Reality as we know it has changed. Whether we like it or not, the internet has created an intricate web of collective consciousness that ties us all together.
Today, we can see a smile on the other side of the planet in real-time. Pretty phenomenal when you think about it.
We can step distant friends and far-away relatives through our environment, and grandparents can now watch the grandchildren grow through touchscreens and apps.
Even twenty years ago, a lot of this would have seemed like science fiction, yet we now accept it and take it for granted as we speak words of support to a depressed friend through FaceTime, seeing their face light-up and react instantaneously to our expressions and words through the intimacy of video calling.
One area that’s now benefiting greatly from the virtual landscapes the internet provides is online counselling. Online counselling is still relatively new but, it certainly provides relief from the stigma and hoops we used to have to jump through to speak to a professional.
Some doubt the effectiveness of online counselling yet; ‘distance counselling’, if you like, is nothing new. In fact, Sigmund Freud often used letters to communicate with his patience and gain further insight into their minds. You see, sometimes, people find it easier to express themselves in writing, rather than speech. The real-time and raw nature of face-to-face conversations can cause us to muddle our words, shutdown, or simply avoid difficult topics.
So, it makes sense that anxious and depressed people should have the opportunity to express their feelings and tell their story in whatever medium they feel most comfortable in. If this is not in-person then, online counselling provides a safe, private and comfortable space.
In a review of studies published by the World Journal of Psychiatry, patients receiving counselling via video conferencing reported a “high level of satisfaction”.
It’s interesting how we often blame technology for causing problems in society, citing the paradox of the fact that it connects us yet isolates at the same time. It’s easy to make a judgement and say that counselling is another area that should be face-to-face, however, who are we to judge? If technology allows a depressed person to speak to someone in the comfort and privacy of their own home, away from judgement and stigma then, how can it be a bad thing?
This paradox is something that isn’t going to go away soon. Social media can make us feel more connected to community and others yet, at the same time, can also be an isolating, depressing place where trolls and bullies lurk, hiding behind virtual egos to prey on vulnerable people. At the same time, being able to frequently stay in contact with family around the globe, and have access to more information than we ever have in history is incredibly liberating.
I think the answer isn’t to blame technology itself. It all depends on the person and how they use it. We all have our vices such as addiction or insecurities like social anxiety, and these will play out no matter what the arena. Yes, a person prone to addiction may be more likely to develop an unhealthy addiction to social media or video games, however, if we take that away, these behaviours will likely manifest somewhere else in the real world.
Despite your thoughts on technology and virtual environments, I think counselling is a great place to leverage remote sessions. If people are depressed or anxious, they’re going to take to the internet anyway and chat or post on social media. Probably better they talk with a professional who can guide them through whatever it is they’re going through.
For anyone interested in learning more, there are several online resources such as Betterhelp here.
So, let’s embrace technology in the area of mental health. I think that given the stigma that still exists in so many ugly forms… being able to speak to a professional privately and remotely has massive positive benefits, reaching people suffering from depression who may never have been motivated to find help in person.