Make your transition to telehealth counseling as smooth as possible with these 5 tips.

To schedule your telehealth session with Grace Grant, call 214-586-0044 or email info@grove-counseling.com.

Maximizing Your Online Telehealth Session: Tips from Our Counselor

Telehealth counseling has always been a convenient modality for therapy, but many patients have not experienced this form of counseling before the COVID-19 pandemic. Make your transition to telehealth counseling as smooth as possible with tips from Grace Grant.

The transition to online counseling may feel unfamiliar, or even undesirable, to those who prefer the benefits of seeing their counselor in person. But while the counseling setting has temporarily changed in response to the current climate, the core of counseling and its effectiveness remains the same; a safe environment to process and grow, rooted in the healing therapeutic relationship between counselor and client.

Structuring your telehealth experience can help minimize the gap between remote and in-person sessions. Below are some helpful tips to maximize your online counseling sessions.

5 Tips to Help Maximize Your Telehealth Counseling

• Create your therapeutic space. As many of us are working and living in the same place, it can be helpful to designate space(s) in or around your home for your counseling experience. You can create a space by selecting:

  • A comfortable place to sit with lots of room to move

  • Items that provide a grounding, soothing, or pleasant experience for you, like plants, a comforting blanket or pillow, an appealing piece of artwork, or a keepsake that brings up enjoyable memories. Bringing these items into your designated counseling space can help access that soothing and safe experience of being in your counselor's office in addition to acting as a self-soothing resource. Having tissues nearby may also be helpful.

  • A location outside your home, if your home is not conducive to therapeutic work. A nearby park or even a parking lot can afford you the privacy and safety needed to connect with your counselor.  

• Consider changing the location of your therapeutic space every so often. You may find that a change in scenery brings a refreshing new perspective to your therapeutic work.

• Maximize privacy and minimize distractions. In a time when things are changing rapidly, you may be experiencing more demands on your attention. It's important to set up your space to limit interruptions so you can be fully present. Do this by:

  • Communicating with those you live with that you should not be disturbed during your counseling session. Closing the door or posting a sign can be easy and convenient options.

  • Using a sound machine or playing ambient noises on another device. This will not only have a soothing effect, but can also limit outside distractions.

  • Wearing headphones to maintain your privacy and minimize distractions.

• Build in a buffer. While telehealth affords you convenience of connecting with your counselor from home, you may miss the time driving to and from your counselor's office. For many, this time affords the ability to transition between your tasks at home or work and the therapeutic space. Building in buffer time can help you achieve these same benefits at home. You can do this by:

  • Blocking off 10-20 minutes both before and after your session to allow yourself the opportunity to transition more smoothly into and out of the therapeutic work.

  • Journaling, meditating, or reviewing your primary goals and concerns for the session before meeting with your counselor. Setting aside this time can make your sessions feel more focused and fruitful.

  • Using your time after session to journal, reflect on the session, or relax for a few minutes before returning to your responsibilities.

• Be thoughtful about your technology. Doing so can make your telehealth session experience a breeze. Practical considerations can include:

  • Ensuring you have a consistent connection and a charger for your device close by.

  • Testing your device and practicing logging into the telehealth platform before your first telehealth session.

  • Using a computer to allow you to see your counselor's face and space more clearly (and vice versa).

  • Freeing your hands by propping up your device on something stable. In doing so, you may find you express yourself more easily and aren't distracted by holding up your device throughout the session. Get creative with your set up—books, boxes, pillows and other items can be incredibly helpful.

While many things in our world look different as a result of COVID-19, the counseling experience is easily adaptable to telehealth with a few thoughtful and intentional adjustments. Be creative and playful with these suggestions as you find what is most helpful for you. Consider revisiting these ideas over the course of your telehealth experience as small adjustments can make your space feel fresh, comforting, and safe.

If you find it difficult to establish a space that feels conducive to your therapeutic work, bring it up in session with your counselor for additional support and ideas.

To schedule your telehealth session with Grace Grant, M.S., LPC Intern - Supervised by Ashley Rogers LPC-S, call 214-586-0044 or email info@grove-counseling.com.