The 8 advantages of resorting to online psychology
In a matter of barely a decade, online psychology has become one of the most common forms of offer and receive psychological assistance, a new way of establishing the interaction between the psychologist and the patient or customer.
Now... why is it so popular? Basically, online psychology consists of the same services as always, although carried out through a different medium: Internet, from which digital platforms can be used to communicate in time real. Is such a simple modification capable of making people start using this option en masse in a few years, and seeing it as something normal?
In this article we will see What are the advantages of using online psychology, and how this new tool helps both clients and psychologists.
- Related article: "The 8 benefits of going to psychological therapy"
The advantages of using online psychology
As I said before, basically the only difference between conventional psychology services and online psychology services is the channel. In one case, the client or patient goes to visit the psychologist at her office or the psychologist goes to the client's home or business to work on site; in the other, both meet for an hour and connect to a communication system through the Internet.
This small differential fact, however, is much more. It creates a ripple effect that affects many other aspects of the professional-client relationship, and many of these effects are positive, beneficial to both. Let's see what they are.
Customer Benefits
These are the different ways in which online psychology brings benefits to the client.
1. Allows you to save travel
Although in theory psychologists can go where the client is, in practice the standard services of most professionals industry do not include this option, and if they do, it would typically involve paying more than most people can afford. allow.
That's why, usually the sessions in which the psychologist and the client or patient meet are held in the workplace of the former, whether it is a psychology office, a private practice or a clinic.
However, this is a barrier for some people who have a lot of trouble move around, such as those who live in areas that are not very well connected, older people or motor disabilities.
Online psychology removes this obstacle and makes many more people able to access the services of a psychology professional by attending sessions on a regular basis.
2. Allows for better balancing of schedules
Due to the advantage that we have seen before, everyone can take time off their schedule to go to the psychologist's work space, which can easily mean gaining an hour and a half a week, and more easily find gaps to carry out the sessions without interfering with work or home responsibilities.
3. Allows you to choose the professional that really fits what you are looking for
Since, thanks to online psychology, the space between client and psychologist is practically irrelevant, Anyone interested in these services can go to the professional who really offers what they are looking for, even if you live more than an hour away by car.
4. A good solution for people who have gone abroad
The possibility of having psychological assistance in the mother tongue It is a positive point to take into account if you live abroad. Especially if in these sessions you have to talk about personal issues or express feelings directly and honestly.
5. Offers the guarantees of face-to-face psychological assistance
Currently, research indicates that the usefulness and effectiveness of online psychology are comparable to those of face-to-face sessions, and that in general there are no significant losses in the quality of the service offered.
This does not mean that it may not be disadvantageous for some people with specific needs, such as patients seeking therapy against phobias through technological tools that are available in a clinic, but not in your home or on your computer, but these requirements are not normally arise.
Benefits for the psychologist
On the other hand, online psychology also offers many interesting advantages to psychologists. These are the main ones.
1. Allows you to work from anywhere
Regardless of whether we are traveling to another country to attend a congress or if we have gone to another city for a few days to work on site in a special case (for example, in-company services for a multinational), online psychology allows us to continue handling the case of many clients.
2. Help balance schedules
online psychology provides a little more flexibility when it comes to distributing the sessions throughout the week. For example, thanks to this it is possible to serve customers even if at certain times there is no one attending in reception, and even if due to scheduling issues in a phase of the day there is no time to prepare a room in which meet up.
- You may be interested in: "6 tips to be punctual and avoid being late"
3. Help get more customers
It should not be forgotten that online psychology can be accompanied by an expansive marketing strategy, that appeals to people who live relatively far from where we are but who may be interested in our services. This means that the potential clientele ceiling goes up a lot, and is even potentially unlimited, if we do it right and work hard on the communication of what we offer.
Conclusion
The advantages of online psychology mean that this type of service is here to stay. As long as there are good communication networks and widespread use of electronic devices connected to the Internet, there will be the possibility of taking advantage of the potential of this channel that keeps us together regardless of where we are. And this can only be good news.