When you think about going to therapy, what comes to mind? Do you imagine how it’s portrayed in movies: a therapist sitting in a big chair with a notepad in hand listening to their client who is sprawled out on a nearby couch? In-person therapy sessions are common. And while many offices have gotten much-needed facelifts since the 90s, because of COVID, some offices have disappeared altogether. The start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced most–if not all–therapists to switch to online therapy. And while 2021 has brought some relief to strict social distancing guidelines, trends suggest that online therapy is here to stay.
What is Online Therapy?
Online therapy is known by many names–teletherapy, e-therapy, e-counseling, remote therapy–but they all mean the same thing. It is when mental health services and support are provided virtually rather than in person. Online therapy can take place over the phone, through text messaging, on the internet, via video chat platforms such as Zoom, and more. While each communication method has its own set of benefits and setbacks, in general, remote therapy is incredibly convenient, which is one of the main reasons it’s a desirable option for clients.
How Does Online Therapy Work?
Just like the workings of a traditional, in-person therapy session differ based on the techniques of the therapist and the client dynamics, so does online therapy. Personally, I only offer clients remote therapy sessions via Zoom calls to mimic an in-person session as much as possible. This way, there’s real-time help, interaction, and conversation, and my clients get the most out of our time together. Additionally, meeting via Zoom allows my clients the freedom and flexibility needed to schedule when it works best for them because there is no commute required. This is yet another perk of the e-therapy structure.
5 Ways to Get the Most out of Your Online Therapy Sessions
Whether you see an in-person counselor or opt for online therapy, here are 5 ways to get the most out of your sessions.
1. Schedule Your Sessions at a Good Time for You
Scheduling your online therapy sessions on your lunch break at work might sound like a good idea at the time, but is it really? Think about it: you have a moment of breakthrough 10 minutes before your session is over. You’ve been crying. You’re emotionally exhausted. And you have to go straight into a two-hour meeting with your boss. While it’s doable, you will get the most out of your therapy sessions by scheduling them when you have a moment to process afterward before heading straight into your next responsibility.
2. Share What Feels Right to You
Your therapy sessions are a safe place where you can share anything and everything you want to (and nothing that you don’t). Sometimes clients feel like they have to censor themselves or be extremely polite during their sessions. But the truth is, honesty opens the door for more effective communication and enables your therapist to truly help you on a deeper level. Personally, I encourage my clients to check in with themselves and share what feels right for them. This takes away any pressure to talk about certain topics and allows the session to be exactly what you need it to be.
3. Keep a "Therapy Journal"
After your therapy session, before you jump right into your next to-do, take a moment and jot down a few thoughts. Whether it’s a book your therapist mentioned, a concept you want to think about more later, or a communication skill you want to try next time you and your boyfriend get in an argument, write it down. It’s so easy to feel like you come out of therapy with a renewed mindset and then quickly forget about all the things you and your therapist discussed. So, while it’s fresh in your mind, write about it in a “therapy journal” that you can refer to later. This will help you get the most out of your sessions because they won’t just be helpful in the moment but will continue to be relevant throughout the days and weeks when you don’t see your therapist.
4. Share About Your Sessions with a Trusted Friend
Another way to get the most out of your online therapy sessions is to share about them with a close friend. You don’t have to go into the details, but when you talk about what you learned, it’s another way to reinforce it in your life. Just like writing about your therapy sessions can help you get more out of them, so can talking about them with someone you trust. Who knows, what you share might help them too.
5. Ask Your Therapist for a Recap
Depending on how long you go between sessions, and what takes place on the days you’re not in therapy, you may forget exactly where you left off. Don’t be afraid to ask your therapist for a recap so you can start your next session right on track.
So, Does Online Therapy Work?
Yes, remote therapy does work. But how much you get out of any type of therapy session is up to you. If you’re interested in starting online therapy in California, email me today. I’d love to share more about how my remote therapy sessions work to see if they are the right fit for you.