Online therapy flaws
Is online therapy right for you?
Not so long ago, the notion that such a large portion of our lives would have been relocated to the virtual online world, seemed like something depicted in science fiction. Having a perfect stranger choose your grocery shopping for you, attending meetings and even medical appointments in cyber space is now deemed to be "convenient". In fact for most people, it's really no more opportune at all; Something like an uncomfortable mattress that the dog was sick on so can't be returned, or a blue coat you waited 6 weeks to be delivered that turned out to be more green than blue. What's could be simpler than stopping by a nearby outlet (your local traders need your business now, more than ever), buying what you need with the advice of an assistant who's knowledgeable and has your full attention? You get to see, touch and try out your purchase, then take it home in your hand that same day? Personally, I prefer to choose the produce from the top of the display, where it's not battered, bruised, squishy and mouldering underneath. When there's no tuna on the shelf, I don't want to receive laundry detergent or pet food instead.
Not only does the disconnect that's come about affect our local businesses and the local economy, but it's delivered a fatal blow to the remnants of our "community". We don't need to be intimately acquainted with the humans behind the doors near ours, to simply know who belongs and who doesn't when home contents are hastily being loaded into an anonymous vehicle in the street. Even if pot luck shopping suits your needs, there's some things in life for which nobody should have to settle (for second best). I would argue your health is one of those and that your mental health even moreso.
Many will argue the successes of online therapists, but the fact is that online therapy is not psychotherapy. As a stop-gap during a global emergency, without doubt, the benefit has been undeniable. You'll find a "not the same as face-to-face psychotherapy" disclaimer on most websites. It's a simulation, with all the limitations and impediments of a simulation. Your practitioner is like a restaurant that can only offer you half the menu, or a surgeon with one broken hand.
There are more reasons why a face to face convergence of patient and practitioner is the optimal method for this discipline. A consulting room is a truly sacred space and an representation of confidentiality itself. Rules that clinicians live by and that assure patients their deepest help thoughts will remain within the confines of the physical and symbolic space, not unlike the confessional booth in a church. More than that, both parties leave the trappings of life at the door, devoting the time within this sanctuary to healing.
A space that's dedicated only to healing, with intimacy reflected in the choice of decor, every picture frame in place, carefully selected furniture. The themes of trust, safety and a dearth of judgement all play their part. Undoubtedly the principle concern demanding consultations occur in the office, is that of confidentiality.
Most people have realised by now that online privacy was never anything more than a myth. When the patient is in a home or work environment, it's a "make shift" alternative, or there could be echoes of less peaceful moments. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas and what happens in the consulting room, stays in the consulting room. The practitioner/patient relationship extends as far as the door..no further. For example, should you encounter your therapist in a social space, it would be exceptionally unprofessional for them to publicly acknowledge you (without your express permission) or risk exposing any details about the patient, their life or a reason for knowing them. Once the boundaries of the space within which they can speak freely are blurred, so those reassurances are lost.
For most people, there will be discussion of traumatic events, raw emotions and painful memories. A great benefit is acquired by the addition of body language and facial expressions for both parties. Indeed, one of the primary tasks in psychotherapy is to guide and assist the patient in discovering, extracting and managing repressed, forgotten and painful memories, that the patient may well be unaware are an issue. Picking up on potentially buried details depends on analysing such mannerisms, as well as speech patterns, irregular emotional responses and numerous other "tells", detected only due to the familiar understanding founded with time and trust.
At the end of the day, your mental health is too important to employ half measures. Frankly, I believe a worthwhile practitioner won't want to be limited in such a way. It may be your preference and feel easier not to have to travel to the meeting, but it's more than just a doctor's office. You deserve the best, so if you're thinking about online therapy, do consider everything you want to achieve from the process. Is a simulation really what you need? When the actual journey has been subject to decades of research and study.
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| Well, there you have it. Without overarching trust between the two parties afforded by strict confidentiality, it's essentially a futile endeavour. |
Online therapy is not psychotherapy
Ethical issues in online counselling
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