Online Psychotherapy at Hope Clinic

Does online psychotherapy really work?

One of the most common misconceptions about online psychotherapy is that it doesn’t work as well as face-to-face therapy. This fear is intuitive. We imagine that in a practice where interaction and interpersonal relationships are so important, if you move it online, it loses its most important components. This is why the general public considers classical psychotherapy to be superior to online psychotherapy.

One study looked at the level of satisfaction of clients conducting online therapy compared to those doing in-person therapy. They had the same level of satisfaction, with 93% of online customers saying they could share the same information they would discuss in person.

So the answer to the question of whether online psychotherapy works has been provided by countless studies over the past two decades. And they all said a resounding yes.

How to start an online psychotherapy session

Our colleagues will help you choose your psychotherapist, depending on your needs. You will then decide when the meeting will take place. You will be given information on how to use our telemedicine app. We use established platforms in the field, such as: Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp.

You will receive information on how to install the application.

We will provide you with a link where you can pay for the consultation.

Afterwards you will receive a link to log in when the session takes place to get in touch with your therapist.

How to make the transition ?

If you’ve always talked to a psychologist online, and you’ve never had the experience of interacting with the psychotherapist face-to-face, then you don’t miss direct interaction. But if things are the other way around, and so far you’ve only done offline psychotherapy, how will you get used to the new situation? Won’t it be awkward, with lots of pauses and distractions? What if the connection is bad? What happens if another family member interrupts you? These are just some of the questions that anyone facing the dilemma of changing the environment in which the psychotherapeutic process takes place asks themselves.

Here are some things you can do to make the transition easier:

1. Openly discuss any concerns you have

All the questions I listed above, and others, can make you worry and increase your anxiety level, which is probably already high because of the pandemic. It’s only natural to have them, especially if you’re going to try something for the first time. But remember that you are not alone, you have a trusted partner in this experience with whom you can find answers. A good idea is to make a list of your worries and anxieties, and communicate them in writing or on the phone to the psychotherapist.

2. Create a conducive space during the session

If you’ve been in more than one psychotherapy office, you’ve probably noticed that they have one thing in common: they are extremely comfortable and quiet spaces. These can serve as models for the space from which you choose to talk to the psychotherapist. That doesn’t mean you have to have a leather armchair as big as the one in your office, or the colourful fluffy cushions on the sofa. Whether you’re sitting in a chair, on the floor, on a cushion, or on the bed, make sure you stay comfortable and can relax.

3. Dress for therapy

If you want your therapy to go exactly as it did before you transitioned online, make sure you behave as you did before. That means it’s good to stick to the rituals you had. In other words, even if your outfit doesn’t show, that doesn’t mean it’s not important. If you’re in your pajamas or housecoats, you may feel uncomfortable, exposed, vulnerable, or awkward. Or you simply may not be able to get into the state of mind necessary for the psychotherapeutic process. So while it may seem pointless or stupid to dress up for someone who can’t even see your clothes, make an effort. It’ll definitely be worth it.

4. Make sure you feel safe

The confidentiality of the psychotherapist-client relationship is sacrosanct and underlies the trusting relationship between the two. If the psychotherapist were free to reveal our secrets, most of us would probably refuse therapy outright. When therapy takes place in the office, it is the psychotherapist’s responsibility to make sure that no one hears the conversation. But when therapy is online, the client must also be careful to protect their privacy.

One solution is to ask the other people in the house to stay in the farthest room, if it’s a larger dwelling, and you know the sounds are not easily heard. Another would be to ask them to go shopping during the session. Since therapy is usually weekly and lasts 50 minutes, and we are allowed to go out for essential shopping, the two events can overlap perfectly.

5. Trust the process

Many people say they are extremely happy with online therapy, even before the pandemic. Remember that you might like it too, even more than you expect. And in the end, it won’t last forever. When you resume your normal life, you will be able to return to offline therapy. Until then, trust the process, because if you go into the session unsure and fearful, it will inevitably affect the course of the session. If you focus on the discussion and really believe it will work, chances are it will.

Frequently asked questions:

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE VIDEOCONFERENCE IS INTERRUPTED?

In the special situation where the online session is interrupted during the consultation, the therapist will send you the invitation to start the session again, taking care that everything continues and that the session is not affected.

WHY DO I NEED TO DO PSYCHOTHERAPY ONLINE?

Online therapy can be done on most available online communication devices. We’re talking about your phone, tablet, laptop, computer or other similar devices. A stable internet connection is all that is required. The device must be switched on and have the camera and microphone activated.

PAYMENT OF THE CONSULTATION?

Payment can only be made online by bank card or payment order.

Payment is made only before the consultation, and confirmation is required.

Consultation costs are specific to each therapist and each specialty. Prices are posted on the clinic website. You can check them out on this one
Page.

IS ONLINE PSYCHOTHERAPY EFFECTIVE?

Online psychotherapy is based on the same concept as individual psychotherapy, except that it uses remote communication. This way you have access to the same therapeutic benefits and can safely enjoy them. In addition it offers greater flexibility and comfort.

You may be reluctant to this method…and rightly so. But a lot of it is about adapting to new methods. If certain rules are followed, we can safely say that it works as well as the one in the cabinet. It is important: to be in a private place where you cannot be heard by other people and to have a good internet connection.

IS ONLINE PSYCHOTHERAPY TEMPORARY?

Online psychotherapy is the most recommended solution in this period due to the context of the pandemic. But if we look at the trend in other more developed countries, we can say that there will be no future without online psychotherapy. These services will be increasingly common, appearing in the form of specific applications. They will also be able to analyse some of the processes taking place and can provide the therapist with important information. On the other hand, they will also be successful in facilitating patients’ access to psychotherapy. No matter where you are in the country, you will be able to access the services of a specialist, whether you live in the same city with him or not.

So the online services in our clinic will be available from now on, all the time. After the pandemic there will be the option to opt for services as before, in the office.

If you are a sufferer or have a loved one affected by a psychological illness, ask for help at psychotherapy office. You can get face-to-face counselling or online counselling by a psychologist or psychotherapist, as you wish. You get the help you need at decent rates. You can book your appointment and pay online by credit card. After a first session you will see that it is worth the effort. And that you’re closer to the recovery you want.

The most frequently requested support during this period is related to:

• panic attacks
• couple therapy
• the need for psychological counselling
• assessments and psycho-diagnosis
• cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy
• anxiety and depression.

Services can also be paid by the National Health Insurance House, within the limits of possibilities. Be sure to talk to our colleagues about this option.