Saving money and time with psychotherapy

 

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http://www.psicologiaencancer.com

Saving money and time with psychological therapy has many advantages. People visiting a professional know that it has a cost which is not small. But information and communication technologies now make it possible, through the online psychological therapy: it is as effective as conventional therapy, but it requires less time and less money. It also reduces distances and makes it easier for those people who, for whatever reason, have difficulties with sitting face-to-face with a psychologist.

Effectiveness of online compared to conventional therapy

Although this blog is dedicated to psychooncology – psychological support for people with cancer and their relatives -, the conclusions on the effectiveness of online psychological therapy are equally applicable to many other fields of psychology.

On this page you can find numerous studies on the effectiveness of online therapy. Most of the literature confirms that this form of psychotherapy is at least as effective as the conventional one, with two important issues:

1. Some disorders may not be optimally treated by online therapy: psychotic disorders, substance abuse or eating disorders at an early stage of treatment, suicidal tendencies …
2. Online therapy can never completely replace face-to-face therapy.

Types of online psychological therapy

Basically, online psychotherapy can be conducted in two ways: based on self-help (programmed to follow its steps without contact with any professional, such as mobile app Self-care during cancer), or keeping contact with a psychologist via mobile phone, email or videoconferencing.

Personally I recommend the second one. Besides in psychology it is better to talk with a person rather than doing it with an algorithm-based machine, having a person available allows to adapt the psychological support to each patient and solve their particular problems.

A crowdfunding campaign is underway on Precipita platform, to develop an application focused on helping cancer survivors to manage its psychological consequences. If you want to donate, you can do it here (I have no interest on it).

But… What are the advantages of online psychological therapy?

• Saving money: You pay less, because professional fees are usually lower. Of course, it is important to be careful when these fees are too low. If your problem is related to a disease such as cancer (because you are diagnosed with it, or some relative or friend of yours is) it is good to make sure the professional is an expert in this area. It is worth paying a little more for being attended by someone trained, specialized and experienced.
• Saving time: There are no jorneys. This is essential when we are all looking at the clock all the time. And in therapy by email, you can open and retrieve the contents at any time without a predetermined schedule.
• Saving distances: My offices are in Manresa and Barcelona, ​​but online therapy allows attending people from everywhere. It is also useful for those with reduced mobility.
• Allows privacy: Some people are not able to be in an office with a psychologist, or even do not want their face to be seen. Using Skype or email for therapy solves these problems -of course, whenever the situation doesn’t contraindicate it.

Some testimonies

I asked two people whom I have helped to explain the advantages of having made online therapy to cope with their cancer. The names and ages are modified for their privacy (confidenciality is a personal commitment and an ethical obligation).

Isabel (52 years). She had breast cancer: “The psychologist was visiting in Barcelona and I am from Madrid. Although I could do it in my public hospital, there was a waiting list for months and searching in the net I reached Joan, the psychooncologist. We talked every two weeks via videoconference (I had to ask my son to download it to my computer, because I am useless for these things). I used to pay by bank transfer. One day I was overwhelmed, desperated, and we did what he calls an emergency visit: He attended me in less than one hour. I always felt that he was near me, although we only see each other on the screen. ”

Montserrat (21). Her father had metastatic colon cancer: “When they found out my father had cancer, he was 60 years old. It was in a very advanced stage and he had to give up working. I was at college and I had to start working to help the family, as well as accompanying him to all visits to the hospital. So I had no time to see the psychologist in visiting hours, and I was recommended to try Espaipsicosalut. At first I did not trust much of this, but the first time we talked it was free of charge, and he showed his face, and that gave me confidence. I could talk to him at night, combining Skype with emails. I got some discount packs, and I used to pay by Paypal directly through his website. My father never wanted to talk to a psychologist, but it was very well for me, even after he died. So from here, thank you very much Joan! “.

I want to thank Isabel and Montserrat for daring to give their testimony. Although I have changed some personal facts, it is not easy.

The most common method is videoconferencing by Skype. If you don’t have it on your computer you can download it for free here. Once inside, you’ll find me under the name Espaipsicosalut.

If you want an appointment, you can order it here [IN SPANISH].

So, online psychological therapy has many advantages, and when it can be used, it reduces many problems of distance, time and money. Have you ever tried? Leave a comment!