Eleni Charouli
BSc-MSc Counselling PsychologistEleni Charouli, BSc-MSc Counselling Psychologist is a legally licensed mental health practitioner, trained Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapist and probationary member of the Hellenic Society of Cognitive Psychotherapies.
Online Psychotherapy
Everything you need to knowEveryone who has access to the internet, a stable, private place with audiovisual means (camera & headphones).
Apart from the basic and practical difference of interaction between the person concerned and the specialist (the meeting via the internet and not in a physical space, i.e.), psychotherapeutic approach and therapeutic protocols are closely followed and adapted to the online nature of collaboration.
Although numerous studies support the effectiveness of online psychotherapy, there are certain limitations to application, as with other psychotherapeutic models. Typical cases are those where there is no autonomous access to a private space with modern audiovisual media, cases of mental difficulties needed more direct and close monitoring or some immediate intervention in case of a crisis. Also, it is not suitable as a first line treatment for students and children under 10 years of age, where in-person psychological support is preferred.
Recent research data suggests that online psychotherapy has been beneficial for:
- adolescents and adults who have not been able to access in-person mental health services by serving in remote areas, pregnant or widowed mothers, people with mobility difficulties,
- people who for reasons such as social stigma have not chosen to seek in-person services in their local area,
- people in treatment during the period of Covid-19 wanted to continue psychotherapy,
- cases of people who are better served by the program and the time commitment of the online therapy (travel time and costs, waiting).
Read more research data on online psychotherapy and its effectiveness in the American Psychology Association.
It is important to have specific and valid criteria for choosing a therapist, both for online and other forms of psychotherapy.
1) First, seek out or directly ask the therapist about bachelor studies in Psychology and the university institution of training.
2) Professional license (issued by the state in which the psychotherapeutic activity is carried out)
3) Training in a basic psychotherapeutic model (psychodynamic therapy, schema therapy, to an official institute recognized by either state or international associations (e.g. EACBT).
4) Do not hesitate to ask about the supervision of your therapist: This is an ethically mandatory process, which is best practice for young and not only professional psychologists.
Last but not least: Choosing your therapist is the beginning of a very helpful therapeutic relationship. Rely on ethical criteria to preserve your time and effort, two truly valuable factors in mental health matters.
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Know more about psychotherapy through the basic services of psychology support.
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FAQ
When do I need to see a Psychologist?
We usually visit a specialist when we are seeking help for something that is troubling us. There are cases of people who visit a psychologist when the symptom is bothering them to an unbearable degree and they want to get rid of it as well as the primary, underlying cause of the illness.
On the other hand, we have been pleased to see in recent years more and more people wanting to get to know themselves, without necessarily having a primary symptom or an initiating, triggering episode. They seem to want to “invest” in a safer and more conscious relationship with themselves and with those around them.
How do I choose a therapist? What should I look out for?
Choosing a therapist should be done with as much care as choosing general practioner. Mental health is no less important than physical health.
Three therapist’s inquiries for the effectiveness of therapy, which should be clear at the first contact with a therapist, are his or her bachelor degree (if a psychologist or psychiatrist), specialization in one of the basic approaches to psychotherapy and licensure.
- I wouldn’t want my relatives/acquiantances to know.
We often hear the above hesitation in closed communities. Working with a psychotherapist is something that only the person directly involved and the specialist knows about. There is an exception for underage patients, where parental and/or legal guardian consent is mandatory.
Indeed, the stigma of visiting a psychologist or a psychiatrist is still present nowadays. However, the requests of our clients for change and improvement in their lives are present as well. We invite people, to proudly listen to their inner need. It is truly unfair to deny the opportunity for life quality and healthy relationships by giving way to the opinion of outside observers.
- I can’t afford it.
There are now several services, through municipalities and local health centers, where low cost counselling and psychological support are offered. In addition, there are 24hour mental health helplines where immediate mental relief and guidelines on how to access mental health care services are provided.
In private practice costs vary. For those who are already in treatment and experiencing financial difficulties, we recommend that before deciding to leave psychotherapy, they discuss the relevant concerns with their personal therapist and listen to suggestions for ways in which their partnership can be adjusted.
- I had tried in the past but felt that I was not helped.
The therapeutic relationship is a human relationship, among other things. Clearly our initial impression is important. So we give the relationship some time to develop and get to know the context of the psychotherapy, we can discuss it openly in session. However, if we still do not feel comfortable, we can raise our concerns and refer to another specialist.
We advise clients not to rush to reject psychotherapy from an initial approach that has not had the desired results but to persevere, primarily for their own ultimate benefit.