Best Practices for Virtual Therapy

Make Virtual Therapy Work For You

Virtual therapy has many benefits, including greater timing flexibility and the elimination of commuting to and from appointments. That said, it requires some intentionality to create a good therapeutic experience when doing therapy from home. Here are 5 tips to help you get comfortable and in the proper therapeutic mindset.

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Tip 1: Check Your Internet Strength

The biggest barrier to effective virtual therapy is a weak internet connection. No matter how connected you and your therapist feel, with poor internet, you won’t have a good session. Before signing on, check your network connection. Some with unlimited data use their hotspots to ensure uninterrupted service.

Tip 2: Find a Unique Location

To distinguish therapy from work or leisure, find a special spot for it.

If you work at a desk, try the couch or a different chair. If you work on the couch, sit on the other side of the couch. Some clients sit on the floor against a wall. Some who live in large apartment buildings reserve a community room.

If you must use your desk chair, find a comfortable pillow or throw blanket to change the experience of being in that seat. Lower the lights or open a window. Find ways to tell your brain that you’re entering a new space.

Also, please beware of windows. If you park yourself in front of a window, you’ll end up being cast in shadow, making it hard for your therapist to see you.

Tip 3: Find a Way to Prop Up Your Phone

If at all possible, use a computer rather than a phone for virtual therapy. It allows a clearer connection and a more intimate experience. But if you must use your phone, create a reliable way to prop it up so it doesn’t slide down, fall down, or cover the speaker. I’ve conducted sessions where a client tries holding the phone the whole time and it is distracting for everybody. If need be, grab yourself a phone stand.

Tip 4: Get Yourself Some Fidgets

Therapy can be challenging difficult subjects are discussed. Many therapists (myself included) like to have things around for clients to play with during therapy. At home, search your desk drawers for old promotional stress balls. Grab your kid’s pop-it toy or fidget spinner. These monkey noodles and koosh balls are some of my favorites. Put them in a bowl or a drawer to take out during therapy. 

Tip 5: Create Privacy with White Noise

Whether you live with roommates, a partner, children, or cats (and I’ve met many cats), you may find that you’d like greater quiet or guaranteed privacy for therapy sessions. There are a few good solutions for this. If you aren’t using your phone for therapy, try the free White Noise Lite app. If you’re looking for a more robust solution, grab yourself a classic marpac write noise machine. If you want to go more compact and a little cheaper, try the MagicTeam Sound Machine. If you want one that hangs on the door, try the yogasleep white noise machine. Yes, I’ve tried them all and they all get the job done. If you have kids in the house, go for the one that hangs on the door or your little one will become fascinated and tamper with one that sits by the door.

With a few tweaks and some intentionality, your home becomes the ideal place to conduct therapy. See you there!