Have you thought to yourself, ” I’d seek therapy if it were more convenient?”

The idea of bringing a therapist to you might seem far-fetched at first. But it’s become a reality in our technological day and age.

Online therapy consists of patients and therapist communicating by email, text, Skype, FaceTime, telephone, and other means via the internet. It’s not a new idea, as therapists even fifty years ago were treating patients by correspondence. Online therapy, though, is indeed a growing trend and it’s easy to see why.

The Anonymity Effect

As the world wide web would have it, people tend to feel more anonymous online. This tends to result in a quick jump from common conversation to in-depth and very personal communication.

Neither the therapist or patient spends any unnecessary time on casual talk. It’s a “dive right in” sort of approach.

The perceived anonymity of online therapy produces this extreme honest and open approach. The anonymity effect often encourages you to deal with issues quickly and more directly than traditional therapy.

Quicker Communication

Online therapy is frequently called e-therapy because all communication occurs online. Often, answering an email or instant message is less time consuming than having a face-to-face conversation or even a telephone conversation about a certain concern.

A therapist can read your email, formulate an answer, and then choose to respond in the time it takes to write type the email. Rather than scheduling an allotted time to talk, a therapist has the perk of typing a response email in between appointments or even after hours.

Patients are finding this to be especially helpful. Like the internet in general, this type of therapy is founded upon convenience.

As Effective as Face to Face

The lack of face to face interaction is most people’s primary concern with online therapy. Although traditional therapy is generally the go-to method, online therapy has proven to be equally effective. Even more so than face to face therapy, online therapy provides a direct approach. Getting to the core issue quickly is common, mostly due to the anonymity effect.

Moreover, traditional therapy places a big part of the responsibility on the therapist whereas online therapy places more responsibility back on the patient. For instance, where traditional therapy allows for the unique observation of facial expressions, gestures, voice inflection, etc. Online therapy, even with video conferencing options, doesn’t always cater to these tidbits of communication.

Very Convenient

If you live in one area and the specialist you want to see serves another area entirely, online therapy could very well be the connection between you. Assuming the therapist has no legal restraints, geography may not be the hurdle it was in the past.

Those who are immobile or have a hard time getting around will find online therapy to be especially convenient. Some opt out of therapy, even when they want it because it’s too difficult to transport themselves to a therapist’s office.

Also, time restraints don’t have the control they once did. You may be able to communicate with your therapist when it’s convenient for you rather than juggling appointments and schedules.

Less Expensive

Online therapy is typically less expensive than traditional therapy. There is no office, per se, and you are not confined to allotted amounts of your therapist’s time. The communication is generally as convenient for your therapist as it is for you.

Patients with access to an internet connection and basic knowledge of the web, finds the expense can be kept to a minimum.

Online therapy doesn’t necessarily replace traditional therapy, but it can be a positive option if it fits into your life more conveniently.