Talking therapy with a psychologist online

What therapy can help with

Talking therapies involve working with a trained professional on your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. The NHS lists low mood and worry, depression, anxiety, panic, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress and coping with a long-term health condition among the problems it can help with. People also seek help with grief, work stress and problems in their relationships.

You do not need to be sure what is wrong, or to have a diagnosis, before booking. Working that out together is part of the first conversation.

Types of therapy you may hear about

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings and actions affect each other, and at practical ways to change patterns.
• Guided self-help works through a programme with a therapist’s support.
• Counselling gives you space to talk through emotions or life events, with a counsellor helping you find your own solutions.

Ask the psychologist which approach they use and why they think it fits. You are allowed to ask, and a good therapist will welcome it.

Does video work for therapy?

The NHS notes that talking therapies can be done in person, by video or phone call, or as an online course. Some people find it easier to open up from home. Others prefer being in a room with their therapist, and that is a fine reason to choose in-person care.

In-person care tends to suit people better when symptoms are severe or changing fast, when somebody is worried about safety, or when formal testing is needed. In those cases, the psychologist can advise you where to go, and a psychiatrist may need to be involved, because psychologists are not medical doctors and do not prescribe.

A good set-up for a session

1. Choose a room where no one can overhear you. Some people use a parked car.
2. Use headphones and put your phone on silent, apart from the call itself.
3. Think about what you would most like to change, even if the answer is vague.
4. Tell the psychologist about any current or past treatment and any medicines.
5. Give it a few sessions if you can. Tell your therapist if something is not working.

Urgent help and who provides your care

Therapy is not an emergency service. If you are thinking about harming yourself, or you or someone else is in danger, call 998 or go to the nearest emergency department.

medicAI offers private video sessions with psychologists at independent facilities licensed by DHA in Dubai or DoH in Abu Dhabi. The psychologist and their facility are responsible for your care. The app works in 16 languages, and you can look for a clinician who consults in yours on the doctor list.