What to Expect from Online Therapy with a Clinical Psychologist
Starting therapy can feel like a big step — and doing it online might bring even more questions. Will it feel the same as in-person sessions? How do you know if it will help? And what if you’ve never done therapy before?
At The Online Psychologists, we understand how important it is to feel informed, reassured, and confident when beginning therapy. Our aim is to offer professional, personalised therapy that’s easy to access from anywhere in the UK, without compromising on quality.
Here’s what you can expect when you begin online therapy with a Clinical Psychologist through our service.
1. A Free, Personal Consultation with a Clinical Psychologist
Before therapy even begins, every client is offered a free 20-minute consultation call with Dr Rachel Whatmough, a Clinical Psychologist and the director of The Online Psychologists.
This isn’t just an admin check or a brief triage — it’s a meaningful conversation where we begin to understand what’s going on for you, what kind of therapy might be most effective, and which psychologist in our team is best placed to help.
Rather than assigning you to the first available therapist, we take the time to hand-match you to someone with the right therapeutic approach, clinical experience, and style — someone who’s a good fit for you.
2. Evidence-Based, Formulation-Led Therapy
All of our psychologists are trained to doctorate level and work using evidence-based therapies such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), CFT (Compassion-Focused Therapy), and integrative approaches that draw on more than one model.
We work with a wide range of issues, including:
Anxiety, panic, OCD, social anxiety
Depression and low mood
Trauma and PTSD
Grief and bereavement
Burnout and overwhelm
Insomnia and sleep difficulties
Low self-esteem
Adjustment to illness (including cancer and chronic pain)
Postnatal / perinatal mental health concerns
Neurodiversity and ADHD
Rather than following a fixed protocol, your therapy will be tailored to you. We work collaboratively to understand your experiences, what might be maintaining your difficulties, and how we can support you to move forward.
3. Secure, Flexible Online Sessions
All therapy sessions are delivered online via secure GDPR compliant video call — usually weekly, at a time that works for you. Many people worry that online therapy might feel less personal or less effective, but research shows that online therapy can be just as successful as face-to-face therapy for a wide range of mental health concerns (Backhaus et al., 2012).
Clients often find online sessions to be:
More convenient (no travel time, more flexibility)
More comfortable (done from your own space)
More accessible (particularly helpful if you live in a rural area or have limited mobility)
Whether you're a busy professional, a parent with limited time, or someone who finds travelling to appointments difficult, online therapy allows you to prioritise your mental health without added stress.
4. Consistency and Connection
At The Online Psychologists, we believe in building real, consistent therapeutic relationships. You won’t be passed around between therapists or matched through an algorithm. Once you’ve been paired with the right Clinical Psychologist for you, you’ll have continuity and a space that’s just for you each week.
5. Support for Adults, Teenagers, and Children
We offer therapy for individuals across the lifespan. Whether you're an adult struggling with burnout, a teenager facing anxiety about school, or a parent worried about your child’s self-esteem or sleep issues, we have Clinical Psychologists with the specialist knowledge and experience to help.
A Personal, Professional Approach
Every client is different. That’s why we start every therapy journey with a conversation — not a form or an app. Our focus is always on high-quality psychological care, delivered in a way that works for you.
If you’re considering therapy, we’re happy to talk. Book your free consultation call today to start your access to expert, compassionate support wherever you are in the UK. At The Online Psychologists, we combine the flexibility of online therapy with the depth of understanding that comes from working with experienced Clinical Psychologists.
If you’re ready to take the next step, we’re here to help — and it starts with a free consultation call.
References
Backhaus, A., Agha, Z., Maglione, M. L., Repp, A., Ross, B., Zuest, D., ... & Thorp, S. R. (2012). Videoconferencing psychotherapy: a systematic review. Psychological Services, 9(2), 111–131. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027924
