The adoption of information technology to the field of psychology has revolutionized how basic therapy services are rendered through the internet. Though controversial, this method has empowered consumers to participate in their own treatment from Dissociative Identity Disorder to depression to family problems.
A number of patients believe that online therapy works for them and that the service was worth the cost. This unique therapy could be helpful and effective for certain people and not to others because it offers advantages and disadvantages.The greatest benefit of online therapy is convenience where it can be held anywhere at anytime. You feel more freedom in expressing yourself and receive counseling comfortably in the privacy of your home. You can better communicate your problems in writing rather than talking about them and can always retrieve and re-read your counsel sessions in your email or chat transcripts that can enhance better understanding.
Besides less expensive, online therapy is also less intimidating because the anonymity of its nature especially those with body image or eating problems, social phobias, and anxiety disorders.Lastly, you have a lot of choices in picking your own personal therapist online that can meet your needs. On the other hand, the strongest disadvantage of this therapy is the absence of body language, visual and verbal cues that are critical in establishing intimacy and relationship so that the therapist could fully understand your problem and come up with the right treatment. Online therapist cannot get access to vital information about your personality without face-to-face sessions.
The internet cannot guarantee security and confidentiality. Information could be hacked or accidentally opened by unauthorized persons. There is potential difficulty in verifying the identities of online therapists or either patients. In addition, technical problems may hinder counseling due to power outages and computer crashes.
