Online Counselling: Benefits, Challenges and What to Expect

Photograph by Nana Ampomah

Online counselling has become an important part of the way I work. It can remove some barriers, such as travel, distance or mobility difficulties. It can also introduce others, including unreliable technology, limited digital access or a lack of private space, so suitability needs to be considered individually. While some clients prefer to meet me in person, others find that online counselling suits their lives better. For some people, it eases barriers that might otherwise stop them from reaching out.

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I offer a range of therapy options because I know that one approach does not suit everyone. Some people value the structure of coming into a therapy room. Others feel more at ease speaking from home. Some prefer a blend of both. What matters most to me is helping you find a way of working that feels supportive, manageable, and right for you.

Why I offer online counselling

I offer online counselling because life is rarely simple. Work, family responsibilities, health issues, travel, and distance can all make it harder to attend in-person sessions regularly. Online sessions can make therapy more accessible, especially for people who need more flexibility or who would feel more comfortable starting therapy from a familiar space.

I have also seen how online work can help people take that first step into therapy. Reaching out for support can feel vulnerable enough without the added pressure of travelling somewhere new, sitting in a waiting room, or trying to fit appointments around a busy day. In that sense, online counselling can make therapy feel more approachable.

The benefits of online counselling

One of the biggest benefits of online counselling is accessibility. If you live in a rural area, travel often, have mobility difficulties, or manage a health condition that makes leaving home more difficult, online sessions can expand access to support that might otherwise feel out of reach.

Flexibility is another reason many people choose it. Without the need to travel, therapy can fit more easily around work, parenting, study, or other commitments. Removing travel may make regular attendance easier for some people, although continuity also depends on privacy, technology, health and the agreed therapeutic approach.

Comfort also plays a big part. Some people find it easier to talk when they are sitting in their own home, with a familiar drink nearby, a blanket over their knees, or their usual surroundings around them. For some people, that familiarity helps conversation feel more natural; others find a separate therapy room more private or containing.

For some clients, online counselling may feel more discreet because there is no journey or waiting room. That is different from confidentiality: privacy still depends on the platform, the device and whether each person has a private place to speak. That sense of discretion can still make it easier to ask for help, especially for someone feeling anxious about starting therapy.

The challenges to consider

At the same time, I think it is important to be honest about the challenges of online counselling too.

Before online work begins, we discuss the platform, confidentiality and its limits, privacy at both ends, what information is stored, your location and emergency contact details during sessions, and what we will do if the connection fails or a safety concern arises. Online work should be offered only within the therapist’s competence and to the same fundamental professional standards as face-to-face work.

Technology does not always behave as we want it to. Poor internet connection, sound issues, or difficulty using video platforms can disrupt the flow of a session. These moments can usually be managed, but they can still feel frustrating. Before we begin, we agree what to do if the connection fails.

Privacy can also be more difficult at home. Not everyone has a quiet room where they can speak freely without worrying about being overheard. When we work online, we discuss where you are most likely to have privacy, whether you can speak freely, and what to do if privacy or safety changes; I know that this is not always easy.

There is also the simple fact that online therapy feels different from in-person therapy. Even though video sessions can still be warm and connected, some people miss the physical presence of face-to-face work. Camera framing, lag, and sound or image quality can obscure some cues, while other cues remain available. Some people experience video as just as connected; others simply feel more grounded in the same room.

Is online counselling right for you?

Research comparing live video psychotherapy with in-person care generally finds similar symptom outcomes in the populations studied. The evidence is strongest for structured treatments, particularly CBT for anxiety, depression and PTSD, and should not be generalised to every concern or to phone, text or email therapy (Fernandez et al., 2021; Norwood et al., 2018). Individual preference and suitability still matter, and I do not assume online work is right for everyone. The best choice depends on your needs, your circumstances, and what helps you feel safe enough to engage in the process.

When someone gets in touch with me, I think carefully about whether online work is likely to support them well. I also consider whether face-to-face sessions, or a blended approach, might be a better fit. I believe in being honest about that from the start.

Online counselling is not an emergency service. If someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent or intensive care, emergency or specialist services may be needed alongside or instead of routine counselling. Suitability for online work should be assessed individually, with clear risk and contingency plans. In those moments, safety has to come first.

A flexible way to access support

What I value most is choice. Therapy should not feel like something rigid that you have to force yourself into. It should feel like a space that can meet you where you are.

That is why I offer online counselling alongside other ways of working. For some people, it is the most comfortable and sustainable option. For others, it is a starting point before moving into face-to-face sessions. And for some, it simply offers a practical way to begin.

If you are thinking about starting therapy, I want you to know that you do not have to have everything figured out before you reach out. We can think together about what would feel most supportive for you. Whether you choose online counselling, in-person therapy, or a blend of both, my aim is the same: to aim to offer a confidential, compassionate and supportive space where you can feel heard and understood.

Evidence note. Research cited here mainly concerns live psychotherapy delivered by videoconference. Findings should not automatically be applied to telephone, email or text-based counselling, to every therapeutic approach, or to every clinical situation. Suitability is considered individually.

References

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. (2018). Ethical framework for the counselling professions. https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions/

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. (2021). Guidance on online and phone therapy (OPT) training. https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/online-and-phone-therapy/

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. (n.d.). Online and phone counselling. Retrieved August 22, 2026, from https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/telephone-and-online-counselling/

Fernandez, E., Woldgabreal, Y., Day, A., Pham, T., Gleich, B., & Aboujaoude, E. (2021). Live psychotherapy by video versus in-person: A meta-analysis of efficacy and its relationship to types and targets of treatment. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 28(6), 1535-1549. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2594

Norwood, C., Moghaddam, N. G., Malins, S., & Sabin-Farrell, R. (2018). Working alliance and outcome effectiveness in videoconferencing psychotherapy: A systematic review and noninferiority meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 25(6), 797-808. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2315

Seuling, P. D., Fendel, J. C., Spille, L., Göritz, A. S., & Schmidt, S. (2024). Therapeutic alliance in videoconferencing psychotherapy compared to psychotherapy in person: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 30(10), 1521-1531. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X231161774

Evidence last reviewed 22/08/2026. This article is for general information and does not provide a diagnosis or replace individual medical, psychological or legal advice. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E; for urgent mental-health help in England, use NHS 111 online or call 111 and select the mental-health option; Samaritans are free on 116 123.