We all agree that the dawn of the “age of the internet” has made our lives much easier. Be it buying clothes, ordering food and groceries, or even having medicines delivered to our doorsteps; the internet literally saves us a lot of time and energy. The web facilitates online counselling support and online support groups to provide a sigh of relief to those who are constrained by time and the hassles of commuting. These forums are largely appreciated by those who love the convenience of it.
However, there has been much debate surrounding the potential benefits and costs of online interaction. How beneficial is the anonymity of the computer screen? Here are a few pros and cons of online counselling support which can help evaluate how it could really prove beneficial.
Benefits
· Exchange of emotional support: the main benefit of online counselling is the exchange of emotional support and empathy between the counsellor and the individual seeking support. If an individual is reaching out to an online support group, then he or she may find it easier to reach individual goals with the encouragement of people who are experiencing similar concerns and life situations.
· 24/7 access: one of the most attractive benefits of online forums is that it is accessible at any moment, from anywhere.
· Anonymity: the anonymity of the online forum often provides a safe release of emotions, opinions and thoughts, the absence of which might push one away from confiding about their woes.
· Meeting new people: online support groups bring together a lot of people from varied experiences, cultures and places. It is a great opportunity for people to learn or understand and empathise with individuals from different walks of life. Similarly, reaching out to a counsellor online creates a space for an exchange of thoughts and experiences.
· Resources: online support forums provide a rich exchange of health, social or economic resources and study materials.
Possible Risks
· The “paradox of the internet”: while one may intuitively infer that any form of social interaction is a boon to the well-being of an individual; increased online interactions often lead to disruption in the time spent with family and friends or disinterest to indulge in hobbies and outdoor activities.
· Trolling: while anonymity is an advantage, the internet could still expose one to threats from cyber predators and unwanted attention.
· Isolation: face-to-face support and therapy groups encourage all members to share their experiences. However, due to the large number of members in online support groups, the conversations may be chaotic and scattered, with a few members dominating the forum and others may feel left out.
· Qualifications of moderators/counsellors: the skills and qualifications of mental health professionals are often unknown which could negatively impact the smooth process of crisis management and effective guiding. Although online support groups and counselling is popular, some of us may have apprehensions about the therapeutic efficiency.
· Lack of stability: online forums for counselling are often subject to changes in leadership or members. The sudden loss of an online counsellor whom you have been interacting with could create unrest in your counselling journey.
While different modes of counselling support suit different people, online support should be approached with caution. A little bit of internet literacy may help towards overcoming the perils of online support groups while one reaps the absolute advantage of this medium and form genuine and long-lasting relationships.
If you would like to discuss this further or need some help or support in this or any other area, our counsellors would be happy to help.
Online Counselling
Place an online request for an Appointment