Online Therapy-
my Approach
What is online therapy?
Online therapy is effective for most people who feel comfortable using technology to connect with others. One thing the pandemic taught me is that meaningful and powerful connections can be made online. Personally, I found men's groups over the internet to be particularly supportive and impactful.​
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However, if you prefer in-person therapy, I also offer Walk and Talk Therapy in the Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Lancashire for a more nature-based approach.
Online therapy allows you to access counselling remotely using a secure video-conferencing platform. It enables you to engage in therapy from the comfort of your own home—or any safe and private space of your choosing—at a time that works for you.
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With online therapy, you benefit from the face-to-face interaction of traditional counselling while enjoying the convenience of working with your therapist online.
Through video sessions, you can hear tone of voice, observe facial expressions, and build a genuine connection. If you prefer, you can hide your video or blur your background for added comfort.
Will online therapy work for me?
What are the benefits of online therapy?
Online therapy offers several advantages:
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You can attend sessions from your own home or a space where you feel safe.
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You're able to control privacy and confidentiality more easily.
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You feel more relaxed and at ease in familiar surroundings.
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You'll save time and money by eliminating travel.
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You can enjoy peace of mind with secure, encrypted software protecting your confidentiality.
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about online therapy:
Can online therapy work? One of the most important things about effective therapy is the relationship between the therapist and the client. Over the last few years, I have been a part of a number of Men’s Groups online and have found it much easier than I expected to build strong connections with others in the groups. It is still possible to notice tone of voice, facial expressions and body language that communicate important aspects of an individual’s well-being Research has consistently shown that despite concerns online therapy can be as effective as face-to-face, including for anxiety, panic disorders and PTSD For people in rural areas, online therapy offers access to specialists that it might not be possible to find locally
Are there any drawbacks to online therapy? If you have a severe and enduring mental health condition, online therapy might not be right for you. This is something we can discuss. Consider how secure your Therapist’s platform is and what is happening to your information, which is why I use isosconnect - see below Technology can be unreliable. Whilst the isosconnect platform is reliable, our personal technology can cause difficulties. It is important to consider... How comfortable are you with technology? If this is a concern we can talk about how to make it easier for you to access How reliable is your internet connection? Do you have a confidential space which gives you the privacy you would need to feel relaxed sharing information?
What platform do you use for online therapy? I use Calendly for bookings, which is linked to the Stripe payments system and GoToMeeting. for video-conferencing. All platforms are secure end-to-end encrypted and comply with GDPR.
Do I need to download any software? No, unlike Zoom or Teams, you do not need to download anything. The session will open up within any internet browser on any device.
Online therapy vs in person Having therapy online can help to reduce the stigma of going to see a therapist - especially if you are concerned about others seeing you going into a therapist’s practice It can be easier to schedule online therapy, without the time and cost of travelling to an appointment It can be easier for some people to share difficult information online. This is referred to as the disinhibition effect and while it can be a problem when people share on social media, in the secure environment of a therapeutic relationship, this can be helpful. For people with social anxiety, online therapy can be much more approachable You have much more control over your environment and can have flexibility as to where you take the sessions.
How online therapy works - the practicalities When you book an online session, you will be sent a link by Calendly When you open the link, which is unique to you, you will be asked to type your name I will then be notified that you are in the ‘waiting room’ and will open the session at the beginning of our time together. The video operates in much the same way as Zoom Google Meet or Teams, but feels less complicated. It also has a very accurate Closed Captions facility for visually impaired clients.
Is it secure? GOToMeeting is fully GPPR and has robust video encryption to ensure confidentiality. I will also lock the meeting after you have joined to ensure no unauthorised access.
Are online therapy sessions recorded? Online therapy sessions are not normally recorded I don’t record them and ask my clients not to, in line with GDPR. If you had specific reasons for wanting us to record the session, we could discuss this