Who needs to get in their car and travel to see a therapist when you can just Skype them? Technology has finally found it's way to therapists' offices. It is now possible for people to conduct therapy sessions through the Skype app on their phones with their therapists hundreds of miles away. This means that you can have a therapy session during your 20 minute coffee break, on the subway, or in your pajamas on the couch. However convenient this may seem, there are some major drawbacks.
One drawback is that Skype may disconnect halfway through the session. Someone could be pouring out their heart, only for the screen to go blank when they are extremely emotionally vulnerable. This could cause confusion, frustration, or even anger that might not be healthy for the patients to experience. They might think their therapists have disconnected them one purpose. Also, no matter how private you think your conversation is, a record of it has been stored somewhere. Someone, who has enough time on their hands and who is technoligically saavy might be able to access it and see your private thoughts. No one wants their insecurites known by all.
In the end, though, it is all about personal preference. Whether you think that the human to human bond between therapist and patient cannot be replicated on the internet, or you see it as convenient to be able to take your therapist with you wherever you go, it is up to you. The drawbacks, and/or plusses will not have any affect on those who believe strongly in their preference.
Link to the New York Times' Original Article
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