Online counselling, online therapy, e-therapy, e-counselling, cyber counselling, virtual counselling, and email counselling all refer to the same thing: online counselling services. While some therapists connect with clients via online asynchronous or live chat or live webcam sessions, much online or virtual therapy is very akin to the lost art of letter-writing and journaling.
Anyone who has experienced the emotional intensity that may occur between persons who share their inner experiences by writing to each other knows what it means.
The letters can be as serious (or perhaps more so) as a face-to-face therapy session. Journaling, on the other hand, maybe an intense, profound, and magnificent way of sorting out challenges and events in our life. Writing and reflecting with a virtual counsellor canada is a wonderful approach to gaining support and making changes.
Online or virtual counselling may be quite beneficial in a variety of ways. The letter writing that is part of internet therapy is therapeutic in and of itself. Writing down your feelings and ideas might help you make sense of them. And the study shows that a therapeutic letter may be as effective as four to ten face-to-face therapy sessions!
Because the client has a permanent record of correspondences to return to as a reminder and support, online or virtual counselling may have longer-term advantages.
The anonymity of sending letters online allows people to “speak” about anything on their minds. If you’ve ever felt the intensity of writing a letter to a close friend or family member, you understand how powerful letters can be. Because clients are less constrained to share their thoughts and feelings, online or virtual counselling may sometimes provide a deeper level of closeness. This is especially essential for persons who have never had counselling before and are hesitant to attend a face-to-face counsellor.
Online therapy is also a natural and secure way to communicate with people who are timid or may feel embarrassed discussing sensitive topics like sexuality or addictions.
The ease of use of online or virtual counselling is probably a significant element in its growing popularity. Online counselling is appealing to persons who may be unable to attend counselling services or have extremely restricted access due to geographical or mobility constraints.
Online therapy also appeals to those who might find it difficult to attend face-to-face counselling sessions due to child care, health difficulties, or time limits. Finally, individuals prefer online counselling because textual communication allows them to reflect on their experiences and express themselves in ways that face-to-face or telephone counselling does not. Finally, internet therapy may be accessible without the need to make an appointment.
So, while internet technology and the concept of therapy occurring through the exchange of correspondences between therapist and client are relatively new, the power and intimacy of connecting through letters and the written word have been around for a long time.
Therefore if one needs the assistance of a virtual counsellor canada, one should not waste time and get it as soon as possible.