Figure 1: Counselling (Source: Expressions Counselling © , 2019-2021)
Psychological counseling via e-counseling or online counseling is a controversial method of delivering a range of services, including treatment, consultations, and psycho-education, via distance communication technology.
Figure 2: Pros and Cons of E counselling (Source: Author Developed, 2021)
Figure 3: Pros & Cons (Source: Times 2 Track, 2017)
Pros |
Physical Limitations |
Accessing mental health care can be difficult if you're unable to leave your home. For those who are unable to leave their homes due to illness or disability, online therapy may be a more suitable option. Customers of ICBC are frequently stressed out by the sheer number of appointments they have to attend. Due to their physical restrictions, getting to and from appointments can be a challenge. Such individuals may benefit from online counseling since it allows them to receive emotional support while they continue to heal physically. (Speyer & Zack, 2003). |
Convenience and Accessibility |
There is no better place to be than in your own house. Additionally, you may be able to choose an appointment time that is more accommodating with online sessions than you would with in-person ones. You can use the time you spend driving to and from the office to prepare for your session or work on your assignments. (Speyer & Zack, 2003). |
Remote Access |
If you reside in a rural region with few close mental health care facilities, you may not have access to counseling services unless you use internet counseling. (Speyer & Zack, 2003). |
Long Distance Support |
If you have to leave British Columbia for employment or education, your counselor will be able to continue working with you through online sessions until you return. There will be no interruptions or delays in your therapy as a result of this. (Speyer & Zack, 2003). |
Table 1: Pros of E counselling
Cons |
Health Insurance Coverage |
Online counseling may or may not be covered by health benefits that already cover traditional counseling. Health insurance, on the other hand, is offered by a variety of companies. RCC - Registered Clinical Counsellor – is the title that each of our therapists has. Online appointments with an RCC are likely if your insurance covers them. (Baker & Ray, 2011). |
Dependent on Area |
In many cases, internet counseling services are only available inside a specific geographic area. As a result, make sure you're looking in your own neighborhood. There are tight laws regulating whether a counselor, therapist, or psychologist can help someone outside of their "jurisdiction" no matter what country or province it is. (Foon et al., 2020). |
Confidentiality, Privacy, and Unreliable Technology |
Counseling sessions are supposed to be private and confidential, as you are aware. However, the internet adds another level of difficulty to the equation. Additionally, privacy breaches and hacking are becoming more of a problem for businesses. It can also be tough to get to your counseling appointments when you truly need them because of technical difficulties. (Johnson, 2017). |
Table 2: Cons of E counselling
E counselling has become a trend in current world and more organizations have applying that concept while getting advantages from above discussed pros and reducing cons.
References
Baker, K. D. & Ray, M., 2011. Online counseling: The good, the bad, and the possibilities. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 24(4), pp. 341-346.
Expressions Counselling © , 2019-2021. Expressions Counselling ©. [Online]
Available at: https://expressionscounselling.com/pros-and-cons-of-online-counselling/
[Accessed 26 November 2021]
Foon, L. W., Zainudin, Z. N., Yusop, Y. M. & Wan Othman, W. N., 2020. E-counselling: The intention, motivation and deterrent among school counsellors. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(3), pp. 44-51.
Johnson, S. M., 2017. E-Counselling: A Review of Practices and Ethical Considerations. Antistasis, 7(1).
Speyer, C. & Zack, J., 2003. Online counselling: Beyond the pros and cons. Psychologica, 23(2), pp. 11-14.
Times 2 Track, 2017. Times 2 Track. [Online]
Available at: https://blog.time2track.com/pros-and-cons-of-online-therapy-are-we-hard-wired-to-connect
[Accessed 26 November 2021].
Online counseling, according to Bloom (1998), is the practice of professional counseling that happens when the client and counselor are in different or remote locations and communicate with each other by electronic means. Good article you make con's and pros very clear thanks for shearing .
ReplyDeleteE-counseling’s a mental health treatment that takes place online. Either in real-time or through asynchronous messages, users receive professional therapy or support through a variety of media ( Moore, 2020) This is very Important for get better result In Organization. Thanks to share Vishwa
ReplyDeleteSeveral studies from around the world, including ones from the US's Northwestern University and Germany's Leipzig University (both in 2014) suggest that online therapy is just as effective as face-to-face work for clients.
ReplyDeletePeople in rural or remote places can get mental health care through online counseling. Because there are few or no mental health practices in rural areas, those who reside there may not have access to any other sort of mental health therapy."E-therapy is defined as a licensed mental health care professional providing mental health services via e-mail, video conferencing, virtual reality technology, chat technology, or any combination of these"(Sucula,2012).However,this subject is less active in Sri Lankan institutions.My personal opinion is that counseling should always be a face to face activity.The Human connection that emerges through it can provide more effective solutions.
ReplyDeleteCounseling can support many damages to people, counseling supports on or off line will have different effects as highlights under pros and cons in the article.
ReplyDeleteFor customers and therapists, the choice to attach online gives several benefits via way of means of overcoming barriers associated with time and distance. Well-informed article. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteE-counselling is supportive to consult employees and overcome the problems facing by employees. E-counselling is having physical limitations and long distance support can be received. However, overcoming issues with e-counseling will be supportive to improve the performances of e-counselling.
ReplyDeleteE counseling is the easiest way to reach people. But there is some negative impact also. When physically reaching someone you can see feel the expectation and requirements. For some events, E counseling is a better way to handle it.
ReplyDeleteAnyone can access their E-counsellor from anywhere and this is advantage of privacy. Also Comfort, speed of service, convenient, personal connection and effectiveness are other advantage. Lack of visual and verbal intimation, lack of physical presence internet service failures are disadvantage of E-counselling. Good article and thanks for sharing.
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ReplyDeleteClients are using videoconferencing, synchronous chat, and asynchronous e-mail with professional psychologists in place of or in addition to face-to-face (FtF) counseling. Yet the majority of counseling psychologists are not involved in the provision of these services (VandenBos & Williams, 2000). E-counsel is good practice in modern world due to time fact. But we can not implement in every sector. You have share Pros & Cons about E-counselling. worth article. Thanks for sharing.
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