Online Psychological Support in English
- Marco Zuccon
- Aug 3
- 2 min read
Online support can improve continuity and access, but it still requires an individual assessment of suitability, privacy and safety.
Online psychological meetings can be useful for people living in Florence who travel, have limited mobility or prefer not to commute. They may also support continuity during a temporary move. Convenience alone, however, does not make online work appropriate in every situation.
What research can, and cannot, tell us
Systematic reviews suggest that remote psychological interventions can achieve outcomes similar to face-to-face work for some conditions and formats. The studies do not show that all online services are equivalent, nor that remote work suits every person, level of risk or clinical need.
The quality of the working relationship remains important. So do factors specific to remote work: a private room, a stable connection, comfort with technology and a clear emergency plan.
What should be agreed before starting
Italian professional recommendations emphasise:
verifying the identity of psychologist and client;
providing clear informed-consent and data-protection information;
explaining the platform and reasonable privacy measures;
agreeing what to do if the connection fails;
knowing where the client is physically located during the meeting;
assessing whether online delivery is appropriate.
Physical location matters because professional and emergency arrangements may change when a person connects from another country. Tell the psychologist where you will be during sessions; they should verify whether they can legally and safely provide the service there.
Online or in person?
Online work may be a good option when it makes regular attendance possible and privacy can be protected. In-person meetings may be preferable when home is not confidential, technology disrupts communication, local coordination is needed or risk cannot be safely managed at a distance. The choice can be reviewed over time.
Marco Zuccon offers psychological consultations in English. Online consultations are currently listed at €50; a first 50-minute online orientation consultation is free of charge. Availability across national borders still has to be checked according to the client’s physical location.
For information, use the contact page, MioDottore or GuidaPsicologi.
This page is general information and not an emergency service. If you are in immediate danger, contact the emergency number where you are physically located; in Italy and the EU, call 112.
Sources
Greenwood H. et al. (2022), Telehealth Versus Face-to-face Psychotherapy for Less Common Mental Health Conditions: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. DOI: 10.2196/31780
Hagi K. et al. (2023), Telepsychiatry versus face-to-face treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2023.86
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