Traditionally speaking, accessing counselling and therapy meant going to the therapists office, and sitting down face-to-face with them . This is still quite common and for some clients (and even therapists) their preferred option. However today, largely due to our post-covid world, online therapy is becoming increasingly popular.

Just as we can now access Telehealth appointments with our GP, many counsellors offer online sessions and some even work exclusively online. The main benefit to client is choice – you can now access counselling in which ever way works best for you.

The idea of online counselling might seem a little strange at first but there are some attractive advantages. There are equally some things that are good to consider to ensure that it is the right choice for you. In this blog I aim to unpack both so that you can decide whether online counselling is something you might consider as an option.

Convenience

The most obvious benefit is that it is convenient. You don’t have to drive to and from the therapists office or find (or even pay for) parking, all of which adds extra time and added cost to your scheduled session. You can access your counselling session from any place that is comfortable and convenient to you.

However there are some important considerations:

• Do you have a safe, private space available to you so that you can engage in your session with privacy and without interruption? (public spaces are not recommended for this reason)
• Do you have a stable internet connection and suitable device (working camera and microphone)?

Accessibility

With online counselling you are not restricted to a counsellor within your local area. If a counsellor works online, they will usually take clients from anywhere in Australia and some even from overseas, widening your choice of counsellor. This is also a great option if English is not your first language and you need to speak to someone from your own country (You will need to check that your chosen counsellor can work with overseas clients as there are some restrictions).

The benefit of accessibility is particularly relevant to those in rural or remote areas where services are limited or distance makes attending an appointment unfeasible. With a daughter living on an outback station where just getting to the front gate takes most of an hour, I understand the challenges that living in an isolated community brings to the things most of us take for granted. Given the huge rise in mental health issues within rural areas, online counselling provides a much needed solution.

You may also prefer the anonymity of seeking support outside of a small town community where everybody knows everybody else. Online counselling takes away the possibility of being seen entering or leaving the counsellors office, so if this is something that is an important consideration for you, online counselling may be worth considering.

It also provides access to counselling for those who find it hard or even impossible to attend an appointment in-person. Those with mobility issues, severe sensory limitations, lack of transport, or any other reason that makes leaving home difficult, can access their session from their own home. Many counsellors do not offer home visits making online sessions a great alternative.

Sense of safety

Being in your own familiar environment can bring an increased sense of safety and calm for some clients and take away some of the stress and anxiety that may come with attending a face-to-face session. Clients can feel more relaxed which enables them to open up more easily.

There are some important considerations however – for some clients, an in-person session is still the better option.

Think about:

• The reason you are seeking counselling

Many concerns can be effectively addressed through an online session. There are times where it may be best that you are with your counsellor in the same room, such as with some trauma work. Your counsellor has a duty of care to ensure that you are safe. If you do not have another person/family member at home to be with you if you become dysregulated, you will be asked to provide an emergency contact/support person that will be contacted if there are any concerns for your safety. The same applies to an in-person session but extra precautions are taken online to ensure you can get the support you need if you are alone.

If I determine that online counselling is not the best option for a client, I will give them the option of switching to an in-person session or providing a referral to another counsellor more convenient to their location.

• Safety Issues

Consider whether seeking counselling in your own home will compromise your safety. This is particularly relevant to concerns arising from domestic and family violence where the perpetrator resides in the same home or has access to your devices.

Effectiveness

Studies have shown little or no difference in outcomes between traditional face-to-face and online therapy sessions across a range of mental health issues. One study that analysed data from over 9,000 clients found that online therapy was just as effective as face-to-face therapy (Fagan, 2024).

Online counselling can take some getting used to but you will find that before long, you will forget you are not in the same room and engage in much the same way that you would in person. As a counsellor, I provide exactly the same quality of service to online clients as I do to those that attend in person. I may not be able to hand you the box of tissues or offer you a glass of water, but you can expect the same professional approach and outcomes from your sessions.

Hybrid Option

It is also possible to combine online counselling and in-person sessions. This allows for any booked session to be changed or rescheduled to online if needed. This can be great for continuity of sessions if you are sick, you are home with sick kids, away travelling for work or simply don’t have the travel time that day to attend face-to-face. Some notice will be required for this of course, but it provides flexibility that may mean you won’t have to cancel or reschedule your session.

A Final Thought

Online counselling isn’t a second-best option — it’s a meaningful, flexible way to receive quality care that meets you where you are. For some it is the real difference between being able to access support or having to struggle alone. It effectiveness is evidenced-based and it provides numerous advantages that may make it a great option for you.

If you’ve been thinking about reaching out for counselling but time, distance, or logistics have held you back, this might be the perfect way to begin.

Online counselling really is the quiet achiever – effective, convenient, accessible, cost effective. Why not give it a try?

You can book an online session with me in a few easy steps using the button below.

References

Fagan. A (2024). https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/escaping-our-mental-traps/202404/is-online-therapy-a-promising-option