Online counseling is an alternative to traditional face to face counseling, wherein, professional counseling services are provided through the use of Internet. These services are mainly offered via email, real-time chat, and video conferencing. It is however, becoming a popular model for support for young people, with key national services such as Lifeline, Kids Helpline, Suicide Call Back Service and Headspace adding online counseling to their service provision. I will guide Online counseling depression , anxiety, stress, pre-marital and post-marital counselling etc.. will be handled
Advantages of Online Counseling:
The effectiveness of this form of counseling in comparison with traditional form of counseling are as follows:
1. Accessibility
Online counseling is easy accessible to everyone. People who are residing in remote and rural areas may also take benefit out of this, as proper counseling services may not be possible in their area. Those that are physically disabled or unable to leave their home can also easily access such services with little inconvenience.
2. Affordability
Online counseling is typically done via internet. Thus, it is more economical and affordable for both the therapist and the client. Many a times a therapist may not afford to rent commercial space or may not be willing to do so. In such cases, online counseling lowers the overhead costs of investing in capital and property. It also reduces commuting and other administration procedures when compared to traditional counseling services.
3. Convenience
Online counseling is very flexible and convenient as it gives an opportunity to both the therapist and the client to have the counseling session according to their preferred range of timings. This flexibility creates an opportunity for the therapist to extend their services globally to a larger geographical region. The appointments with the therapists too can be potentially scheduled over 24/7, thus, reducing the hassle of scheduling and setting appointments more common in traditional settings.
4. Social stigma
Online counseling allows more comfort and privacy as there is no need for the client to visit the counseling centre. Thus eliminating the social stigma associated with receiving therapy. The client will no longer feel uneasy to share his details and issues bothering him as it is executed by the client in their own home through the computer. Thus, their comfort zone helps them to express better.
5. Anonymity
As online counseling does not involve face to face contact, It allows the clients to communicate more openly without any concerns for bias of race, gender, age, size or physical appearance. Thus, there is an increased chance for the client to be honest, and therefore higher validity in the case of self-disclosure. This type of counseling allows a level of anonymity because of the therapist being invisible and non-threatening to the client.
6. Variant forms of communication
Communication through the internet are mostly in written forms like chats, emails, and instant messaging services. It is believed that writing during times of distress is particularly useful for clients as it provides an important approach for emotional healing. Thus, it is an interactive form of therapeutic writing. Interventions delivered through the therapeutic writing is quite effective in encouraging clients to express themselves in more thoughtful, self-reflective and insightful manner. At the same time, a written record is also useful for the client to have a reference point in future discussion, review and to assess his change and progress.
Online counseling depression is growing rapidly. The Internet is not just for chatting with friends and relatives anymore. World Wide Web is now helpful in obtaining information about mental health, including specifics on disorders, medication, and treatment. It was only a matter of time before the availability of easy communication and mental health resources merged together to form what is now known as online counseling.