Online sessions have become an increasingly valuable way to access counselling. Much has been written in recent years about the benefits of online sessions, yet at the very beginning every aspect needed to be carefully considered before making the transition from in-person counselling to a virtual format.
Adopting this approach in my practice came only after careful reflection, as moving from a physical consulting room to a virtual space naturally brought its own questions and uncertainties.
The richness of connection, preserved and transformed online
Face-to-face sessions have always held an essential place in my work. They naturally allow for a richer exchange, where subtle details can mean so much. A small gesture, a shift in expression, a change in tone can often hold valuable clues in the therapeutic process and may reveal aspects that have not yet found their way into words.
The initial concern, therefore, was the possibility of losing this depth. Would the screen limit access all the nuances that matter so much? Would the therapeutic space feel diminished when not shared physically? Over time, however, it became clear that these limitations could be compensated for.
Methods were gradually refined so that attunement remained strong. Many clients found that they could to settle comfortably and that the relationship maintained its warmth, steadiness and surprisingly deep, even through the screen.
Recreating a safe space in a different form
Another early uncertainty was about the atmosphere of the consulting room – the risk of losing the place where clients often felt held, safe and free to open up. Yet it soon became clear that a sense of safety can also be nurtured online.
Many people discovered spaces that supported them even more gently: corners of their homes where the body settles naturally and where openness unfolds with greater ease. For many, the familiar surroundings made it simpler to relax and engage more openly in the process. What once felt like a limitation gradually revealed itself as a new way of fostering trust and comfort within the therapeutic relationship.
When distance is no longer a barrier
As online sessions became a natural part of the work, important benefits began to emerge. Perhaps one of the most notable was increased accessibility, especially for individuals who might otherwise be unable to attend—those living far away or in areas with limited therapeutic services. Sessions became possible regardless of city, region or country, and the continuity of the therapeutic journey no longer depended on long travel times or challenging scheduling. This flexibility often made it easier to maintain continuity, especially during demanding periods of life. The process can now remain steady and uninterrupted, even when life circumstances or geography would once have stood in the way.
More affordable, more reachable
Practical benefits also play a meaningful role. Not having to maintain a physical consulting room in a highly accessible location has naturally reduced practical costs. This helps session fees remain more accessible, offering the same quality of work while sparing clients the additional financial burden that a dedicated rented space would require. Sessions are now held from my office—a space carefully arranged for therapeutic work—without the need for a separate external room.
A full hour dedicated entirely to your process
In-person sessions required time to prepare the room before and after each appointment, which meant leaving breaks between clients. Because of this, face-to-face sessions were limited to 50 minutes.
One practical benefit of online work is the possibility of offering longer sessions.
Without the logistical need for extra preparation, an online session can extend to a full 60 minutes – time dedicated entirely to the client’s process. It may seem like a small change, yet it can genuinely create a more spacious and unhurried experience.
The move towards online sessions reflects a natural evolution: supporting people in ways that offer more ease, more access and greater continuity. While in-person sessions remain deeply valued for their immediacy and depth, online work has proven to be a flexible, reliable and effective complement. With careful adaptation, the therapeutic relationship continues to thrive—held by attentiveness, clarity and the intention to create a safe and grounded space wherever the client may be.
Why all these changes?
Because it feels natural for a profession dedicated to human support to evolve in ways that offer more ease, more access, and more continuity.
Because reaching the people who seek guidance—wherever they may be—remains at the heart of my work.
And because online sessions have opened the door for many more individuals to receive the support they need—without barriers, without distance, and without unnecessary pressure.
