Nervous About Online Therapy? Here's What to Expect
You made the decision to try online therapy. Congratulations! Making the decision to start any type of therapy can be a hard decision for some to make.
Whether this is your first time trying therapy or your first time trying online therapy, you may not know what to expect in your first appointment. Feeling anxious or nervous about online therapy is completely normal!
Here are some things to expect with online therapy:
Verification
If you've ever gone to therapy in person, your first online therapy appointment will look and feel very similar. If you've never gone to therapy, don't fret! This first appointment will be comparable to going to a doctor or dentist for the first time.
Here are some things you may need with your first appointment:
Drivers License or ID Card
Current Location / Address
Emergency Contacts
Paperwork
Confidentiality Agreement
Consent Forms
Financials
Typically, before or during your first appointment, you'll upload your information ahead of time or provide any necessary information during the appointment. The same thing will happen during online therapy.
If not verified ahead of time, your therapist will want to verify your identity, location, and any emergency contacts. The location and emergency contacts are necessary in case you need additional help during your therapy session.
Paperwork is always necessary for both parties. Paperwork will also be provided prior to or during the appointment. Your therapist will work with you to make sure you understand all the policies, like private, practice, and cancellation policies.
And last but not least, financials will be discussed. Whether you're paying on your own or using insurance, you'll be able to find out how to submit payment.
Special Considerations Relating to Online Therapy
When attending a therapy session in person, you're usually in a closed room one-on-one with your therapist. You may be wondering if online therapy is as private and personal compared to actually meeting in person. It can be!
It's best to work with your therapist during your initial appointment and find what works best for you. Online therapy looks different for everyone. You may find a quiet room in your house. Maybe you feel more comfortable taking the session in your car or garage, away from any distractions at home. Headphones may be used to feel more comfortable and private as well!
Another special consideration relating to online therapy is relying on technology. This can be a blessing and a curse. Technology doesn't always run smoothly, which means there could be audio or video problems like glitching, freezing, muting, etc.
It's best to determine a backup plan together in case technology fails during your session. Your backup plan could be as simple as having a phone call instead of a video call during one of your sessions if there are any issues with technology at the time of your scheduled appointment.
What Brings You to Therapy?
Despite not meeting in person, your therapist will still want to know what brings you to therapy and some background history on what led you here. The information you provide will give your therapist a baseline understanding of your wants, needs, goals, and any expectations you have for your therapy journey.
Setting an Appointment Schedule
If you don't have a regular session scheduled yet, you and your therapist will work together on determining the best schedule to meet. Typically, if possible, it's recommended to set the same day and time each week. Think of this as your time to dedicate towards your own personal growth.
I meet for online therapy through Zoom or over the phone—whichever you prefer. We will begin our work together with a general intake that will focus on personal strengths and presenting issues. Using this information, we can discuss which approaches to therapy might be most effective for you.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a free 15-minute consultation, please contact me via phone (248) 821-9130 or send me a message using the contact form.
