Therapy in the Virtual Space.
Photography by Elizabeth Ann Mitchener.
Online therapy, teletherapy, and virtual therapy have been around for quite some time and are only gaining in popularity. Research shows that therapy from a physical distance can be just as effective and helpful as in-person therapy. Yahoo! This is excellent news for folks that are time-constrained, like new parents, busy students, people working long or nontraditional hours, or people managing medical conditions that make traveling a challenge.
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation call.
Benefits
I am quite literally meeting you where you are!
Virtual therapy allows you to have support from the comfort of your own home or office.
Virtual therapy saves you time.
The fact that a 50-minute virtual session will take no extra time out of your day is an attractive benefit for many time-constrained people.
Virtual Therapy offers consistency.
Snow, heavy rain, and wind can’t stop us now!
FAQs
How do I keep my session private?
It is important to feel comfortable and unfiltered to get the most out of your therapy sessions. Try to find a private area where you can get settled in and be free from distractions. If you live with others, I suggest communicating ahead of time that you will need privacy (feel free to tell them it’s a work call!) I’ve seen people put a sticky note up on the door to help remind family and roomies that they’re busy. Other suggestions include wearing headphones or playing music, or leaving the TV on in the background to muffle the sound. If you have little ones, allow for ‘extra screen time’ during your session.
Will my documentation and sessions be secure online?
Forge Counseling offers one-on-one therapy sessions online through a HIPPA compliant and secure platform called TherapyNotes. Over 60,000 therapists use this tool safely and securely with their clients.
What if my internet isn’t great?
Try to limit internet usage during the session. If your wifi connection is usually weak, I'd suggest closing all other running webpages and applications while in session. If possible, make sure you are close to the wifi hotspot! If your connection is weak despite all of these technical fixes or you forgot your computer was scheduled for a reset or your iPad battery dies (no worries - it happens!) then we will jump to plan B. During our initial sessions, I work with clients to co-create a backup plan that will work for us both.
What if ‘tech’ freaks me out?
I get it! Tech can be intimidating. If questions come up, feel free to email or call me! We can spend some time going through the ‘tech’ together at no extra charge to you.
Can I join from any device?
You can join your virtual therapy session from your computer, iPhone, or tablet as long as they have a microphone and camera-enabled. If you decide to join from your iPhone I’d suggest getting a stand or support since holding a phone upright for 50 minutes might begin to feel uncomfortable. You can also lean it up against a stack of books on a shelf. During our 15-minute consult call, we can talk about all your device and access questions.
What else should I be thinking about?
Find a well-lit area. It is important for your therapist and you to see each other. It is also important for you to create an environment that supports your mental health. A dark space filled with shadows may facilitate a more gloomy atmosphere for you in the virtual therapeutic space. Try to find a good light source to sit near for your session. Movie set tip - get the light in front of you for example face a window vs. having the window behind you.
There are a lot of benefits with virtual therapy and it still may not be for you. Visit the Additional Support Options page to connect with a therapist and therapy method that will fit your needs - which is ultimately what is most important.