Telehealth services have risen in popularity due to constantly advancing technology and an expanding digital landscape that allows people to connect when they need to, regardless of location.

Virtual therapy has offered reliable results for people struggling with their mental health. Studies have shown that patients who participate in these online sessions have a program completion rate of 60.5%, which is higher than those who attend in person. The convenience of virtual therapy sessions allows people who may not have transportation or those who have mobility issues to receive the right level of steady care.

As such, whether you’re dealing with long-running mental health concerns or if you simply need to talk through some specific problems that have come up in your life, virtual therapy can be the right choice. Learn more about what these therapy sessions are like and how you can make the most out of each of them.

Understanding Virtual Therapy

Virtual therapy, also referred to as teletherapy, comprises any form of therapy that is done through the use of electronic devices. It’s commonly conducted via video calls, phone calls, and even text messages. There are even entire businesses built around the idea of virtual therapy.

Regardless of platform, virtual therapy sessions provide more reliable access to care for everyone who needs it. People who live in remote locations now have a way of getting weekly sessions without having to travel long distances. And those with otherwise packed schedules won’t have to concern themselves with carving out the time to attend an in-person session.

Another important benefit of virtual therapy is that it offers more privacy than traditional sessions. Clients won’t have to worry about interacting with others in a waiting room or being overheard as they discuss their most private concerns. And since treatment can be provided from the comfort of one’s own home, virtual therapy can be a boon to those with social anxiety or agoraphobia, who may want to get treatment but are too unnerved to visit a mental health clinic.

One last significant benefit is cost. For many, the expense of public transportation or gas can be a deterrent. There may also be child-care concerns that add further financial strain to participating in therapy. Typically, virtual therapy costs less than in-person sessions. That’s especially the case if the therapist uses a fully online business model that cuts overhead expenses.

Maximizing Your Virtual Therapy Sessions

Having a positive experience and getting the most out of your online therapy sessions is a matter of following a series of steps.

Test Your Tech

You may think that everything is plugged in and ready to go until you try to start your virtual therapy session and realize your camera doesn’t work or you can’t hear the therapist. To avoid wasting time in your session, have a pre-session check of your connectivity and audio. Most video chat programs have the option to run a quick device readiness test, so take advantage of that before each session.

Consider the Session Like an In-Person One

A potential pitfall of virtual therapy is that you may be tempted to continue doing chores while you talk or be half-distracted by what others in your home are up to. That will prevent you from getting what you need out of the sessions, so it’s important that you treat your virtual therapy sessions exactly as you would any in-person visits.

Whether you need 30 minutes or a full hour, take the time to focus on yourself and your mental health. Silence your phone and pretend as though you’re not even at home. Choose a private, quiet area that ensures you can focus through the entire session.

For people with busy homes, something sitting in your car can be a better choice. Just make sure that you have reliable Wi-Fi or cell service. Make sure you’re punctual; people tend to be more casual with virtual therapy, but late starts only hinder the quality of the session.

Insist Your Therapist Treat Virtual Therapy Sessions Like In-Person Ones

Sometimes, the person who’s too casual with virtual therapy is the therapist themself. They may not start on time or could be multitasking during the session. There may even be other people in the room while you’re speaking with them. All of these actions and qualities are unprofessional, and they even cross into unethical behavior.

Your therapist should be fully focused on you during the entirety of your session. If not, it’s time to choose another therapist.

Set Aside Time Before and After Your Session

Arriving for an in-person therapy session typically involves a handful of minutes to sit outside in the waiting room. That allows you to get your mind ready for therapy. With virtual options, you may rush to set up your device and then immediately start the session without that mental prep time. Give yourself five minutes or so before the session to sit and take a few deep breaths.

The same approach applies at the end of the session. Usually, you would have something like the commute home to think a bit about what you spoke about, but that’s not the case with virtual therapy. You may be tempted to jump right back into your regular life without time to process the session.

Give yourself a few minutes after you say farewell to your therapist to think about everything you’ve learned. It can help to write down your immediate thoughts so that you can go into more depth in a future session.

