To get the most out of virtual counseling, you need to prepare ahead of time for your appointment and minimize distractions during the therapy session. Check your technology and internet to make sure your video call will go as smoothly as possible.
Are you wondering how you can get the most out of a virtual therapy session? Perhaps you’re researching to see if virtual mental health counseling services are right for you.
Keep reading to learn more about how to get the most out of therapy through preparation, habits during therapy, and post-therapy self-care.
This blog post will cover the steps to prepare for virtual counseling, what you need to do during your virtual appointment, and what to do after a virtual therapy session.
To learn more about the pros and cons of in-person therapy versus virtual therapy, click here.
Steps to Prepare for Virtual Counseling
Getting the most out of your virtual counseling appointment means preparing ahead of time to make sure that your technology, environment, and schedule will allow you to dedicate your full attention to the therapy session.
Plan where to have your appointment, and make sure your location has adequate WiFi or data capabilities for video calls. Also, make sure your location is private enough for your therapy session, and avoid public places where your conversation may be overheard.
Test the video calling platform to make sure that your camera and microphone are working and that the app has access to them. Many video calling apps have ways to test your equipment before a video call.
Cancel or reschedule any conflicts ahead of time. Don’t plan to multi-task during your virtual appointment.
If you have children, plan activities and/or supervision for them to minimize distractions. Plan ahead on how to redirect them when needed quickly.
What To Do During Your Virtual Appointment
During your virtual appointment, ignore or minimize the impact of distractions. Do not drive or multitask during your appointment. Make sure you’re in a quiet, private location. Also, be sure that you’re comfortable enough to focus on the therapy and not any physical discomfort from your setting.
During the appointment, keep the camera and microphone on as much as possible. Keeping your video on will help you and your therapist establish a better connection because you and your therapist will be able to see body language and facial expressions.
While the absolute ideal setting for virtual therapy is not always available, try to find a location with all or as many of these features as possible.
Quiet enough to hear your therapist and be understood by your therapist without yelling
Private enough for you to disclose any and all matters that you need to address with your therapist
Comfortable enough for you to sit during the therapy session and dedicate your focus and attention to your emotional needs
A place where the lighting allows your face to be clearly seen on the camera with the therapist
A location where you can see your screen without too much glare or other interference
A spot free from distractions like children, pets, friends, family members, or strangers
What to Do After a Virtual Therapy Session
After your virtual counseling session, allow for self-care and rest as much as possible because therapy can be emotionally difficult and draining. Mark your calendar with your next appointment, and note any technology problems that need to be resolved before your next appointment.
Why do you need to rest after mental health counseling?
Video calls, especially those with a heavy emotional burden like therapy, can lead to fatigue. It’s mentally exhausting to engage with others through video calls because of the increased cognitive load.
Don’t underestimate the importance of feeling grounded after an emotionally intense session of therapy.
Virtual Counseling Services in Idaho
If you need virtual counseling services in Idaho, contact Meraki Healthcare at (208)-643-5343. Meraki Healthcare offers trauma-informed virtual therapy sessions with skilled therapists and virtual dietetics counseling for clients who need help establishing a healthy lifestyle.
If you want tips on how to find the best counselor for your needs, check out this blog post.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I not do after therapy?
After therapy, don’t shame yourself. Instead, practice self-compassion and patience. You may need to rest or engage in self-care following therapy to emotionally recover from the important work that happens during mental health counseling.
What kinds of self-care should I do after therapy?
Self-care rituals vary from person to person, but some good self-care practices after therapy include exercise, journaling, breathing exercises, lying quietly to ground yourself, or any other activity that relaxes you. Creating a familiar routine after therapy sessions is often helpful.
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