Does online counselling/talk therapy work in resolving interpersonal relationship conflicts? –

Talk therapy/Counselling has been one of the prominent interventions in the field of mental health catering to all kinds of psychological and emotional needs of the individuals who enter a therapeutic space. With years and years of evolution in this field, ample research, and multiple modalities surrounding it, one can never deny the effectiveness of talk therapy. Yet, it is important to understand how talk therapy works, especially in the light of its mode and the addressing issue of interpersonal conflicts. Samvedna Care we have experienced talk therapy as the most effective way of counselling for our clients. 

According to the American Psychology Association, talk therapy or counselling refers to a space where an individual enrolls themselves to undertake therapy sessions with a mental health therapist who is licensed and qualified to facilitate therapy sessions. Therapy sessions might include various forms of concerns ranging from grief processing, behavioral issues, mood-related diseases (depression, anxiety, stress) cognitive concerns, interpersonal and intrapersonal conflicts, or even strength enhancement. Scientifically to prove its effectiveness, several studies did take place proving that talk therapy strengthens brain connectivity. Kandel, the famous American neuropsychiatrist mentioned how psychotherapy can create changes in our gene expression altering the strength of brain connections in his research on the physiological basis of memory storage in neurons.  

During therapy, the following processes take place which are the primary reason for its effect on the brain. These are: 

The process of psychotherapy involves:

• Verbal and nonverbal interaction between therapist and client
• Catharsis and expressing emotions
• Empathy exchange 
• Uncovering the unconscious and subconscious 
• Resistance to a counselling session
• Working through trauma and unhealthy behavioral patterns
• Thought restructuring and new behavior learning by challenging maladaptive core beliefs and automatic negative thoughts. 

All these processes along with the ever-changing nature of the brain support the efficacy of counselling. Once we establish the underlying physiological benefits of therapy, we can get into understanding whether the mode of therapy affects its effectiveness. To one’s surprise, it has been studied and seen that online counselling and in-person therapy have no impact on the potency of therapeutic counselling (Wanger & Horn, 2013). 

Having set grounds for the effectiveness of therapy offline and online alike, the following section will talk about one of the prominent presenting issues brought forth in the therapy session- Interpersonal Conflicts. Clients from all diversity experience conflicts across relationships which can be stressful, trauma-induced, and maladaptive for daily functioning. According to famous psychologists Bowlby and Ainsworth, the majority of conflicts arise due to unhealthy attachment styles that an individual might learn during his or her young age. Unhealthily attached individuals usually may have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships during their adulthood. This particular distress is often addressed, worked through, and overcome during online counselling. Interpersonal psychotherapies like Couples therapy, and Family therapy have proven to work both offline and online modes. 

A mental health assessment in counselling is integral, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the client’s needs and progress throughout the therapeutic journey.  This assessment equips mental health therapists with the insights necessary to facilitate a constructive flow between individuals experiencing relationship challenges. After a brief analysis and discussion, the therapist gets involved in psychoeducation and intervention planning based on the type of conflict experienced by the individuals. Continuous exposure during therapy paves the way for insight that tends to restructure one’s thoughts and behavioral responses. Several studies substantiate the effectiveness of therapy in facilitating quality relationships (Whisman & Beach, 2012). But can all of this be done online; from the comfort of our personal spaces? The answer is yes. The therapists are trained to carry out the techniques and intervention both offline and online mode, given that the therapeutic alliance formed between the individual and the therapist must include trust, congruency, sincerity, and mutual collaboration. Talk therapy remains a highly effective intervention for addressing a wide range of mental health concerns, including interpersonal conflicts. Regardless of whether therapy is conducted online or in person, its effectiveness remains consistent. As the field of mental health evolves, online counselling through organizations like Samvedna Care provides a powerful way to offer hope and support to individuals in the comfort of their own spaces. The collaborative efforts of mental health therapists, both online and offline, underscore the long-proven effectiveness of therapy in enhancing mental well-being and fostering quality relationships.