An alternative solution for seeking help
Online psychotherapy has become the “new normal” for seeking help from a psychologist primarily due to COVID 19. Consequently, many consumers in therapy during this time have discovered that they like and even prefer this mode of contact to get the help they need. If you are considering the possibility of using online psychotherapy, consider these few ideas;
Is timeliness an issue for your lifestyle? For instance, are you often pressed for time making it hard to take a few hours out of your day to drive to and from your appointments?
Is transportation a barrier to you getting where you need to be on time?
Do you generally prefer to remain in the privacy of your own home where it feels more secure and comfortable to you?
Are there typically sudden or abrupt changes in your life that concerns you about being able to remain more regular and consistent with attending therapy in the same office each time? Would it be easier and more convenient for you to meet wherever you are for that day without the hassle of having to reschedule because you cannot make it to the office?
If these considerations have you thinking, then perhaps online therapy is a possible alternative for seeking quality psychotherapy.
Determining if online psychotherapy is right for you
Online therapy works well when it feels right to both you and myself as your therapist. In order to determine if using the internet connection is a good fit in your case there are important matters for both you and I to consider carefully.
First, how comfortable are you with the use of technology? For example, in my practice I ask that my clients use Google chrome, or Safari. Do you know what web browser you use and could you change your web browser to make it more compatible with the platform I use in my practice? Or, do you know how to increase the volume on your computer and do you have a camera?
Second, with whom do you live with and is there a space in your home where you feel safe enough to let our guard down to open up and speak freely and openly without the worry of someone else being able to hear you on the other side of the closed door?
Third, to what degree is your mental health stable? Are you seeking help to deal with issues in your life that have impacted you emotionally and psychologically enough that you feel the need to talk with a professional? Or, is your mental health significant enough that you are struggling to manage the necessities such as grooming, eating, working, concentrating and remaining organized and active during your day. Is the darkness strong enough that you cannot function normally. If so, then online psychotherapy may not be as beneficial nor as helpful compared to meeting face to face with a professional in an office space.
Whatever the case may be, assessing your situation at the beginning is important to ensure that you get the help you need and that your needs for psychotherapy are appropriately met.
Preparing for your online therapy session
As opposed to taking 15 to 30 minutes or maybe even longer to arrive to your session, you can spend the time instead setting up your space to meet ensuring that it is private, comfortable and secure. If there are others in the home during the time of your session, such as your spouse, children, or other family members, you want to make sure they understand that you are not be interrupted during the 50-minute session. This is particularly important because you might be addressing certain issues that no one else knows about or that brings up certain feelings during our time together. When and if this occurs, you do not want a disruption. It will detract from your therapy.
Basics for each online therapy session
At the start of each session, I will ask that you provide me with the address of your actual location. Additionally, an emergency contact person will also need to be provided though this person may always remain the same from session to session. These two elements are particularly important for your safety and protection in case you need immediate help at your location.
About 2 minutes before the session, I will send you a link to your email address. You simply open the email and click on the link to enter into the session. It is simple and does not require any kind of downloading.
If you think you may be interested in online therapy, I invite you to contact me where we can talk further if you have any questions about it.
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