In recent years, many people have been seeking therapy in Singapore for anxiety, depression, and work stress through audio or video talk therapy sessions.
Research also shows that therapeutic appraoches tailored to the online platform, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), work effectively in reducing anxiety symptoms and consistently improve therapy outcomes for a wide group of people.
Yet, one question that many have before booking a session is: How private and confidential is an online session anyway?
Concerns around privacy are valid. After all, you may be sharing a vulnerable part of yourself during the process, and it’s important to ensure that you feel safe in doing so.
Hence, in this article, we’ll explore how trustworthy online therapy is, the different teletherapy options available for support and some benefits of talking to a therapist online.
Online therapy, or teletherapy, helps people connect with a qualified mental health professional through tools such as video calls, audio calls, and texting platforms.
Individuals living outside the city, those with busy work schedules, and those who face physical health challenges that limit their ability to leave the house may benefit most from online sessions.
For example, someone who has to travel one hour to attend an in-person session on an 8-hour workday may find the entire ordeal tiring. In such cases, the person could book an online session from their workplace or at a cafe on their way home.
Online therapy privacy relies on technology to keep your data safe and confidential. Beyond the technical side, privacy matters because the foundation of an effective therapy is trust.
The space you and your therapist build together will help you explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences from a non-judgmental and objective viewpoint. Moreover, knowing that what you say stays between you and your therapist may help you open up honestly.
In fact, a qualitative study showed that people in online therapy reported experiencing positive therapeutic alliance when the setting felt safe and private, which is a known predictor of better therapy outcomes.
In short, yes, online therapy privacy is trustworthy.
At Talk Your Heart Out (TYHO), all online sessions are encrypted end-to-end, and the information shared during sessions is only accessible to you and your Therapist (ie encryption essentially scrambles the data so that even if someone tried to intercept it, they wouldn’t be able to read or use it).
At TYHO, we also comply with strict data protection laws such as Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
TYHO Therapists also uphold strict ethical standards of confidentiality. However, the only exception where the Therapist may be legally obliged to reveal information may include situations where you may be at risk of harm to yourself or someone else.
In such cases, TYHO leaves the decision to the Therapist to inform external parties such as family, court, or crisis service providers.
If you have any questions regarding therapy confidentiality, please feel free to bring it up with your Therapist in Singapore. The first few sessions are used effectively for building rapport, trust, and getting to know each other, as well as the entire therapy process. Hence, all questions are welcome.
Online therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all; what works for one person may not work for another.
For example, on the one hand, someone who tends to feel anxious in video calls may prefer talking to a therapist over an audio call. This creates an optimal environment for a safe therapy session.
On the other hand, a person who prefers to look at the professional when speaking may prefer video calls, as it may make them feel more seen or comfortable.
Hence, you can choose a specific format that best suits your preferences.
Audio therapy sessions take place through phone or voice calls. This option is ideal for people who prefer not to turn on their cameras.
Starting with audio calls can be less intimidating, giving you space to process emotions while opening up. From a privacy point of view, audio calls may also reduce the risk of visual data being transmitted.
Simply book an audio call with a TYHO Therapist, select your preferred date and time slot. Once paid, you will receive the session details on your dashboard. Use the link provided to attend the audio call session.
We recommend attending the session from a quiet and private area, as background noise from travel or traffic may disrupt the flow of the session.
Note: Before your first online therapy session, try writing down your hesitations and presenting problems in the ‘Journal & Notes’ section of your dashboard. Your reflections may provide the Therapist with more context about your life and help them best prepare for the session.
Video therapy sessions are the closest equivalent to in-person counselling. During video calls, you and the therapist can better understand each other, observe facial expressions, and connect more emotionally. Many also find that it helps them feel closer and more comfortable with their therapist during video therapy sessions.
TYHO has a built-in video system that prevents recording or third-party access. Similar to audio calls, video calls on our platform are also encrypted end-to-end.
