Not too long ago, mental health was a topic reserved for hushed conversations and closed doors. Consequently, it’s no surprise that counselling was once heavily misunderstood and stigmatised.
Fast forward to the present day, and we’ve seen a momentous shift in how we view the mental health landscape. Mental health is finally a part of everyday conversations, and counselling is now more accessible than ever, thanks in large part to online counselling in Singapore.
In this blog, we take you through the evolution of virtual mental health support over the years, explore the top five benefits of online counselling and debunk six common myths (including the effectiveness of online therapy vs in-person therapy).
As we saw in the introductory section, mental health care has come a long way over the years.
Traditional counselling, ie in-person psychotherapy, served as the foundation of mental health support for the better part of modern history.
However, growing awareness and technological advancements have led to the advent of other forms of professional counselling and support.
Mental health professionals started experimenting with technology as early as the 1990s, offering support through email, chat rooms and online forums. These early tech-aided counselling formats may have been limited at the time, but they laid the foundation for modern-day online counselling.
By the 2010s, technology was rapidly adopted in the mental health space. Video conferencing, online bookings and secure messaging forums made it possible to provide counselling beyond the four walls of a counsellor’s office.
Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, making online counselling a strong necessity as opposed to an alternative option. Almost overnight, online forms of mental health support became a lifeline for many, and their popularity and use have only grown ever since.
Today, online counselling coexists alongside in-person counselling as a meaningful and evidence-based mode of therapy in Singapore. It has proven to be just as effective as its traditional counterpart, while offering flexibility, freedom of choice, affordability, and accessibility.
Online counselling is a type of counselling where a professional provides mental health support over the internet or through digital platforms.
It helps make counselling more accessible, especially to those with mobility issues, health concerns and logistical, geographical or time-related constraints.
Online counselling can be an ideal choice for people:
When we say online counselling, we usually mean video counselling over the internet. However, online counselling can be conducted through any of the following modes:
Video sessions: The most widely preferred type of online counselling, it allows clients to see and hear their counsellors and vice versa.
Audio-only sessions: Audio counselling is best for those with limited bandwidth or those who prefer a higher level of anonymity.
Live chat sessions: Live chats allow clients and online counsellors to interact via a texting platform. It’s a low-pressure medium that’s ideal for those new to counselling.
Asynchronous sessions: Some platforms and counsellors provide flexible, asynchronous counselling. Clients can communicate asynchronously with an online counsellor through text or email threads.
Online counselling has evolved to be more than a convenient alternative; it’s rewriting how people perceive, approach and experience counselling services.
How, you ask? Below are five key benefits of online counselling that show its increasing effectiveness:
Accessibility and convenience are likely among the top benefits of online counselling.
Here are some ways in which online counselling ensures accessible and convenient mental health support:
Finding the right counsellor can be especially tricky if you live outside your country or city.
Online counselling in Singapore allows you to connect with counsellors who speak your native language fluently and understand your cultural context. It thus helps foster trust and increases the effectiveness of counselling in the long run.
Most platforms also allow you to filter online counsellors by language, background, and counselling style, making the match more personalised and fitting your needs.
For clients who are neurodivergent, highly sensitive or prone to overstimulation, travel and in-person social interactions can be overwhelming.
Online counselling sessions can be taken from anywhere one feels comfortable, increasing the sense of familiarity, safety and comfort.
Clients can also choose the communication mode they’re most comfortable with – audio, video, text or email.
Online counselling could be your ideal choice if you plan to relocate to a different city or country due to work, studies, or any other reason.
It ensures a continuous and uninterrupted therapeutic relationship with the same counsellor, no matter your location.
For the same reason, online therapy is also best if you generally travel a lot for work.
This section ties back to the first one we explored.
Mental health support is now available at the click of a mouse or the tap of a finger. Because online counselling is so very accessible, it encourages people to take action and seek help before things get too bad.
Starting counselling early on, before reaching a tipping point, can help nip long-term mental health issues in the bud. Online therapy also equips you with the practical tools and skills to manage your mental health, ensures personal growth and helps you thrive in all areas of life.
