How To Make The Most Out Of Your Online Therapy Visit

How to Prepare for Your Online Therapy Visit

Preparing for an online therapy visit can help you make the most of your therapy appointment time at AccoladeCare. Thinking about what brings you to therapy now and preparing your meeting space to ensure privacy is a good place to start. Once you know why you are scheduling a therapy appointment and what you would like to accomplish, it will be easier to manage and prepare for your work.

Key factors to consider include writing down or thinking about questions you have for your therapist, setting up your phone or computer ahead of time, and completing all of the required online forms before your first appointment.

Keep reading to get additional information and insight about how to prepare for your online  therapy visit at AccoladeCare.

What is an Online Therapy Visit?

Online therapy is the same as in-person therapy, the only difference being you are meeting with a licensed therapist online rather than going to a therapist’s office. Online therapy is conducted via a secure video chat by a licensed therapist, where you can talk about your feelings and what may be distressing you or keeping you from feeling ok. 

Therapists offer ways to manage emotions, feel more balanced, and may offer coping skills to help guide you through difficult situations or memories. Our experienced therapists will tailor your sessions to meet your unique needs.  

According to the American Psychological Association, online therapy is effective, and research has found satisfaction to be high among patients and therapists. 

Before technology made online therapy possible, therapy was typically held in person in an office setting. Online therapy is now commonly completed online through video technology, similar to a Zoom call,  in the comfort of your home. Some benefits of online treatment include the following:

• Convenience
• Affordability
• Accessibility

AccoladeCare offers online therapy with licensed therapists. You can either book a single therapy session or sign up for weekly sessions. AccoladeCare also provides a free initial 15-minute consultation where you can meet with a therapist before scheduling an appointment to ask questions and see if it is a good fit for you.  

Verifying What State You Are In

Verifying which state you are in before your online therapy session is essential. Because therapist licensing is state-based, your online therapist must be licensed to practice in the state you are currently located in during the session. AccoladeCare’s online therapy platform automatically gives you therapists to choose from your state, which makes choosing the right therapist easy.

Technical Setup for Your Online Therapy Visit

Some technical setup is required to participate in online therapy. It is done by utilizing a secure video conferencing platform to perform therapy sessions online. To have a successful online therapy visit, be sure to have the following prepared through your computer or smartphone:

• Stable Wi-Fi
• A functioning microphone and camera
• Access to the AccoladeCare website or app

A stable internet connection is a high priority for online therapy. You risk accidentally disconnecting or dropping a virtual therapy session without a stable Wi-Fi connection.

You will need a working camera and microphone to speak with your therapist during the online session. Typically most phones or computers have a microphone and camera that can work well. During your online therapy visit, ensure the microphone and video icons are on when viewing the screen.

At AccoladeCare, our therapists double-check Wi-Fi strength, camera, and microphone access before therapy sessions to give you peace of mind. Consider logging into the AccoladeCare app 10 minutes before your online therapy session to ensure everything is in working order.

It's essential to hear, concentrate, and have the therapist listen to your responses. Being in a quiet place helps confidentiality. Make sure you have a designated safe place to talk. You may be asked to reschedule your visit if you are driving or in a public place during the session. 

Being prepared will help you make the most of your online therapy visit.

How to Avoid Distractions During Your Online Therapy Session

Online therapy visits may make people more prone to distractions since they are not physically in an office or clinic. It is essential to mention that you should not be driving a vehicle during your session since this is extremely dangerous and may lead to injury.

Some common distractions to avoid during your online therapy visit include the following:

• Eating or drinking
• Exercising
• Driving
• Scrolling through social media
• Texting or checking emails
• Browsing the Internet

To help avoid distractions during therapy, it is essential to devote your complete and total attention to the session before it starts. To stay connected during an online  therapy visit, consider the following:

• Closing all browsers and other tabs
• Turning off all other video tools, such as Skype and Zoom
• Disabling notifications for 1 hour during your session
• Scheduling a session when you are home alone
• Scheduling sessions when children are at school or daycare
• Eating and drinking before your session begins
• Using the restroom before your session begins

Filling Out Any Screening Forms Ahead of Time

Filling out screening forms entirely and honestly will provide your therapist with helpful information. Screening forms are used to get to know you better and provide the best possible mental health services. All answers on screening forms are kept confidential as state and federal law require. 

Come With a List of Questions or Topics You Want to Cover

Writing down or thinking about questions before you talk with your therapist helps you to be prepared and help you to get the most out of your session. 

Examples of questions you may ask your therapist include the following:

• Is what I am feeling “normal”?
• How do I stick up for myself in a healthy way?
• What is the best way to deal with conflict at work?
• How can I heal from the traumatic events I have been through?
• What tools can I use to help me with this situation?

You can also ask the therapist questions about their practice, such as their specialty area or the methods they use for therapy.

During an online therapy session, people often talk about relationships, and specific events in their life, vent feelings or ask general mental health questions. Your therapist is there to guide you and help you understand the complexities of emotional health and relationships and will set goals with you that meet your individual needs.

Talk to a Therapist Online

Our therapists are here to help. You can book an online therapy visit with AccoladeCare. We offer convenient and affordable online therapy services with licensed therapists through our HIPAA-compliant online therapy platform.

Online therapy may be right for you if you want to support your mental health. Book an online therapy appointment today.

Sources

American Psychological Association. (2015). What you need to know before choosing online therapy. Accessed on March 24, 2022, athttps://www.apa.org/topics/telehealth/online-therapy

Psychology Today. (2021). How to prepare for your first virtual therapy session. Accessed on March 24, 2022, atHow to Prepare for Your First Virtual Therapy Session | Psychology Today