Cande Díaz: "Many patients find it easier to express themselves through online therapy"

In a short time, online psychotherapy has become massively popular due to the advantages it offers in terms of psychological assistance services. People with little experience using computers have begun to take advantage of this psychological therapy format as patients, given its ease of use.

But... What exactly is the reason for this potential of online therapy to become popular in a few years? The psychologist Cande Díaz, with years of experience caring for people through the video call format, gives us some of the keys to understand it.

• Related article: "The 8 benefits of going to psychological therapy"

Interview with Cande Díaz: online therapy, from the point of view of psychologists

Cande Diaz She is a psychologist, coach and mentor based in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, although thanks to online therapy the people they help are spread over much more of the Canary Islands. Here he tells us about his experience working with this remote format.

From the point of view of clients and patients, what do you think are the main advantages of online therapy?

Making the decision to see a psychologist is very important and still, to this day, it is still full of "resistance". However, online therapy offers a series of advantages that help make this decision and redirect our lives, with fewer difficulties than traditional face-to-face therapy. I would highlight the following advantages.

On the one hand, it is ideal for people with little time and who live far from the psychologist they want to go to. With this service, the need to travel disappears and the time invested in it is reduced.

On the other hand, there is complete accessibility for people with reduced mobility, since it is not necessary for them to leave their home. Physical barriers disappear.

There is also the factor of time flexibility: since it is not subject to the schedules of a center, it can be better adapted to the patient's time needs.

In addition, it is very easy to execute at a technological level, since with simple Apps for both mobile, Tablet or PC, completely free for the patient, the sessions can be carried out. Virtually everyone has a cell phone. Simply with it, it can be carried out.

To this we must add a reduction in costs, since an online session can cost up to 50% less than the traditional one.

It also offers a high level of privacy: for many people their privacy is very important, and that attending a psychologist is a completely intimate process, without the need to go to a consultation where someone you know can see it.

Online therapy is suitable for people who study outside of Spain or who are traveling for work or for any other reason: facilitating connectivity in the same language, in any territory (national or international), including chat therapy if it is an option chosen.

The session via video call also provides the option of innovation, introducing more resources that will help the effectiveness of therapy for those who enjoy new technologies, also allowing the sending of links, recordings, images, etc

Finally, it has the added advantage of health and safety: given the special moment in which we live, from the safety of our home, and without exposure to COVID-19, we can have our session in complete peace of mind.

Do you think that this format of support for people is flexible enough in terms of the types of problems to be solved in which it can be applied?

Of course, online therapy is just as effective as face-to-face therapy and provides, at least, the same resources. In my opinion, it provides even more flexibility.

Is it easy for people without experience in using the Internet to start having psychological support through video calls?

This is one of the main impediments that some people consider when carrying out this type of session. However, when you explain how easy it is to carry out the sessions, and they try it, 100% have repeated.

As simple as doing it from a mobile where we have WhatsApp installed, we can make a video call. Also with other applications like Skype. And for those who do not want to use Apps, just connect to the internet and access a link that I provide completely free for them, and where we access a space where we see each other and listen, where I can share documents, videos, images, audio... completely confidential and private.

In the same way, there is also the online modality of chat therapy. A resource that more and more people choose for their comfort and daily access.

From what you have seen so far, why has online psychotherapy become very popular in recent years, and not before, with the appearance of video call services?

More and more people appreciate their time and comfort. Increasingly, we turn to new technologies as a means of communication for absolutely everything.

The video call also gives you the security of seeing and listening to your psychologist with complete peace of mind, wherever you want to be, without physical or practically temporary limitations. You do not have to be left without your long-awaited session due to traffic setbacks, travel, etc.

What are psychologists and psychologists who have not yet adapted to the online environment missing when offering their services to patients?

From my point of view, they lose the option of resorting to a magnificent medium that eliminates borders and provides accessibility to all people. The seriousness, affection, trust, tranquility and effectiveness that I bring to my patients are exactly the same.

What's more, for many patients it is easier to express their feelings and concerns about therapy online than in person. They coarsen less. At least from my experience, the connection I have with all the people who have trusted me is wonderful. I could not be more thankful.

Do you think that online psychology services will continue to expand in the coming years, or are they already close to reaching their ceiling in terms of their potential users?

Online psychology is “in its infancy”. It is still a small baby who is beginning to take her first steps. In recent months the requests have increased a lot. People have started to use this option and have started to see its usefulness and all its advantages.

In short, we are at the beginning of a path that is being forged thanks to many brave people who want to change her life, make it bigger, overcome obstacles, be happy, in short. And that they decide on this fast, efficient, flexible, comfortable option and, above all, with a high level of privacy.

However, for those people who like or need physical presence, you can opt for the combination of both modalities, offering mixed therapy, where highly enriched psychotherapy sessions can be offered experiential.