The good thing about the modern world is that we are all getting much more comfortable talking about our mental health problems, and about the challenges we are facing. The social stigma is reducing, and we no longer feel that ashamed admitting that we need help. This is a great thing, because it allows us to really get help when we need it, instead of staying along with our own thoughts, and struggling psychologically without actually having anyone to turn to. Talk therapies have, therefore, become rather popular, and more and more people are turning towards getting the help they need this way.
Anyway, if you have decided to get help, no matter what it is that you’re struggling with, be it anxiety, depression, a simple stress response, or anything else, what is important is for you to really choose the right professionals to help you. The thing is, though, if you’ve done any kind of research already, that is, if you’ve searched for these services in Vancouver, you’ve come across the idea of either going for in-office counseling services, or doing online therapy. And, you want to understand how both of those work, so that you can get the differences and then ultimately choose the right option for you.
Well, that is precisely what we are going to be talking about today, hoping to help you get a better idea about those two concepts, so that you can ultimately figure out which one may be best for your particular case. As you will see, there are advantages to both solutions, so you just have to basically pick what you believe will work for you best. Without any further ado, thus, let us start explaining these two concepts right away.
How Does In-Office Counselling Work
In-office is, as you may have guessed it already, the traditional approach. It basically consists of you going to the office of a professional on a regular basis and thus getting the help you need in person. For a long time, this has been the default option, because technology wasn’t really that advanced to allow for online services. The setting in the office is created carefully to be comfortable for the clients, and to make them feel safe, inviting them to share their thoughts comfortably. This still remains a good option nowadays.
Naturally, there are some amazing advantages to in-office sessions. For starters, the physical presence may allow some people to connect more quickly to their therapist, and to really start digging deep into their thoughts and emotions right away. Plus, we all need the human connection these days, and it seems that getting it is a bit easier in person than it is online.
In addition to that, you get to separate yourself from the everyday stress of your life, and actually physically go somewhere where you are sure to feel safe. This is another great benefit, as the mere change of location allows people to feel a bit more relaxed. Although, you’ll be digging deep in that office as well, as that’s the whole point, so don’t think of this as of a chance to escape your problems.
Another thing you should know is that some modalities work better in person. For example, art therapies may be much more easily done in person that in an online setting, and the same goes for, say, play therapy, or somatic therapy, psychodrama and similar things.
There are, however, some limitations to this particular model. For starters, there is accessibility. Commuting in Vancouver can be a nightmare, and you may get discouraged with having to travel every week to meet your therapist, which could even lead to you giving up at one point or another. Then, your busy schedule may also not allow you to go as frequently as you would like, or as you would need, which can also lead to giving up. And, ultimately, when you go for in-office treatments, you have to worry about other costs, such as fuel and transportation, in addition to the therapy fee itself.
How Does Online Therapy Work
With the development of technology, professionals have started thinking about how to make therapy more accessible with people, reducing those overhead costs, as well as helping them fit the sessions more easily into their own schedules. That gave rise to online therapy. This became even more popular during Covid 19, when people were instructed to keep at a reasonable distance from one another, and when we all had to deal with lockdowns. That’s when a lot of therapists turned to working online, and supporting their clients this way, and that’s when they realized that it can also be highly effective.
How does it all work, though? Well, basically, you contact a therapist, you agree on a platform and a time that works for both of you, and then you just connect through a device to meet with the professional. This allows you to have therapy no matter where you are located, which also opens up a lot more opportunities for finding great therapists, because you don’t have to stick to searching for those in your area.
There are some more benefits of this option, of course, apart from the convenience of being able to set up in the comfort of your own home, and apart from the fact that you can get access to more therapists this way. For one thing, some clients may feel much more comfortable this way, since they are remaining in control, being in their own space, and then there is also the fact that online therapy ensures consistency, since you don’t have to take breaks when, say, traveling somewhere. As you can see at Nightingale Counselling, there are some great professionals that offer both options. Meaning, thus, that you can choose what you believe works best for you.
What Is Best for You?
So, what is best for you? Well, that is a question that only you can answer. And you should be able to after understanding the differences. If not sure, though, you should try both options and then see what you prefer.
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