legal 180x120There is increasing need for mental health providers to deliver a ‘modern approach’ to therapy, according to research that shows "explosive growth" in internet counselling over the past year.

Almost 90% of psychotherapists in the UK now offer online consultation in order to provide adequate services for patients with increasingly busy lifestyles in the 21st century, according to the Counselling Directory.

Nathaniel Smithies, founder of free-to-use therapy platform PlusGuidance, said: “The results of this study reveal the significance of online counselling in the modern age. Online platforms enable a convenient and discreet way for clients to access a therapist, at a time and place that suits their busy lives.

Dr Kate Anthony from the Online Therapy Institute and fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy echoed this by suggesting that online platforms are helping to make treatment more accessible to a wider range of clients.

"With so many people online on a daily basis, we need to keep up-to-date with the changing ways that clients wish to receive services," she said. "However, its important therapists ensure they operate on a secure and completely confidential platform, and look for ‘HIPAA compliance’ as a golden rule. Therapists need to know that Skype is not HIPAA compliant, for example.”

For more information visit www.PlusGuidance.com