Over the years, it has become quite evident how the pandemic has brought in changes which have shaken the roots of our existing ways of being. It compelled us to reinvent our old practices, and start looking at things from a new perspective. One such major change was a drastic shift to an online mode of communication. What was supposed to be a temporary phase to manage the restrictions of the pandemic, became a permanent fix in the long run.
Online counselling presented a wide range of opportunities alongside a host of challenges. Alternate forms of counselling such as tele-counselling and chat-based counselling had been existing since the advent of the internet. Even counselling over video calls was used as a frequent substitute for in-person sessions. When the lockdown meant a complete shutdown of physical activities, these alternatives came to our rescue. Moreover, the pandemic created a rather contextual problem that pushed people to seek therapy. When I started to explore the history of presenting problems that my clients came in with, almost all of them attributed it to the onset of the pandemic. Therefore, it felt like I was being trained with certain specific sensibilities in mind. My primary mode of conducting therapy went hand in hand with the problems that were unique to the pandemic.
With no prior experience of in-person counselling, I had no particular reference point to build my expectations around. However, having studied the pros and cons of online counselling, I had a fair idea of what I was getting into. I anticipated it to be a more mechanical process because of a lack of human presence. One of my biggest fears was the availability of the internet and other technical problems that might arise due to taking sessions on electronic gadgets. I had to cancel or reschedule several sessions because either one of us lost the internet, or the electricity went off, and sometimes the call started lagging between the sessions. Time and again, connectivity issues interrupted the process of connecting with the session for both me and my clients. In a way, it did hamper the flow of our sessions. What also lived up to my expectations from online counselling was the ease of making appointments and rescheduling. The mobility that came with taking therapy online gave the clients much-needed ease for choosing the pace with which they could take sessions.
Nonetheless, this connectivity problem turned out to be a major hindrance over time. Hindrance not only in terms of the internet but the very medium of communication itself. What has been a long-standing critique of online therapy was experienced in my practice as well. A significant lack of non-verbal communication hampers the therapeutic relationship (Barak et al., 2008; Stoll et al., 2020). When I see my clients, I only get to see a certain side of them that is visible on my screen. I miss out on perceiving their bodily reactions to what happens during our sessions or how they respond to my comments. I am unable to generate comprehensive feedback that will enhance my communication with clients. Most importantly, an online session takes away the physical presence of the person which helps strengthen the therapeutic relationship. While discussing the importance of space in the context of building therapeutic relationships, Stickley and Freshwater (2009) emphasize the vitality of physical presence in doing so. Online therapy distances the client from the therapist, in quite a literal way.
However, online therapy presented some great opportunities and benefits that made this experience unique for both me and my clients. Meeting in an online space meant that clients could avoid the hassle of commuting, thereby increasing their usual availability for the sessions (Situmorang, 2020). Similarly, scheduling, rescheduling, and cancelling appointments became much more flexible as compared to in-person therapy. The most beneficial aspect is accessibility (Stoll et al., 2020). It meant the removal of all sorts of physical limitations, including geographical ones. Clients did not have to rely on the therapists available in their vicinity. I had clients from across the country and even from abroad. Online counselling allowed me to provide my services to a wide range of people who required counselling. But this accessibility came at a cost. The space and its importance, as mentioned earlier, were compromised. Since clients took the sessions from their homes, they could not ensure a distraction-free environment. When taking in-person sessions, we strive to create an environment within the counselling room that would enable the client to focus on the here and now while remaining connected to the session. Clients would often be disturbed by others living in their homes, a doorbell, someone calling them, and so on. This affected the flow of our sessions. Many a time, clients could not even take the sessions, because their parents and relatives were around. Thus, ultimately hampering the client’s sense of privacy which would have otherwise been addressed within the counselling room.
Lastly, another challenge associated with online counselling was identified through my experience of being on both sides of the table, i.e., as a client and as a therapist. When I used to go to my counselling centre, I had created a routine, a ritual of sorts. Going to the centre itself signified, going away from the chaos I was surrounded by. This ritual by itself was a grounding exercise. Similarly, after each session, the commute back to my place, allowed me to process the happenings of the session before I would enter the world again. This is another form of space that made therapy more effective for me. However, I found the opportunity for such kind of space to be lacking for my clients. Taking online sessions from their homes meant that clients did not have any buffer period to process anything. While taking online sessions for myself, I found it hard to continue my day after having an intense hourof the session. I anticipated the same for my clients as well. Therefore, I encouraged them to take a break after each session. To engage in relaxation activities before continuing with their day. At times, I even provided mini-breaks within the session hour for them to take a pause and process the moment.
Each benefit of online counselling comes with a disadvantage too. As of now, I have been able to navigate my way around it. Our recent increase in engagement with this platform also convinces me that online counselling is here to stay. Internet-based counselling interventions were started as supplements to the more traditional forms of counselling (Barak et al., 2008). However, the global pandemic has caused us to relook at these services. They are rapidly changing from supplements to more active alternatives. In my experience, the pros have outweighed the cons, till now. But the traditional form of in-person counselling still has its stronghold.
References
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Barak, A., Hen, L., Boniel-Nissim, M., & Shapira, N. (2008). A Comprehensive Review and a Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Internet-Based Psychotherapeutic Interventions. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 26(2–4), 109–160. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228830802094429
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Situmorang, D. D. B. (2020). Online/Cyber Counseling Services in the COVID-19 Outbreak: Are They Really New? Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling, 74(3), 166–174. https://doi.org/10.1177/1542305020948170
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Stickley, T., & Freshwater, D. (2009). The concept of space in the context of the therapeutic relationship. Mental Health Practice (through 2013), 12(6), 28–30.
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Stoll, J., Müller, J. A., & Trachsel, M. (2020). Ethical Issues in Online Psychotherapy: A Narrative Review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, 993. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00993