For decades therapy was something that occurred face-to-face in a therapist’s office. But over time in person appointments are simply one of the options clients have for counselling. Telephone sessions and video calls have now made remote counselling and psychotherapy viable for many people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend.

Perhaps you’re considering remote counselling but aren’t sure if it’s for you. In this article we will look at some of the different aspects of it to help make your decision easier. So what are the advantages and challenges of remote therapy?

Advantages: 

• The main advantage is of course being able to have a session from the comfort of your own space. For many this makes them feel more at ease from the start.
• This removes the need to travel to/from sessions and can mean that you can even fit in a session on your lunch break at work. 
• If you’re sick but feeling well enough to talk, you can still have your session as planned.
• Some people enjoy being able to have their session as a phone call so they can walk while they have it. 
• Some people struggle to feel comfortable in a therapist room, there is no shame in being comfortable in your own space. 
• New mothers who may be unable to leave the house can still have a session as planned and get the much needed support they need. 

Challenges: 

• Some people struggle to focus on their therapy if they are in their own space.
• If you have poor signal or bad connectivity in your area, remote therapy may not be viable. A constant break in the connection can make it too difficult to get into a rhythm with your therapist.
• You may not have a private space at home for the session.
• Some clients simply prefer sitting with someone in person, there is nothing wrong with having a preference for your therapy.  

So what is the takeaway from this? Well, therapy is never one size fits all. Different therapists suit different personalities & needs; one style of therapy may work for one and not the other; some will love remote counselling and others will prefer in-person sessions. There is no “right” way when it comes to therapy, it is simply finding the approach, setting & therapist that works best for you.  

If you’re unsure of whether remote counselling or in-person sessions are right for you, the answer may simply be to try. Give it a couple sessions and see how it feels, you’ll either feel happy to continue or you’ll have a better idea of what it is you want going forward.