5 Common Myths About Online Counseling You Shouldn’t Believe

An online consultation with a therapist is very convenient. You can get help without leaving your home anytime convenient for you. This is a very popular practice, but there are still certain myths about online counseling that we will discuss.

What Are the Advantages of Online Consultations with a Therapist?

Online consultations are as effective as traditional ones. Sometimes it is even a little easier for the client to relax; after all, he sits at home in a familiar environment. To get an online consultation, you do not need to waste time on the road or getting ready. Just a couple of clicks—and you find yourself in a pleasant atmosphere with someone who wants to help you and has the appropriate qualifications. The online format makes medical care more accessible and convenient. Connecting to a video link or chat is enough to get help.

You can contact a therapist at home, on a business trip, or in another city. All data is transmitted through secure channels, and the conversation occurs in a familiar environment, where the patient feels calmer. In repeated visits, the therapist is already familiar with the patient's history, allowing for more precise control of the dynamics. Online consultation with a therapist is a modern way to get quality medical care quickly, conveniently, and safely. But there are still many myths about such consultations. Let's look at them.

Myth: Online Consultations Are Less Effective than Face-to-Face Meetings

It is widely believed that online therapy is less effective than traditional therapy. Sometimes it is unusual to accept something new, so this reaction is natural. Online psychotherapeutic help effectively reduces the manifestations of depression, panic attacks, mood swings, symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal sensitivity, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Yes, the format is different. Some people need time to get used to a new communication space. But online sessions have obvious advantages. A person is in a familiar environment, feels comfortable, and with the good skills of a psychotherapist, a sincere, trusting, intimate space is created in which a person receives the necessary help.

Myth: Online Consultations Are Temporary

Many people believe that the growing popularity of online consultations is temporary. For example, there has been a surge, but its history began much earlier—and it will stay with us for a long time. Technologies are developing and changing the reality around us, including in therapy.

Today, people are increasingly choosing the online format due to its accessibility, convenience, and effectiveness. For example, for a person with social anxiety, a visit to a therapist may seem overwhelming. Video communication or a call becomes the first step to overcoming fears. For those who do not have the opportunity to spend time on the road due to work or caring for children or elderly relatives, online support becomes the only real way out. Online consultations are a sustainable and modern format of psychotherapeutic assistance.

Myth: Online Sessions Distract from Working on Yourself

Yes, sometimes the client may seem absent-minded. But this is not always a problem with the format. Going into "distraction" can be a defensive reaction when it is difficult for a person to open up. Sometimes the apparent lack of concentration hides a fear of being judged.

Such situations also occur during face-to-face meetings. That is why psychologists are trained to recognize such mechanisms and gently help clients become aware of them. Thus, distraction during online sessions is not an indicator of ineffectiveness but a part of the therapeutic process that the specialist knows how to manage.

Myth: Online Therapy Is Only Suitable for Mild Problems

The common opinion is that online consultations help only with minor difficulties. They can be effective for serious disorders. It all depends on the specialist's professionalism and the quality of the therapeutic contact.

In the online format, you can work with a variety of conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and personality disorders. An important role is played by:

• Empathy and attentiveness of the psychologist.
• His ability to deeply explore the client's problems.
• Trusting relationships in the therapeutic alliance.

Therapy methods are easily adapted to the online environment. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy techniques can be conveniently practiced in a video format. By the way, the level of refusal to participate in online therapy is lower than that of face-to-face meetings.

Myth: It Is Impossible to Establish Personal Contact Online

It is believed that communicating through a screen makes it more difficult to build a trusting relationship with a psychologist. However, practice shows the opposite: many clients feel freer and franker during video calls or audio sessions. The key to successful therapy is not the platform, but the skills of the specialist.

What helps a psychologist build contact online:

• A calm atmosphere during the conversation.
• Respectful attention to the client's feelings and opinions.
• Patience and willingness to give time for disclosure.
• Reflection of the client's thoughts, which helps him feel his value and find solutions.
• No judgment or criticism.
• Warm, empathetic dialogue.

All these qualities depend on professional training and not on the method of communication. Therefore, high-quality therapeutic contact is quite real in the online format.

Online Therapy Is Only Suitable for the Younger Generation

Online sessions are often thought to be convenient only for those who grew up with technology. However, experience shows that people of different ages, from 20 to 50 years old and older, come to therapy.

Yes, older clients may have difficulty getting used to the new format. However, most of these barriers are removed if the platform is simple and convenient, if the therapist helps the person get used to it, and if the therapist shows tact and sensitivity. Moreover, for many older people, online support is more practical: there is no need to get to the office in hot weather or waste time on the road, and you can avoid waiting in line. The consultation occurs at home in comfortable conditions, making it attractive for all ages.

Conclusions

Perhaps we have dispelled your opinion about online counseling services. As you can see, when working with a competent, sensitive specialist, you will receive no less benefit from an online consultation format than a traditional one. And sometimes online consultations are much more convenient! You do not have to leave home; you can consult with your therapist while on a business trip in another city, and so on. So, if something is bothering you, taking the first step towards healing is very simple. Call us and get a free 30-minute online session. Our specialists have extensive experience. And are ready to support you.