Why Do Some People Prefer Online Counselling In Australia?

If you close your eyes and picture therapy, you might imagine yourself lying on a couch, talking to a clinician seated nearby. While this image persists in popular notions, counselling today occurs in offices, schools, outdoors and even online. Online counselling in Australia has become a preferable alternative for many people due to many reasons as you will learn shortly. 

With advancements in online therapy, high-quality treatment is now available to more people than ever before – from the comfort of your own home, office, or even in your car (you should be parked and not driving, of course).

There are numerous reasons you might choose online counselling rather than visiting a clinician’s office in person. 

Online Counselling In Australia Vs Clinic Visits 

Online Counseling is, of course, a great option if you live geographically far from your therapist. In fact, rural communities in Australia have been using online counselling for over a decade with excellent results. For others, meeting with an online OT via video or text is simply convenient.

Thanks to online counselling, busy professionals can schedule sessions during their workday at lunch or a break. You can attend appointments without arranging childcare. Students can prioritise mental health without disrupting their academic and extracurricular schedules. 

Your kids are also well suited to online therapy, as they tend to be quite comfortable with electronics. Counsellors can use creative interventions to keep them engaged. If you have mobility problems, online counselling removes the barrier to you accessing treatment.

Here are the rest of the reasons why many people prefer online counselling: 

Convenient Appointment Hours

With a busy schedule, it can be extremely difficult to squeeze in the time it takes to commute from your home or office to an appointment. You can't make it back again without some part of your personal life taking a hit. Online counselling eliminates this problem by allowing you to fit the appointment into your schedule at your convenience, protecting you and your family life.

Choose Your Location

Offices and waiting rooms can cause anxiety. Why not take advantage of the unique opportunity to have your therapy session anywhere you want? It’s as easy as logging on, texting or calling from wherever you are at any given moment.

An Easy Process For Beginners

Many patients have trouble making the first step in their therapy assessment journey and being consistent. Are you uncertain whether or not online occupational therapy services are for you? 

Well, with online counselling, the choice is in your hands to continue your appointments. You can end them after a couple of attempts with ease and without embarrassment. This method gives you the ability to test out the waters of online counselling while not worrying about whether you should or shouldn’t discontinue.

Stay Anonymous

If you are shy, or hesitant about attending an appointment in person, online therapy gives you a healthy way to avoid that. Talking on the phone or seeing someone on a video chat is way less intimidating than meeting someone face to face. Online occupational therapists understand that there is a comfort to certain levels of anonymity.

Stay Safe And Secure

Most online occupational therapists utilise the latest video or phone conferencing technology which is highly encrypted. These methods are much more safe and secure than your typical means of communication. With precautions like these, you can be confident that private information stays private and protected.

Rarely Missed Appointments

Online occupational therapy services are so preferred, secure and consistent that fewer appointments are missed. Not having to commute or carve out more space in a schedule means that you're able to be on time, every time and all the time. This helps both you and your counsellor in the long run.

Your Time Is Valued

In-office counselling and assessments can end up being far longer than a 30-minute or 1-hour appointment. Consider being caught in traffic, the time needed to arrive there early and the stress of needing to leave work early to pick up your child and bring them to an appointment. 

Online counselling and virtual assessments let you use your time efficiently by not needing to worry about unexpected road closures traffic or other obstacles in the way of you and your session.

Conclusion

Perhaps the most significant benefit to online counselling in Australia is convenience. No longer do you have to interrupt your day's schedule, get dressed, fight traffic, and waste time in a waiting room to receive therapy. Now you can meet with a trained professional from the comfort of your own home.