The advance of new technologies has allowed psychologists to get closer to their patients without losing the quality of information and the confidence necessary for therapeutic benefits to occur. Today, thanks to the use of the Internet, it is possible to reach more people, regardless of the distance involved and from the comfort of their homes, with the same effectiveness as face-to-face therapy.

One of the preferred options for many psychologists and patients to conduct therapy online is Skype . In this article we will discuss the features and benefits of this form of therapy.

How Skype therapy works

Many patients, either because of the convenience of conducting therapy sessions from home or because they are unable to come to the therapy center, prefer remote psychotherapy. For less than a decade, some psychologists and even large psychology centres have been offering the therapy service via Skype .

The idea of this type of therapy is the approach of a person that requires psychological help with a professional of Psychology, with the purpose that this last one facilitates him/her tools to recover the well-being and to improve his/her quality of life. Thanks to the technological advances of recent times, practically anyone has access to this software , which is easy to install, configure and therefore to start using.

Skype therapy sessions are conducted via video call, so there are a number of requirements:

  • Computer or tablet
  • Webcam or microphone and speakers
  • Installed Skype program

Conducting therapy via Skype is relatively simple, usually you just have to meet these requirements and follow some simple instructions from online psychologists to get started with online therapy sessions.

Scientific studies support the benefits of online therapy

More and more psychological centres are using this modality, as scientific studies have proved its effectiveness on many occasions. At some point in our existence, we have all felt that we are not at our best, and thanks to Skype therapy it is possible to access the online psychologist at any time and from any place.

A famous study, which was published in the Journal of Technology in Human Services in 2008, showed that online therapy helps many people to overcome their psychological difficulties or problems , especially those related to anxiety and stress. To carry out the research, they had data from 9,764 subjects with different problems. After receiving the treatment, more than 50% of the patients stated that they had recovered and had increased their quality of life and well-being notably, for which reason the researchers assured that the online treatment provides similar results to the face-to-face treatment.

Later, a team of University of Virginia researchers, who published their results in the medical journal JAMA Psychiatry , observed in a study that more than half of the people with insomnia and depression. The people who were tested experienced an improvement within a few weeks of receiving treatment .

Recently, other research, this time conducted by the University of Lancaster (UK), confirmed the improvement of 100 patients with bipolar disorder who received online psychotherapy sessions with Skype.

What are the benefits of Skype therapy?

Psychotherapy, whether online or face-to-face, brings many benefits to patients : it helps them to get to know themselves better, to recognise and modify their dysfunctional beliefs, to increase their emotional health and to make them feel better; it provides them with tools so that they can better manage everyday problems, interpersonal relationships and conflicts that may arise throughout their lives and, in general, it empowers them to face life, so that they can live in harmony with themselves and with their environment.

However, online therapy also provides other benefits that face-to-face therapy does not . They are the following:

1. Access from anywhere

New technologies allow access from anywhere in the world and at any time, either from the computer, tablet or smartphone .

2. Anonymity

Since the patient does not have to come to the therapy center, he enjoys greater anonymity.

3. Greater time flexibility

Skype therapy facilitates time flexibility and is best suited to the needs of the patient.

4. Comfort

With this therapeutic modality, the patient does not have to move around or waste time in a waiting room.

5. Lower cost

The cost of this form of therapy is less than the cost of traditional therapy. The patient also saves on travel costs.

6. Intimacy

When performed from the patient’s own home, the patient may feel more comfortable perceiving the situation as less threatening and therefore may open up more and increase confidence in their relationship with the psychologist.

7. Continuous monitoring

Those patients who want to continue to have contact with their trusted psychologist despite having to change city , can do so thanks to new technologies and the use of Skype software.

Looking for trusted online psychologists?

Finding a therapist online is the first step in being able to receive therapy online. From Psychology and Mind we recommend the team of the Mensalus Institute in Barcelona, considered the best centre of psychology in Spain.

Mensalus Institute: the best psychologists online

Few clinics in Spain have the recognition and the professional career of Instituto Mensalus, as its more than 30 years of offering quality psychological assistance both in person (in Barcelona) and online guarantee it. In addition, this centre offers personal growth workshops and postgraduate courses and training for psychologists, in collaboration with the most important university institutions in our country, which makes it a highly prestigious centre for psychology.

The Mensalus Institute has an interdisciplinary team made up of psychologists, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, psychopedagogues and speech therapists, all of whom are professionals of the highest level; and offers psychological therapy, brief therapy, personal coaching and specific consultations for adults, couples, families, adolescents and children. Thanks to online therapy, it contributes to improving the quality of life and well-being of people not only in the Barcelona area, but also around the globe.

As far as online therapy is concerned, the first information session is free of charge, and it gathers information on the patient’s problem, explains the conditions of the service and schedules the subsequent sessions . This centre guarantees effective, personalised and confidential attention, and applies the most appropriate techniques to treat different problems (depression, anxiety, stress, couple and sexual therapy, etc.).

  • If you want more information about the Mensalus Institute, you can find the contact details in this link.