How to be an online psychologist? 5 practical tips

The emergence of online therapy in the world of psychological assistance has made more and more professionals interested in knowing the potential of this tool to work.

This is not surprising, given the many advantages that online psychotherapy offers to those who know how to take advantage of the characteristics of this channel. However, getting to position well in this type of services can be somewhat complicated, because despite the fact that the service offered is fundamentally the same, the medium is totally different.

So that… How to become an online psychologist? Let's see what are the main steps to take.

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How to become an online psychologist

The path to being an online psychologist is not excessively long, but it has its complexities. It does not consist simply of advertising this service and improvising video calls with clients who request it, because by doing this we are wasting a large part of its potential, as we will see. Taking advantage of the options in this format is a process that, in part, calls for a preparation and marketing plan on our part.

1. Learn the different online payment methods

Beyond bank transfers, online psychotherapy services are sometimes associated with other payment methods, such as Paypal. It is important that you know how it works, since not doing so could make you lose opportunities.

2. Get familiar with the technicalities of video conferencing

Video calling (or video conferencing) is the default mode in which online psychotherapy sessions are conducted. Therefore, obviously, you must know how to take advantage of it, and what digital platforms to use to establish these calls.

3. Adapt your marketing plan to include online therapy

If all you do is indicate on your website that you do online therapy, you will be wasting a large part of the potential of this type of service.

What you should do is position yourself as an online psychologist beyond your website; Since now you can have patients from practically anywhere, you must make yourself known in places where that there are usually people predisposed to go to the psychologist through psychotherapy services in line. Doing this is not easy, and in fact whether you do it right or wrong will greatly influence your chances of being successful or not.

4. Learn about the different types of services

To know how to use the Internet as a means of serving customers, it is necessary to take into account that people interested in your services they don't have to always ask for the same kind of hours and dedication, and adapt to this.

As a psychologist, for example, I offer two types of online psychology services: distance consultation, in which solve specific doubts by email, and the online psychotherapy itself, which is carried out through the video call.

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5. Prepare to make things easier for the patient

We must not forget that there are many people who do not function perfectly in the use of the Internet or computer programs in general.

Therefore, as an online psychologist, you must do what is necessary to that this line of services you offer is very accessible and that does not pose totally unnecessary obstacles, something that can fall if we do not pay attention and we do not stop to think from the point of view of someone unfamiliar with our Web page. Small bugs in the internal link or in the design of your page can mean that you lose many opportunities to establish contact with new clients.

In the same way, you must know all the characteristics of online therapy to resolve the doubts and reluctance of new patients, which means, once again, putting yourself in their shoes and not assuming they know everything you know your.