The Benefits of Online Therapy: Myths and Realities

In recent years, online therapy has become an increasingly common form of psychological and psychotherapeutic support. Initially sought mainly for reasons of accessibility and convenience, it has also shown that the therapeutic relationship can develop in a deep, consistent and meaningful way, even at a distance.

Despite this, doubts and prejudices around online therapy remain:

• “Is it as effective as in-person therapy?”
• “Is it possible to create a true therapeutic relationship through a screen?”
• “Is online therapy not colder or more superficial?”

From a psychodynamic point of view, although the setting is different, many of the fundamental emotional processes of psychotherapy remain present in the online therapeutic relationship.

The therapeutic relationship remains central

In psychodynamic psychotherapy, the quality of the relationship between therapist and patient is one of the most important elements of the therapeutic process.

Even in an online context, there continue to be:

• emotions;
• relational patterns;
• forms of communication;
• expectations;
• fears;
• experiences of closeness and distance.

In other words, what happens emotionally in the therapeutic relationship does not disappear because the meeting takes place through a digital platform.

Many people, in fact, end up feeling safer and more comfortable starting therapy from a familiar space.

Myth: “Online therapy is less effective”

Scientific research shows that, in many cases, online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy, especially when there is a consistent therapeutic relationship and an adequate clinical framework.

In clinical practice, many people are able to:

• deepen emotional experiences;
• reflect on relational patterns;
• develop psychological insight;
• create a meaningful therapeutic bond;
• feel emotionally understood.

The most important factor remains the quality of the therapeutic relationship, not only whether the format is in-person or online.

Myth: “Emotional connection is lost through the screen”

Although the experience is different from an in-person meeting, the emotional dimension of the relationship remains.

Emotional expressions, silences, hesitations, anxiety, closeness, dependence or fear of judgement continue to be present in online therapy.

From a psychodynamic point of view, what each person experiences in the therapeutic relationship can emerge regardless of the medium used.

In some cases, physical distance can even facilitate:

• greater emotional openness;
• reduced initial anxiety;
• a sense of safety;
• greater continuity of care.

Benefits of online therapy

Greater accessibility

Online therapy allows access to psychological support regardless of geographical location.

This is particularly important for:

• people living outside large urban centres;
• Portuguese people living abroad;
• people with reduced mobility;
• demanding professional schedules;
• parents with logistical difficulties.

In cities such as Lisbon, many people also seek online therapy because it is easier to integrate into daily routines.

Therapeutic continuity

The possibility of maintaining support during travel, city moves or professional changes contributes to greater stability and continuity in the therapeutic process.

In psychodynamic psychotherapy, this continuity is often very important for the emotional development of therapeutic work.

Comfort and a sense of safety

Some people feel emotionally safer when having sessions from a familiar and private space.

Being in a known environment can facilitate:

• emotional expression;
• reflection;
• a sense of containment;
• reduced initial anxiety.

Flexibility and integration into everyday life

Online therapy reduces travel and makes time management easier, making psychological support more sustainable for many people.

This often increases the regularity and consistency of sessions — important factors in any psychotherapeutic process.

Online therapy is not “less deep”

There is sometimes an idea that online therapy is only suitable for more practical or superficial conversations. However, deep emotional experiences can also emerge in this format.

Issues related to:

• anxiety;
• self-esteem;
• relationships;
• trauma;
• attachment;
• depression;
• emotional conflicts;

can be worked through meaningfully in an online context.

From a psychodynamic perspective, the most important factor remains the ability to create an emotional space of listening, reflection and understanding.

Some real limitations of online therapy

Despite its benefits, online therapy may not be ideal for every situation.

For example:

• severe difficulties with privacy at home;
• acute crisis contexts;
• some more severe disorders;
• important difficulties with concentration or emotional contact;

may require a more careful assessment of the most appropriate therapeutic format.

In addition, online work requires:

• a minimally private space;
• a stable connection;
• conditions for continuity and emotional safety.

The essential element remains the human relationship

Regardless of format, psychotherapy remains a human encounter centred on emotional understanding, listening and relationship.

Technology changes the medium, but it does not remove what is most important in the therapeutic process: the possibility of thinking, feeling, understanding internal patterns and developing new ways of relating to oneself and to others.