The Inside Scoop About Online Therapy
Once the pandemic began, many routine activities that took place in-person were no longer possible. Appointments for the spa, the hair salon, the doctor’s office, and with a therapist weren’t safe. Luckily COVID didn’t stop us from getting creative. Like many businesses, Mindsoother transitioned to telehealth, or online therapy. Therapy sessions are conducted via Zoom so that clients continue to receive the support they need, especially during these stressful times.
The pandemic and its repercussions have caused many people to experience heightened negative emotions. When our lives are upended, it’s normal to feel more anxious, upset, or frustrated than usual. That’s where therapists can help. Therapy can be a space to express concerns and to discuss strategies for dealing with complex emotions and relationships in levelheaded ways. Like anything that’s new, online therapy may seem daunting at first. The therapists at Mindsoother are here to ease your worries! The Mindsoother team answered some commonly asked questions about online therapy sessions. Learn about what it’s like to practice online therapy from the therapists themselves…
How does online therapy work?
The process of online therapy is pretty similar to in-person therapy. Though you’re not chatting in the same room, you still have the undivided attention of your therapist. Your therapist will still actively listen to your thoughts, feelings, behaviors and concerns from a point of empathy and compassion. Your therapist will continue to work collaboratively with you to uncover alternatives to problem behaviors and solutions.
You will still be able to connect with your therapist just as you were before. Instead of driving to the office, you get to participate in therapy from the comfort of your home! You will receive a Zoom link via email before the session so you can easily hop on a video call from wherever you feel most comfortable.
What are the benefits of online therapy for clients?
One benefit is that you can participate in therapy from anywhere with increased flexibility. You could schedule a session during your lunch break instead of at the end of a draining day of work. Plus, many people feel very comfortable doing therapy from their own homes. They enjoy connecting in a place where they already feel safe and secure, especially if they’re trying therapy for the first time. It makes the experience less intimidating.
A more surprising perk of online therapy is having the opportunity to bring your pet if you choose to. Animals can have soothing effects, whether they’re therapy dogs or your furry best friend. Some people feel relaxed by having their pet sit in their lap during therapy. Other people enjoy when the therapist shares their pet on camera. Sharing pets helps clients and therapists build rapport; it lightens the mood and reduces anxiety to see an excited dog or a fluffy, calm cat during the therapy session.
What are the benefits of online therapy for therapists?
Online therapy provides therapists opportunities to see different sides of a client. They get a glimpse into your life in a way that a face-to-face chat in the office would never offer. For example, they get to see you your usual environment, what your room looks like, and how you might act towards others at home. It gives your therapist extra context into your life so that they can better guide you towards wise-minded decisions. On the flip side, you get to learn more about your therapist as well. You get a peek into their home office and how they act in a relaxed environment, just as they learn about you.
Just like you, therapists enjoy being able to do therapy from home for the convenience. It’s a time-saver, giving everyone more time to focus on the conversation and additional time with family when the session is over.
How is privacy maintained during online therapy sessions?
On the therapist’s end, everything is confidential. At Mindsoother, we use a HIPAA-compliant and secure online platform. All of our therapists have private and dedicated work spaces for therapy sessions, and they wear headphones so that only they can hear what you are saying.
It is recommended that you go to a private space when participating in therapy sessions. Pick a setting that is quiet and as distraction-free as possible. This could be a room in your house, a space outside, or even in your car. It should be somewhere where you feel comfortable. In addition, you may want to wear headphones so that only you can hear what the therapist is saying.
If the pandemic has increased your feelings of helplessness or hopelessness, consider online therapy. Get the support that you need for all of your old and new challenges. We are trained to hear your thoughts and feelings and to show up with compassion and non-judgment for you regardless of the platform. The people who were initially hesitant about it grow to love online therapy pretty quickly. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how easy and effective it is.