It’s safe to say telehealth, teletherapy, or online therapy is here to stay.
Online therapy has been found to be as effective as in-person therapy but can be unique in that it provides both the therapist and client with ease of engaging in sessions more conveniently and from the comfort of a home, office or other private settings. When beginning online therapy, it can be daunting not knowing what to expect and if it will be beneficial for you. Below are a few tips to make meeting with an online therapist more productive.
1. Test Your Device and Internet Connection BEFORE Your Session
One of the worst experiences is finding a great therapist, scheduling a session, and then dealing with technical issues that may result in the cancellation or rescheduling of your session. And sometimes this is devastating when it took quite a bit of effort to schedule your session, or the next available session doesn’t suit your schedule. Thankfully, many telehealth platforms allow you to test your devices before your session takes place. Periodically check to make sure you have stable wifi connection. If your therapist’s platform has an app for the platform they use, see if it is downloadable for your device in the app store. It may also be a good idea to have a back-up device in case of these technical issues such as a laptop or desktop computer, phone, or tablet.
2. Minimize Distractions
You don’t necessarily have to do your therapy session at home, however, keep in mind the Dos and Don’ts of online therapy. It is unsafe to do therapy in a moving vehicle and most therapists and organizations will likely reschedule your session if this happens. Therapy is time you’re dedicating to yourself to be able to make personal milestones of progress toward your goals – you need a private space with as minimal distractions as possible for the best results (and this might mean kicking your partner, children, or pet(s) out of the room for 53 minutes!).
3. Write Down Goals for Therapy If You Know/Have Some
Usually, we can pinpoint a reason why we finally decided to schedule a therapy session this time over another time. Maybe we decide we really want something in our lives to change. Often, it’s a good idea to have somewhat of an expectation for measuring your success in therapy – and this can be by creating goals before your online sessions with your therapist starts. Keep in mind that as you begin to explore an unpack several aspects of your life in therapy and get to know your therapist and their style, your initial goals can and may change. This is OK if the change is beneficial toward your own measurement of growth and strive toward happiness.
4. Give Yourself a Few Sessions to Decide on Continuing with Your Current Therapist or Continuing with Online Therapy
OK, so your first online therapy session did not seem to go the way you expected. Don’t panic! Sometimes, it takes time or more than one session to make connections with a therapist or to feel comfortable to continue opening up about difficult topics. Sometimes, if you’re used to in-person therapy, online therapy can feel very different. These feelings are completely normal, and it’s not a bad idea to give your therapist a few more sessions to see if you can make a further connection or begin to like online therapy. However, if after those sessions you still feel something standing in the way of you being able to receive beneficial treatment, discuss with your therapist or scheduler these feelings to see about changing providers or changing the format from online therapy to in-person sessions.
5. Jot Down Notes While You’re on the Video Call and Reflect After Your Session
With online therapy, and especially if you are using a computer, it can be handy to have a journal, notes app, or scratch paper close by you. Sometimes, we want to be able to remember something specific our therapist says so it might be helpful to have these tools handy to write down anything, your therapist says that resonates with you. And after processing things with your therapist, there’s more processing to be done separately/on your own. This can simply be reflecting on your therapy session and your feelings about what was discussed, so the notes sometimes help jog your memory of the session for you to be able to revisit and process further.
Online therapy has amazing pros but also has some serious cons from person to person.
While online therapy can be highly effective, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best option for everyone. After your session, reflect on whether you felt comfortable with online therapy as a platform or whether you prefer therapy in person. It’s OK for you to decide online therapy isn’t necessarily for you.
Begin Working With An Online Therapist in Florida
Distance shouldn’t determine the mental health support that is available to you. Our team of caring therapists would be happy to offer support with the mental health concerns that affect you most. Miami Vibes Counseling Center can help. Start getting support by following these steps:
- Reach out to speak with a member of our staff
- Schedule an appointment with one of our caring therapists.
- Start addressing your stress and anxiety symptoms so you can feel in control again
Other Services Offered With Miami Vibes Counseling
Health services include CBT, ACT, TF-CBT, and parenting support. In addition, we are happy to offer treatment for depression, stress, trauma, grief, and anxiety therapy. Our team is happy to provide support for life transitions, infidelity, children, and families. Learn more about our other services including ESA letters, support for business or employment stress, spirituality, and online therapy. Visit our blog or FAQs page for more helpful info today!
También ofrecemos estos servicios de terapia en español.
