Online Psychotherapy

I offer online psychotherapy via Zoom to clients across the UK. Online sessions are a full clinical offering, not a compromise on in-person work, and for many people they’re the most practical and comfortable way to access therapy.

Is Online Therapy Effective?

Research from the American Psychiatric Association, the British Psychological Society, and numerous independent studies indicates that online therapy via video is as effective as in-person sessions for a wide range of presentations, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and complex difficulties. The quality of the therapeutic relationship, rather than the medium through which it takes place, is the primary driver of outcomes.

Most people find online sessions feel natural after the first one or two appointments. The relational aspects of the work, what happens between us in the session, translate well to video, and many clients find the privacy and comfort of their own space actually supports the work.

Working Online With Complex Presentations

A question I’m sometimes asked is whether online therapy is appropriate for trauma, dissociation, or complex presentations. The answer, based on both research and clinical experience, is yes, with the same careful pacing and attunement that would apply in person. Being in a familiar, chosen environment can feel safer for some people than a clinical setting, particularly in the early stages of work. I use the same approach online as I do face to face, and I check in regularly about how the format is working for you.

Hybrid Working

Many of my clients combine online and face-to-face sessions rather than choosing one or the other. For those based in or near Bromley, this might mean coming to the office for most sessions and switching to Zoom during busier periods, when travel isn’t possible, or when the week calls for something more contained. For clients further afield across the UK, it might mean working primarily online with occasional in-person sessions every few months, which can bring a different quality of contact to the work without requiring regular travel. There’s no fixed rule about how the combination works. We can discuss what makes most sense for your circumstances and adjust as things change.

Practical Benefits

• No travel time or cost, making it easier to fit sessions into your week
• Accessible if mobility, chronic illness, or other factors make travel difficult
• You can use a space that feels familiar and safe to you
• Hybrid working is available, combining online and in-person sessions to suit your schedule
• Available to clients anywhere in the UK

Preparing for Online Sessions

• Find a private space where you won’t be overheard or interrupted
• Headphones can help with both sound quality and privacy
• Turn off notifications on your device before the session starts
• You’ll need a device with a camera and microphone, most laptops, tablets, and smartphones have these built in
• I use Zoom, which is secure and straightforward to set up. If you don’t already have it, it can be downloaded for free before our first session

If there are technical difficulties during a session, we’ll have a backup plan in place, usually a phone call, so nothing is lost.

I offer a free 15-minute introductory video call to anyone considering online therapy, so you can get a sense of how it works and whether it might suit you before committing to anything. Get in touch at samanthamerry.co.uk/contacts.