Online counselling was earlier sought mainly by people who are not able to access in-person counselling or therapy services in their location. But today, when we are all not able to move out of our homes in the current situation, many people opt for online counselling. It is possible to seek professional support, especially in the current uncertain times, without stepping out.

Lock downs, forced to stay at home, comes with its own set of challenges. It also aggravates any existing problems and challenges as well. It need not stop you from seeking professional support that you want to seek.

Today a variety of counselling services are provided through online channels.  Some of the channels/media are face to face video calls, telephone counselling, counselling over email, over chat etc.

As a therapist among all these online options I personally prefer, the video call based counselling, as second best to in-person sessions where the client and therapist are in the same location. 

A video call provides face to face interaction between the client and therapist, and it becomes possible for the therapist to take a notice of many nonverbal signals like facial expressions, posture, eye contact etc.

But there are many providers who do use the other media like email or phone counselling based upon the requirements of their specific clients. 

In this article, I am going to talk about what you can do to make the best out of online counselling over a video call. 

1. Get your queries clarified upfront

When you first reach out to the counsellor to get an appointment for a session, get all your queries clarified with the counsellor. Though your counsellor may give you most of the information that you may need it is good to know what is important for you to be aware. Ask about the counsellor’s qualifications and experience. Check what modes/medium are available for counselling, and specify what you are comfortable with. Counsellor also will give you clarity in terms of what they are comfortable with.  It is important that both you and your counsellor need to be comfortable and have the facility needed for the medium of counselling. Ask about payment modes, online wallets or bank transfer etc and ensure that you are comfortable with the same.

2. Plan for your Privacy

Counselling is a safe space for you where you can express yourself without any hesitation or fear. Hence ensure that you have a private space for yourself to be able to speak openly and without any hesitation or fear. If you are taking the call from a room, it is preferable that you close the door and lock it. Ensure that you stay undisturbed during the call and that no one else can hear the conversation.  I usually do not recommend clients taking the calls from open spaces like a park or a coffee shop etc, but there have been times when clients have taken the session from their parked car to have better privacy.

3. Take the Online Counselling session seriously

Even if the session is going to be over a video call, the process is the same as an in-person session. It is important that you login on time and keep the counsellor informed if you are going to be a few minutes late. Turn up for the online session as though you are there in person.  Wear appropriate clothing and groom to be presentable. Ensure that your mobiles are on silent.

4. Set up your logistics upfront

Ensure that you have proper Lighting and ventilation and a good internet connection.  Use a computer/mobile with a reasonably good camera. Close other applications and other windows on your system. Get yourself a pair of good quality headphones with a mike. If you are going to use a Video call application, install it prior and check its functioning and get comfortable with it upfront.

5. Be prepared for technical issues

Be prepared and expect that there might be some technical issues like network issues, loss of internet connectivity, power cuts etc that might happen during your session.  Have patience and plan for alternative arrangements, in case that happens. It is good to talk to you about any possible technical issues and plan for an alternative arrangement to continue and complete the session.  It is not advisable to stop a session abruptly unless it is a major emergency.

6. Be aware of the limitations of online platforms

Understand that there might be certain limitations for therapy on online platforms like a video call. Very intensive deep therapeutic work may not be indicated on online platform depending on the challenges that you bring into therapy. Check about possibilities of meeting the counsellor in-person subsequently to continue in therapy or to have intermittent in-person meetings. As a therapist I recommend this option, to clients for whom this is possible. Also the recent incidents of privacy breaches on a popular online platform, means that you and your therapist need to explore and choose a platform that is secure and confidential.

Online counselling on video calls can be utilized for adult-individual counselling, couple counselling, adolescent counselling as well. I don’t consider it a good choice for very young children.

 About the Author:

Kala Balasubramanian is a certified Counselling Psychologist and Psychotherapist with a Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy, Diplomas in Counselling and has further certifications specializing in couple/marriage/relationship counselling and family counselling. She takes an eclectic approach with different therapeutic modalities like CBT, Gestalt, TA in her work. As a trained therapist, she provides professional and confidential Counselling and Therapy, including Individual counselling and Couples counselling / Marriage counselling.

Reach us at +919632146316 or write to us at counselor@innerdawn.in.  We provide online counselling over video calls for individuals and couples

The post 6 points to make the best out of Online Counselling first appeared on Inner Dawn Counselling.