Prepare for your appointment
Virtual counselling has come a long way in the past few years. Studies have shown that using a virtual platform for video conferencing in session is as effective as in person, with the added benefit of remaining in the comfortable environment of your home or another safe space.
That being said, your environment during sessions is no longer in control of the therapist but in your hands. There are things you can do to help increase the benefits of counselling on a virtual platform. Here are a few tips to help you make the best of your counselling experience:
Have a strong internet connection. A strong internet connection is important to maintain a steady flow in the session and limit distraction from outside sources. This might mean asking others in your household to spend that time on activities that do not require internet or using a cable and connecting directly with the internet line instead of using Wi-Fi.
Find a quiet place by yourself. Life can be hectic and sometimes it is difficult to find a few minutes for yourself, let alone 50 minutes, but it is important for the therapeutic process to have this time for yourself. If you live with others, try to find a quiet room with a door that you can close. For your own concentration, ask that no one bothers you during the session, and for a few minutes afterwards as you may require some time to reflect before rejoining the activities of the household. If a separate room is not an option, you can get creative and find yourself a quiet and relaxing place to drive yourself to and have the session from your car or reserve a private room at the library. These sessions are private, and you must feel comfortable in that privacy to be able to fully engage in the session.
Be prepared. As tempting as it might be to attend these sessions in the most comfortable manner imaginable, a certain level of professionalism is recommended to separate the counselling sessions from mundane household activities. Grooming yourself in a manner consistent with in-person sessions can help mentally prepare you to be focused in session. I encourage a balance, for all clients, between comfort and professionalism.
Being prepared also extends to having a pen and paper with you, facial tissues, water within reach, and maintaining a comfortable environment such as having a sweater or shawl on cooler days or having a fan on when it is warm.
Our goal is to make meaningful changes for your life satisfaction. This can seem daunting under the best circumstances, so let us do what we can to ensure a safe and secure environment that will better serve you as we explore your inner self.