I chose the name “Authentic Psychology” for a few reasons. While I know ‘authentic’ has become a bit of a buzz-word, it nonetheless resonates with me. As a psychologist, the concept of authenticity means something deeper than to ‘just be yourself’. It carries a nuance of really being present, dropping pretence, and being true to your core values.
For all of us, this is a journey. Authenticity is not a ‘state of being’ that you achieve, or a destination which you arrive at. It is a hopeful commitment to an outworking of personal discovery and growth, even through challenges and setbacks. While I know I will never arrive at perfect authenticity, I am committed to this process both personally and professionally.
At the same time, the possible irony of a digitally-based “authentic” psychology business is not lost on me. It is self-evident post-pandemic, and on the other side of the tech revolution (now AI revolution?), that we crave something real and connected. I can hear my critics say “surely video-calling is not ‘authentic therapy’ in the same sense as traditional office-based practice.”
So why do therapy online?
Here are 6 reasons to enhance psychology practice with video call technology:
1. Published research generally finds that online assessment and therapy is just as effective as in-person.
I was honestly quite sceptical when psychology and neuropsychology services became ‘remote’ during the first months of the covid19 pandemic. I was already familiar with personal video-calling for over a decade. But I had initial hesitation about whether assessment and therapy could be just as effective online.
I looked at the peer-reviewed research on remote working in neuropsychology for my NHS department and found it was well supported. Colleagues also published departmental research on how acceptable remote working was for clinicians and patients. Now, after years of experiencing both, my views have changed. Online therapy can be just as effective as traditional face to face sessions.
2. Online psychological therapy allows for a more flexible approach, so that we can all prioritise the things that really matter to us.
Life is busy and full of compromises. It can be a real challenge to take time out for our own personal needs as it is. Saving time on travel may actually make therapy more accessible, and less costly due to less time off work. Many people already work from home part-time, and can easily work their hours around a therapy appointment.
One possible downside to having a video appointment is that there is no physical travel space to help separate the appointment from the rest of your day. Travel can be a meaningful time to reflect before and after a session, and a mental/emotional cushion between the appointment and your other commitments. However this can still be done intentionally by going for a walk, sitting with a warm drink, or doing some breathing/meditation for 15-20 minutes following the session.
3. Ideally, online therapy offers freedom and opportunity for the therapist and client to find a good fit.
Finding the right therapist for you, with the right expertise, style, and schedule, all in your local geographical area, can be extremely challenging. The ‘fit’ of the therapist is such an important factor in whether therapy is effective. It is quite realistically much more significant than whether you meet them online or in person.
That said, if you can find a psychologist locally who seems to be a good fit, and has the required expertise and qualifications, there are certainly benefits to meeting in person. For example, it can be helpful to have a dedicated space outside of your household or workspace, it can be grounding, and can feel more personal. In my own practice, I utilise supervision and support both online and face to face.
4. There are many possible modes of contact, the question is whether the type of contact can facilitate a therapeutic relationship.
For many people, a good therapy relationship can be developed just as well during online video appointments. Authenticity is not about ticking boxes, just the opposite. Being physically in the same room does not guarantee an authentic therapeutic relationship.
The question about mode of contact should be something like “is this way of working getting in the way of developing a real, meaningful, effective therapy relationship?” The answer to this will vary between people and modes of contact.
Self-help, webinars, text-based approaches, and indeed some types of therapy and therapists, do not score very high on the metric of ‘meaningful relationship’. Developing a trusting, ethical, and therapeutic relationship, whether in person or online, takes time, commitment, and an individualised approach. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions.
An authentic therapist will work to apply sound theory and clinical expertise to your unique experience, in a relational and collaborative way. This will usually involve a degree of exploration and uncertainty. We work together to create a safe (virtual) space, cultivating curiosity and openness. Only in this environment can we begin to learn something new and bring about meaningful change. This brings me onto the next point:
5. The real work to be done in therapy is not about going to a therapy room, but about ‘showing up’ mentally and emotionally.
“Showing up” in therapy means making an effort to be real and vulnerable about your thoughts and emotions. Engaging in the therapeutic process will require commitment, reflection, and willingness to experience some uncomfortable thoughts and feelings in service of a greater goal – personal growth and change.
The therapist also plays a crucial role in facilitating this process by creating a safe, non-judgmental space and employing evidence-based techniques. However, each client contributes uniquely to this environment, holding their own responsibility to walk the path towards healing and self-discovery. In essence, the real work in therapy is not confined to a room but exists in the mental and emotional space that both the therapist and client collaboratively create.
6. I can’t speak for everyone, but I think we are becoming more accustomed to engaging with products and services in a way that is functional, rather than for the sake of convention.
Do what works for you, not what you’re ‘supposed to’ do just because it’s always been that way. Ask yourself, what’s really meaningful? or necessary?
I would guess that a lot of people shared an experience following Covid-19 restrictions – Our routines changed drastically, and didn’t entirely change back. We were forced out of our comfort zones, and while this was a difficult (even traumatic) experience for many people, it opened our eyes to some possibilities. Remote and hybrid working can be an advantage when it works.
The way we stay authentic is to acknowledge there are pros and cons, and these will be different for each individual and situation.