Online Counseling
The COVID19 pandemic and the ensuing social distancing changed the world and how we communicate. The therapy office is no different. Therapists now routinely offer online counseling as way to meet safely during the pandemic.
While there are benefits of being in the same room as your counselor, many people find meeting online to be very helpful. Some formats — like Simple Practice and Doxy — are designed to protect your privacy and facilitate great communication. Less secure means of video conferencing — like Skype and Facetime — may not protect your privacy as much, but may be more convenient.
Be sure to speak with your therapist about what application is best for you. Once again, technology is changing our world, and the way technology is shaping the work of counseling psychology is no different.
Clearly online counseling has the benefit of being more convenient. As long as you have a private, quiet space with a good Internet connection, telehealth could be a helpful to connect with your counselor. Further, not having to spend time traveling to your therapist’s office means saving time in the day. And there are not any exposures to illness if we are not in the same location. Many people state that meeting in the comfort of their own home or the privacy of their own office makes engaging in therapy possible in a way that felt too difficult before. The convenience of video conferencing may be worth exploring with the therapist.
At the same time, there is something sacred about being able to speak and listen with your therapist in-person. To be able to have the time in the car to think and get out of your own space can be helpful reflection time, before and after a meeting, to let your expereince sink in. Having time to sit in the waiting room or notice how rushed you are can deepen the way you communicate what it is like to be you in the world. There is something about being in a counseling office and seeing the space, being taken care of and allowing yourself to be fully present that can deepen the work. You might ask your therapist about their policies for meeting people in-person during this time.