Online therapy is all about preference.
There are a lot of people who prefer to have their therapy sessions face-to-face, while other people LOVE online sessions. Some people prefer the comfort of having their sessions in their own homes. They also appreciate not having to worry about commuting to their therapist. For those who use technology regularly, online sessions can actually feel easier. Often, more comfortable than talking to someone face-to-face.
Now, with the Coronavirus pandemic, mental health professionals are conducting therapy sessions online. We too are adapting the model to allow for social distancing. This means that even if it’s not their preference, many people are meeting their therapists online right now. With so many therapy sessions happening in the cyber-world now, I want to share some tips to help you prepare for online sessions. My hope is to make it a more comfortable experience.
Prepare your setting for online counseling
In your session, you most likely will be talking to your counselor about vulnerable things like trauma, anxiety, depression, and related things that you don’t want other people listening to. I know this may be trickier for some than for others, but you need to have your session in a private space. This can be your room, office, porch, or even your car if nothing else works.
Pick a space that has good lighting to make the view as clear as possible for your therapist.
Be mindful of what’s in your background and in your counselor’s view. Your therapist may comment on your fancy curtains or the beautiful painting on the wall. This isn’t a bad thing but just be aware of what you are comfortable with your therapist seeing.
Use headphones for your online therapy session
If you live with someone else, it may be best to have a pair of earphones handy. You can also ask family members or roommates to also use headphones while listening to music or watching tv to ensure greater privacy.
Be mindful of interruptions during online counseling
If you are using your phone, laptop, or tablet, be sure to put your device on Do Not Disturb or on airplane mode. Although it might excite you to be notified that your new shoes were just delivered (that definitely makes me happy!), the email pop-up can be distracting for both you and your therapist.
If there are kids in your home, interruptions may be inevitable. However, try your absolute best to give them an activity that will keep them busy during your session or have an adult in the home watch them when possible.
Keep the therapy essentials close:
Make sure to have tissues and water nearby. It might also be helpful to have a journal or notepad handy for you to take notes as needed.
Also, think ahead of time if having your pet nearby is important to you or not. For some people, pets can be distracting, while for others they are especially comforting.
For instance, I have two dogs and a cat who I love to pieces. However, I never really know when they’re going to start barking or when my cat is going to play hockey with the pens on my desk. Therefore, they’ve lost their privileges to attend my online counseling sessions! At least until they gain my trust again! :)
One of the few pictures I have of the three of my fur babies together! :)
Consider internet reception quality & Charge your device
Imagine being in the middle of a breakthrough in your online session that has completely enlightened you and right when you’re in the middle of processing this, your phone dies or computer freezes. This is a therapy nightmare!
Make sure to fully charge whatever device you plan to use for your online therapy session or have it charging during your session.
Do not pick a room for your session where you know it has bad service. Sometimes things happen, but you want to set yourself up to have the smoothest session possible.
You and your therapist should agree on a plan of what to do if your session is interrupted due to WIFI issues. Make sure you understand what that is and follow through.
It’s really important to mention that if you’re an adult experiencing domestic violence or a teen experiencing abuse from parents, it is absolutely important to only consider having online sessions if you can find a private space in your home, a safe device that your abuser will not look through, and a safe time to have your session where no one can eavesdrop.
I hope these tips are helpful for you if you’ve been unsure about starting therapy or how to best prepare for your online counseling session!
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ONLINE THERAPY IN NEW YORK?
To learn more about me, my counseling services, and how to get started with online therapy in New York, make sure to explore my therapy website and feel free to send me an email at mguerrero@mindmattersmhc.com. To get started anywhere in the state with online therapy in New York, simply:
Contact me to schedule our first appointment
Me with me, Dr. G, a skilled online therapist in Westchester, NY
Begin your journey toward healing from the comfort of your own space
ADDITIONAL WESTCHESTER, NY THERAPY SERVICES
From my Scarsdale therapy practice, I want to bring peace and contentment to all types of individuals and families. This is why I provide therapy for adults, therapy for teens, and other specialized techniques such as EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Cognitive Processing Therapy. If you want to explore these options further, let’s connect!
