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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you see a therapist online?

36 replies

zoomtherapy · 02/02/2022 09:21

Hello,

I'm a regular poster but I've NC for this as don't want to link with my other posts.

I'm an NHS clinical psychologist working part time and looking to branch out into private practice. I don't currently have a suitable consulting room at home (I am working on this), so was planning in the interim to offer solely online therapy sessions. I'm wanting to gauge whether there might be a market for this, as I realise that being able to open up in therapy sessions depends a lot on how you feel in the room with someone; hence it might feel strange to never meet your therapist in person.

So... would you personally consider an online only therapist if you were to seek out therapy?

Thanks for any views. Smile

OP posts:
Foxglovers · 02/02/2022 09:22

I would - and have considered this as easier for me with v young children!

Tal45 · 02/02/2022 09:24

No because I don't think you feel the same connection through a screen. It has benefits though ie for those with young children so it's swings and roundabouts.

MrsRubyMonday · 02/02/2022 09:25

I've just finished a course of six sessions via the NHS which were over the phone and that worked for me, so I don't see why not.

PersonaNonGarter · 02/02/2022 09:28

Would and have - I saw a life coach for some specific work advice that was quite highly emotionally charged. Three sessions and the coach/therapist was also in her home.

It was brilliant. And the fact that it started on time finished on time and didn’t require me to leave the house was great. I just shut the door. My work paid but the fact that she was getting £150 per session no overheads must have also been working out for her too. Smile

JustOneMoreStep · 02/02/2022 09:32

I think it depends on the nature of the thearpy. I do see a thesrpist online but that only became a thing due to the pandemic and so I had already built a relationship with her. I wouldnt set up online with someone new.

Suzanne999 · 02/02/2022 09:35

I would and I think I’d find it easier and less stressful. No travelling, my own environment. Sounds good to me v

HariboBrenshnio · 02/02/2022 09:36

I have during the pandemic and it changed my life. I actually felt I could say/open up more in the comfort of my own home than in an office face to face personally.

CSIblonde · 02/02/2022 09:37

Yes. Pre COVID I wasnt well a few times , so did a phone appointment instead, otherwise I'd have had to pay a cancellation fee. I'd prefer online tbh, if I need to see him again , as when I'm v depressed, just getting there & taking the tube etc felt so overwhelming.

FriedaKleinsCat · 02/02/2022 09:39

I see my therapist online and the arrangement began that way, I’ve been seeing her for a few months. It works very well for me. I feel I have a good connection with her despite the format. In an ideal world I’d see her face to face but there are advantages to this system, not least that it takes an hour out of my day rather than the two/ two and a half hours it would take if I went in person. I can see it’s not for everyone but I would certainly consider it in your situation.

Ponoka7 · 02/02/2022 09:41

You are asking on an online forum, so the answers are going to be biased. Online is very different to telephone contact. It's more impersonal and disconnected. People can lie and cover up, easily. So for many it wouldn't work. Think about the clients you have seen upto now, what percentage would this work for? If there's no harm in offering this, then do so until you get a room to work from, but I wouldn't base my business model on it.

Ponoka7 · 02/02/2022 09:42

Also do you specialise in any particular area?

SignOnTheWindow · 02/02/2022 09:49

Personally no, as I find Zoom etc. very awkward, but I know a few people who do see a therapist online and it really works for them.

Original poster
zoomtherapy · 02/02/2022 09:50

@Ponoka7

Also do you specialise in any particular area?

Yes I specialise in Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), which is a type of therapy that supports people to gain a better understanding of the relationship they have with themselves and others, and where any difficulties might be coming from. A key part of this is exploring early life (and any trauma) as the basis for these relationships. I then work collaboratively with my clients to help them find ways of breaking patterns of functioning that are unhelpful to them in every day life, and find new ways of relating to themselves and others. I have worked across a number of clinical NHS settings providing this type of therapy, including inpatient and community.

OP posts:
Original poster
zoomtherapy · 02/02/2022 09:51

Think about the clients you have seen upto now, what percentage would this work for?

This is a good point to ponder. I'd say probably (as a rough guess) about 50% of them. So online is definitely not for everyone!

OP posts:
sassbott · 02/02/2022 10:02

Yes I would and I find it liberating to be able to access services from people regardless of geography.

I started working with a new therapist in November - totally online and zero prior experience. He’s based 100’s of miles away and would have been inaccessible to me otherwise. He’s been brilliant and helped me so much.

ClawedButler · 02/02/2022 10:04

I used Better Health last year - it's all online but you can choose to have video chat, voice call or messaging. I opted for messaging as it's more my style, and also I didn't want my family overhearing. It was GREAT. The therapist was amazing, and I have felt so much better since then.

mindutopia · 02/02/2022 10:06

I personally would prefer to see someone face-to-face (and I specifically sought out therapists who did offer f2f, even during lockdown). But there are loads of people who offer online sessions, so there must be a market for it. I think there is just a different set of privacy/data protection, safeguarding, and rapport building considerations to build into your work (I'm not a therapist, but I do similar sorts of remote sessions with patients).

Sirzy · 02/02/2022 10:08

I have just finished 6 months of NHS cbt done via teams and it was fantastic. I wasn’t sure about the idea at first but it worked so much better

burnoutbabe · 02/02/2022 10:13

i did CBT over the phone, that worked well, but it wasn't diving into any great emotional state in my past, just working on overcoming anxisery at certain situations.

Hillarious · 02/02/2022 10:16

Our therapists at work do online sessions (HE environment). What I personally find difficult with Zoom/TEAMS is the silence once you leave the meeting. That could be difficult for some people, if you don't have the opportunity to "see them to the door" to check they're okay - depends what level you're going to with the therapy.

CorrBlimeyGG · 02/02/2022 10:27

I know people who live overseas and choose to see a UK based therapist online. It has worked well for them.

One thing you'd need to make clear, is that the client needs to be solely focused on the session. The first comments saying it would work well because they have young children, it's true that it is more accessible, but it's rarely appropriate for children to be in the room or requiring your attention during therapy.

amijustparanoidorjuststoned · 02/02/2022 10:32

I have been having online therapy (as a patient) for the last year and it has completely changed my life. Obviously the wonderful therapist probably helps Grin but no, offering online therapy is no worse than face to face at all. Probably better in some ways, if you have okay internet connection!

AmaryllisNightAndDay · 02/02/2022 10:35

I might as I have enough space in my own home to find privacy. But if you don't have a suitable room to see a client do you have a suitable room for online or phone therapy? Quiet, private, where you can talk to a client and focus on them without interruption? I would find it hard to open up to someone who didn't have a suitable environment to work in.

Original poster
zoomtherapy · 02/02/2022 10:46

@AmaryllisNightAndDay

I might as I have enough space in my own home to find privacy. But if you don't have a suitable room to see a client do you have a suitable room for online or phone therapy? Quiet, private, where you can talk to a client and focus on them without interruption? I would find it hard to open up to someone who didn't have a suitable environment to work in.

Yes - this is a good point and important to clarify. I do have a room where I could conduct a phone call or video call with complete confidentiality. It's just not a space that I feel is suitable for clients to attend, but I am working on making it suitable!

OP posts:
CurbsideProphet · 02/02/2022 10:50

I already have therapy over zoom. I'm very happy with it. I don't have to rush / drive / park etc. She lives a long way from me so face to face wouldn't be possible anyway.