Video and e-Counselling in the modern era

In this day and age there are other opportunities for psychotherapy in addition to traditional sessions at the therapist’s office. To start I think the face to face therapy is most beneficial as it helps to build a rapport and transference that helps client to practice and resolve life’s challenges. During therapy session, there is something special that happens in the room with two persons present, it is an opportunity for true intimacy and understanding and I already wrote about it. However, in life there are time challenges as well as distances and schedules that make it extremely challenging to get to therapy office in this case there are other opportunities. There is a video counselling through either Skype or similar technology allowing for the session to take place from the distance. This is done in the chosen time with the therapist and it is done in the present. It may be a second best to office visit. Therapist and the client get to see each other on the screen and there is an opportunity for a real therapeutic process to take place. The challenges here are the privacy for the client with choosing a place where there will be no interruptions and confidential environment (it is of course a responsibility of the therapist as well).  Another option is an email exchange where the sessions are happening in form of email letters. The obvious benefit is that the client has an opportunity to engage with the process at their own time. Since it is not a conversation it is not possible to clarify right away what the persons are saying nor to know for sure if there is understanding and engagement in the process. However, if there is an adept skill in writing and openness to do the work, the psychotherapy is possible. Here the therapist may assign homework for client to practice, and get their written feedback and the therapy process may be better described in writing which some persons may find clearer. This mode is not for everyone but it may work if it was the only way to get help. The security and privacy have to be established as well. If one is determined to change their life and make it better, there is always a way. In my practice I offer all these opportunities.