Teletherapy Appointments

Getting the Most Out of Your Teletherapy Appointment

While we are grateful during this time to be able to continue providing counseling services remotely, meeting via video has its challenges compared to in-person appointments. We have found that some simple adjustments can be made to help make your teletherapy experience as much like the in-person experience of therapy as possible.

1. Treat your online sessions as you would in-person sessions. Protect the time for therapy – this is your time to work on your goals and you will benefit most if you can be fully present. Don’t do other things during your session (like driving, texting, eating, or household work).
2. To avoid technical difficulties, set up your device (computer/phone/tablet) a few minutes ahead of time.
   1. Adjust the angle and ensure that it won’t tip over or move, so that you aren’t distracted by adjusting it during your session.
   2. Attempt to keep your device on a flat, stable surface during the entire meeting as wobbly images can be visually distracting.
   3. Position your device so that your face is shown straight-on, as it would be in-person.
3. Make sure that you are in a private place, where no one else is present, your screen is not visible to others, and you won’t be overheard. You may want to use earbuds for more security.
4. If possible, sit at a table, desk, or someplace comfortable like a couch, but try to avoid lying in bed.
5. Please stay in one place during the session – i.e., don’t walk around or change locations.

In general, treat your teletherapy session just as you would if it was in-person. This will help you and your counselor connect and be able to work together effectively.

Until we can safely welcome you back into our offices, we hope these tips will help to make your experience with teletherapy a positive one!