How to Get the Most Out of Online Therapy

The pandemic has brought in an age of social distancing, which is here to stay for some time yet. Most people have adjusted to the new normal. From online shopping to online therapy, the way things are being done has substantially changed. Traditional therapists have also switched up their services and are making themselves more available to their patients by going online. Therapy no longer means sitting in a room with another person every week. It can now be done anywhere and at any time.

Online therapy can seem a bit weird as it does not offer the traditional in-person experience of normal therapy. But there is no reason that not being in the same room as your therapist should have a negative impact on your experience. Here are a few tips that can help you get the best out of these virtual sessions:

Be Open to Experimenting

The best part of online therapy is that there are different options available. You can choose the one that suits you best after a bit of experimenting. You can either try video call sessions or quick talks with your therapist on the phone, through your email or even via text. For instance, if you are at home with your family, you may not get enough privacy and would prefer a quick chat. It can actually seem that you are talking to a friend which is much more comfortable for some people.

Carve Out a Safe Place

Since you can get online therapy at any time, it is better that you choose the right space and time so that you are free from distractions. Whether you have kids running around the house or have a busy schedule working from home, choose quiet time for yourself when you can prioritise working through your thoughts in a peaceful place. Online therapy is a safe place for you to share your feelings. Create this safe place in your home too. Try to stay out of earshot of other family members so you can maintain your privacy too.

Be Prepared

Whatever platform you choose, always do a bit of prep first. Gather your thoughts and try to decipher what you want to gain from your session. You can even write down some questions or concerns that you want to address to get the most out of the session. During the session, make sure that you communicate more openly as the therapist may not be able to see your expressions and body language. Try to include more verbal cues and add extra details to help your online counsellor understand you better.

Patience is the Key

Online therapy might feel awkward in the beginning, but you need to give it some time so that it can help you. With just a bit of time and effort, you can extract the same help and care from these sessions as you do from in-person therapy. You must be consistent if you want to see some progress.

COVID-19 has made online therapy a new normal. The Counselling and Wellbeing Centre provides an opportunity to deal with your issues and become a better version of yourself. Call us at 07 3891 2273 for more information or to schedule an appointment.