychology services and online psychology services is the channel. In one case, the client or patient goes to visit the psychologist at his or her office or the psychologist goes to the client's home or business to work in situ; in the other, both meet at a certain time and connect to a communication system through the Internet.
This small differential fact, however, is much more. It creates a ripple effect that affects many other aspects of the relationship between the professional and the client, and many of these effects are positive, beneficial to both. Let's see what they are.
Benefits for the client
These are the different ways in which online psychology brings benefits to the client.
1. Saves travel time
Although in theory psychologists can go to where the client is, in practice the standard services of most professionals in the sector do not include this option, and if they do, it usually involves paying more than most people can afford.
That is why, sessions in which the psychologist and the client or patient meet are usually held at the psychologist's place of work, be it a psychologist's office, a psychologist's office, a psychologist's office or a psychologist's office.Whether it is a psychologist's office, a private practice or a clinic, the sessions are usually held at the psychologist's place of work.
However, this is a barrier for some people who have a lot of problems moving around, such as those who live in areas that are not very well communicated, elderly people or people with motor disabilities.
Online psychology eliminates this obstacle and makes many more people able to access the services of a psychology professional by attending sessions on a regular basis.
2. Allows for better scheduling
Due to the advantage we have seen above, everyone can deduct from their schedule the time needed to travel to the psychologist's workspace, which can easily gain an hour and a half a week, and find it easier to find time to conduct sessions without interfering without interfering with work or home responsibilities.
3. It allows you to choose the professional who really fits what you are looking for.
Since, thanks to online psychology, the space between client and psychologist is practically irrelevant, anyone interested in these services can choose the professional who really fits what they are looking for, anyone interested in these services can go to the professional who really offers what they are looking for, even if they live more than an hour away.even if they live more than an hour's drive away.
4. A good solution for people who have gone abroad
The possibility of having psychological assistance in one's mother tongue is a positive point to consider if you live abroad. Especially if you have to talk about personal issues or express your feelings in a direct and honest way.
5. Offers the guarantees of face-to-face psychological assistance
Currently, research indicates that the usefulness and effectiveness of online psychology are comparable to those of face-to-face sessions, and that there is generally no loss of time and money.and that in general there are no significant losses in the quality of the service offered.
This does not mean that it may not pose disadvantages to some people with specific needs, such as patients seeking therapy for phobias using technological tools that are available in a clinic, but not at home or on their computer, but these requirements do not normally arise.
Benefits for the psychologist
On the other hand, online psychology also offers many interesting advantages to psychologists. These are the main ones.
1. It allows us to work from anywhere
Regardless of whether we are traveling to another country to attend a congress or if we have gone to another city for a few days to work in situ on a special case (for example, in company services for a multinational), online psychology allows us to continue to manage the case of many clients.
2. Helps to balance schedules
Online psychology provides a little more flexibility in the distribution of sessions throughout the week.. For example, thanks to this it is possible to attend to clients even if at certain times there is no one at reception, and even if due to scheduling issues at one stage of the day there is no time to prepare a room in which to meet.
3. It helps to have more clients
Do not forget that online psychology can be accompanied by an expansive marketing strategy, that appeals to people who live relatively far away from where we are but who may be interested in our services.. This means that the ceiling of potential clientele goes way up, and is even potentially unlimited, if we do it right and work hard on communicating what we offer.
Conclusion
The advantages of online psychology mean that this service modality is here to stay.. As long as there are good communication networks and widespread use of electronic devices connected to the Internet, there will be the possibility of taking advantage of the potential of this channel that keeps us united regardless of where we are. And this can only be good news.
(Updated at Apr 15 / 2024)