Private Online Therapy UK Experience: How It Feels - and Why It Can Be So Effective

Esther Dietrichsen-Farley
Jun 28
3 min read

Updated: Jul 30

Curious what online therapy in the UK is really like? In this post, you’ll learn how therapists build trust via video, what to expect emotionally, and why this form of counselling can feel just as real - and just as human - as meeting face-to-face.

A person attending a private online therapy session, reflecting quietly in a calm and comfortable setting

Online Therapy Isn’t Just a Technical Fix

When people hear “online therapy,” they often picture something impersonal. A screen. A schedule. A therapist nodding politely from a spare room.

But private therapy online in the UK can feel entirely different when it’s held in the right way. When it’s person-centred, what emerges isn’t a performance, but a real connection - one that can soften the edges of overwhelm, and help you hear yourself again.

A meta-analysis by Simpson and Reid (2014) found that the strength of the therapeutic alliance online is comparable to in-person sessions. That means the bond, trust, and sense of being understood is still possible - even through a screen. What matters isn’t the distance, but the quality of presence between you and your therapist.

What It Can Feel Like

Many clients come to online therapy expecting it to feel awkward or artificial. But that’s rarely the case.

Some words people have used after a few sessions:

Settled: Having therapy in their own space felt grounding
Unexpectedly real: The screen quickly faded away
Less performative: No need to “present well” just to be taken seriously
Private: No waiting rooms. No one overhearing the details of your life

For some, the slight distance of a screen helps ease into honesty. It gives permission to soften, without pressure to impress.

Does It Actually Work?

Yes - and the evidence backs this up.

A wide-ranging review by Norcross and Lambert (2019) found that the therapeutic relationship accounts for up to 30% of client improvement, regardless of whether sessions are held in person or online. That’s consistent with what we see in practice: therapy is most effective not because of the method, but because of the relationship.

Since 2020, both the BACP and UKCP have formally recognised online therapy as a legitimate, ethical, and clinically effective way of working (BACP, 2022).

The key isn’t the platform, it’s whether you feel seen.

Why Private Therapy Online Can Feel Different

Unlike larger mental health platforms or coaching apps, private online therapy isn’t scripted. There’s no call quota or performance metric behind it.

Here, at The Farley, your pace sets the tone. You can bring your hesitation, your burnout, your sense that you’re on autopilot - and that’s welcome. No pressure to justify it or explain yourself before you’re ready.

In my own practice, I’ve noticed that online sessions sometimes allow something even deeper. Clients feel safer in their own environments. They’re able to drop into what’s true, not what they think they “should” be feeling.

If You’re Thinking About Starting

You don’t have to commit to anything long-term. You can begin with a single session, and pay attention to how it feels. There’s no one-size-fits-all - just whether it feels like a space where you can soften, even slightly.

To explore how it works in practice, visit The Farley’s private therapy online UK service page. or take a look at what high-functioning burnout can look like behind the surface.

Sometimes the first step isn’t to fix anything. It’s just to be somewhere that you don’t have to hide how tired you are.

FAQ

Is private online therapy in the UK effective?

Yes. A meta-analysis by Simpson and Reid (2014) found that online therapy offers therapeutic relationships as strong as in-person work, with comparable results across issues like anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Will therapy feel impersonal over a screen?

It often doesn’t. Many clients find they forget about the screen once the relationship develops. What matters is the therapist’s ability to connect, not the distance.

Is it secure?

Yes. All sessions at The Farley use encrypted, secure platforms. Your privacy and confidentiality are always prioritised.