Phone Therapy Sessions

Phone therapy sessions are often overlooked in favour of face-to-face therapy; yet they can be very useful in many ways. In fact a recent study showed that telephone therapy can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy.

In this article I’ve highlighted 8 ways that phone therapy services can be helpful.

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8 advantages of phone therapy sessions

1. Phone therapy sessions are convenient

The most obvious advantage to phone therapy sessions is that they’re convenient.

You could relax in the comfort of your own home and speak to a therapist over the phone, no matter where your therapist lives. Or you could stay late after work and access phone therapy services from your office.

You can organise your therapy to fit in with your life, no matter where you are.

 

2. Phone therapy sessions are private

Telephone therapy offers a greater amount of privacy than face-to-face therapy sessions.

For instance, you can choose a telephone counsellor who lives in a completely different area to you; hence avoiding the possibility of you bumping into each other at the local supermarket.

For some, the thought of looking somebody in the eye as they discuss certain issues can be very daunting. This is where speaking to a counsellor over the phone can be a good solution, as obviously you won’t need to see, or be seen by, your phone therapist.

The privacy and confidentiality aspect of telephone therapy services can be very comforting, especially when the issues you wish to discuss are of a sensitive nature for you.

 

3. Phone therapy services can save you money

Therapy costs can vary depending on different locations.  So if you live somewhere with a high cost of living (eg London), then if you can work with a therapist in a different part of the UK then it may be very cost effective.

 

4. Telephone therapy is easier for people with mobility issues

Phone therapy services are a great option if you find it hard to get out and about for any reason. Often it’s difficult to find a counsellor who offers adequate accessibility, or perhaps you simply can’t get out of the house.

Telephone counselling helps you bypass all of those accessibility issues, as you can speak to a therapist over the phone from the comfort of your own home.

 

5. Phone therapy sessions may be less daunting for anxiety sufferers

Some people can experience a lot of anxiety at the thought of leaving their home to visit a therapist. In these situations telephone counselling can offer a good alternative.

Speaking to a counsellor over the phone while you relax in familiar surroundings can often be a much better prospect for those suffering from anxiety.

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6. Phone therapy services save you travel time and costs

Nobody likes an unnecessary commute. Telephone counselling can save you a great deal of time and money in this respect.

Driving around trying to find the therapy room… battling through bad weather.. getting stuck in heavy traffic… phone therapy sessions allow you to avoid all these pitfalls.

 

7. Telephone counselling is more comfortable

Phone therapy sessions give you complete control over your environment. You could be relaxing on the sofa, sitting out in your garden, or even having a walk in the park as you speak to your counsellor over the phone.

All this can create a better atmosphere for you to engage more completely in therapy.

 

8. Phone therapy sessions offer a good alternative

Phone counselling can be a great failsafe if a last-minute emergency means you can’t make your face-to-face therapy appointment.

I always remind my clients of this: if they’re housebound for any reason, or their car breaks down, or anything else crops up that means they can’t make their face-to-face appointment, they always have the option of taking their therapy session over the telephone.

This means they don’t have to cancel their appointment at the last minute and they still get the benefit of their therapy session.

 

Some things to bear in mind

Despite all the advantages of telephone therapy, there are some things to bear in mind.

Confidentiality aspects

When you use a phone, just like any technical device, it’s important to bear in mind that your confidentiality may be compromised in some way. So it’s a good idea to check your device and make sure you have any necessary security systems updated.

Phone therapy sessions may not be suitable for everyone

If you are suffering from serious mental health issues such as trauma or suicidal thoughts, and feel you may need support for any crisis situations you may encounter, then phone therapy is not a good idea.

I would advise that you seek the services of an appropriate therapist in your area so you can gain a high level of personal support from somebody who can liase with your GP if and when necessary.

 

Thinking about phone therapy sessions?

If you feel that phone therapy sessions may be right for you, get in touch with me by CLICKING HERE to book your complimentary telephone consultation. This will give you the chance to tell me a little about what is going on for you, ask any questions you need to, and book your first appointment if you decide to go ahead.