Online therapy shown to be as effective as face-to-face therapy sessions
Online therapy is a therapy service performed remotely through a video conferencing platform or website application. Although many Onebright therapists have been providing therapy online for over ten years, the pandemic accelerated the use of online therapy services within the UK, as lockdown and social distancing posed a challenge for face-to-face therapy to continue as normal.
Remote therapy services have become increasingly available in recent decades, and presently, online therapy is the leader in telehealth services. The convenience of connecting to a therapist online is gaining popularity as an option, with new and existing clients opting to either continue or start online therapy sessions for its effectiveness, flexibility and affordability.
There is strong evidence that psychological therapy, particularly cognitive behaviour therapy, can be effectively delivered online to treat a range of mental health difficulties. From our experience of offering online therapy for over a decade, along with supporting studies, it is shown that online therapy provides an equally effective option for mental health support as face-to-face therapy with a clinician.
Online therapy is not just some passing trend that goes hand-in-hand with COVID-19 either. Online therapy services will likely continue to grow in popularity, even now that restrictions have lifted and people can resume in-office visits with their doctors and therapists.
If you’re considering online therapy sessions, you may have questions about how they compare with traditional in-person sessions.
What are the benefits of online therapy?
Online therapy is becoming a leading part of mental health treatment efficacy and for a good reason. The waitlist for mental health support in the UK is critical, so accessible treatment options like online therapy will be key in getting help to those struggling right now. The UK’s accredited, evidence-based therapists use a mixture of hybrid therapy options, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, to ensure clients receive a service that empowers them by giving them greater control over managing their mental health.
CBT therapists report client satisfaction from remote therapy is just as high as in-person sessions, saying they feel their best, have improved mental health, and strengthened relationships through having greater freedom and flexibility to connect to their therapist.
Onebright’s online therapy service addresses mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, anger, addiction, and other specific mental health illnesses.
Easy and flexible scheduling
Once a therapist has been assigned, it is now possible to communicate with a therapist where you can organise:
- Therapy sessions using a safe, secure platform
- Upcoming sessions using a calendar that both therapist and yourself have access to
- Progress notes with increased transparency, with readily available summaries created by the therapist immediately following each session
Convenience
Online therapy is an effective form of therapy and even has some benefits over in-person therapy, like being able to see a world-class therapist who isn’t local. Instead of driving to a therapist’s office for every session, you can simply log on to a website application from the comfort of your home. Our online therapists have flexible scheduling, making it easier for you to fit a session into your day.
Online therapy is also helpful for people who struggle to access in-person treatment for one reason or another. They may have a disability, lack transportation, live too far away from a treatment location, travel in another country, or be unable to leave their house. Online therapy sessions make it possible for more people to receive the mental health treatment they need regardless of their circumstances.
Accessibility
Depending on whether there is an undersupply of mental health services in a specific area, the cost of time, energy and money can really add up.
Disabled people or people who live with an anxiety disorder may also find the travelling required to visit a therapist’s office every week a barrier to treatment. Onebright is committed to giving people greater access to quality mental health support, where there are solutions that can fit more people’s lives and budgets.
Effectiveness
Online therapy provides the same quality of care as in-person therapy. However, not all clients will find that online therapy is suitable for them based on their personal circumstances. Whether you have a severe mental health disorder that requires more intensive care or you simply prefer to communicate in person, online therapy is not always the best option.
Still, online therapy offers a lot of benefits. Most importantly, it helps decrease stigma. Attending therapy from the comfort of home makes it much easier for people to feel more comfortable about reaching out. Studies show that online therapy is up to 7.8 times faster than face-to-face treatment, even if you book appointments for the same length. Not only does this make it easier for clients to complete therapy in a timely manner, but it also means that therapists can treat more clients in a day, meaning clients have to wait less time in between sessions. At Onebright, we are proud to share a recovery rate of 87% for online therapy in line with our face-to-face therapy success rate. (The industry average recovery rate is approx 52%).
Privacy
Online therapy makes it easy to receive mental health treatment with the utmost privacy and discretion. Psychological research has revealed that those coping with receiving a mental health diagnosis often don’t want to sit in a crowded waiting room. That’s where online therapy has a huge leg up on traditional therapy.
Although there is nothing to be ashamed of when seeking help for your mental health, many prefer to keep things quiet while working on their mental health.
Comfort
Beginning online therapy sessions simply needs an internet connection and a web browser. Connecting anywhere in the world, at any time (house, school, work, travel etc.) provides you with a seamlessly integrated experience into any busy schedule. Anyone who chooses Onebright for online therapy will not need to endure long wait times, uncomfortable commutes, and the costly travel expenses often related to accessing treatment.
Clients often want to process what was discussed in their therapy session alone immediately afterwards. Being able to do this in the privacy of your own home without going out into the bustle of a busy city with thousands of people around gives people the time and space to do so.
How do I get started with online therapy?
Starting therapy can be a daunting first step for some people, so making the first steps as hassle-free and straightforward as possible is our top priority. For more information about online therapy, fill in the form below, and someone will be in touch shortly.
Online Therapy with Onebright
Many people are moving past the concept of traditional therapy in a quiet office to flexible, efficient and affordable treatment options. As technology offers more opportunities to communicate and companies like Onebright continue to invest in digital innovation, people will have greater access to online therapy that’s convenient and efficient.
Online therapy (or virtual therapy) can be an effective supplement for busy periods in your life when you need the support of your therapist, but travelling to a clinic is challenging.
Whichever method you feel most comfortable with, there are ways we can support you.
