Since the pandemic transformed how we approach mental healthcare, online psychotherapy has evolved from an emergency solution to a valued treatment modality in its own right. My experience offering online therapy since 2020 has shown me firsthand that this approach can be remarkably effective - often surprising both therapists and clients alike with its capacity to facilitate genuine therapeutic connection and meaningful change.

​

I offer online psychotherapy to clients who find this format suits their needs, and I'm committed to providing the same high-quality, evidence-based care through videoconferencing as I do in my consulting room.

​

What is Online Psychotherapy?

​

Online psychotherapy / virtual therapy - involves providing therapeutic services through secure video conferencing platforms. Sessions take place in real-time, allowing for the same conversational flow and therapeutic relationship that characterises face-to-face work, but with you in a location of your choosing rather than in my office.

​

Does Online Therapy Actually Work?

​

This is often the first question clients ask, and my experience, client testimonials and the research provides a reassuring answer: yes, online therapy can be as effective as face-to-face work. Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses have demonstrated that online psychological interventions produce comparable outcomes to traditional face-to-face therapy across a range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress-related disorders.

​

A 2025 systematic review examining group interventions found no significant differences in effectiveness or participant retention between online and face-to-face delivery - producing results equivalent to in-person treatment. What matters most is not the medium of delivery, but the quality of the therapeutic relationship and the appropriateness of the intervention for your particular needs.

​

The Therapeutic Alliance in Virtual Settings

​

The therapeutic alliance - the collaborative relationship between therapist and client - is one of the most robust predictors of positive therapeutic outcomes across all treatment modalities. You might wonder whether this rapport and trust can truly develop through a screen.

Recent longitudinal research has shown that the therapeutic alliance can develop and strengthen equally well in online settings. Interestingly, one Austrian study tracking client-therapist dyads who switched between online and face-to-face settings found no differences in alliance quality based on the format - what mattered was the consistency of the relationship itself.

​

Many clients actually report feeling more comfortable opening up in online sessions, particularly in the early stages of therapy. The physical distance provided by the screen can create what some describe as a "protective buffer" that paradoxically enables greater emotional vulnerability.

​

The Benefits of Online Psychotherapy

​

Accessibility and Convenience: Perhaps the most significant advantage of online therapy is its accessibility. Geographic barriers dissolve - you can work with a therapist whose approach matches your needs regardless of where either of you is located. There's no commute required, no time lost in traffic, no need to arrange childcare or navigate public transport. For individuals with mobility challenges, chronic health conditions, or those living in areas with limited mental health services, online therapy can be genuinely transformative.

​

Comfort and Privacy

​

Many clients find that being in their own familiar environment helps them feel more grounded and safe during sessions. You can attend therapy from your favorite chair, with your own cup of tea, without the exposure of being seen entering a therapist's office or the commute to and from. This can be particularly valuable for those who experience social anxiety or who are concerned about stigma around mental health treatment. The privacy of your own space can reduce the sense of vulnerability that sometimes accompanies walking into a consulting room.

​

Scheduling Flexibility

​

Online therapy often allows for more flexible scheduling options. Sessions can be arranged around work commitments, family responsibilities, or other constraints that would make regular in-person appointments difficult. Early morning or evening appointments become more feasible when neither party needs to travel.

​

Continuity of Care

​

Life doesn't always cooperate with our therapeutic plans. If you travel for work, move to a new city, or relocate, online therapy allows you to maintain continuity with the same therapist. This consistency can be invaluable, particularly during transitional periods when therapeutic support is most needed.

​

What Online Therapy Requires From You

​

While online therapy offers many advantages, it does require certain practical elements to work well:

You'll need a reliable internet connection, a device with a camera and microphone (smartphone, tablet, or computer), and most importantly, a private space where you can speak freely without being overheard. This last element is crucial - therapy requires emotional safety, and that's difficult to achieve if you're worried about being interrupted or having others overhear your conversation.

