Skype Counseling Therapy – How Does it Work & Is it Effective?

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Skype counseling therapy is one of the easiest ways to connect with a therapist online. Instead of booking in-person appointments, people are talking to their counselors over Skype. 

The platform is free and lets you chat globally, making it easier to get in touch with your therapist even during a holiday.

Plus, many clients feel more comfortable opening up from the comfort of their home – yet another upside of this therapy method.

If you feel this type of counseling is the right fit for you, keep reading to find out how to get individual Skype counseling therapy yourself.

What is Skype Counseling or Therapy?

Skype counseling therapy works the same way as regular therapy, just virtually. You choose a therapist that most suits you and attend weekly sessions. 

However, traditional counseling is more time-focused and requires you to be punctual. Of course, unless you have a special arrangement, your therapist will be off-limits outside of session time. 

Luckily, Skype therapists will often let you contact them during a crisis, even if you haven’t scheduled a meeting.

Since everything is happening online, there’s more freedom in communication, often making the entire process more efficient. 

Pros of Skype Counseling Therapy

Can psychologists use skype

We only briefly mentioned some of the upsides of Skype counseling therapy. However, there are many more obvious advantages to this therapy method.

Some of them include:

1. No Traveling Costs

Many patients have moved online because they don’t have to spend money on gas. There is no longer a need to drive to the other end of the city just to have an hour-long chat.

2. You can be Anywhere

You don’t even have to be in the same country as your therapist. Nothing stops you from calling them up from the beach – so long as communication flows freely.

3. Higher Comfort Level

Sometimes therapy requires you to get vulnerable. And sometimes, you can only do that from the comfort of your home.

If you feel most like yourself at home, Skype counseling therapy is tailored for you.

4. It’s a Time-Saver

Do you find driving to and from the therapist’s office time-consuming? If so, you’re not alone. Many attend Skype counseling because you can do it right away. If you lead a busy lifestyle, this will be a game-changer.

Is Skype Therapy Effective?

If you’ve been visiting your therapist in person, you may have doubts about the effectiveness of Skype counseling therapy. However, the following statistics may offer a different perspective and even divert you towards teletherapy:

  • Patients attending regular online therapy report high levels of satisfaction (study by the World Journal of Psychiatry);

  • Those with severe mental health conditions – like BPD – stay committed to teletherapy (study by Mental Health America);

So, while Skype counseling therapy cannot always replace that special bond you have with your in-person therapist, it can serve as another great tool to mend any issues at hand.

Can Psychologists Use Skype? How Safe is This?

While some believe that Skype is undoubtedly popular, it doesn’t come without risks. For example, the platform is not HIPAA-compliant.

If you didn’t know, HIPAA compliant means that the program you’re using cannot share your private healthcare data and keeps it safely and securely stored in its system. 

Still, Skype is just a communication tool that lets you connect with people worldwide and text and video chat with them. Anything you share on the app is accessible to the other person – forever.

Before diving into Skype counseling therapy, first, establish whether your therapist is licensed and how trustworthy they are.

Thankfully, most counselors have completed professional training and possess the documentation to back up their experience.

How to Get Individual Skype Therapy?

A quick Google search will do the trick in finding individual Skype counseling therapy. You can also use a search tool like Good Therapy to streamline the process.

There are many blogs created by professional therapists and dedicated to this type of teletherapy.

In addition, most online therapy platforms let you choose which communication tool you prefer, including Skype.

Start by creating a Skype account and add your therapist. After this, it all boils down to your mutual agreement. You can either text your therapist or video chat with them – whichever you both prefer.

How to Find the Right Skype Therapist for You

You have every right to be cautious when sharing sensitive information with a therapist online. That is why you must find a professional you can trust.

The following tips and tricks may help you in your search for the best Skype counseling therapy:

1. Means of Communication

Many clients prefer a therapist they can check in with during the day. In this case, one that restricts all contact outside of therapy time may not be a good fit.

You should always check how accessible your counselor is to you to determine whether they’re “the one.”

2. Credentials

Almost all online therapists claim they possess the credentials to do their job. However, it is up to you to double-check whether they do.

After all, working with an unlicensed counselor can be detrimental to your progress because the last thing you want to be getting is bad advice.

3. Experience

Yes, every client is different and deals with unique problems. Still, one thing that sets a good therapist apart from a bad one is their ability to adapt to any client.

Always look for counselors with rich prior experience who have dealt with many types of people – individuals struggling with mental health, long-distance couples, premarital therapy attendees, etc.

4. Cost

You don’t have to break the bank to get Skype counseling therapy. In fact, most of the time, this will be cheaper than attending sessions in person.

The price can vary from one therapist to another, and some charge a lot due to their level of expertise.

Thankfully, there are many counselors that charge acceptable rates – even less than $100 weekly. You just have to stumble upon the right ones.

John S. - Editor in Chief
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