Therapy and its importance in today’s world:
Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy or usually just "therapy," is a form of treatment aimed at relieving emotional distress and mental health problems. Provided by any of a variety of trained professionals—psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, or licensed counselors—it involves examining and gaining insight into life choices and difficulties faced by individuals, couples, or families.
Therapy sessions refer to structured meetings between a licensed provider and a client with a goal of improving some aspect of their life. The critical aspect is that the client or patient works collaboratively with the therapist and can identify improvement and positive change over time.
With the Global health crisis by way of Covid -19, the impact on mental health is staggering.
As the corona virus pandemic rapidly sweeps across the world, it is inducing a considerable degree of fear, worry and concern in the population at large and among certain groups in particular, such as older adults, care providers and people with underlying health conditions.
In public mental health terms, the main psychological impact to date is elevated rates of stress or anxiety. But as new measures and impacts are introduced – especially quarantine and its effects on many people’s usual activities, routines or livelihoods – levels of loneliness, depression, harmful alcohol and drug use, and self-harm or suicidal behaviour are also expected to rise. Covid-19 online counselling helps us to stay better, strong and motivated during this toughest time.
Need for Therapy to improve mental well-being:
Therapy may be conducted for an individual, family, couple, or group setting, and can help both children and adults. Both patient and therapist need to be actively involved in the process. The trust and relationship between a person and his/her therapist is essential to working together effectively and benefiting from psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few sessions), dealing with immediate issues, or long-term (months or years), dealing with longstanding and complex issues. The goals of treatment and arrangements for how often and how long to meet are planned jointly by the patient and therapist.
What is Online Therapy or E-Therapy:
We are in the midst of a Technology revolution where all industries are positively impacted through technological advancements. Penetration, ease of use and scalability are the key advantages of using digital solutions. The field of medicine is no exception and mental health can only get better through technology. Adding technology to tested mental health interventions could make these treatments work more consistently and reach more people.
It’s a fact that e-therapy can be as effective as face-to-face conventional therapy. In fact, the combination of e-therapy and medication are far more effective than medication alone. Numerous research studies support these findings, including a review of 30 trials of internet-based therapies published over the past decade, and another of 26 trials showing improvement in anxiety and stress in guided internet-based cognitive behavior therapy in as little as four to eight weeks.
E-therapy delivers maximum impact with competitive cost and yet it is still seldom used and poorly understood. Now let us explore the key benefits of using online platforms for counselling.
1. Accessibility – Bridging time and space using technology:
Online therapy offers access to mental health information and treatment to people in rural or remote areas. Those who live in such areas simply might not have access to any other form of mental health treatment because there are limited or no mental health practices in their geographic area.
Online therapy gives relatively quick and easy access to treatment that might not have been readily available to you otherwise.
2.Accessibility for People With Physical Limitations and Mobility challenges:
Online therapy provides accessibility to individuals who are disabled or housebound. Mobility can be a big issue when it comes to accessing mental health care. A therapist practicing out of their own home, for example, may not be set up to accommodate all potential clients. Individuals who are unable to leave their home for various reasons, such as physical or mental illness, may find online therapy a useful alternative to traditional psychotherapy settings. In times such as the Lockdown, such avenues can be a life-saver too!
3.Convenience and Affordability:
Online therapy is usually fairly affordable and convenient. Since you will be attending therapy sessions online in the comfort of your own home, you can often schedule your therapy sessions for times that are the most convenient for you. For both the counselors and clients, comfort and affordability is offered by such online options.
Pitfalls of Online Therapy:
While online therapy can potentially be very helpful for people in certain situations, at this point in time it does come without some risks or disadvantages over traditional therapy options.
1. Technology:
Confidentiality is just as important in online therapy as it is in more traditional forms of treatment delivery. Since information is being transmitted online, leaks and hacks are more of a concern.Technology problems can also make it difficult to access treatment when you really need it.
2. Response to Serious /Crisis Situations:
E-therapy can be useful for a variety of situations, but not when it comes to people with serious psychiatric illness that require close and direct treatment or in-person intervention.Since online therapists are distant from the client, it is difficult to respond quickly and effectively when a crisis happens. If a client is experiencing suicidal thoughts or has suffered a personal tragedy, it can be difficult or even impossible for the therapist to provide direct assistance.
3. Ethical and Legal Concerns
Online therapy eliminates geographic restraints, making the enforcement of legal and ethical codes difficult. Therapists can treat clients from anywhere in the world. It is important to understand your therapist's qualifications and experience before you begin the treatment process.Online Counselling for All
The Internet has made mental health and treatment more accessible. People may feel comfortable talking to friends and family about physical health care issues but may not feel the same discussing mental health concerns that are just as important. Online access makes it easier to overcome the stigma that has historically been attached to mental health issues.
Online therapy can be an important tool to help people learn more about psychological health. Even if you feel like your mental well-being is strong, online therapy can help you become psychologically stronger.
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