What are the benefits of virtual counseling?

For some folks, leaving the house to enter an unfamiliar environment while engaging in self disclosure can be a sole deterrent to receiving support. The pandemic allowed service providers and service users to realize that support can be provided virtually, and with some additional benefits. For as long as time, therapy has typically been offered face to face, in the service providers office. But what about virtual counselling? Some of the pro’s can include: 

• Being able to have your sessions in the comfort of your home; your office during break; while on a trip; or anywhere that best suits your needs (of course as long as there is privacy) 

• Allowing for maximum comfort and a safe environment for self disclosure (getting to choose where your session takes place, no pressure to get all ready, no travel time) 

• Ensuring you can attend sessions (cut down all time associated with travelling to/from the session, having to leave home/work early to accommodate) 

• Ability to do couples/family sessions from different environments (folks can be in multiple different spaces/houses/environments) and we can create a group therapy environment virtually 

• Folks can step away to grab food/drink/ whatever they deem necessary during a session from the comfort of their chosen environment 

• Virtual sessions can be over the phone, OR they can take place with video conferencing software to allow a face to face like experience. 

• The ability to engage in reflection immediately after the session - no travel time required to go back home/school/work etc 

• You do not have to choose a therapist that lives close to home, your therapist can be hours and hours away, however due to virtual support you can make a more informed decision about which service provider you choose 

• Self disclosure, and reflection occurs the most effectively when we are calm and comfortable. We encourage folks to decide their method of support based on their comfort level. 

• Please note, there are excellent pros for in person support, and excellent pros for virtual/ remote support. Please take time to decide what best suits your needs and comfort.

Online communication has never been easier. Everyone that reaches out to therapists and other services related to mental health, will get the help that they need through counsellors or a social worker. Life faces you with challenges, and weather your challenge is grief, emotions, self-esteem, relationships, or even your overall well-being, there is someone out there to approach with the expertise to ease your stress.

If you have any questions about whether virtual counselling would be a best fit for you, know that you don’t have to navigate this process alone. At Your Next Journey, Grace Robinson is our go-to virtual counselor for all of your short-term and long term counselling needs. Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation to see if virtual counseling with Grace could be a good fit for you.