With COVID-19 safety concerns, many clients and therapists are moving to telehealth or online therapy sessions. The use of digital technology to facilitate therapy removes travel and inconvenience barriers and may also feel less intimidating, as you are seeing your therapist from the comfort of your own home (or perhaps your car!). This article helps you get the most out of your online session.
Video Sessions
Video sessions are preferable to phone sessions, because we can read each other’s facial expressions. To get the most from your video chat session, please do the following:
- Prepare: A few minutes before your session start time, get a glass of water or cup of tea and make sure you are comfortable with your seating arrangements and temperature.
- Find a quiet place for your video session with decent lighting and where you won’t be interrupted or distracted.
- Use your laptop or desktop computer if you have one. Otherwise, a tablet or smart phone is the next best option.
- Make sure you sit so we can clearly see your face so we can pick up on any nonverbal cues.
- Likewise, let your therapist know if you cannot see his or her face clearly. This allows for warmth, empathy and genuine exchanges via video image.
- Please feel reassured that our Psychologists only use encrypted video platforms that are secure and confidential and will always hold your video call in a private and quiet office space that ensures confidentiality of whatever you discuss.
Phone sessions
While video sessions are preferable, the same principles about finding a quiet, distraction-free space apply to telephone sessions as to video sessions.
Video and phone therapy has similar outcomes in regards to client session attendance, subjective ratings of session helpfulness, pre- and post-counselling self-assessments, and rates of goal completion. Ask your Psychologist if you have any questions about digital therapy sessions.