Counselling on Zoom
Online counselling and psychotherapy, utilises video conferencing platforms, like Zoom. The information below may help you decide if it is right for you.
What are the benefits of therapy on Zoom?
More choice…. Easier access
It can be a little less daunting if you’ve never sought psychological support before… not needing to go anywhere new, being in a familiar space at home. There is also more choice of therapist, with options to see someone outside your geographical area. This opens up the option of seeing someone who is remote to you, or interstate. Conversely, if you are remote, you have the option of more therapists to choose from, if they are online.
More time…. Less travel
You now have the time! Modern day life is very busy and another appointment to get to and from can add another hour or more into the day. Not with online therapy – there’s no travel time. Just log in at time of appointment without needing to leave home. Top tip – take a few minutes before your therapy appointment time to stop and consider what you’d like to get out of the session; time to shift gears from what’s been happening, to prepare, even if a minute or 2, before ‘jumping in’. Maybe make yourself a cup of tea, or glass of water, in your favourite cup.
Comfort & convenience
Comfort of own home – more conducive to being relaxed, and yourself. This can be helpful if you are experiencing social anxiety or are uncomfortable attending a therapy office, or have young children at home. This also helps with any ‘stigma’ challenges around attending therapy sessions, or discomfort sitting in waiting rooms, or fears of seeing someone you know. Often times this also means you can schedule sessions at times that may be more convenient to your schedule. If you have accessibility issues or are housebound, online therapy is a good option to consider.
You can have your pet in the room with you J and you can have your favourite cup. You can even slip off your shoes and pop on your slippers if you like J or place a blanky on your lap.
Portability
Flexibility to ‘log in’ to your session in a different location – if travelling, or staying in a different place.
While there are concerns for less connection online I have found building connection and rapport online to work really well with my clients. I am able to see your expressions, and moments of silence, notice tears, movements and gestures.
What you need to support a good session:
Reliable internet access.
Clear plan for any tech issues. In my sessions, if we have technology issues and lose online connection, I will phone you and we can either resume our session by phone, or reschedule. This way we can keep some cohesion in the session, rather than shifting to problem solving mode and thinking about how we reconnect.
Some privacy - It’s best to find a quiet location, where you have privacy and will not be disturbed (you might pop a sign on the door). You may even have a park or safe outside space you can use for your session. Some clients park the car and attend in their car. Turn your phone to silent and place it screen side down, or out of sight.
If seeing your face on screen is not conducive to you relaxing, you can ‘hide self-view’. If you need help with this, we can do this together at the start of your session… so you don’t need to worry about what you look like – just like in person, you don’t see yourself... Alternatively, this is something that can be helpful to bring to therapy to talk about the challenges around seeing yourself on the screen…. only if and when you are wanting to explore this aspect of yourself
It’s preferable to keep your real background and not a virtual image, where possible. If this is an issue for you let’s have a chat. As a therapist, I do not judge you in any shape or form. You can have your washing in the background, or anything you would prefer not be there, and I will not blink an eye.
If you’ve been thinking about getting some help to manage life’s challenges, why not reach out for a 10 minute chat. I welcome your call.
Other blogs you may be interested in:
What to expect when you see a counsellor
What does a Mental Health Counsellor do?
What’s the difference - counsellor | psychotherapist | psychologist | coach