​

Some degree of comfort with technology is helpful, though you needn't be an expert. I use a secure Zoom platform and am happy to help troubleshoot any technical issues that arise.

​

Challenges and Limitations of Online Therapy

In the interest of transparency, it's important to acknowledge that online therapy isn't perfect and won't be the ideal fit for everyone and we can discuss this in an initial consultation.

​

For individuals experiencing an acute mental health crisis or severe mental health conditions requiring intensive support, in-person care or higher levels of care may be more appropriate.

 

Online therapy works best when you're in a stable enough place to engage safely from home.

​

How Online Therapy Differs From Face-to-Face Work

​

Beyond the obvious fact that we're not in the same physical space, there are some interesting qualitative differences in how online therapy feels and functions.

The physical distance can actually facilitate deeper disclosure for some clients. Without the intensity of physical proximity, you might find it easier to discuss difficult topics. The screen provides what one researcher described as a "safe distance" that can paradoxically enable greater intimacy in the therapeutic relationship.

​

The ritual of coming to therapy also changes. Rather than the journey to my office - the commute, the waiting room, the transition from your everyday life to therapeutic space - you move directly from your daily activities into our session. Some clients miss this transitional time, while others appreciate the efficiency. It's worth noting that you might need to create your own rituals of transition - perhaps a few minutes of quiet before we begin, or a brief walk afterward - to help demarcate therapeutic time from the rest of your day.

​

What to Expect in Online Sessions

​

The structure and content of online therapy sessions are essentially identical to face-to-face work. Sessions are typically 50 minutes long, we work collaboratively on the issues you bring, and I draw on the same therapeutic approaches and techniques I use in my consulting room.

​

Most clients report that after the first session or two, they forget about the screen entirely and the work feels remarkably similar to face-to-face therapy.

​

Is Online Therapy Right for You?

​

Online therapy tends to work particularly well for people who:

• Have demanding schedules that make regular in-person appointments difficult

• Live in areas with limited access to mental health services

• Have mobility challenges or chronic health conditions that make travel difficult

• Value the privacy and comfort of their own environment

• Experience social anxiety around being seen entering a therapist's office

• Travel frequently and need continuity of care

• Feel more comfortable opening up from a distance

​

That said, some people simply prefer face-to-face contact, and that's completely valid. There's no inherent superiority to either format - what matters is finding the approach that enables you to engage most fully in the therapeutic process.

​

My Approach to Online Therapy

​

I approach online therapy with the same seriousness, professional standards, and therapeutic commitment as I bring to face-to-face work. The medium of delivery may differ, but my dedication to creating a safe, confidential, and effective therapeutic space remains constant.

​

I use secure, encrypted platforms that comply with all relevant privacy regulations. Your confidentiality is paramount, and I've taken every reasonable measure to protect it in the virtual environment. I've also invested time in developing my skills specifically for online delivery - learning to read the subtle cues that come through a screen, managing the technology smoothly so it doesn't intrude on our work, and adapting therapeutic techniques to work effectively in this format.

​

Importantly, I'm honest about the limitations. If I feel that your needs would be better served by in-person work or by a different level of care, I will tell you. My priority is your wellbeing, not the convenience of remote delivery.

​

Moving Forward

​

Online psychotherapy has emerged as a legitimate, effective treatment modality that expands access to mental healthcare and meets the needs of many people who might otherwise struggle to engage in traditional therapy. The research supports its effectiveness, and my clinical experience confirms that meaningful therapeutic work can absolutely happen through a screen.

​

If you're considering online therapy, I encourage you to give it a try. Most people find that their initial hesitations fade quickly once they're actually in the work. We can always reassess as we go and make adjustments if needed.

​

Whether you choose online or face-to-face therapy, the most important factors in your progress will be your commitment to the process, the quality of our therapeutic relationship, and our collaborative work toward your goals. The rest is simply logistics.

​

If you'd like to learn more about working together online, please don't hesitate to get in touch.