Is online counselling effective?

Online Counselling: the world is shifting and it is proving to be effective.rnWhen we started developing Connectable Life, we had no idea what the world was about to become. A world ridden with Corona, people being forced to stay at home and businesses very quickly having to adapt to the new norm. One of our biggest concerns was that people would be sceptical of the word ONLINE. That people wouldn’t necessarily buy into the idea, possibly thinking it is less than the ‘real deal’. And then, suddenly, the entire world moved online. This obviously made going live with what was a ‘novel’ concept, pre-Corona days, very difficult. We suddenly had, and still have, the entire world to compete with: big names and big companies with existing clientele and unlimited budgets, and then there is us- a start-up. The difference though is that we saw the need for online counselling and online therapy (or whatever it is) prior to the pandemic, we believe it even more now and will work even harder to show the value in it post Covid. We aren’t going anywhere. So, it is obviously very important for us to discuss the effectiveness of online therapy and online counselling. First and ForemostrnThe goal behind our idea is to make healthcare accessible to anyone and everyone. This is what going online enables. For us, this already makes it effective. Help is reaching people, desperate people, no matter where they are. But, before we can say that online counselling is effective, let us take a look at what makes up ‘effective counselling’. According to PsychCentral “Effective counseling is a two way street. It takes a cooperative effort by both the person receiving counseling and the counsellor,” and “It’s important that you and your counselor establish a good relationship that allows you to be completely honest about your thoughts and feelings. Often, this requires an elusive “chemistry” between both of you in which you feel comfortable with your counselor’s personality, approach and style.” At a time when the world has been forced to stay apart and essentially ‘disconnect’, there is no denying the power that the internet and online platforms have had in allowing humans to remain connected. Meetings, birthdays, social gatherings, business ideas, baby showers, you name it: they have enabled these every day and momentous occasions, even if virtually. The moment is shared; the joy is felt! Now, I am not for one second saying that I think all of this should remain this way and that the way forward should be to do EVERYTHING virtually. My point, going back to the quote from PsychCentral, is that there is no reason why a good relationship between counsellor and counselled cannot be formed via a video consult: and therefore, there is no reason why online counselling cannot be deemed effective. Find out more about online counselling: https://www.connectablelife.com/