Tips for Online Counseling

Online counseling can be a safe, convenient, and effective option for individual and couples therapy. Schedule sessions on your lunch break or at your own convenience. Online counseling, or Teleheath is the use of a HIPAA compliant platform to hold your therapy appointment via online video.  It can be a Safe, Effective, Convenient and Time Efficient way to engage in therapy.  It can reduce drive time and allow you to have your therapy sessions discreetly in the convenience and privacy of your home or office! 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have started working from home and are practicing social distancing. Ttelehealth is a safe and convenient way to continue with your individual or couples counseling without disruptions.  It is time efficient as it eliminates drive time and allows you to schedule on your lunch break or at other convenient times. Listed below are some tips that can help you maximize any online counseling you take part in. 

TIPS FOR MAKING ONLINE COUNSELING EFFECTIVE AND PRODUCTIVE: 

 

TECH TIPS

  1. Make sure you have a quiet and private space to be in where you won’t be disturbed or heard.  For some of you who are sharing spaces or in tight quarters, this may even be the bathroom, a closet or your car! 
  2. Use wired earbuds to improve connection and audio and to ensure privacy. 
  3. Close out any browsers that are using your internet connection and make sure no one is streaming. 
  4. If possible, mute your cell phones. 
  5. Use your laptop or desktop instead of a cell phone or tablet. 
  6. Place your computer, laptop or cell phone in an angle that will offer you the most ergonomic comfort. 
  7. Choose a comfortable chair or other seating option.  

 

SESSION TIPS

  1. Plan ahead so that you have thoughts, topics or an agenda about what you want to cover. Share that at the beginning of your session so that your therapist can help manage time and ensure all topics are covered, or ear-marked for next time.
  2. Make sure you know your therapist’s back up plan if technology fails. If you are on a video platform, will you go to a phone call if there are issues with your platform?
  3. Just be yourself!

BENEFITS

  1. You can have your sessions in your yoga pants! Okay, you can always come to your therapy appointment in yoga pants but now you don’t have to put your shoes on…or comb your hair. You can be in the comfort of your own home instead of an office.  
  2. Connection during social distancing–we are social creatures that require human interaction.  Telehealth sessions can be a substitute for face to face and physical human connection while in a scenario that requires you to isolate yourself.
  3. For COUPLES COUNSELING if you and your partner don’t live together or are currently separated, you can overcome the barrier of being in two locations and still continue your couples therapy sessions without disruption.

 

Use the tips above to get the most out of your online therapy. If you have questions or concerns about how online counseling works and if it’s right for you?  CONTACT ME today for a free 15 minute consultation to share why you are seeking therapy at this time and if online counseling is the right method of counseling for you.