4 Things to consider before beginning Online Therapy

Online video psychotherapy has become the go-to option for many people as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

There are numerous advantages for seeing a counsellor online, it offers flexibility and it’s important that mental health support is as widely available to people as possible, especially during these uncertain times. Yet it’s not quite the same experience as in person therapy, and so here are four things to consider before beginning online therapy.

Create a safe space

When you come to an in person therapy session, it’s just you and the therapist in the room. There are no distractions and you can be pretty certain that everything you discuss will be private. This isn’t always the case when working online, the internet itself is not alway safe or fully private. It’s also important to consider when and where you’ll have your online sessions. If at all possible, create for yourself a place that is quiet, where you’re sure you won’t be disturbed. Somewhere that feels comfortable for you. It’s definitely beneficial if you’re able to relax and focus on the session without fear of interruption.

Disinhibition

There’s a phenomenon with the online world called ‘the disinhibition effect’, made infamous by ‘trolling’. People feel disinhibited online and so sometimes have no problem being cruel or brutal, in a way that would never happen in person. However, disinhibition is also something to be aware of as a client when working with a therapist online. Studies have shown that we can share information about ourselves more quickly and freely during online sessions. This can both be a negative and positive thing, but you need to ensure that you feel safe with your therapist and are resourced when sharing upsetting or potentially traumatic information. Take your time with online sessions, especially in the beginning.

Technology failure

Technology failure can be a nuisance at the best of times, but it’s something to be particularly aware of when having therapy online. If you’re vulnerable, in the middle of telling your story or working through something difficult, the last thing you want is for your therapist to freeze or the video to drop. Make sure that you’ve discussed this potential with your therapist before the sessions so that you can both have a plan in place in case of technology failure. It’s also important to check your internet connection before an online session.

After the session

We can often feel unsettled or vulnerable after a counselling session. We may have discussed things that were difficult or emotional. With in person sessions, we can leave these feelings ‘in the room’, we have to walk to our car or to the bus, and so have time to process the session. When a therapy session ends and we’re at home, we might not have the same opportunity to leave the session behind, both physically and metaphorically. It can be a good idea to schedule a quick walk after having online sessions at home, to give ourselves the opportunity to transition back into our everyday lives.