An online therapy or Telehealth session with a psychologist refers to a videoconference session between you and your psychologist using a video and audio connection, allowing you to access therapy sessions from the comfort of your home. This is similar to connecting with family, friends or business contacts using FaceTime, WhatsApp or Zoom. For clients unable to access video-conferencing technology, telephone sessions can be offered instead.
Empirical studies found that the use of videoconferencing technologies to deliver psychotherapy had similar outcomes to traditional face-to-face psychotherapy. Across these studies, online therapy services with a psychologist were delivered using different therapeutic approaches and for diverse client difficulties (e.g. trauma, mood, anxiety). Clients reported high satisfaction with online therapy services. When dissatisfaction was reported, it was primarily related to technical difficulties. However, these didn’t impact overall levels of satisfaction.
It is normal and completely understandable to feel unsure or apprehensive about Online Therapy if you have never done it before. Often, people believe that online appointments with a psychologist may not be practical or effective or that they may not feel the same level of connection if they met their therapist in person.
Since the beginning of the Covid pandemic in 2020, Online Therapy has become an essential tool for psychologists. EMDR Therapy is now delivered online by Clinical Psychologists and mental health practitioners around the world, and the EMDR International Association developed the Guidelines for Virtual EMDR Therapy in order to support psychologists in providing Online EMDR Therapy safely and effectively.
Psychologists who deliver Online EMDR Therapy typically use an online platform that allows them to interact with the client. For instance, they may get their patient to see a ball moving across their screen and/or listen to sounds through their headphones for bilateral stimulation.