A Brief Insight Into Working Online and Person-Centred Therapy
- Nipa Uddin
- Jul 1
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 16
With the recent rise of remote working, a new method of accessing therapeutic support has also developed. Over the years, online therapy has become more and more favoured, offering flexibility and accessibility making it easier for people to seek help when they need it.
I currently offer online therapy sessions specialising in person-centred therapy. You might be interested in finding out what this approach is and how it works online. Whether you are dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or simply looking to understand yourself better, person-centred therapy can empower you to take control of your journey.
This blog post is to give you a brief insight into person-centred therapy, how we work online, and the benefits it can have.
Working Online: Person-Centred Therapy
Contrary to popular belief, online therapy actually works in the same way as face-to-face therapy! As I specialise in person-centred therapy, your sessions will centre around you and what you need, and developing a therapeutic relationship will be a key factor in allowing you to get the most from therapy.
Working with someone who you feel like understands you and is genuinely interested in you, will support you with feeling more accepted and engaged in your therapeutic process. It will also create a safe space for you where you feel like you can genuinely speak about your experiences without fear of judgement or criticism.
Sessions will be directed by you and your needs in the moment and you don't have to feel any pressure to explore something if you are not ready to do so. You will have the power and control in therapy. My role is to support you through this process by offering insight, helping you to reflect, and creating a supportive environment for you where you can unpack and process your experiences. Person-centred therapy is about understanding who you are, so that you can feel more internally aligned with your attitudes, thoughts, emotions and beliefs.
You can read a more in-depth overview of person-centred therapy in my blog post 'Your Personal Guide to Person-Centred Therapy'.
Getting Started Online
Starting therapy online is a nice and easy process. Here is a step by step breakdown to help make it easier:
Inquiry - Send an inquiry using the contact form on my website to let me that know you're interested in therapy and what you are looking for support with.
Consultation - Once I know you're interest, we can book a free 30-minute consultation via phone call to discuss your needs in a bit more depth. I can also go into more detail about the way I work and answer any questions you may have.
Contract - If you are happy with everything discussed, I will email you a therapy contract to read and sign. We can then agree on a regular session slot and get you booked in for your first session! You will be sent a Teams invite that will be set up to reoccur on our agreed slot time.
Start Sessions - You are now ready to begin therapy! Typically the first session is used to get a more in-depth understanding of you and your needs but each session is fluid and directed by you.
So What Are The Benefits of Working Online?
Working online can often have a lot of stigma. People feel unsure whether they will feel a real connection or be able to get the true benefits of therapy from online. However, research has shown that meeting online can achieve the same therapeutic environment as meeting in-person and that there is an equal chance of developing a deep therapeutic connection online, as there is face-to-face.
Meeting online also has a number of accessibility benefits -
Comfort: You can attend sessions from the comfort of your own home or your chosen environment and this can change each session or be fully adapted to your needs in the moment.
Flexibility: Online therapy often offers more flexibility for cancellations and session changes allowing you to fit therapy into your life more easily.
Anonymity: Some people feel more comfortable discussing personal issues online, as it can feel less intimidating and confronting than face-to-face meetings.
Wider Reach: You can connect with therapists from different locations, giving you access to a broader range of expertise and specialties that you otherwise may not have been able to access.
Cost-Effective: Online therapy can often be more affordable than traditional in-person sessions due to no commute costs.
Making the Most of Therapy
Therapy is a journey where you get what you make of the experience. What you put into it, and how you embrace the process, will often have an impact on your journey and how you feel about it. This is why working with a therapist who aligns with you and your needs is essential - so that they can help you to get the most out of your therapeutic experience.
Alongside this, there are some things you can also do to make sure that you are getting what you need from the process -
Be Open and Honest: Share your thoughts and feelings openly. Try to be honest with yourself about your emotions and experiences, and even about the therapeutic relationship. Don't be afraid to voice what you need or to express if you ever feel misunderstood.
Know What You Want From Therapy: It can be beneficial to have an understanding of why you are seeking therapy and what you hope to gain from the process. Understanding what you want from therapy, will help you to reflect on your journey and to stay motivated throughout the process.
Practice Self-Care: Therapy can often be a painful and difficult process. Give yourself care and grace outside of the therapy room. You are doing the best you can, with the tools you have and it is impossible to show up 100% of the time as the best-version of yourself. Try to engage in things outside of therapy to help you process your experiences. This can be going out in nature, exercising, journaling, listening to music or spending time with loved ones. Find whatever makes you feel good.
Stay Committed: It can be easy to start to feel demotivated in therapy if you don't notice big changes, but therapy is a long-term process where therapeutic change often shows up over time. It can sometimes look like having different opinions and perspectives on things than you had before. Your boundaries changing. Viewing yourself and your experiences in a different way. Consistency is key in therapy - attending your sessions regularly offers the best benefits. Keep believing in yourself and trust in your process even when things are difficult.
Reflect on Progress: Take the time to reflect on your progress between sessions. Progress and change does not need to be life-changing. It can be small achievements and differences that mean something to you. No one can measure therapeutic change in the same way. Your journey is specific to you and taking the time to reflect on this can make you feel more appreciative towards yourself and how far you have come.
Final Thoughts
Starting therapy, whether online or face-to-face can be a difficult and intimidating journey. Both online and face-to-face therapy operate in a similar way with the aim of person-centred therapy always centering around you and what you need.
Therapy can often be a journey of self-discovery and empowerment helping you to gain valuable insights into your thoughts and feelings. Remember, the goal of therapy is not just to solve problems but to foster personal growth and self-acceptance. With the right support, you can navigate life's challenges and emerge stronger and more confident.
If you are considering online therapy, or would like to speak to me about how I can help you, drop me a message using the contact form on my website. I would love to hear from you.
Nipa
@therapytalkswithnipa
