Some people make appointments to see their therapist in person, others choose to counsel online. As a counselor and therapist offering both, my experience is that neither is better or worse than the other, they are just different. Each approach to therapy has its own advantages and benefits. For more information visit this site: drmental.org

When there is no 'body language' the focus is on therapy

Some people have the idea that because online counselors don't see body language, they are at a disadvantage in their job and may not be as effective as face-to-face counselors. But how important is "body language" when compared to what is said and heard? Online therapy conversations actually have the potential to be more focused than a discussion between the therapist and the client in the same room. Distractions of how someone is sitting, what they are wearing, and what else is happening in the room are simply not present during online dating.

The 'body language' can, of course, give the counselor a better sense of the person, but it can also be influenced by the situation itself. A person meeting with a therapist in an unfamiliar office may seem physically uncomfortable, perhaps more so than if the consultation were conducted online.

Obviously, there are some differences between being in the same room as a therapist and meeting with him online. But these limitations must be balanced against the extra attention words and language receive when delivered from a comfortable position and in a familiar environment such as a home.

Online counseling: different options for different people

Online counseling is not just one approach. It encompasses many options, and each has its own advantages.

Webcam: face-to-face advice over the Internet

The most recognized approach to talk therapy over the Internet is probably webcam counseling. Webcam counseling means that you and the therapist see each other face to face as if you are in the same room together. So instead of talking about online counseling and "face-to-face" counseling, I like to use the terms "online counseling" and "in-person counseling," because webcam counseling is face-to-face.

There is no question that many people enjoy the comfort and convenience of meeting a therapist through a webcam. You don't need to think about transportation, traffic, or what you're wearing. You save time because you don't even need to leave the house. All you need is a working computer with a webcam, Internet access, and a quiet, private place. You can see and speak with your therapist in confidence and relaxed in your own space. If you don't want to be seen, you can choose to speak without the video, which is like telephone counseling.

Instant messaging advice

Different people like the idea of Internet therapy for different reasons. The convenience of not having to leave home can be attractive, but the privacy and confidentiality of online conversations are also attractive to many.

Instant messaging software like Skype and Windows Messenger allows you to participate in therapy without being seen or heard. Writing down your problems and having your therapist respond with questions or reflections on what she has written can be a refreshing alternative to having to voice difficult experiences. This can be very important for someone experiencing shyness or having a hard time talking to a stranger. An additional feature of the software is that it automatically saves a transcript of the conversation on your computer that you can choose to delete at any time. The advantage here is that you can read the transcript to refresh your memory of what was said at any time after the session is over and refer to the dialogue at your next appointment if you have any questions. Research has shown that documenting what happened can make therapy sessions much more effective.

In terms of who should and shouldn't see an online counselor, there are no hard and fast rules for this. In my own practice, I do not make myself available to people who are insignificant risk or personal danger or if the situation is extremely urgent. I am working with people from all over the world so I am not in a position to easily hire local emergency services. If the situation is one of domestic violence or recent sexual assault, for example, I order people to contact a GP or the nearest public hospital. Medical professionals and institutions often have far better resources to help.