Volume 7 • 2020 • Issue 6

Counselling in a Digital World Addressing fears and misconceptions about digital counselling Often people are tentative, unsure or reluctant when they hear about online counselling. After all, the face- to-face aspect of traditional therapy seems critical to its success and inseparable from how the therapeutic process functions. Reservations about trying online counselling might include the misunderstanding that it isn’t “real” counselling, but this is far from the case. Digital counselling is an effective method of support. People also sometimes fear that if it’s online, it isn’t private and confidential. This is a valid concern but reputable practitioners should be utilizing the latest advances in security software. It is worth noting here that counsellors online are bound by the same ethical standards as their face-to-face counterparts and cannot in any way share the information you tell them without your consent. Counsellors may need to update and refine their skill sets for online counselling environments. They will find ways to keep their clients “in the room” - that is keep them focused and engaged in the face of multiple distractions. In crisis counselling, they will need to adjust their risk assessment skills and know when to direct clients to an in-person form of counselling to ensure safety. Benefits of online counselling Let’s take a look at some of the reasons online counselling is on the rise and why you might choose to take advantage of it:  Â Mobility and accessibility Online counselling goes where you go! This flexibility can be a great feature for people who travel a lot or are just on-the-go in their own community. Likewise, it is accessible for people who have mobility restrictions, as they can access these services from home. All in all, online counselling is going to fit that much easier into your daily schedule as it skips any commuting to see your counsellor. Along with almost every other aspect of day to day life, counselling is also a digital option now. Clients can now access mental health services such as psychotherapy, couples’ therapy and coaching from the comfort of their living rooms or a hotel room far from where their counsellor lives. From what used to be exclusively face-to-face services, counsellors now offer sessions online via email, video‑chat, instant-messaging, group forums, and more. For clients, this means more choice and flexibility: they can have ongoing therapy when away on business or vacation, or choose to receive support in a way that best fits their learning style and comfort level. What does all this mean for counsellors and for the clients engaging in counselling? Let’s take a look at some of the intricacies and specificities of what makes online counselling unique. S upporting Y our P ractice 34 | 2020 | Issue 6