Online Psychologist Consultation: How to go about it?

We have seen a massive surge in tele-medicine and tele-health and mental health services are witnessing the same change. Online psychologist consultation is on the rise with people avoiding unnecessary movement and travel and finding it convenient to consult online. As with any health services, there are some important things to consider while consulting a psychologist online.

Online Psychologist Consultation: Things to consider

1. Choosing a Psychologist: While choosing a psychologist go through his/her qualifications and experience. Make sure the psychologist holds a minimum of masters degree in psychology or related field with a few years of experience too. You can find qualified and experienced psychologists on Rich Psych.

2. Confidentiality and Security: Before starting counselling and therapy, do give a thought to how the platform/application that you are using or the individual professional you are consulting assures confidentiality and security to counselling sessions. When using an online platform, take a look at how they store and process your data. The best practice is to go for a platform such as Rich Psych, that offers end-to-end encryption, protecting your data and confidentiality.

3. Mode of communication: Consultation with psychologists can take place through text messages, phone or video calls. Check what the website/application provides and what suits you the most. Mostly, the tele-health websites charge on the basis of the mode of communication that you choose. However, through  Rich Psych you can chat, voice or video call your psychologist, the way it suits you, without any additional cost.

4. Symptoms: Seek online consultation only and only if your symptoms are not severe and in a non-emergency situation. If your symptoms are too severe or you are in an emergency situation, then online consultation is not advisable and you must go for an in-person consultation.

5. Cost: Consulting psychologists online is usually more affordable than in-person consultation. The consultation charges may vary from psychologist to psychologist or on the mode of communication that you choose, that is, chat, phone or video call. One of the most affordable psychologist consultation charges are provided by Rich Psych, where you can start therapy at just Rs.440/$6.

Online Psychologist Consultation has made mental health and well-being services more accessible and convenient. It is bridging the gap between general perception about mental health and the hesitation in seeking help for emotional well-being. It is a ray of light for many and an effective way too, as long as we keep in mind certain things that we discussed above.