Is online therapy growing since the pandemic?

Many adaptations were needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies had to adapt the way they worked, retailers had to move more online, and therapy had to ensure it still reached the patients that needed it. This is where online therapy became popular, with therapists ‘meeting’ their patients using video conferencing software.  

Now that the pandemic seems to be largely over, is online therapy still growing?

Growing mental health concerns over the course of the pandemic

Part of the reason therapy started to be given online was because people couldn’t get out of their homes due to the constraints of lockdown. However, many people have reported a decline in their mental health arising from the various impacts of the pandemic.  

Some people have found that being in lockdown for an extended period of time made them feel depressed and isolated. Others felt the same because they were unable to see friends and family. Others also became anxious about the risks posed by COVID-19 itself, and developed health anxiety as a result. 

These issues are still affecting some people even after restrictions have widely ended. This means more people are in need of therapy and are looking for ways they can access help. 

This situation has also, however, fuelled a growth in the number of online therapy courses that are available, including online couples therapy training. 

Online therapy is more convenient

For those with busy lives, having an alternative to in-person appointments is a definite advantage. Many doctor surgeries have maintained an online service since the end of restrictions, as it is easier to maintain. 

For great numbers of people looking to access therapy or related training, online courses and one-to-one sessions are ideal. They allow people to live their busy lives without taking time away for appointments that can be done at home. 

The rising numbers of people who are now working at home full or part-time means there are now opportunities to have these sessions at home rather than having to leave the office. 

Improved access to services

Online therapy has other advantages besides convenience. It also allows one therapist to see many people across a wider geographical area than previously.  

For some people who live in remote areas, accessing any type of medical or mental health treatment can be tough. Having online therapy means they can get the same level of access as someone who lives in a town. It also saves time for the therapist and the patient because neither needs to travel. 

It is also potentially easier to find the right therapist and change if necessary. Sometimes, a patient and therapist don’t work well together for a number of reasons. Being able to change may be easier if the sessions are online, as others can be brought in from different areas. This will minimise breaks in care and treatment for the patient. 

Conclusion

The therapist/patient bond can still be developed online, and it has proved to be a valuable tool in delivering patient care while still enabling recovery from the disruption of COVID and the lockdowns. 

As people return to their jobs, other mental health issues may arise that online therapy can help with – especially if patients can even take a session in their car or while on their lunch break.