Here’s something that should pique your attention. Did you know that almost all psychologists now consult with their patients through the Internet? Well, it even becomes more fascinating. According to a number of studies, teletherapy is on par with traditional in-person treatment in terms of effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and other factors. So, should we put our faith in online therapy?
To begin, there are a few things that you ought to think about, don’t you think? Because of this, we’ve come up with a clever miniguide that contrasts traditional face-to-face treatment with its digital counterpart, online therapy. Continue reading down below.
In a study that was conducted back in 2022 by the American Psychological Association (APA), researchers discovered that 96% of psychologists reported treating patients remotely. In the relatively young field of virtual treatment, what restrictions are there to consider? Should patients resume traditional face-to-face sessions with their therapists?
The Benefits of Using Teletherapy
The biggest pro of video therapy is convenience; patients don’t need to take the time to travel to an office, take time off from work, or find a babysitter, explained Vaile Wright, a director of the Office of Health Care Innovation at the APA.
The present predominance of teletherapy may be attributed, in large part, to the accessibility and convenience that it provides. The increased number of options accessible may also be beneficial to those who have preexisting ailments, are underprivileged groups, are members of the minority, or both.
Advantages of Counseling Sessions in Person
You get less information over the screen. You can’t see if the patient is tapping their foot or fiddling with their fingers or if there’s alcohol on their breath. You can miss micro facial expressions or the momentary darting of eyes, stated Steven Reidbord, a psychiatrist in California.
In-person treatment offers a patient who is experiencing a crisis or who has a serious ailment the opportunity for a personal connection that may not be present via a screen. One further advantage of going to therapy in person is that there are fewer distractions. A practitioner is able to speak with a patient more successfully when they are in an environment that is private, such as a therapist’s office.
Experiment with both in-person and online counseling before making a final decision on which one is more beneficial to you. This will allow you to take advantage of the positive aspects of both approaches.
