Online therapy ? How does it work ?

Online psychotherapy is becoming more and more common these days. But does it really work? How does it work ? Is it a good option for you ?

Based on my experience and journey, I share here some ideas to help you clarify your thoughts about online therapy.

Scientific research about the effectiveness of online therapies began approximately twenty years ago in North America. Numerous studies have shown that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions, particularly for anxiety, moderate depressive disorders and certain forms of trauma (excluding people suffering from severe dissociative disorders, psychosis or those at risk of suicide).

For this to work, I'd say the starting point is us: psychologists and psychotherapists. The more comfortable we are with online practice, the more it will help you feel connected to us and comfortable.

Therefore, it is important to choose a therapist who has integrated the online modality in a way that makes you feel confident and humanly connected during sessions.

The benefits of online psychotherapy are numerous :

• It offers you considerable flexibility, as sessions can be scheduled at your convenience, without having to travel/ commute.

• Online therapy overcomes geographical barriers, giving you access to therapists all over the world.

• Even if communication takes place through a screen, it's possible to develop a relationship of trust with your therapist. And that's one of the most important things.

• Of course, it's important to choose a qualified therapist and to ensure that the platform used is secure.

That said, there are certain prerequisites or points of vigilance:

• If you choose a therapist who is not registered in the country where you live, it is important to make sure that he or she is properly registered as a mental health professional in the country where he/ she practices.

• Some countries do not authorize video consultations with professionals registered in other countries, for the following reasons : reimbursement of consultations and handling of disputes. It is better first to find out about the regulations in your country of residence and the coverage policy from your insurance company. You can also ask the psychologist of your choice about their client's rights and protection policy in case of online therapy.

• Online therapy is not recommended for people at risk of suicide, in crisis or suffering from severe psychiatric illnesses.

In conclusion, online psychotherapy can be an effective and practical option for those seeking psychological support as long as the points of vigilance are discussed clearly and openly with the psychologist of your choice before the beginning of the treatment.