Online therapy, also known as distance therapy or telehealth/teletherapy, can give you a great deal of convenience and flexibility while maintaining the same level of effectiveness as in person sessions.

Research has shown that participating in therapy through videoconferencing does not reduce the benefits to patients versus traditional in person sessions. Many therapists, myself included, are shifting more and more to online therapy sessions because of the convenience and benefits. 

To get the most out of sessions, though, it is helpful to do a little bit of advance planning. When you come to a therapist’s office in person, you are doing your therapy in a space that has been designed to support you in focusing on the issues and goals that you want to work on. That space is (hopefully) quiet, confidential, comfortable, and generally free of distractions. When you plan to participate in remote therapy, these are qualities you should look for in the space you choose to join therapy sessions from. Another factor to consider is that the space needs to have some form of strong, consistent internet connection available. 

So as you think about online therapy, consider if there is a room in your home where you will be able to be alone, and where you will not be overheard by others who may live at home with you. If necessary, perhaps think about times of day when others will be out. A white noise maker can add an extra degree of privacy so that you know you are not being overheard. Sometimes when clients have difficulty finding such a space at home they might go sit in their car, since that is a space where they know they are alone and won’t be interrupted. As long as they are safely parked, that can be an ok option. (Don’t try to do therapy sessions while driving!) If you are thinking about doing your sessions from your workplace, make sure that you won’t be interrupted and that you are following all the rules and expectations of your employer. You should also avoid using your work computer for sessions if your employer monitors your activity, as that could potentially violate your confidentiality. 

Lastly, the space you are connecting from needs some kind of stable internet connection. Pay attention to the strength of your Wi-Fi signal if you are using Wi-Fi, as poor signal strength can lead to video feeds freezing or pixelating, or calls dropping altogether. If you are able to use a wired connection directly to your internet router or modem that is usually the fastest and most reliable way of connecting. Cell phone data signals are considered under HIPAA to be secure, and can be used for sessions, as long as the signal strength is strong enough to support a stable connection. Public Wi-Fi networks such as in libraries or coffee shops may not be secure and should be avoided unless you are able to secure the connection yourself using a virtual private network (VPN) or other method. In any case, public spaces where others are able to overhear you should be avoided altogether. 

Your therapy is an investment of your time, money, and emotional effort toward addressing the areas of your life you want to work on. That investment deserves to be protected by having a secure, comfortable space where you can focus on the work we are doing. I am happy to talk through any issues you may have with doing online therapy in our initial consultation call.