Due to the pandemic, more people than ever are interested in online therapy. But it can be weird to navigate therapy (a very human experience) in such a de-humanized manner. How exactly can you make the most of online therapy? Here are some ideas for you.
#1 Embrace the awkwardness
Online therapy can be a bit awkward because of the disconnect between you and your therapist. WiFi might be a problem, your call might drop or your battery might die. These are part and parcel of online therapy so just embrace the process and laugh it off if you have to. Then take a deep breath, gather your thoughts and continue. There’s nothing embarrassing about minor tech hiccups, so just be open and honest to adapting to the situation. Remember, communication is key especially for online therapy. So if there’s anything your therapist can do to improve the experience, then definitely let them know!
#2 Create a safe space
Most therapist offices are specially designed to provide comfort and a sense of safety. But with online therapy, your sessions will be from home. For some, this might mean distractions and for others, this might even be uncomfortable. If you’d rather not have virtual therapy from home, reach out to friends or even book a private meeting space to have your sessions. This way, you can communicate with your therapist without any fear or hesitations. If you do choose to have online therapy from home, minimize potential distractions and get as comfortable as possible. That means switching off your phone notifications, locking your door, and not glancing at other tabs on your computer. This will keep you fully engaged and really help you benefit from your sessions. If you need an added boost of comfort to encourage yourself to open up, make yourself a nice cup of coffee and let in tons of natural light to improve relaxation.
#3 Use online tools for better sessions
Online therapy can cause hiccups when you and your therapist aren’t on the same page. A huge issue of this nature is time. When you have in-person therapy, there’s often a timer or clock that reminds you when the session is wrapping up. This helps you pace your sessions instead of having an afternoon of therapy ending abruptly. But when it comes to online therapy, things can be really different. You might forget to check the tiny clock at the edge of your computer and lose track of the conversation, having your sessions end abruptly. Online tools like Timeqube can help you navigate this issue in a seamless manner. Timeqube Online is a seamless, cube-shaped timer that changes color to indicate the passing of time. It sits at the bottom of you and your therapist’s desktop screens. This way, you can both keep track of sessions without any stressful ticking or blaring alarms. This simple tool can completely improve your online therapy experience.
So while online therapy might seem daunting, there are plenty of ways that you can make the best of your experience. Be confident and give them a go today!