Online psychological counseling offers several advantages:
- Convenience of online sessions: One major benefit is the elimination of time and cost associated with traveling to a clinic, dealing with traffic, paying for parking, waiting in a waiting room, or requesting time off. Even mobility issues, chronic illnesses, or other mental disorders that make leaving home difficult do not hinder counseling sessions.
- Security of online counseling: The comfort and security of the home environment help individuals freely express their emotions and issues. Being in a new environment can be inherently stressful. In traditional face-to-face sessions, it takes time for individuals to adapt to the surroundings and lower their defensive walls. In contrast, online sessions provide a sense of comfort right from the beginning.
- Enhanced privacy with online counseling: Despite efforts to destigmatize counseling, fear of judgment still prevents individuals from comfortably stepping into psychological clinics. These individuals prefer non-face-to-face counseling sessions, as they eliminate the chance of encountering familiar people in clinics or worrying about the thoughts of others about their visits.