5 Steps to Create Meaningful Connection in Your Teletherapy Session

Mar 24

I’m sure you’ve been overwhelmed by all the emails, articles, and even memes addressing the current public health crisis, COVID-19. In our last blog post, Is Teletherapy Right For You?, we addressed the pros & cons of telehealth (therapy via video or phone). Telehealth is especially helpful now as many are mandated to work from home; are unable to work; struggling with social distancing; navigating challenges with family. If you’re still on the fence about virtual sessions, I highly recommend you read Is Teletherapy Right For You?

Now that you’ve decided that Telehealth is right for you, it’s time to set yourself up for success by making the most of your sessions. Here’s How:

1. Find (or Create) a Quiet Space

Amid a crisis, we’re often tasked with making the most of what we’ve got. Ideally, you’d have a quiet space where you’ll be uninterrupted during your session. In reality, we can’t always find that space. I encourage you to get creative and make a quiet space. Use your phone as a white noise machine outside a door (there’s an app for that!); use headphones, close internet browser tabs, silence notifications, and ask family members to give you space during that time. Just like it’s good practice to have a ‘work space’ set up to maintain a balance between work and relaxation, the same is true when creating a space for therapy.

2. Set an Agenda

Take time during the week or a few minutes before session to organize and reflect on what you last spoke about or anything that may have come up from the previous week. It’s helpful to collect your thoughts to make the most of your time together. For example, it may be helpful to keep a therapy journal to reference during session.

3. Stick to Your Schedule

Although you’re not going into an office for therapy, it’s important to make it a priority. Find a consistent time that works for you and your therapist to ensure fewer cancellations or reschedules.

4. Check Your Connection

Check your internet or cell phone reception prior to session to reduce any tech malfunctions. Many therapists will also provide an alternative platform in the event of poor connection or tech glitches. If they haven’t done so, be sure to ask them for a backup plan.

5. Acknowledge Any Discomfort

Your therapist is there to support you. The more your therapist knows about how you’re feeling, the better able they are to help you through it. If you’re feeling uncomfortable, share it!

The Takeaway

Meeting on a virtual platform may feel uncomfortable—making sure you have some control over the situation and what to expect can ease those anxieties. Doing these simple things before each session will lead to a more meaningful “connection.” (Yes, that was a telehealth pun!)

At A Good Place, we’re doing everything we can to ensure you’re getting the most from your virtual sessions. Now more than ever, we want to help you maintain normalcy and structure. While it’s hard not to ‘future trip’ and worry about everything going on around you, maintaining your therapy sessions can help you reflect and ground yourself. Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to support you during this time. If you’d like to schedule a session, click here.

Alysha