Convenience and 

accessibility

• You can determine the location of accessing online counselling, so long as it is safe and offers privacy. Lesser time spent on commuting could provide greater convenience.

• For homebound individuals and individuals with mobility issues, this makes therapy more accessible to you.

• With services accessible just a dial tone or click away, there is less barrier in accessing help. This could be a potential gateway to getting further help through face-to-face sessions.

• No issues if you are willing to and can travel to see your therapist.

• You are limited by the therapists within your geographical location.

• For individuals not comfortable with talking over the phone or a screen, seeing a counsellor face-to-face is better.

• A safe space – counselling room – is provided for you. You do not need to share your own private space (e.g., your home or, your bedroom) with your therapist. 

• In times of crisis, phone helplines and crisis text lines have been an immediate source of support and an important resource for individuals who do not know who to call or what to do.

• You have more options for professionals who can help you. You can see someone who is physically located in another continent but has the skills and knowledge that you are looking for. 

• Most of the time, you can only get the help you need when you can get an appointment.

• The very act of going to physically see a therapist can be therapeutic.

• Somehow, it feels like something is missing when you are not seeing a person in the flesh, not having the physical eye-contact: the virtual space makes it harder to build a relationship.

• If you do not feel supported, it is difficult to sustain the relationship and this in turn may hinder the helping process.

• It can be easier to ease into therapy as the virtual space creates a psychological distance which makes the therapy process less intimidating for those uncomfortable to share personal feelings.  

• You can see and feel that the counsellor is with you and attuned to you and you can build the relationship more quickly.

• The physical space makes the connection with the therapist more real with available verbal and non-verbal cues. You may feel more supported when you physically see a therapist who shows that they care brings comfort.

Confidentiality and Security

• It is harder for therapists to ensure the suitable conditions for the session with you .e.g, whether you are in a safe space without someone else listening in. 

• The security of the medium use for the counselling services relies on the efficacy of the latest security software.

• Therapists are well-trained to provide a safe and conducive physical space to ensure privacy and confidentiality.

• There is a general lack of research on this emerging area within an established field. Telehealth practices used to be known as a the “wild west” when it was first adopted as a mode and the onus on providing effective therapeutic interventions was on the therapist and the study of best practices.

• Therapists trained in the traditional face-to-face mode may not be as effective in the virtual space.

• A therapist based in a different country may not be familiar with the legislation, the cultural practices and context that you operate in. They may not be familiar with the community resources available to you.

• Most research available on the effectiveness of therapeutic practices are for face-to-face counselling sessions.

• You can expect that the mental health practitioner working with you is familiar with the jurisdiction and legislation of the country you are in. They may find it easier to point you to other forms of support in the community that can further help you.