The first myth we’re debunking is the famous dilemma of online therapy vs in-person therapy. Any service provided online, including online counselling, is different in that people may need to adjust to the change in environment.
However, research strongly supports the notion that psychotherapeutic interventions provided online are effective in reducing:
In fact, through virtual mental health support, counsellors may find it easier to:
Contrary to the belief that clients may find it hard to build a relationship with an online counsellor, talking to someone over an audio or video call can, in fact, help the person become more comfortable and honest with themselves.
Any therapeutic alliance should have a strong foundation. The strength of this foundation depends on the counsellor’s skills rather than the medium of counselling, be it online therapy or in-person therapy.
“Trust and rapport are the connective tissue for gaining and maintaining healthy relationships.” - Susan C. Young
The truth is that building a therapeutic relationship is possible in all types of services, including online counselling.
At TYHO, people of all ages book sessions with us, ranging from those in their 20s to those in their 50s and beyond. This proves that online counselling is effective for even older generations.
The belief that online therapy only works for younger people is prevalent due to some valid concerns. For example, people who have never used technology may find it challenging to book sessions without support. Older adults may experience eyesight issues or have difficulty typing.
However, many technology challenges can be solved by finding a user-friendly and accessible platform.
Older adults actually find online counselling in Singapore to be a more convenient option. Imagine not having to travel all the way to a location on public transport on a hot day. Or feeling hungry in the waiting room, and travelling back home.
Seeking support online eliminates many of these challenges for people across all age groups.
The myth that online therapy is a trend is common. People believe that online services have grown in popularity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and they’re right.
However, online counselling is here to stay. Although the pandemic accelerated the shift towards online support, the medium has been in use for a long time.
The popularity of this medium has made more people aware of its affordability, accessibility, and effectiveness.
For example, those with social anxiety disorder may struggle to meet anyone in person, let alone a mental health professional. For individuals like these, talking to someone over a video or audio call can be a great way to overcome their fears.
Another example is people who may struggle to find the time to travel to a location. They may have busy schedules or have to care for children or older adults.
Mental health support should still be accessible to these people, and online therapy facilitates that. Hence, online counselling is not a trend but a means of convenient and sustainable support.
Again, online counselling can help with minor, major, and all other types of issues. The challenges are just the same as in-person counselling.
The kind of issues that can be addressed during online counselling in Singapore depends on the following:
When the professional has all the essential skills and qualifications, they can help with major disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and personality disorders.
The therapeutic approaches used during sessions can be adapted to suit the needs of online counselling.
For example, CBT skills, such as reframing unhelpful thoughts, are much easier to practice over a video call.
Sometimes, people have a more unrestricted flow of thought when talking over the phone, and this helps therapists ‘catch’ unhelpful thought patterns.
Moreover, research has also shown that, regardless of the type of issues, online counselling has a lower dropout rate than in-person counselling.
The fact that people are distracted during online counselling sessions could be true to an extent. However, we have to analyse it with nuance.
Some people may ‘appear’ distracted as a coping mechanism. Perhaps this person struggles to open up and is unsure how to express their hesitation to their counsellor. Sometimes, people may avoid focusing on the conversation due to the fear of judgment.
Distraction is just as common in in-person therapy. That’s why counsellors are trained to analyse and explore this aspect during sessions, no matter whether it's online counselling or in-person counselling.
As technology continues to evolve, so does the way we access and experience mental health care. There are now more options than ever, with online counselling expanding the mental health ecosystem, making it more inclusive, accessible and affordable.
No matter which mode you choose – online, in-person, or hybrid – what matters is that you take the step to prioritise your mental health.
If you’ve been considering speaking to a counsellor in Singapore but aren’t sure where to start, online counselling can be a convenient and comfortable option.
Here are three simple steps to book an online counselling online counselling session at Talk Your Heart Out (TYHO):
Sign in to/create a TYHO account
Review counsellor profiles to find the right fit
Schedule your first online therapy session!
If you are in crisis, or another person may be in danger, do not use this site. Please refer to these resources instead.
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