Making the Most of Your Teletherapy Appointments

If you are preparing to begin teletherapy via video, you might be wondering how you can make the most of your experience. After all, you are not seeing your therapist in person. You may be never actually meet your therapist face-to-face! So, how can you make sure you have the best experience possible in online therapy?

Today, we will talk about how you can prepare to have a productive experience in your teletherapy appointments. Then, you will learn how to start teletherapy today.

Setting the Stage for Teletherapy

Once you schedule your appointment for teletherapy, you will be eagerly waiting to begin work with your therapist. Teletherapy options have become more accessible in the recent years, and have been shown to be an effective means of treatment for many different problems, including depression and anxiety (source). 

But what can you do to prepare to have a good experience in online counseling? First, plan ahead for how you can create the best space possible for your virtual counseling experience. You can do this by finding a quiet, private area where you can have your appointment. That space can be in your house, your parked car, or in any other space where you can ensure you will have privacy. In fact, you may find that using headphones for your appointment is an additional layer of security to ensure that you have the most privacy possible during your sessions. 

Additionally, you may want to test the lighting and angle of your webcam. Make sure the area that you have chosen for teletherapy is a place where you can be visible to your therapist. You can also make sure that you can place your computer or phone at an angle where your face is centered and visible on screen. You can also ensure that you are able to access your webcam and computer or phone microphone for the session and that both of the devices work before the beginning of your therapy experience. (Related article: Utah Telehealth Examples)

Planning Ahead

Before you start teletherapy, ask your therapist which video platform they use for teletherapy. Some therapists use programs like Zoom or Doxy which require downloading an app to your phone or computer and logging in. Others use video programs that are a part of their management software. 

Either way, it is useful to assess beforehand what you may need to do to prepare to join your remote therapy meeting. It may be easier to download the apps and set up your account before your first session, so you don’t have to spend your session time troubleshooting your technology.

Creating the Safe Space

Beyond just your technology, it will be important to plan and prepare for how you can be in your best state of mind to get the most out of your teletherapy experience. (Related article: Counseling- What is it and What it Isn’t). Consider some of the following guidelines to ensure that you have a successful teletherapy session:

• Use your computer or phone in a well-lit room so your therapist can see your face. 
• Find a comfortable seat to sit at for your session. 
• Plug in your phone or computer so it is charging. 
• Verify that your computer volume and screen brightness is turned up. 
• Use headphones if it is difficult to hear you on your computer or phone’s microphone. 
• Ensure that the room you are in for your teletherapy appointment is quiet and private, away from distractions and background noise. 

Teletherapy is for You

If you are looking for a teletherapy counselor in Utah, you have come to the right place. Our therapists provide high quality services both in person and online via video therapy platforms. Start online counseling today.

Written by Lauren Adkins