Before every session, make sure your internet connection is private (eg avoid public Wi-Fi) and that your device’s software is up to date.
For better online therapy privacy, we also suggest that you close other applications that may use your microphone or camera to prevent any accidental sharing.
Rest assured, all TYHO Therapists are screened for their ethical standards and clinical skills.
Other than online therapy privacy and confidentiality, there are many other benefits of this medium that may contribute to a positive experience.
The first major benefit is accessibility. With the option of audio and video calls, you can find a Therapist from anywhere in the world.
In fact, TYHO Therapists come from diverse backgrounds and have lived in multiple countries. So, not only do you get to choose from a wide range of Therapists, but you also have the option of talking to someone who knows multiple languages and is aware of the cultural nuances.
The second benefit is flexibility. Whether you prefer early-morning discussions before work or evening check-ins after dinner, online platforms often offer a variety of scheduling options. For example, you can even book a same-day session at TYHO or choose a slot after working hours if you're a busy working professional.
The third benefit is comfort. While many may prefer to talk to a therapist face-to-face, there are also some of us who may feel shy or uncomfortable starting out with in-person right away.
Hence, setting up a comfortable environment in your room, with comfort blankets, tissues, and a toy for emotional support, could just be the perfect way to open up and feel more at ease during counselling sessions.
Lastly, at TYHO, you can even opt for a combination of online and in-person secure counselling. This way, you could make time for in-person sessions when you can, and fall back on online sessions with the same Therapists when buddy schedules demand your attention.
Finding an online Therapist at TYHO may take a little trial and error. However, below are some steps you can take to ensure that the process is smooth and successful:
Be sure to ask questions during the first therapy session. The questions can involve themes of confidentiality, privacy, the Therapist’s experience and background, services they offer, and so on.
Online therapy is secure and confidential at Talk Your Heart Out. Your online data is protected through encryption technologies.
Your Therapists also follow their own ethical standards to ensure that your information remains private. Feel free to bring up your questions and doubts regarding secure counselling during the first therapy session. TYHO Therapists will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Before your first online therapy session, think about three things:
The logistics could be as simple as preparing the environment and location from where you’d attend the session. Ensure ahead of time that no one disturbs you during the session, and check your internet connection.
As for emotions, reflect on how comfortable you feel with the Therapist. Write down a list of emotions that you are experiencing before the session and a list of emotions you’d like to explore with the Therapist.
If labelling is hard, you could also try using promos or the Notes feature on our platform to journal. You’ll find the ‘Notes’ feature on your profile dashboard after you log in to your TYHO account.
As for thoughts, try to write down questions and reflections you’ve been having throughout the week.
How happy do you feel? Are you struggling to eat? Have you spoken to any friends?
Feel free to write down any thoughts you have and bring them up to your Therapist when you’re comfortable.
You can use any device with a stable internet connection. For example, a computer, a laptop or a smartphone may also work.
A laptop may be the ideal choice if you do not have a mobile stand holder. This is simply to ensure that you’re hands are free during sessions and that you’re not distracted by the camera angle.
Headphones may also help maintain privacy, especially if you share your living space.
Yes, online therapy privacy applies to couples and family counselling. All services we provide on our platform are safe and private.
If you’re opting for couples counselling, the Therapist may discuss boundaries during sessions to make sure everyone involved is comfortable talking about their issues and thoughts. The boundaries are constantly analysed and adapted to the client’s preferences.
Dealing with mental health challenges is hard. Getting quality support shouldn’t be.
Online therapy at TYHO is just as safe and confidential as in-person therapy. Privacy on our platform depends on a combination of secure technology, the Therapist's ethical standards, and mindful participation from both the professional and the client.
Other than privacy, online therapy has other benefits like accessibility, flexibility, and convenience. To find a good online Therapsit, review their profiles, read client reviews, and watch introductory videos.
If you’re ready to get started on the journey, book a safe therapy session today.
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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