COVID-19 took away some things and brought forth others. Among the things that it has put in the spotlight is the success and strength of virtual coaching. Everywhere you look on the internet, platforms offering virtual therapy, coaching or support, to help one master different areas of life are thriving. To understand their success and purpose better, coach and psychotherapist Renée McDonald suggests understanding what guides their psychology and in what direction. Let’s hear more.
Renée is the Director and the face of Australian Online Therapy Training (AOTT) and offers both “Online and in-person therapy and coaching services”. For her, virtual coaching has “allowed for traditional therapeutic and coaching practice to move to the digital space, with client lives accessible in a dynamic and modern way.”
The internet is where the world has actually gotten smaller. Thanks to technology, now we can get groceries to therapy at the press of a button. The convenience of it all is undeniable, as now you can easily stay in touch with your coach and access mental health support online. Virtual coaching and therapy businesses have indeed been a useful tool for those who are old or remote or, in one way or another, find it difficult to access therapy, or coaching, due to long distances, or limited time. Virtual coaching and therapy tackles that head-on and is one of the most prominent reasons for its success.
Yet, one of the most common doubts regarding the efficacy of online coaching business is whether it’s likely to work. For Renée, it’s a resounding yes. She says, “online counseling and coaching can be more effective than face-to-face meetings, particularly in cases where stigma exists (such as drug abuse or addiction) or limited mobility. Online counseling or coaching works particularly well if you’re unable to travel to a therapist or coach’s office for appointments or feel intimidated having intimate conversations face-to-face. This option is also helpful if you want to foster a professional relationship with a particular counselor (i.e. who specializes in a particular area), or you cannot find a local counselor or coach who suits your needs.”
It’s no news that the virtual online business sector took off during the global lockdown. Almost overnight, it forced individuals and corporations to find ways to do their business online. The transition was not easy, but those who made it to the other side did so by not compromising the quality of what they offered. As an online coach and therapist, Renée understands that people “are expecting the same level of experience and expertise as face-to-face therapy and coaching. (They) expect their online therapist or coach to be knowledgeable, compassionate, understanding, and easy to talk to”.
The business world is in a transitory phase, and it’ll go through the rigmarole of change and all the problems of transformation. However, for those businesses that can find ways to leverage practices that have served them well in the offline business world and develop them to suit online demands, the virtual coaching business has a strong chance of becoming a sought-after service for those in need.