Invest in a Quality Mic and Camera

If possible, get a good-quality microphone and webcam for virtual therapy. That kind of equipment isn’t just important for you but for your therapist, too, since they’ll be able to get a clearer look at your expressions and body language.

If the session will take place over the phone, consider picking up an external microphone and using headphones instead of relying on your phone’s speaker. Not only will that provide you with clearer sound, but it will also make the session more private in case others are around.

Find the Right Platform

Some therapists exclusively use one platform that you’ll have to adjust to over time. If you have a choice, though, it might be best to try out various options to see which you’re most comfortable with. You don’t want the added stress of not being sure how to use the platform each time you get ready for your session.

For most people, platforms that have fewer bells and whistles and are more straightforward can be the better choice.

Don’t Rush When Choosing a Therapist

Sometimes, people assume that having virtual therapy sessions means the therapist they choose isn’t as important. That’s never the case. You need to be selective when choosing a provider. Ask them about their experience and if they have been offering virtual therapy for a while. Someone new to the setup may not be the right option.

You also don’t want to be afraid to switch therapists if you’re not happy with one. You need to feel comfortable and listened to, so search for someone you’re compatible with. Feeling at ease with your therapist will allow you to better open up about the problems you’re facing.

Consider Your Therapy Goals

It can be helpful to have a specific goal (or set thereof) in mind when beginning therapy. It will serve as a guiding light that gives you something to work toward. If you struggle with a phobia, for example, your goal may be to reduce the reaction you feel when confronted with the source of your fear. If family dynamics are a problem, the goal could be to improve your relationships.

Setting goals is helpful for your provider, too, because it can help them build a structured treatment plan. They’ll also help keep you focused and motivated.

Ask Lots of Questions

You may worry about certain aspects of a video call or phone call, including whether you need to call the therapist or if they’ll call you. Sometimes, details like that can unconsciously add stress to the experience.

With that in mind, before your first session, ask lots of questions about how things will work, such as:

  • How long are the sessions?
  • How does the therapist communicate between sessions?
  • Should you expect video sessions, phone calls, or both?
  • How will technical difficulties be handled?
  • What happens if you miss a session?
  • How far in advance will the therapist send the virtual access code for a session?

It can be important to also know if the therapist has emergency contact information. If you’re having a crisis, you have to know whether you can reach out to them for guidance.

Communicate Clearly

It can sometimes be more challenging to know whether you’re a good match with your therapist over a video or phone call, as many social cues can be lost in the medium. You may think they’re being abrupt when it may be spotty connectivity causing a problem, or you may be getting the sense that the person is more detached than you would like, when in reality, they need a bit of adjustment time to the virtual session style, too.

If there are things you have issues with, let your therapist know. Oftentimes, it really can be a misunderstanding that arises from simply not being face-to-face. By communicating when something bothers you, you can prevent problems that can impact your therapy altogether.

Have Enough Light During Video Calls

A common issue that therapists experience when working virtually is being unable to clearly see their clients’ faces because of poor lighting. You’ll want to avoid pointing your camera toward a window, as that can make it much more difficult for your expressions to come through.

At the same time, make sure the room isn’t lit by a single low-watt bulb that casts shadows all over your face. Find a balance so that your therapist can see your face and get a sense of your overall demeanor.

Work Through Challenges in the Most Convenient Manner

In-person therapy is not an option for everyone. There may be mobility issues, transportation concerns, or even time constraints that would make it too difficult to maintain a consistent session schedule.

Virtual therapy offers the chance to address the mental health challenges you face in the most convenient manner. You can have a session from the comfort of your home or car without worrying about interacting with other clients or wasting a lot of time traveling to and from the session.

At Plus by APN, we offer services that combine psychiatry and neurotechnology to provide accurate behavioral assessments as well as targeted therapy options. To get started with treatment at Plus by APN, fill out our confidential online contact form or call us at 424.644.6486 today.

References

  • Waite, Mindy R et al. “Virtual Behavioral Health Treatment Satisfaction and Outcomes Across Time.” Journal of patient-centered research and reviews vol. 9,3 158-165. 18 Jul. 2022, doi:10.17294/2330-0698.1918