Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the world of therapy has undergone an expansion into cyberspace.
As a Therapist who recently made the switch to telehealth, I thought I’d share my experience and opinions on therapy online:
Virtual Therapy has many benefits, like accessibility and flexibility- my clients can access therapy from just about anywhere in the state and it allows for easier schedules around peoples busy schedules. As a therapist it’s really fulfilling to me when people can seek time for themselves around work and kids- a little time spent where its all about them.
Another benefit is that clients can dial in from the comfort of familiar spaces which can make it easier to open up than it would in a traditional office setting. This is also a benefit to me as a therapist as I can really manage my work-life balance, no commuting or stress! I can just log on from the security of my office. There is also the ability to use technology in sessions- virtual sand trays, worksheets, whiteboards, the works! Virtual therapy can be just as engaging as it is in person. Even on the documentation side of things- I am able to organize and maintain my work through different technological tools that benefit me as a therapist!
Telehealth therapy also has some drawbacks, Technology being the biggest one. Technical difficulties can cause problems in all kinds of ways, glitches- poor connections- even platform unfamiliarity can interrupt a good session. As a therapist there is also an impact on nonverbal cues- even with my clients sitting just a little back from the screen, it’s still not quite the same as in-person interaction. How do I combat this?- I hear you ask. We talk about it- I’m very upfront that sometimes I may miss things during sessions and work to cultivate emotional attunement throughout our interactions. I also expand this through direct and reflective questions, really it’s no different than in-person interactions, just through a lens.
Does any of this make Telehealth more or less effective as in-person therapy?
Well- yes and no.
As someone who start with in-person only sessions- I feel that online therapy is just as effective for many issues such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. But I also feel that it makes other treatments- like exposure therapy- more difficult to execute. There are also clients that don’t have access to the internet and would be unable to take advantage of telehealth therapies, which is a whole group of individuals that would need further care.
As a therapist I feel that just like with all therapeutic tools there is a time and place for them!
Telehealth is a new frontier. It’s a reflection of how mental health care can adapt, grow, and reach people where they are. Whether you’re a therapist yourself, first-time client, or a long-time therapy-goer; online therapy might just offer the connection, consistency, and support you need—in a way that fits your life today. I know that it has allowed me to continue my goals as a therapist- on my terms and at my pace. I can balance doing the work I feel called to and my own personal life, something we often call on our clients to do but can rarely execute ourselves as therapists.
So any therapists or clients out there- thinking of making the switch? See you on the Web!
-Sam