Online trauma counselling is therapy delivered through video, phone, or chat to help individuals process trauma and complex trauma. It offers flexibility, privacy, and professional support from anywhere, making mental health care more accessible.
The shift to online trauma counselling has made trauma recovery more accessible to people. For example, some of my clients live with chronic health issues, and teletherapy improves accessibility for them. Clients from the queer community can find inclusive trauma counselling, which may not be available where they live. Many clients enjoy the flexibility of online counselling, whether they live in other countries or have busy professional lives. Some clients appreciate the comfort of their home or their pets’ support during counselling. As a result, online trauma counselling offers unique advantages that make it a preferred choice for many.
But what exactly is online trauma counselling, and what are its key benefits and limitations? In this guide, you’ll learn how to find high-quality online trauma counselling that best suits your needs
Understanding online trauma counselling
What is online trauma counselling?
Although online counselling has existed for years, the pandemic significantly accelerated its use in the mental health field. This type of therapy is often referred to as teletherapy or video counselling. Generally, online trauma counselling consists of trauma counselling sessions delivered via a video call.
Trauma counselling – whether in-person or online – is a specialized form of counselling that supports people in healing from trauma. Trauma counselling typically follows three stages: stabilization and safety, reprocessing and mourning, and finally, reconnecting. Furthermore, it integrates evidence-based trauma treatment modalities such as Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, parts work therapy and somatic approaches:
- EMDR for trauma involves using eye movements to process traumatic memories.
- Partswork therapy focuses on reconnecting with and giving voice to fragmented or wounded parts of the self.
- Somatic approaches build awareness of bodily sensations and nervous system responses, promoting a sense of safety and processing trauma held within the body.
While the delivery of the services may be slightly adjusted to the medium of a video call, the service itself is very similar to in-person sessions. In video calls, I can still observe critical non-verbal cues, like changes in posture and breathing, which are essential for effective trauma therapy.
Recently, services have also been developed to provide counselling via chat and text. However, I find chat and text-based counselling less effective for trauma recovery. For instance, identifying warning signs of dissociation, such as a vacant gaze, is nearly impossible. Additionally, tools beyond talk therapy, like EMDR, require visual and auditory cues that text alone can’t provide.
Who can benefit from online trauma counselling?
Online counselling offers valuable support for individuals recovering from trauma. A traumatic experience is defined as any event that overwhelms a person’s emotional capacity to process or poses a significant threat to their life or the lives of loved ones. Importantly, clients don’t need to label their experiences as traumatic to benefit from trauma therapy.
Some common challenges I address include childhood abuse, childhood trauma, sexual abuse, rape, toxic work environments, abusive relationships, bullying, experiences of racism or discrimination, and loss. Each person’s story is unique, so the therapeutic approach is always tailored to their needs and circumstances.
Benefits of online trauma counselling
The benefits of trauma counselling generally include improved emotional well-being, a greater sense of control, and healthier relationships. The ultimate goal is long-term emotional healing from trauma. In addition to these outcomes, online trauma counselling offers several unique advantages:
Accessibility
Online trauma therapy removes barriers to access by allowing clients to participate without visiting an office. This is particularly helpful for people living in remote areas or those with disabilities. For example, some of my clients live with chronic pain and have limited mobility, making it challenging to attend in-person sessions. Virtual therapy enables them to access the support they need from the comfort of their own homes. Others live in rural areas where trauma counsellors may be scarce, or they may feel uncomfortable seeking local help due to privacy concerns, fearing the therapist could know their family members.
Comfort
Online counselling allows clients to attend sessions from familiar, comfortable environments, which can reduce the anxiety that often accompanies in-person therapy. For many, the ability to be in their own space—perhaps with the support of a pet—creates a more soothing and secure atmosphere.
Flexibility
Online trauma counselling provides more flexibility when scheduling therapy. Clients can save time by eliminating travel and selecting from a broader range of professionals, even those in other countries. For example, during my trauma recovery, I worked with trusted professionals in different countries, which wouldn’t have been possible without online sessions. Now, I work with clients from various parts of the world, including Canada, the U.S., Europe, and Australia.
Privacy
Online trauma counselling is held to the same standards of confidentiality as in-person counselling, but it’s essential to understand local privacy laws. Different countries, states, or provinces may have specific legal requirements. For example, I use Jane.app, a platform that complies with privacy regulations in Canada, the U.S., and Europe, to ensure that my online appointments meet these legal standards.
Concerns and limitations of online trauma counselling
Efficiency
A common concern is whether online trauma therapy is as effective as in-person sessions. While many factors influence this, research indicates that teletherapy outcomes are comparable to in-person counselling (Lin, Heckman, & Anderson, 2022; Barak, Hen, Boniel-Nissim, & Shapira, 2008). This shows that online trauma counselling can be just as effective, offering flexibility without sacrificing results.
Personal preference
Despite the positive research, online trauma counselling may not be suitable for everyone. Some individuals feel more comfortable in in-person sessions, and that’s perfectly fine. If you’re unsure which option is best for you, trying an online session and seeing how it feels can be helpful.
Technology
While online therapy enhances accessibility for many, it can be limiting for those who lack the necessary technology. Successful participation requires a computer, laptop, or tablet with a webcam, microphone, and a stable internet connection. If any of these are unavailable, it could hinder access to online counselling.
Safety concerns
I learned during the pandemic that online counselling may not always be safe for individuals in toxic or abusive relationships. If you live with someone abusive, it’s essential to assess whether your home environment offers the privacy and safety needed to engage in therapy without risk.
Tips for setting up a healing environment for online trauma counselling
Creating a healing environment at home is essential for maximizing the benefits of online trauma counselling. Here are a few tips:
Prepare your technology
Before your first session, test your internet speed and Wi-Fi connection to ensure stability. Download any necessary apps, and keep your therapist’s contact information—email and phone number—handy if you encounter technical difficulties. Keep your phone nearby as a backup; although it’s rare, I call my clients if we face internet issues.
Ensure privacy
Let others in your home—whether a partner, roommate, or children—know that you have a counselling session and prefer not to be disturbed. A “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door can also help maintain your privacy during the session.
Create a calm transition
Give yourself 5 to 10 minutes of buffer time before your session to mentally prepare. Grab a drink, settle into a comfortable space, and take a few deep breaths. Creating this brief moment of calm helps set a supportive tone for your session.
How online trauma counselling works
While the service is delivered via video call, online trauma counseling follows the same trauma recovery strategies as in-person sessions.
Here is a brief overview of the trauma counselling process:
I offer a complimentary discovery session to get to know each other and determine whether we’re a good fit. If you choose to work with me, the first session will focus on exploring your needs, symptoms, and goals for therapy rather than immediately discussing your past experiences. We’ll create a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve those goals.
Typically, therapy begins by enhancing your sense of safety and stabilizing your nervous system. This often includes widening the window of tolerance and working with boundaries, overwhelming emotions, and hypo- or hyperarousal. I also provide psychoeducation to help you understand how trauma impacts your body and mind. This includes concepts like polyvagal theory, the window of tolerance, or structural dissociations. At this stage, I often use parts work, mindfulness practices, grounding practices, and self-soothing tools to support trauma recovery. If you want to understand what tools I may use in a session, check out the episode ‘Five Trauma Counselling Techniques That Actually Work.“
When you feel ready, we move on to processing and integrating traumatic experiences, often using EMDR. This stage aims to resolve the emotional and physical impact of the trauma.
In the final phase, we reevaluate your life after integration, reflecting on your progress and the new meaning you’ve found. At this point, therapy typically becomes less frequent, perhaps once a month, depending on your needs.
